Dealing with Our Awakened Children, Part 3

The point: Obtain the tapes of previous lessons to understand today's lesson in proper perspective.

The current lesson's particulars are likened to a delicate china block built upon the solid foundation of the two previous lessons, which, if removed, would cause the structure to crash.

particulars of precisely what we should and should not say to our spiritually awakened children. But those particulars, if I may liken them to this block, are solidly built upon the blocks that were laid in the two previous lessons. Take these away, and this thing comes crashing to the ground in fragments. It's made of very fine, delicate china.

0:58 - 1:28 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: He reviews the greatest fears of parents (false hope or despair), the importance of sound theology (natural condition, God's provisions, ordinary method of grace), and a…

A father hands his child to Pastor Martin, requesting a hug and kiss to prevent crying, illustrating the warm relationship children have with their spiritual leaders.

Those of you who are part of our life together here know the warm relationship the children of this church have to their spiritual leaders. Many of you see the little ones line up for several of us every Sunday to get their hugs and kisses. I had one father last week hand me his oldest child, say, Please, Pastor, give her her hug. Give her a kiss or I'm going to have a child crying on my hands all afternoon.

5:38 - 6:03 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Hallelujah, we've had 50 souls saved this afternoon. I hope you've run me out of the pulpit. But listen, it's nonetheless evil when it's done one by one by parents than if it were done by a trusted pastor.

Martin poses a hypothetical scenario where he could easily lead 50 children (ages 3-7) to make a 'decision for Christ' in five minutes each, demonstrating the danger of a decisional mentality.

That's what he said. Now, let me ask you something. If I were to say to the deacons, Please have some ladies provide some snacks so the kids will not be hungry and fussy. And next Sunday after the morning service, I want to meet for five minutes with every child between the age of three and seven.

6:03 - 6:25 Read in full sermon

The point: Press upon awakened children that they must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ now, just as they are.

Faith, repentance, love, and obedience are likened to the mouth, feet, and hands of a healthy body, with faith uniquely serving as the 'mouth' for assimilating Christ and salvation.

wouldn't it be ludicrous if I said I'm thirsty? I'm trying to make the foot perform a function for which it was named. ever created. Now, I could, at least I used to be able, I can still do a handstand, but I used to be able to walk across the room on my hands. I will not descend to illustrate that. But you see, my hands are not made primarily to take me places, but to perform function. The mouth is made to eat and drink. Now, in the same way, in God's gracious dealing with sinners to bring them to his Son, faith, repentance, love, obedience, all have their place, but make sure they're kept in...

21:35 - 22:28 Read in full sermon

Driving home: No, we must remember, dear people, if you and I had to wait till we ceased being sinners until we believed, there wouldn't be one believer in this place today.

Martin recounts a personal story from his childhood where his father's discipline for making a face at the dinner table involved a repeated 'bathroom ritual' to enforce obedience, illustrating proper Christian nurture.

They are in a particular danger here. Because by Christian nurture, we are continually teaching them the law of God. We're making their consciences sensitive to right and to wrong. Furthermore, by proper nurture with the rod and admonition, we are forcing them. Horrors. No, not horrors, that's Bible. We're forcing them to do the right and prohibiting them from doing the wrong. When I would make a face at the table at a certain food prepared by my mother and my father said, get that look off your face, it either went off immediately voluntarily in a nice smile in his place, or up the stairs and...

24:23 - 25:21 Read in full sermon

The point: Continue family worship and other ordinary nurture practices, asserting parental authority without debate.

The counsel from 1 Peter 3 for wives to win unsaved husbands without a word, through gracious living, is used as an analogy for parents to maintain consistent, loving nurture for children whose spiritual interest wanes.

Peter wrote Peter. He said to the wise, you've got unsaved husbands. They've been exposed to the word, but they want nothing to do with it. What does he say?

37:25 - 37:33 Read in full sermon