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welcome to everyone for our call to worship you can turn in your Bibles to Psalm 128 Psalm 128 I'll begin reading in verse 1 a song of a sense blessed is everyone who fears the Lord who walks in his ways when you eat the labor of your hands you shall be happy and it shall be well with you your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house your children like olive plants all around your table behold thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord the Lord bless you out of Zion and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life yes may you see your children's children peace be upon Israel amen well please turn with me in your Trinity hymnal - number 501 hymn number 501 will stand as we sing together [Music] you [Music] Oh amen well let us pray and ask the Lord's blessing upon our time together our Father in Heaven we gather again in your house to celebrate the redemption that we have in our Lord Jesus Christ we acknowledge your greatness and your glory and your majesty we acknowledge that you are the God who made this world and all things in it we acknowledge that you sovereignly govern all your creatures and all their actions and we praise you for so great a salvation we praise you Father for sovereign grace and election and predestination we thank you for sending the son of your love into this world to live and to die and to be raised the third day as well we praise you for the Ministry of the Holy Spirit and his power and calling us out of darkness into marvelous light granting us the graces of faith and repentance so that we may indeed close with Christ we give all praise to Father Son and Holy Spirit tonight and we would pray that you would be exalted and glorified and as the psalmist said may you be enthroned upon the praises of your people hear and may you be well pleased to gather with us we are greatly encouraged at the prophets prayer that you would rend the heavens and come down we were greatly encouraged at the book of Revelation when we see Jesus Christ in the midst of the lamp stands we know that you do not leave your churches to themselves but we have the Blessed promise from Scripture that where your people gather together and the New Covenant in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ our God is in the midst of us may you indeed encourage our hearts and strengthen us with might tonight and may you cause us to sing praises to call upon you in prayer and to listen to the Scriptures read and preached and may it all redound to the glory of God Most High we ask thee would forgive us now for our transgressions and our sins against such a holy God we see your law the revelation of who you are and we see our own waywardness in our transgression and iniquity we confess those sins to you now and we pray with the psalmist pardon our iniquity O Lord for it is rate the greatness of our sin is the argument for the greatness of God to intervene to wash and to cleanse and to purify us from all unrighteousness so we pray this for your glory and for our well-being for any and all who have come here tonight that have not been forgiven those who are still dead in their trespasses and sins we pray that through the power of the Spirit by the word you would be pleased to bring them forth the exercise of your sovereign will may you indeed show your power and your excellence in the salvation of sinners we ask that you would look with favor upon this congregation in terms of unity help each one of us to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace cause us to pursue biblical church Manship caused us to engage in those things that are pleasing in your sight help us to engage in the one and others in Scripture to love one another to be kindly affectionate to one another to be hospitable to one another grant us grace Lord God to put these things into practice and may we indeed glorify you in the conduct toward one another we also pray that you would bless those who are physically unwell in our church we have many that struggle on a regular basis and we commit them to you into the word of your grace we pray that you'd watch over each one she would strengthen them and while the outer man does decay day by day we pray the inner man would be renewed and they would be more and more conformed under the image of the Lord Jesus Christ and even in the midst of their trials they would give glory and praise to you we ask that you would look with favor upon the the Bible study on Tuesday night this is a wonderful occasion Lord where we move into a public venue we pray for your blessing upon this we pray for our brother Mike that you would bless him and and prepare his heart and enable him to handle accurately that word of truth we pray that people would come out of interest in curiosity that they would be gripped by the reality that God is in the heavens and he does whatever he pleases and that the church is being built by our sovereign Lord Jesus Christ and may this Bible study continue to grow and progress and God willing we pray that there would be a church plant established in that part of your kingdom we would pray father for the salvation of sinners and for the sanctification of saints and we pray that you would do this work for the glory of God Almighty and for the good of souls in that area we also ask that you would look with favor upon our witness here cause us to shine as lights in this crooked and perverse generation and give us opportunities and boldness and courage to hold forth your word of truth and may it be the case that in our daily walk we would indeed honor the Lord Christ through faithfulness through godliness and through righteousness and do give us the opportunities to share the truth with those who are dead in their trespasses and sins we pray father for your blessing upon other churches here in Chilliwack we thank you that we're not alone in this community we pray for those who do preach the gospel we ask that you would prosper them that you would bless them that you would use the word that goes forth for the salvation of sinners and God may your people in this community continually grow may they continually be conformed under the image of Christ and may we all seek by our grace to bring praise to you in this in this city we also pray for the entirety of this nation god we see not only in the church but outside in the world we see such a radical departure from the truth of God's Word and we pray for an outpouring of your Holy Spirit we pray that you would revive your people that you would awaken those who are dead in their trespasses and sins and that you would be magnified in the minds and in the hearts of men all over this country we pray as well for the work of the Ministry of the gospel throughout the earth we thank you for the liberties that we do have and for the blessed freedoms that we do enjoy we're always mindful that so many do not have these things and so we pray for those who are steeped in countries or live in countries that are steeped in false religion or in atheism or secularism and those other forms of expressions of of antagonism toward the truth of the gospel be with your suffering Saints and be with the persecuted Church and may you cause them to persevere in the midst of trial affliction sorrows and woe knowing that they serve a gracious and a glorious God and cause them to reflect upon the truth that one day they will see you as you are they will behold the face of the Lord Jesus Christ so God encouraged their hearts in the midst of suffering and caused them to to glorify you even in such situations and our father we do pray for the governing authorities and the nations of the earth there is such an expression of a of an antagonism against your truth we know these are days when men call good evil and evil good we see sins like abortion and euthanasia and sodomy not only condone not only legal but also encouraged in it many times subsidized by federal governments we pray that you would turn the heart to those in high places to kiss the son lest he be angry and they perish in his way when his wrath is kindled but a little may that counsel of Psalm to go forth and may those who hot hold places of government bow the knee to the Lord Jesus Christ would you put the fear of God in their hearts and cause them to rule and govern according to righteousness and justice and equity father we ask that you would continue with us now bless and encourage and strengthen our hearts and we pray these