February 24, 2018 - Church at Worship

Sermon: "The Fifth Word: Family" The Ten (part 5 of 10) by Randy Roberts

Pastoral Welcome: Adrian Pressley

Children's Feature: Dan Matthews

Baptism: Ashińee Reynolds and Abel Massey

Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:12: Ephesians 6:1-4, TNIV read by Scott and Lolita Campbell

Sermon Notes:

Today we come to the fifth commandment—the commandment that directs children to honor their parents. It is nestled right into the heart of the Decalogue. Some—including some in ancient Judaism—see it as the most important of all ten commands. Their conviction is that the tender relationship between parents and children is fundamental not only to a harmonious home but also to an orderly society. And it is hard to argue with that point of view. But what does it mean to honor one’s parents? As we read the Bible, we see examples of parents who were upright and loving and worthy of honor, and examples of parents who left a great deal to be desired. We can learn something from each family. For example, if we think of God as the first parent, then we at least have to realize that even perfect parenting does not guarantee perfect children! Or, on the other hand, think of Jacob and Esau and their parents. Triangles. Deceit. Subterfuge. Revenge. Not much in that family’s record about honoring parents! But then consider Jesus. At the moment of His greatest extremity, at the time of His most profound suffering, He hangs on the cross and thinks of His mother. No doubt gasping for air, enduring excruciating pain, His thoughts turn to His mother. And He asks John—arguably the disciple to whom He was the closest—to make sure and take care of Jesus’ mother. That moment has to be the heights of parent-honoring, selfsacrificing love. As we come, then, to this commandment, we want to know how it applies in our world and in our families. “Honor your father and your mother…” What does that mean? Respect them? Obey them? Care for them? Listen to them? Support them? All of those? Something else? Join me as we consider the implications for all of our lives—from the cradle to the grave. Randy Roberts Senior Pastor