Children That Bring Delight

Welcome to the radio ministry ethically returns in Henderson. Margo is to make Christ visible Clearview is a place of genuine worship with ministries for all age groups and all people. For more information, visit us at 3485 Oxford Rd. in Henderson for visit us online@clearviewb.org now join us for this week's message by Pastor Otto the fifth message final message in our series on the Trinity. If you haven't been here for the past few weeks or this the first time here this morning we been going through a series called battle of the gods. If you have your Bibles with you turn to John chapter 5 the message is called children that bring delight were those kind of children that make parents proud Jesus is saying these words listen very carefully.

I can of myself do nothing as I hear, I judge in my judgment is righteous because I do not seek my own will but the will of the father who sent me my verse 36 for the works which the father has given me to finish the very works that I do, bear witness of me, that the father has sent me… Jesus is saying I'm obedient to my heavenly father.

Whatever he tells me to do.

I do and my obedience justifies who I am and it is pleasing to my father. Would you agree this morning that children today in 2016 are not like children used to be 2030 4060 years ago.

Would you agree with that children have changed.

There's a book out by letter saxes called the collapse of parenting. I do recommend everything that he writes but most of what he writes is right on the money in this book that he is a family physician. He is a psychologist and he talks about a mother bringing a six year old to him because he had a sore throat when he told him to open his mouth so he could see. You know what's wrong with him. His mother stepped in and she asked the child's permission and said something like, do you mind if the doctor looks at your throat for just a second, honey. This may be a tough message for some of you because you do this, of course, the child said no and then he had to be restrained so the doctor could examine his throat and sense goes on and says it's not a question it's a sentence something like open up and say that's I was supposed to be right. Open them out.

Say what is more like honey, open your mouth to the doctor can look at you and then he says parents are incapable of speaking the truth to their children in a sentence that ends in it. Nowadays every sentence ends in it? Would you could you please will you something is wrong what is happening to our children is that obedience has become optional or nonexistent.

Parents are no longer authoritative or in charge there more like facilitators. If you know what I mean by like a life coach. Let's just help you become the best you can be there focus on making the children happy and boosting their self-esteem. Parents are afraid of being the bad guy we want our children to love us and say my daddy is awesome.

My mom is my parents are so good for. Look at what all they do for me, but don't make me mind is not that they don't spend time with their children, they do but it's not family time of the sense of having a dinner together or talking about values or right from wrong is more like shuffling them from different activities from dance to music to two karate lessons.

The something something something there, shuffling them to think I'm spending time with Mike is he there.

I am trying to give their children everything that didn't have one of the parents tries to intervene and do what is right. The other one intercepts and the one trying gives up snow use what parents don't realize is that they're harming the children more than helping them. And sadly, this is another issue in many homes. The parent is more like the child and the child and please don't think this is out of the projects is also in some million dollar homes is the same issue where parents are acting like children.

No wonder the child seeks the approval of other people their own peers and sacks and I'm want to step on some toes here this morning. He signed several researchers to prove that this lack of parenting authority is the cause of rise in obesity is the cause of rise in anti-anxiety and ADD medications here to save all those are bad because there are situations where that is needed but I truly believe based on his research. Many many many many times what is happening to American kids.

Kids in the Western culture is not right. It is not normal.

It is also the cause of rise and disrespect all you have do turn on the TV and you see these kids doing things are going. If my mama saw me do that. There's a rise and disrespect specially to words adults and why kids are so fragile today all so sensitive. Where are you getting this when there is no authority in the home and something else. If I may add, there's a sense of entitlement.

I deserve this. Everybody wins. Now don't have time to analyze all the causes for this and some of the causes of the pain painful to you this morning up in a user about the Clearview board ruin my day.

But truth is truth.

Would you agree with that or the biggest causes of the problems our children are facing today is the breakdown of marriage.

Now I know I know we've stopped talking about that because every other person is divorced or been through it and I'm not here to pour more guilt on you and said there you go.

Feel worse about yourself but truth is truth. When a hole breaks down when mother and father split up and go their separate ways. Whoever is to be blamed or both doesn't really matter. It's all over but the truth is true.