things through Jesus Christ our Lord amen well please turn with me again in your Trinity hymnals to number 441 hymn number 441 will stand as we sing together [Music] Oh [Music] Oh you [Music] Oh [Music] amen well you can turn with me in your Bibles to Daniel the prophet Daniel Chapter three Daniel three for our scripture reading this evening beginning in verse 1 Nebuchadnezzar the King made an image of gold whose height was sixty cubits and its wit with six cubits he set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps the administrators the governors the counselors the treasurer's the judges the magistrates and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up so the satraps the administrators the governors the counselors the treasurer's the judges the magistrates and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up then a herald cried aloud to you it is commanded a peoples nations and languages that at the time you hear the sound of the horn flute harp lyre and psaltery in Symphony with all kinds of music you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace so at that time when all the people heard the sound of the horn flute harp and lyre in Symphony with all kinds of music all the people nations and languages fell down and worship the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up there for at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews they spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar Oh King live forever you O King have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn flute harp lyre and soldiery in Symphony with all kinds of music shall fall down and worship the gold image and whoever does fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace there are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon Shadrach Meshach and Abednego these men O king have not paid due regard to you they do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up the Nebuchadnezzar in rage and fury gave the command to bring Shadrach Meshach and Abednego so they brought these men before the King Nebuchadnezzar spoke saying to them is it true Shadrach Meshach and Abednego that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn flute harp lyre and sultry in Symphony with all kinds of music and you fall down and worship the image which I have made good but if you do not worship you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace and who is the God who will deliver you from my hands Shadrach Meshach and Abednego answered and said to the king o Nebuchadnezzar we have no need to answer you in this matter if that is the case our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us from your hand O king but if not let it be known to you O king that we do not serve your gods nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach Meshach and Abednego he spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated and he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach Meshach and Abednego and cast them into the burning fiery furnace then these men were bound in their coats their trousers their turbans and their other garments and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace therefore because the king's command was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach Meshach and Abednego and these three men Shadrach Meshach and Abednego fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and he rose in haste and spoke saying to his counselors did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire they answered and said to the king true Oh King look he answered I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire and they are not hurt and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God the Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke saying Shadrach Meshach and Abednego servants of the Most High God come out and come here then Shadrach Meshach and Abednego came from the midst of the fire the satraps administrators governors and the king's counselors gathered together and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected and the smell of fire was not on them Nebuchadnezzar spoke saying blessed be the god of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego who sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him and they have frustrated the Kings word and yielded their bodies that they should not serve nor worship any God except their own God therefore I make a decree that any people nation or language which speaks anything amiss against the god of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego shall be cut in pieces and their houses shall be made in a sheet because there is no other God who can deliver like this then the king promoted Shadrach Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon amen will let us pray our Father we thank you for this glorious display of your majesty and power we thank you for your preserving hand over your servants we thank you for your silencing the mouths of a man who challenged you and our God in heaven may we see that self same power evident in our own day in our own lives the salvation of sinners demonstrates the sovereign power of God Almighty the sanctification that you engage in by way of your holy spirit demonstrates that power as well and in this we greatly rejoice caused us to reflect upon this caused us to to marvel at it and cause us to worship you and to praise you the God as described even by Nebuchadnezzar the God who is Most High give us grace Lord to love to serve to honor and to glorify you to maintain fidelity even when the state is breathing out threats against those who will not engage in idolatry may we stand fast and may we with withstand the the encroachment of a godless civil spear and may we reign remain committed always to the Lord God Most High and we pray these things through Jesus Christ our Lord amen well you can turn with me once again in the Trinity hymnal to him number 81 81 will stand as we sing in praise to God [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] we can turn in your Bibles to Colossians chapter 3 Colossians chapter 3 our focus is on verses 20 and 21 but I do want to read beginning in Colossians 3 at verse 1 if then you were raised with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God set your mind on things above not on things on the earth for you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God when Christ who is our life appears then you also will appear with him in glory therefore put to death your members which are on the earth fornication uncleanness passion evil desire and covetousness which is idolatry because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them but now you yourselves are to put off all these anger wrath malice blasphemy filthy language out of your mouth do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of him who created him whether is neither Greek nor Jew circumcised north's uncircumcised barbarian Scythian slave nor free but Christ is all and in all therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved put on tender mercies kindness humility meekness long-suffering bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another even as Christ forgave you so you also must do but above all these things put on love which is the bond of perfection and let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which also you were called in one body and be thankful let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in your hearts the Lord and whatever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him wives submit to your own husband's as is fitting in the Lord husbands love your wives and do not be bitter toward them children obey your parents in all things for this is well pleasing to the Lord fathers do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged bondservants obey in all things your masters according to the flesh not with eyeservice as men pleasers but in sincerity of heart fearing God and whatever you do do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance for you serve the Lord Christ but he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done and there is no partiality masters give your bondservants what is just and fair knowing that you also have a master in heaven continue earnestly in prayer being vigilant in it with Thanksgiving meanwhile praying also for us that God would that God would open to us a door for the word to speak the mystery of Christ for which I am also in Chains