Topical Sermon: Turning the Hearts of Fathers & Their Children to Each Other

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:1-12

Turning the Hearts of Fathers & Their Children to Each Other

Intro.
1. The need for godly fathers has always been great

2. Reciprocal, complimenting relationship:

a. Father: Producer, provider, protector.

b. Child: Product, recipient, protected.

3. Eph. 6:4: When fathers turn their hearts away from their children they sin against God & their children, themselves & society.

4. Eph. 6:1-3: When the hearts of children are turned away from their fathers they sin against God & their fathers, themselves & society.

5. Mal. 4:6: And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.

6. The hearts (affections) of fathers & children must turn toward God & toward each other, or God’s judgment will surely strike.

I. TURNING HEARTS: A MATTER OF CONVERTED HEARTS.

A. The Heart: Will & Affection.

1. Inner man includes our affections, character & commitment.

2. Love from the heart: Fathers are to show both agape & phileo (love) toward their children: Not easy for many men!

3. The Father’s love for the Son: agape (Jno. 3:35); phileo (Jno. 5:20).

4. Elements of goodwill, trust, commitment, care, respect as well as deep affection & devotion.

5. Children’s love will reflect what they receive (learn what they live).

B. Hearts that are Ready to Repent (Acts 26:20); cf. Lk. 1:17.

1. Repentance required in order to improve parent-child relations:

a. Turn from selfishness to giving. (Our time, interests, etc.)

b. Turn from pride to humility. (Admit mistakes, accept advice…)

c. Turn from stubborn ignorance to learning (the knowledge, experience & wisdom of fathers).

C. Hearts that are Ready to Seek & Give Forgiveness, cf. Lk. 15:18-22.

II. TURNING THE HEARTS OF FATHERS TO THEIR CHILDREN (Gen. 18:19).

A. Do Not Provoke to Wrath (exasperate, discourage), Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21.

1. Unrealistic demands/expectations, cf. 2 Cor. 8:12; Matt. 25:15.

2. Favoritism, Gen. 25:27-28; 27:41; 37:4.

3. Failure to discipline, Prov. 3:12; 29:15, 17 (20:30).

B. Nurture your Children (bring them up), Eph. 6:4.

1. Teach your child, 1 Ths. 2:10-11:

a. Exhort, comfort, charge (2:11).

1) By setting examples (2:9-10), education (2:9), explanations & sharing experiences (2:7-8); cf. Jno. 5:20.

2) By giving needed warnings, 1 Cor. 4:14-16.

b. Requires good use of your time: Set priorities & let some things go, Eph. 5:16.

c. Require persistence, patience & prayer, cf. Judg. 13:8.

2. Lay up eternal things for your child, 2 Cor. 12:14.

III. TURNING THE HEARTS OF CHILDREN TO THEIR FATHERS.

A. Hearts that will Listen to their Fathers, Prov. 1:8-9; 7:24.

B. Hearts that will Learn from their Fathers, Prov. 4:1-7, 10-13, 20-22.

-This will bless you & bring joy to your father, Prov. 29:3 (3 Jno. 4).

C. Hearts that will Live their Father’s Instruction, Prov. 3:1-2, 21-26.

1. Jesus set this example, Jno. 8:29, 55.

2. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Eph. 6:1).

D. Hearts that will Respect Parents, Eph. 6:2.

1. Obedience shows respect, Jno. 8:26-29.

2. Be respectful in you speech & treatment your father & mother, Prov. 30:11-14, 17 (20:20); Exo. 21:17.

3. Don’t take advantage of your parents, cf. Prov. 28:24.

Conclusion

1. Mal. 4:6: Hard hearts that refuse to turn back will suffer God’s wrath & punishment (“great & dreadful day of the Lord,” 4:5).

2. Psa. 127:3-5: Children are a blessing from God; a reward & a challenge.

3. Lev. 19:32: Parents are honored by those who fear God.