The consequence keeps coming and we try to blame everything else. But the real blame is here. Not only that, but is also abuse. There's mental or physical abuse.

If anything, overdose of psychology. I believe we can learn a lot from psychology but nothing was happening in our culture today is over. Those were everybody's Dr. Phil and more than anything else. Lack of biblical truth. The point is this.

Both children and parents in our culture desperately need help and help is available, but it's not going to be the way you think is not a TV show is not even this book is not to be a message from your favorite preacher on TV or or somebody really following a door.

The message is this the help is found in God himself is found in the Trinity. See we are made in the image of God. We reflect God not only as individuals but also in our marriages but also how we raise our children. We were designed to reflect him. He is the prototype.

When we get away from that model. That's when the problems begin, let me ask you this morning. What I shared with you in the past five minutes.

Has this hit a nerve for you. I can imagine this must be painful for some of you who been through the struggles you're going to the struggle just like has struck a chord for you in the sense that you agree you see these things happening, maybe his people around you were making this decision. These choices do you need God's wisdom and guidance in your home.

What is needed is truth. What is needed his help and help is available is not going to be the way you think it is is has to come from the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, focusing upon the Trinity and how that works, because that's how our marriages in our homes are to work in the question I ask every week is are you say you if you don't have Jesus in your life no matter who tells you three things if you did with your kids so much better summary all the reason you have the kids in sports and so do keep them out of trouble. Guess what the still get into it. They need something more. They need something deeper in their hearts that cannot happen just by giving them something to do three things will look at this morning how to raise children that bring delight three ingredients messages deep. I hope you'll stay with me. Number one, we need to understand the true model for parents and children are shared this a little bit with you already. Listen to verse 30 Jesus says I can of myself do nothing as a son. He is saying.

I can do nothing by myself as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the father was sent.

If you were here last week and are shared with you how much the Trinity sets the tone for our marriage in the Trinity, father, son and Spirit three are equal in essence and yet they are distinct in order. The father is over, the son.

The father and son are over. The Holy Spirit that gives us the model for the family for the marriage. Number one husband and wives are equal in essence be believe that there is a distinction in order.

The husband is called to be the spiritual head of his home and the wife is to follow his leadership. None of them to preach that message again go back and listen to it. It's on the web. It's on my blog site is all there, but the Trinity not only tells us how to order our marriages but also tells us how to order our families, our children, just like father son and Spirit three are equal. Parents and children are also equal in the sight of God, even unborn child is just as equal as those sitting here this morning be believe that our culture doesn't every child is just as valuable as a grown adult.

Whoever they may be, we are equal because were made in the image of God, just a father-son spirit are equal, so also parents and children are equal, yet there is insured in order for the father tells us on what to do, not vice versa. So also in our homes.

Parents tell the children what to do, not the other way around you. So where did you get that listen to what Paul said in Colossians chapter 3 verse 17. First he lays out the Trinity and then he talks about the family. Listen to what he says in verse 17.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus is the second person but giving thanks to God the father through him. There is the order, there is the Trinity there equal, and yet there is a distinction having talked about the Trinity pause and say okay that's it. He goes on to verse 18. Therefore, wives submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord, as is fitting towards the Trinity. You see how the Trinity sets the order for your home equal in your distinction. By the way distinction does not mean that the man is superior over the woman or the woman is inferior to the man different roles, but he doesn't stop there something else. Verse 19 husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Why my short should you hold a grudge against you. Why because the father never holds a grudge against the son and the father and the son.

Never hold a grudge against the Holy Spirit will be bitter.

You see, everything that we do in life is a reflection of the triune God, but is not done yet. Listen to verse 20 because there is another application because of the Trinity which is children obey your parents in all things for this is well pleasing to the Lord because this is what makes the Trinity happy when you obey your parents know when we talk about this order.

This is not some detached spiritual order of things like you know the father says yes my son go go do what I tell you to do and the son says yes my father like an old Star Wars movie.