that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak walk in wisdom toward those who are outside redeeming the time let your speech always be with grace seasoned with salt that you may know how you ought to answer each one well let us pray father we thank you for the written word and we pray now for the Ministry of the Holy Spirit who gave the word we ask God that you would encourage our hearts and strengthen us in the inner man caused us to pursue those things that are pleasing in your sight those things so clearly laid out in a passage like this but God help us to pursue these things in light of the first few verses to focus upon our Lord Jesus to seek Him to set our minds upon him to derive power for the Christian life from the the Blessed enthronement of our Lord Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father God in heaven may we indeed operate according to your word we indeed obey the commandments of God for your glory for your honor and for your praise and may we always be mindful that we don't obey as a condition for our salvation but a consequence of you having saved us by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone and we pray these things through Jesus Christ our Lord amen well this particular section of scripture the Apostle in chapter 3 beginning in or the section in verses 1 to 4 he calls the people of God to consider Christ if then you were raised with Christ seek those things which are above in other words the people of God are to be heavenly minded the people of God are to set their minds on things above not on things on the earth and he gives us the rationale verse 3 for you died your life is hidden with Christ in God when Christ who is our life appears then you also will appear with him in glory the Apostle has set forth the glorious truth of the gospel in chapters 1 and 2 in fact look back for just a moment at chapter 1 notice in verses 15 to 20 he causes us or calls us to reflect upon the supremacy of Jesus Christ he sets forth Christ and His glory as the creator he sets forth Christ and his glory as the one sovereign in Providence and he sets forth Christ in His glory as sovereign in Redemption and then notice very specifically beginning in verse 19 it pleased the father that in him all the fullness should dwell and by him to reconcile all things to himself by him whether things on earth or things in heaven having made peace through the blood of his cross he gets real applicable to the situation of these Christians in Colossae he says in verse 21 and you who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works yet now he has reconciled so you see we have moved from this place of alienation toward God to reconciliation with God and it comes as a result of the gospel notice verse 22 in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and blameless and above reproach and sigh if indeed you continue in the faith grounded in steadfast and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard which was preached to every creature under heaven of which I Paul became a minister notice in chapter 2 beginning in verse 11 in him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ buried with him in Baptism in which you also were raised with him through faith in the working of God who raised him from the dead and you being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh he has made alive together with him having forgiven you all trespasses having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us which was contrary to us and he has taken it out of the way having nailed it to the cross having disarmed principalities and powers he made a public spectacle of them triumphing over them in it so that's the foundation it's our salvation by grace through faith in Christ our salvation is tied to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ so chapter three is the consequence in other words you've been saved by grace now here is how you ought to live chapter three ought not to be interpreted this way I need to put off ice I need to put on virtue I need to be kind to the people in my church I need to be kind of the people in my family and if I fulfill all those requirements then the Lord will save me that's not the way Colossians 3 is to be read these people or or Paul addresses them as those who have been saved this is a prescription for the Christian life for those who have been conquered by the grace of God through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and before we get to the very particular commands and duties and responsibilities Paul wants us to focus upon Christ's power in the Christian life does not come from you power in the Christian life does not come from you pulling up your bootstraps or knuckle in under now certainly you need to be disciplined you need to be consistent you need to be faithful a fruit of the Holy Spirit is in fact self-control but we are always to live in light of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ and that's the emphasis in verses 1 to 4 a 1 2 3 so I'm sorry 1 2 4 and then after that he does tell us we need to put off vice verses 5 to 11 you've been saved by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ therefore you need to put these things off you're not supposed to be characterized like you were prior to your conversion he then goes on in verses 12 to 17 to say we are to put on virtue in other words as believers in Christ Jesus we are to pursue those things that are pleasing in God's sight there's a corporate dimension in other words how we ought to function toward one another within the context in the life of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and then this last section beginning in chapter 3 at verse 18 and continuing to chapter 4 verse 1 is sort of a household code it's the way you're supposed to conduct yourself in your home it's the way you're supposed to conduct yourself in your several relations husbands and wives parents and children masters and servants there is a code of conduct for the people of God and that is what is set forth here by the Apostle Paul so in other words we might suggest that what we find in terms of this heavenly mindedness enjoined upon us in chapter 3 verses 1 to 4 does not translate into asceticism now asceticism is this idea where we do not touch we do not taste we withdraw ourselves from the world the ascetics were the kinds of people that would go live in the wilderness they would build these great big poles and live on top of these big poles asceticism is a withdrawal but when we see Paul's emphasis on engaging our minds toward Christ it is not with a view to withdrawing from life but rather heavenly mindedness ought to produce the most consistent earthly conduct that's the emphasis by the Apostle so as I said we're going to take up two of the specifics this evening in verses 20 and 21 I hope it's an encouragement to my brothers who are fathering children I don't want to be too vicious or hard or mean this time around but I hope that you will derive some encouragement and I think the best encouragement perhaps fathers is that I do address the children in verse 20 so we're going to look at the instruction to children in verse 20 and the instruction to fathers I know what it's like to be a father and give your child instruction and you keep doing it you keep doing it you keep doing it and seems like they never hear you well tonight you're going to have someone else yell at them for you actually I'm not going to yell at them that's your job but I want to remind you children what your relationship is toward your parents note the instruction to children verse 20 the party addressed children now there's an old adage that children are better seen than heard children are better seen than heard but here specifically Paul writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit addresses children it is very important the fifth commandment specifically addresses children honor your father and your mother so children you are being addressed by the Apostle in Colossians 320 if you compare two parallel passage in Ephesians chapter 6 you would see a similar thing note secondly the duty you are to obey your parents in all things I mean when all is said and done your job description is very short obey your parents pretty easy isn't it in terms of what we're supposed to do now because of a demand because of sin and because of transgression and rebellion that complicates the execution of this obedience but in terms of your job in terms of your calling in terms of your