Passing On the Faith

Eccl. 11:9-12:7

Introduction:

1. We are living in very challenging times. Life is rapidly changing, values are changing, technology is changing daily

2. The greatest need in our homes today is still to “know” the Lord—that will never change.

3. It has been said:

“Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners and a contempt for authority. They show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants and not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, gobble up their food, and tyrannize their teachers.” (Socrates, 400 years before Christ)

4. The more some things change, the more others stay the same!

5. In adolescence, young people are searching for faith!

a. they are making critical judgments about their faith and looking for answers to their doubts

b. they are exploring alternatives and ideas

c. they have a need to commit themselves to some belief system

6. John 1:40,41 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He found first his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ).

7. Our task is to get them to the point where they “own” their faith, because they have chosen to follow Jesus.

THREE REASONS TO INSTILL CHRISTIAN STANDARDS TODAY

I. To give our children the priorities of Scripture

1. The word of God must be impressed upon our hearts if we are to impress them upon our children (Deut. 6:6).

2. The word of God applies to every situation in life. No one is better suited to model and apply God's teaching to every area of life than a parent.

3. We must establish Biblical guidelines for the gray areas. We not only want our children to know right from wrong, we must also teach them discretion between what is wise and what is foolish.

1. Am I fully convinced in my own mind that this activity is right, or does my conscience condemn me? (Rom. 14:22,23)

2. Am I acting in submission to Christ as Lord? (Rom. 14:6-9)

3. Am I willing to be judged for my actions? (Rom. 14:10-12)

4. Will my action put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way? (Rom. 14:13-15)

5. Will this activity profit and edify me? (1 Cor. 10:23)

6. Will this activity be habit-forming so as to enslave me? (1 Cor. 6:12)

7. Does it bring glory to God? (1 Cor. 10:31)

8. Does it hinder or help men come to Christ? (1 Cor. 10:33)

9. Would I be ashamed if people I respect saw me doing this?

10. Do I think it is all right for people I respect to do what I am thinking of doing? (the elders, preacher, youth minister, my parents)

II. To give our children the family skills they will need

1. They will need to know how to be good spouses and good parents

2. They will need to know how to love their children--perspectives change greatly when a person becomes a parent

3. Our children will parent their children the way we have parented them! You are serving your grandchildren and great-children.

a. they must learn to trust in God

b. they must learn that God’s way is best

c. Mark Wilhite is the grandson of J. Porter Wilhite, a great gospel preacher; his faith was inspired by his grandfather

d. they must learn to avoid the works of the flesh and to enjoy the fruit of the Spirit in their lives: (Gal. 5:19-24)

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

III. To give them a personal relationship with God

1. Eccl. 12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them";

2. 80 per cent of those who obey the gospel do so before the age of 21

3. The story of 77 year-old “Cole” who grew up in the church, did not obey the gospel, married a woman outside the church and remained outside the church a long time…

a. Years passed when he would drive by a church building, yet not attend

b. Six years ago his wife died

c. Four years ago he came to the Lord and was baptized

d. He is an unhappy man about some things:

· he wasted much of his life without God

· he hurt his parents by never obeying the gospel during their lifetime

· he never taught his wife about the gospel

· he never led his kids to the Lord

4. Cole cried to me, warn the young people to come to the Lord, marry a Christian

Conclusion:

1. The challenge of raising young people to know the Lord is great. Being the parent of an adolescent is one of the most difficult tasks of life.

2. The battle for our children’s lives and faith is waged on our knees. When we don’t pray, it’s like sitting on the sidelines watching our children in a war zone, getting shot at from every angle. When we do pray, we’re in the battle alongside them, asking God to help them with the strength they need to live.

3. If both parents are dedicated, attending, involved Christians, it is likely the children will be. But if one or both are unfaithful or uninvolved, it will be very difficult for a son or daughter to stay faithful to the Lord.

4. Could someone grow to know the Lord living at your house?