Yes, it is not like that is a real love listen to John three verse 35 was a say. The father loves the son and has given all things into his hand. Where do we learn that we need to do this to our children and give things to them and see them happy to begin from from the Trinity. That's what the father does with his son John 520 for the father was the word again loves the son and shows him all things that he himself does this not enough to say son I will give you everything. Sometimes I know you, dad. You call you sent over and you say or you dollars and look when she how to do this in mom's you do that with your daughters is 11.

She how to cook around me show you how to fix this and show you how to read this or whatever. Where do we understand that this this is what parents should do because the father doesn't with the sun in the Trinity in the heavenly family are model as parents is God the father spoke some of you are remodeling your lives. After you mom and dad or your grandparents or your neighbor or your schoolteacher or even the pastor of this church, I'm here to tell you you need to change. You definitely don't want any of these to be that you can learn from them. But if you want to model. There's only one you were made to reflect him so look to the real deal. It's God the father. He is always firm and yet he is always loving. He requires obedience and yet he is always full of grace. He goes above and beyond and how father-son does he reluctantly grudgingly obeys life fine. I'll go die for those humans you love them, you know John 316 oh listen to what he says in John 829 he says I always do those things that means I want to please my dad, how many of you would love to have children like that that you want your children to please you a lesson that sounds like fingernails on chalkboard. Some of you going to know I want to please them never meant to be that way, your children should be looking for opportunities to say I want to see the smiling dad's face it, what were doing standing on the sideline roping hope I hope you're happy with me. I've done everything for you. You think you're helping them, helping them at all.

Jesus is always do those things that please him. This is another reference John 17 in his high priestly prayer, Jesus says, oh righteous father. You know he's calling his dad a good dad is so fashionable in our culture today to stand there and talk about how your dad missed you and how he is horrible and he was not the man he was supposed to be and he wasn't there for you and your messed up and do all the crazy things was because he dad Jesus is bragging on his dad he says oh righteous father. The world has not known you but I have known you don't understand you, but I knew when I was in high school my dad came to zero games then bother me. You know why because I knew he was working it was working two jobs, three jobs just to keep her family afloat in the early years of our lives. We don't have anything dealing or holding a grudge against him arrive on a bragging on why because I knew he is a righteous dad he he did everything down understand that but I do in this know what else he says, verse 26 and I have declared to them your name. How many of you would love to have your children brag on you.

He said I have declared to them your name and will declare it to keep talking about how good you are awesome you are that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them means I want them to have the same love that you've given me books that should be the model for our children ask you this morning.

What would happen has what you did in your child's life. If you children are grown. Has it worked out.

I mean, that the truth cuts like a knife doesn't work out, I can guarantee you hundred out of hundred. It did.

Why because you were not imitating the Trinity you are imitating either yourself or imitating somebody else or some TV show or some movie or some book or some psychologist on TV you are not going by the model you are supposed to what would happen if parents and specially the fathers were just like God the father, loving, and yet firm.

What would happen if the children knew that they were truly love and they honored their parents. By the way, you may not always obey your parents.

But you're always to honor your parents know the Bible says in the book of Proverbs never despise your mother and her older age. What would happen if if children were obedient promptly, completely and cheerfully as the standard mask this morning. Fathers do you actively love your children now know sometimes you have to work you can be there for your child to listen. If you are more interested in your hobbies and indulging in sin than being there for your children.

Shame on you there's a problem in Western culture. I see that because I've come from another part of the world. Most children do not have a dad in most homes there is no dad as the little boy is going through changes in his life. There is no dad there to say son, it's okay. You'll be all right. I've been there a limit to you how you handle business what you do.

This is what happens in be okay. There is no dad in many homes. There is no dad to talk to the daughter who is going through a breakup and say this and you'll be all you'll find somebody better. He would go beat him up, even as a joke. There's nobody there even joke that way and that young girl has to fight her own battles by herself. What would happen if we were like the Trinity. I love my son not given everything to him what would happen if, like Jesus. Children actually brag on their parents and where open them completely, totally and cheerfully always designed to please their parents, suggesting please their parents in the sense of holdback affection. Some parents do that.