purpose on earth Paul's words are crystal clear and do not bear any misinterpretation obey your parents in all things now I believe that Paul would indeed qualify this or or affirm the qualification that I'm about to make if your parents want you to sin don't obey that if your parents want you to engage in some sort of ungodly activity obviously don't obey then it's similar to the wives in John to submit to her husband and all things well Paul doesn't mean in sinful things Paul doesn't mean in wicked things Paul doesn't mean in things contrary to the word or law of God so the end the mandate is that you submit in all lawful things obey your parents and then notice the scope of the command is all things you don't get to pick and choose you don't get disabled I like seven out of your 10 rules or I like 17 out of your 20 rules but these last three are just not going to do it for me no children you are to obey in all things and then note the Christocentric motivation that means the christ-centered motivation he says obey in all things for this is well pleasing to the Lord now based on creation you should obey your parents based on creation you ought to do what your parents say but Paul adds this further dimension in terms of redemptive privilege in terms of redemptive privat obey your parents for this is well pleasing to the Lord and then of course Paul's command here has its foundation in the fifth commandment the fifth commandment tells children to obey their parents now the command to obey deals specifically with action when you are told to honor them that deals with attitude you see it's not consistent to do it externally to comply with a particular command while your face looks like Nebuchadnezzar's did you see that in the reading his expression changed I think the Hebrew is that his nostrils flared this is not intriguing Nebuchadnezzar was so bent out of shape over what was happening under his watch that is nostrils flaring well we know what that means when somebody's nostrils flare I mean think of a bowl when its nostrils flare what should you do run like the dickens but when a person's nostrils flare it's typical of the reality that they are angry they are upset so if your parents gives you a particular command and you comply you do it you pick up the object and you take it from point A to point B in blinds with your parents instructions but your nostrils are flared or your eyes are rolling or your eyebrows are doing awkward things or you've got some other visible demonstration of resistance you are not honoring them you may engage in the outward obedience to the command but your heart is far from them you see God's not going to say well you did well 50 percent is absolutely okay with me know the command of God most high is to be obeyed you're to obey the parents external compliance with the law but you are also to do so with an attitude of honor toward them now children if you are tracking you will see that this is difficult isn't it you don't have to actually nod your heads I'm just going to say yes for you Heidelberg catechism asks the question how do we know our sin and misery from the law of God so if you have questions about who Jesus is and why should I try to Jesus ponder the law of God ponder that fifth commandment ask yourself do I comply do I obey my parents in all things the way God says do I honor my parents and all things the way God says I am absolutely 100% convinced the answer is going to be a big fat no and so the law of God in that instance shows you why you need Jesus Christ the law of God in that instance functions as a as a tutor as a helper as one that points you to the Savior King so it is good for us to meditate upon the law of God it is good for us to consider the ramifications of children obey your parents in all things for this is well pleasing in the Lord if you find that you are not compliant if you find that your hearts are far from your bands if you find that you have rebellion in your soul then flee to the Savior and once you a fleet of gone to the Savior then by God's grace you put these things into practice the law of God is absolutely crucial to demonstrate to us our sin and misery once we see that sin and misery we run to the Savior once we run to the Savior we believe the gospel we received by him we are forgiven of our sins even fifth commandment violations we receive his righteousness imputed to us received by faith alone then the Savior is going to point us back to that fifth word the Savior is going to point us back to Colossians 3 xx the Sager is going to say now I want you to walk in obedience to this particular command but lo and behold as believers you have a resource you didn't previously have namely the Holy Spirit who enables compliance with the command who enables you by the grace of God to pursue those things that are indeed pleasing to the Lord so children very simply verse 20 obey your parents in all things for this is well pleasing in the Lord now notice secondly with reference to the father's the father is addressed he is the party addressed in the first place he is the head of the household he is the primary responsible agent now this was true obviously in the Roman Empire but it's certainly true in the larger context a biblical revelation it's not the case that a mother is an afterthought it's not the case that a mother is a less important human being in fact the injunction in verse 20 is obey your parents plural we see that as well in the fifth word honor your father and your mother so we see that mothers are definitely included we already dealt with mothers when we looked at Mother's Day or on Mother's Day but the specific emphasis in the text here before us is fathers you are indeed the party addressed Johnny D makes this observation the training of the children or the training of children is the father's special function for the Duty is devolved upon him to select and put into operation the best means and methods for the culture of his offspring so you see fathers we're not to be passive in the home we're not to be lazy in the home we're not to be apathetic in the home we're not to be lethargic in the home we're not to be absentee in the home but rather fathers are addressed as the responsible agents and I don't think it's an understatement to say as the father goes so often goes the home if the father is not faithful if the father is not consistent if the father shirt's his responsibilities and rejects the admonition of the Apostle Paul that his wife and children are going to be miserable it's going to be the contrary to what we see there in Psalm 128 the man who fears the Lord what's his table look like children around the table like like all of olive branches and vines his wife is happy and well-adjusted fathers it is absolutely crucial that we take to heart the Apostles word here now notice secondly there is a prohibition a prohibition Paul tells us not to do something fathers do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged fathers do not provoke your children the verb simply means do not provoke them means to excite them to provoke them or to irritate them certainly can excite them by telling them hey we're going to get ice cream today alright that's the kind of excitement that's acceptable in legit and righteous that the provocation in view here is wrong you are not to provoke your children according to the Apostle Paul Johnny D again says fathers are spoken to since training is their duty and because this peculiar sin which the Apostle condemns is one to which they and not mothers are particularly particularly liable doesn't mean that a mother doesn't have it in her but it means that of the two father and mother the the father is probably more likely the candidate to provoke his children Douglas Lou and his commentary makes a very excellent a perceptive observation with reference to some background he says the text most relevant to Colossians 3:21 however and one that Paul may well have had in mind is Deuteronomy 21 22 remember what Deuteronomy 21 20 years Deuteronomy 21 20 or that is the incorrigible son the son whom the father and the mother has borne long with the son who is a rebel the son who rejects the parental authority after their involvement and seeking to bring him up it's not a two-year-old it's not a five-year-old it's an adult rebel son he's a drunkard and he's a glutton he is ultimately delivered over to the elders in the city and those and then that that boy or that son rather is put to death so the tax most relevant to Colossians 3:21 and one that Paul may have well had in mind is Deuteronomy 21 20 were charged with bringing a disobedient son before the elders and proclaiming this son of ours is stubborn and rebellious the same sort of root word there this rebellious and this provocation he will not obey us he is a profligate and a drunkard Somu says Paul in effect is exhorting fathers to raise their children in such a way that they do their utmost to avoid provoking this kind of rebellious attitude in them you see if we're not careful in the exercise of discipline we may actually be provoking our children to a place of more Grievous rebellion against our authority now note what Paul says in terms of the result fathers do not provoke your children lest they be become discouragement now the discouragement and view means to be without courage or spirit to lose heart or to become spirit less certainly we ought to discourage them when they want to sin certainly we will discourage them when we say no we can't get ice cream today I checked the coffers and there's not enough dough that's going to bring some discouragement that's not what Paul is talking about this provocation in the upbringing of your children to the point where they are spirit less to the point where they are empty shells to the point where they are in some sense be humanized because you've continually exasperated them or provoked them to use the verb and brought them to this place of abject discouragement Paul says don't do that now brothers who have children I to encourage you by way of a reminder that fathering children is one of the greatest responsibilities that any man will ever have there are a lot of things we can mess up and I'm not suggesting go out and mess them up but there are a lot of things that we can mess up and there are not eternal ramifications but if we are bad fathers if we are lazy and apathetic and passive and we do not involve ourselves in the upbringing of our children we abdicate our authority or we're abusive or we're tyrannical or were or were wretched in some other way we're going to blow it huge now praise God for His grace praise God for forgiving children praise God for all of the mercy that we see demonstrated in and through his word but we need to take seriously this responsibility with reference to our children we get one kick at the can you don't ever get them back at 2 years old you don't ever get them back at 4 years old you don't ever get them back at 6 years old you mess up those era those years you don't get a mulligan you know what Mulligan's are in golf if you give me a slice went off into the woods you get to call it them all again and take another shot I don't know why that popped into my head having golf since high school just a bizarre thought there but that's what a mulligan is you don't get do-overs in this thing called fatherhood as well the discouragement and view promotes anger in the child it excites their bad passions and is an evil influence on the child rather than a good one now we might ask the question how does a father do this not so that we can do it but how does a father do this so that we can avoid it fathers do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged in the first place the exhibition of unrighteous anger the exhibition of unrighteous anger if you're the kind of guy that flies off the handle over everything that is going to provoke your children I think a good course to pursue men is to be faithful to be consistent to be a man who exercises self-control so you're not like this it's hard tract with somebody that's like this isn't it one day we're on top of the mountain and everything is wonderful the next day we're down here and everything is miserable just be faithful be consistent exercise that fruit of the Spirit which is indeed self-control the exhibition of unrighteous anger and as well the application of unbiblical discipline the Bible authorizes reproof and the rod again as I said with reference to our mother day a Mother's Day sermon with reference to the rod we live in increasingly hostile society towards the Bible do not advertise the types of things that you do I'm not saying be covert sinful and wicked and all that sort of thing but brethren be wise be prudent in this current situation the Bible does authorize such things and if the Bible authorizes such things and we refuse to use such things then that is going to exasperate or provoke a child a child needs discipline kids are going to say don't don't don't pursue this thought you know you need discipline you know you need discipline I think engraved on all our hearts as proverbs 13:24 he who spares the rod hates his son but whoever loves him disciplines him promptly you children know that if your fathers or your mothers do not discipline you it's the absence of love for a desire for your well-being I mean there were times when I was growing up I thought I should have had I should have really gotten it good but I didn't get it good it made me conclude that perhaps my father wasn't as vested in my well-being as he should have been I knew proverbs 13:24 as a child or as a teenager without ever having read proverbs 13:24 I sought my own experience my father was a man who provoked me in brought discouragement not because he was heavy-handed not because he was tyrannical not because he was abusive but because he was passive because he didn't discipline because he didn't demonstrate the love that discipline demonstrates isn't this PulsePoint in Hebrews chapter 12 before we conclude that this whole concept of a child the father disciplining his child that's just barbaric it's a throwback to a terrible age brethren Hebrews 12 the Apostle Paul tells us that God's discipline of his children is the proof that he loves his children you are illegitimate you're a bastard to use the King James Version if you are not disciplined by God the Father it is in evidence it is a manifestation of it is a proof that the Father loves you when he takes you to the woodshed and he gives you discipline the same is the case in the home but certainly the abdication or the the lack of application of biblical discipline does provoke a child and bring discouragement to them but so does exercising it in an ungodly manner exercising it as a tyrant at exercising it as an abuser Johnny D again says the paternal rein is not to be one of terror and stern Authority but of love when your children ought to know that your disciplining them out of the context of love not because you want to ruin their lives or not because you've got you know this cosmic killjoy attitude that doesn't want them to thrive and flourish and be the sorts of people know they ought to know and how are they going to know that because that's the context in which you live that's the atmosphere that's the aroma that's the sort of way your home is already set up Albert and Martin in his series on how not to foul up the training of your children uses a very good analogy he says when you walk into somebody's house you often know something about the condition of the house by the smell now it could be a bad smell or it could be a good aroma right he says that we as parents need to create an aroma not physically not in terms of you know people ought to smell but we ought to be about creating an aroma in our home that is characterized by the sorts of things that we see here in Colossians 3 that we see in Galatians 5 that we see as fruits of the Holy Spirit so that when we get to that point of disciplining our children there's no question that we're doing it because we love them they know that we don't even have to tell them I'm going to do this because I love you they should already know that men you should create an environment in your home where your children know they're secure they're stable they're comfortable in the love of a father toward them so Edie says the rod may be employed but in reason in moderation and never from momentary impulse and anger children are not to be moved to wrath by harsh and unreasonable treatment or by undue partiality in favor favoritism charles bridges and his excellent commentary on proverbs and I think the excellence of his commentary on proverbs is seen in those comments on child rearing texts Bridges says the rod without affection is revolting tyranny let that sink in the rod without affection is revolting tyranny you may go through the motions you may engage in the sorts of things that Paul admonishes here but if you don't have love in your heart it's revolting