Another show you love until you do what I told but training them, making me happy should be the best thing in your life you know why the sound so foreign because were so far off from this book. Here's number two the true esteem of our children. Time is running away. Listen to verse 31 Jesus says if I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true what is happening here to give you little context, the Jewish leaders were accusing Jesus of not only breaking the Sabbath, but making himself equal with the father and according to the Jewish law you needed two witnesses to prove either you are guilty or not guilty. One of the know either way you cannot be your own witness. Obviously you cannot say what I am not guilty because I said so. So Jesus says if I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. Jesus being perfect says I am not going to self validate. So, who will justify you, Jesus.

Listen to verse 32. There is another who bears witness of me. There's another who can justify and validate me who has it and I know that the witness which he witnesses of me is true means what is good, say about me is the truth. Listen to verse 33 you have sent to John that's John the Baptist, and he has borne witness to the truth John the Baptist will talk about me, he will validate me, he will justify that I am who I am but I listen to verse 34 yet I do not receive testimony from man.

Wait a minute, you're not going to justify yourself. John is telling the truth about you, but you don't want his justification either you were living a selfie culture.

We agree with that or proving that were beautiful were smart. I do it too, but not for that reason, usually some historical side.

I'm trying to tell you guys look, I've been there. What are we doing really was saying look at look at look at how good I am. Look at where I met were doing as we ourselves justify what you do after we take that picture. We posted as you want other people to validate it. You want them to tell us how good we are and we check it every two minutes to see the lights are going up. You think Jesus would have Facebook I think he would, but I don't think it would do selfies abounding, he would wait for how many people like his post. So who is going to justify your Jesus, who is going to say you are good enough. Listen to verse 36. I have a greater witness than John's, for the works which the father has given me to finish the very worst that I do, bear witness of me.

I don't need me to say how good I am. I don't need you to say how good I am. Even if you're right, my obedience proves how good I would happen if our children cared more about obedience than peer review were teaching our children to say you're so smart you're so good honey no matter what you do. I'm always be proud of Naz find to say all of that.

Please build them up but validation is not based on what you say about yourself or what others say about you is based on your obedience do you do what God has told you to do.

Are you constantly trying to self validate. Are you constantly seeking the validation of others. How much does obedience children, how much does obedience to your parents matter to you if your dad or your mom has said this, don't do it unless it's something unethical or illegal obey them. It was the fifth commandment is on the 10 Commandments.

Honor your father and your mother so that your days may be long and made on as safe. Parents some of you may have to break your bad habits because your children are becoming like you. If you are constantly self validating or looking for others approval.

Don't blame your kids for copying you, here's number three and will close the true model for parents and children as the Trinity, the true esteem of our children should be obedience to us. Number three the true approval of the parent verse 37. Listen to what Jesus says and the father himself who sent me has testified of me God the father has validated the sun.

How did he validate him. Some people think the father validated the sun at the baptism that when Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened and the voice was heard. This is my beloved son in whom I am will leave for sale. There is the father said oh I'm pleased with my son. And then there's another time in the Mount of Transfiguration when Moses and Elijah came spoke to Jesus in a bright cloud overshadowed them in the same voice was heard. The father this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. People heard that voice.

Some people say the father himself who sent me has testified of me must be that voice goes to time.

Well, let's keep listening to verse 37 Jesus says you have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his form, but a minute.

One of the baptism or the Mount of Transfiguration. What you're talking about the father saying pleased with my son. Jesus said no less than what I have in mind.

In fact, in John's Gospel, neither the baptism nor the Transfiguration is mentioned.

What is Jesus talking about the father validating the sun but nobody hears his voice. Nobody sees him.

Verse 30 but you do not have his word abiding in you, not of this message is deep under this message must be hard for some of you because you made mistakes you children are grown. Listen, just because the children out of the home does not mean you stop being parents. You just take wanted different kind of parenting and some of you may have to call your children and say listen, we messed up MT do it this way. I know you will miss her.

Were we did.

Thank you so much for joining us for this message is been amazing to see how this series on the Trinity has impacted us on so many levels, especially the family.

For more information please visit us online@clearviewbea.org and for today's sermon transcript. Visit my blog site that I been on Shaw.com