tyranny but back to the whole idea of abdicating or not engaging in reproof and rod or not engaging in discipline listen to what Bridges says he says Satan begins with the infant in arms the cry of passion is his first stir of the native corruption do we begin as early and I don't think he means go and spank the infant the idea being is that we need to appreciate that the validity the truthfulness the reality of Psalm 58 3 the wicked go astray estranged from the womb speaking lies as soon as they are born right you look at these beautiful little good smelling things but they're in Adam they are in Adam to use a scroll ISM they are vipers no actually it was Gerstner they're vipers in diapers I realized that won't win many you know accolades in the modern climate but I think they're I think Kirchner was right he says do we begin as early every vice commences in the nursery the great secret is to establish Authority in the dawn of life too and the tender twig before the knotty oak is beyond our power that's a great statement man you got to take it to heart you got to realize your job is to train those children and that includes discipline it must mean that you employ it as it is necessary you employ it in the orbit of love you employ it as a means by which you're demonstrating heartfelt affection for the child it's not an impulse it's not the last result it's not everything's over now this is it no that is not the way to operate because you're going to provoke your children and you're going to make them discouraged and as well the placing of unbiblical demands coupled with inconsistency or wrong motives or imbalance if you need help on how to parent your children read the Bible right proverbs especially gives us so many tips and so many helpful principles on how to rear these children but at the same time it's not rocket science show them love show them affection show them your kindness but as well show them those things they need by way of corrective discipline you're going to do them a favor you look around us today and you see the sorts of things that are going on today and you see the lawlessness and the rebellious Ness and the just abject wickedness of young people all over the world what are you led to conclude they weren't disciplined in their homes I mean it's pretty obvious isn't it when you see people carrying on like fools you could probably trace it back to bad parenting and I know that doesn't sound nice either we want to blame the government or blame the community or blame everything else ultimately it's the child we ought to blame them but as parents let us not help them on their way to hell by refusing to discipline them as God commands so that's the prohibition we ought to thirdly look at the positive exhortation this is found in the parallel in Ephesians 6 there's not only a prohibition do not provoke them lest they be discouraged or become discouraged but there is positive exhortation in Ephesians six specifically verse four you fathers do not provoke your children to wrath but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord you see the contraries there do not provoke them to wrath but rather bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord you need to couple both things in your parenting you need to be faithful with your children in this particular way now the language employed this in the training highlights the actions involved and that probably includes education child training and discipline the admonition in view includes words it's how you speak it's what you instruct them it's the kinds of things that you say it's preaching to them law and gospel it is highlighting to them the word of the Living God you see there is this positive admonition you cannot successfully claim that you are a good father as long as you're not only not provoking your children to wrath or discouragement you need to positively bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord that takes time it takes effort it takes energy it takes a whole lot in terms of commitment not only to God but to your wife and to your children and you need to step up to the plate a brethren we need to think through these things with reference to who am I going to marry you know young ladies young men think in terms of Bible before you get married you know ask yourself as a young woman is this guy I've set my affections on going to be able to do Ephesians 6:4 is this guy that I have a yearning to be united to going to be a fusion sixth floor man same with young man the woman that I'm going to marriage you're going to be the kind of woman that can function properly with reference to her children why don't we ever think through these things as young people I'll tell you why because we're 18 19 20 and four young men our testosterone is you know revved up and young women we're romantic and we want to to get married not get all that but be principled think through it don't just jump into something and say man we're making a mess out of things think about it on the front end so that the back end is good and blessed of God so you see it's not only negative do not provoke your children to wrath but it's positive bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord now fourthly I want to look at a couple examples and then we'll conclude positively Abraham in Genesis chapter 18 I hope and trust that you are all familiar with these we'll just run through them quickly but these are good examples of good fathers something that unfortunately is lacking to some degree today I hope and pray within the context of the church we see good examples in terms of fatherhood but in society as a whole it's not always the case that we see such examples it's good for us to reflect upon the written word to see God's men notice the example of Abraham in Genesis 18:19 it's on the eve of the destruction of sodom and gomorrah verse 18 since Abraham shall surely become a great mighty nation and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him for I have known him in order that he may command his children and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord to do righteousness and justice that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has spoken to him I think the first thing we ought to appreciate with reference to Abraham is his his his disposition toward God in the first place in other words men you're going to be best for your children when you fear God you're going to be best for your children when you are walking with God men by the name of Klaus buck mule and he made this observation the parents who reject the first commandment can expect their children to reject the fifth one the parents who do not submit to God should not expect their children to submit to them makes sense doesn't it if you're not fearing God walking before the Lord in obedience with reverence with a holy awe then you are not fit to father your chill children now that's a very very harsh statement but brethren if we follow the vibe of Scripture it is valid Abraham feared God as a result of his fearing God he would be well equipped to instruct his children very specifically that they keep the way of Yahweh that they do righteousness and justice notice Joshua Joshua chapter 24 covenant ceremony at Shechem Joshua 24 covenant ceremony at Shechem this is basically a covenant renewal ceremony where the children of Israel swear fidelity to the God of Israel and it's on the heels of this exhortation by Joshua to bless it wonderful exhortation on the part of this man but we all know the text we all know the emphasis but let's just look at verse 14 now therefore fear the Lord serve him in sincerity and in truth and put away the gods which your father's served on the other side of the river and in Egypt serve the Lord and if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve whether the gods which your father's served that we're on the other side of the river or the gods of the amorite sand whose land you dwell now realize that Joshua imbibes the attitude of Elijah the Prophet here he's not actually entertaining the thought or encouraging these people to go follow the Canaanite deities it is to lay down a challenge it is similar to first Kings chapter 18 where the prophet Elijah says choose if Bale is God then serve him if Yahweh is God then serve Him how long will you limp between two options or two opinions that's the spirit in which we ought to interpret this Joshua is not actually saying you know there's some options on the other side of the river why don't you go pursuit now he's laying down a challenge calling them to an exclusive commitment to Yahweh notice in whose land you dwell but as for me in my house we will serve the Lord you see man that's the way we need to operate as for me in my house we will serve the Lord now when we say that and when we state that that carries a lot of implications our service to 'lord includes us being men being husbands being fathers being you know workers being citizens all of that is not we will serve the Lord in these particular things it is a comprehensive universal application of oneself to serve and fear the living and true God specifically in the context they are to fear Yahweh there to serve Yahweh and they are to put away idols matthew henry's comment here is just beautiful he says joshua was a ruler a judge in israel yet he did not make his necessary application to public affairs and excuse for the neglect of family religion you hear this sometimes especially in our day and age when we've got so many things to help us with time i just don't have time to do this with my kids you don't have to preach an hour-long sermon just open the bible and read a few puffs you a few verses and pray with your kids I could take what five minutes you don't have five minutes your car hasn't enabled you to free up five minutes in a day your phone hasn't enabled you to free up five minutes in a day what about little kids here they don't need five point sermons they need five minutes of your time no if you can give more and I think you can then give more but Joshua was a busy man wasn't he have any of you ever been called to go in and conquer the land of Canaan have any of you ever been called to function as a military commander with a whole multitude of troops under your command to marshal them up to lead them into battle to kill Canaanites and to dis possess the land of its Canaanites have you ever been called to do that no we have so many helps in terms of time that for us to neglect religion family religion to neglect the the rearing up of our children with the claim that we're too busy for that that is absolutely unconscionable now I realize there are busy seasons in life and there are times when you may only have five minutes to give to your children I am always amazed at the hard work that our brothers put in with reference to their earthly callings that is blessing that is a good thing and I think that speaks multitudes to a multitude of good things to kids they ought to see dad work hard they ought to see dad you know going out there and doing those sorts of things but brethren if you can't spare a few minutes in a day to love your children and to bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord you got to make some changes you got to cut some things out maybe no more golf games and Mulligan's and that sort of stuff so we've got those positive examples of course we've got the negative examples and I think that everybody who's attended the Wednesday night studies probably has Eli pop into their heads Eli chapter 2 in 1st Samuel chapter 2 in 1st Samuel just get a glimpse of Eli sons before we look at Eli's negligence I mean eats you guys were certainly not the best and the brightest in Israel they were certainly not those men of integrity and godliness and loyalty that they ought to have been in the first place Eli's son stole sacrifices brought to the temple chapter 2 verses 13 to 17 now there were allotments for the priests in terms of what they could eat with reference to sacrifice these guys would throw in a three you know tying fork and pull out meat and just mow it down they weren't supposed to do this they were stealing sacrificial meat ultimately from God at the expense of the worshiper as well they lay with women according to chapter 2 verse 22 not their wives in a lawful conjugal sort of way but most likely temple prostitutes now Eli was very old and he heard how I heard everything his sons did to all Israel and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting you see these men were terrible now these were symptoms these were the manifestations of these were the evidences of the fact that they did not know Yahweh notice in chapter 2 verse 12 here is the origin or the fountain or the very hobb of their problem verse 12 now the sons of Eli were corrupt they did not know Yahweh you see it's in that context we ought to understand the promise of the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31 you see Jeremiah describes the Old Covenant where within Israel you had those who knew Yahweh and those who did not know Yahweh with reference to the New Covenant all will know Yahweh it means by way of grace salvation through faith Eli sons were covenant members in Israel they were priests within the covenant community of Israel they were lawfully authorized to all the privileges and all the benefits associated with membership in the Covenant people of Israel but they didn't know God the fundamental distinctive with reference to New Covenant religion is that everyone in that covenant the New Covenant will know the Lord that means that within the New Covenant community it's not a mixed bag it's not the case that there are actually new covenant members that are unsaved know everybody in the New Covenant knows the Lord they've been forgiven of this of their sins the law of the Lord has been internalized within their hearts they've received the Holy Spirit of God those are the promises and we see that contrast here with reference to the sons of Eli covenant members priests in the temple and Men or priests in the tabernacle and men who did not know Yahweh now just to highlight Eli's sin notice in chapter 3 at verse 11 first samuel chapter 3 verse 11 then yahweh said to Samuel behold I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle in that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house from beginning to end for I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows because his sons made themselves vile and he did not restrain them see there's a passive abdicating man there is a man who did not take seriously the mandate to exercise discipline over his signs now I'm not suggesting that you know shortcomings on your part is going to automatically you know result in sons who steal sacrifices and sons who you know lay with Tabernacle prostitutes I'm not making that connection but brethren it certainly opens the door to such things we don't want to push them in the direction of wickedness and evil because we don't have the guts the the strength or the the commitment to exercise the kind of discipline that under God will be used for their well-being the other negative example I already mentioned it in proverbs 13:24 he who spares his rod hates his son but he loves him disciplines him promptly he who loves his son disciplines him promptly that is absolutely crucial for us to get our minds wrapped around well in conclusion with reference to the children I think the Bible envisions or envisages I think might be the more appropriate term that you have natural affection for your parents and well you should should love your parents you should have steam your parents you should honor your parents you should obey your parents my parents aren't perfect nevertheless do those things you ever considered Jesus that time when he's with his you know he see he has strayed from Joseph and Mary and he's at the at the temple and he's you know feel of theologizing with the doctors of the law there and when they come to get him it says that he continued in subjection to them there's a perfect example of somebody perfect submitting himself to imperfect people so don't say my dad and mom they're just not perfect so I don't need to do this yes you do yes you do secondly you ought to remember be reminded of be encouraged about the importance of salvation that law does anything it should show you your waywardness if that law does anything yes it should define your duty your responsibility the path you ought to pursue but you'll always come up short you'll always come up short and so that law should drive you to the Lord Jesus Christ as well by God's grace close with Christ through faith the necessity of obedience to the law of God I know kids it may be strange to understand or hear but there's a lot of people outside the church and people within the professing church that suggest that we have no need for God's law that's absolutely incorrect jesus said if you love me will keep my Commandments the Bible tells us the commandments of God are not burdensome the psalmist typifies for us a godly man in Psalm 1 I love or in psalm 119 he loves the law of God it's his meditation day and night and then as well often times I think with young people with children they asked good questions how do I know if I'm saved the primary place that will be evident is in the home I mean certainly on the playground if you're idiot or mean to sorry about that if you're mean to other kids and you steal their toys and you do that that's not a good sign but remember in Malachi's prophecy in chapter 4 fulfilled in Luke chapter 1 what is John the Baptist's role it is to turn the hearts of the father's to the sons and the hearts of the sons to the fathers the primary orbit in which a child's profession of faith can be measured is in the home I think that bears emphasis in our lives I mean in the first place brethren I can ask questions of your little one I can pray for your little one but who knows your little one better than you you're the one that ought to be able to evaluate their profession of faith because that is the primary sphere by which we will know and see if indeed God has moved their hearts John Gill says in the heart of the children to their fathers or with their fathers that is both fathers and children the meaning is that John the Baptist should be an instrument of converting many of the Jews both fathers and children and bringing them to the knowledge and faith of the true Messiah and then finally with reference to the father's just a few encouragement sin the first place the importance of your presents with your children I said this to the ladies on Mother's Day you know we all talk about quality time quality time is good but quantity time is good too I mean if you're painting the fence have your kid with you you know the world might say well that's not quality time you're not you know feeding them or putting ice cream down their throats and letting them throw balls that's what they need quantity time presents not presents here with a gift you know gift-wrapped and bow but presents you being with your children as well you need to provide temporarily for your children proverbs 13 22 27 23 to 27 the New Testament passage 1st Timothy 5:8 if a man does not provide for his own guess what he's worse than an unbeliever you need to provide temporally for your children that doesn't mean they need the most expensive shoes but they do need shoes doesn't mean they need the most expensive food but they are addicted to eating so you need to feed that I would include with reference to temporal provision protection as fathers we are to protect our children were to protect our sons and daughters we're to seat by God's grace to make sure no harm befalls them that doesn't mean we follow them in the bushes and watch every move they make and we're there no but we ought to be a protective lot with reference to our children as well the importance of spiritual provision for your children spiritual provision for your children we would all agree with first entity 5:8 a man does not provide for his own he's worse than a than an unbeliever the brethren how many of us are as committed to providing spiritually giving them those things that are bringing them up in the training and admonition of the Lord proverbs 13 22 says a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children now if you're like me you might struggle with that passage and saying wow that's a big calling I better start saving my dough there is a spiritual application or a spiritual referent to reference to this as well here bridges in if there is no earthly substance to leave it might just be the case children and children's children you're not going to get dough if there is no earthly substance to leave yet a church in the house a family altar the record of holy example in instruction and above all a store of believing prayer laid up for accomplishment when we shall be silent in the grave will be an inheritance to our children of inestimable value you may not be able to leave them your you know piles of money but you ought to be able to leave that the knowledge that you love them that you cared for them and that you preached Christ to them that's what's important brethren that's what most matters and in the final place prayer and preaching again I don't think you should erect a pulpit in your living room and say okay children I've got three points this morning and I've got four lines of application so we're going to be here for a while tell your friends you're not going to come out tonight no that's not it make sure you bring them to church you say well they don't understand everything hopefully they'll understand something they're brought up in it and they're exposed to the to the terminology and they're exposed to the concept and they're exposed to the to the reality that you know what you just have to sit still for an hour I mean that's just a so counter-cultural today you make your kids sit still in church yeah sue us what have people been doing throughout the history of the world what happened in nehemiah's day when all the Assembly was gathered with their little ones a pulpit is a record and the Levites bring it they're there for hours oh that's child abuse you've got to provide a playground for them No we've got to tell them there are seasons there are instances and there are times in life when you just need to sit still and be quiet if that shocks your delicate sensitivities then brethren take it to the scriptures the reading of the law was to be done not only to the adults in Israel but with their children you see this is absolutely crucial bring your child to church put them under the preaching of the gospel trust the power of the Holy Spirit to work through the preaching of the word to bring them under conviction and bring them to the Savior at home teach them the truth at home practice okay you're gonna have to sit for an hour on Sunday you're going to sit for 10 minutes tonight we're going to stretch it to 15 minutes tomorrow there are ways that you can do these sorts of things without engaging in the sorts of things that people think are absolutely outlandish introduce them to this teach them this get it to them incrementally teach them language in the scripture when they're really little teach them listen for the word God listen for the word Jesus listen for the word gospel jot down on your little notepad how many times it that there's ways to engage brethren if you're creative if your your your desirous to accomplish this it really isn't rocket science it takes effort it takes energy it take commitment and above all it takes prayer and preaching and I don't mean just the corporate preaching but your preaching your teaching your you know when you rise up when you walk by the way and when you lie down sort of instruction to your children so fathers be encouraged you have a great responsibility you serve a great God and he gives great grace and there is no greater privilege and no greater joy I think most of us as fathers and I hope all of us as you know most of us as mothers would say you know the best thing I ever got to do was raise children that was the best thing I ever got to do was to rear children yeah it was great to serve in this capacity it was great to do this particular thing but when all is said and done a most happiest when I'm surrounded by those olive plants I am most happy when I am with those people that who by the grace of God I've had influence over for this amount of time there is no greater joy no greater blessing no greater delight than to bring up children in the training and I munition of the Lord will let us pray father we thank you for your word we thank you for this prohibition to not provoke our children to wrath or discouragement as well for this positive statement to bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord pray for all of us as fathers as as mothers that you would grant us Grace and commitment to the scriptures and help us God to see the the great delight and the great joy and the great privilege it is to rear children under God give us grace in this give us commitment and help and strength and give us the Holy Spirit in a powerful measure so that we may do this for your glory and for their well-being and do smile upon the little ones in this congregation bless them god cause that law to stir up their consciences and to stir up their hearts and to show them their need for the Savior and may they come to the Savior by your grace believing