Honour is unpacked and displayed in the family blessing. It is when we recognize and clearly identify as fathers the blessings of our children. Honour is also given in the challenge to live out the will of God and the anointing to follow through. Honour is lived out by example…
Honour ranks #5 on God’s Top Ten in the commandments that He gave. It is expanded in Deuteronomy 5:16
Ephesians 6: 1-3
When children do not honour their parents, the very fabric of society begins to unravel.
Honouring your parents means choosing to place a great value on your relationship with them. It means that we take the initiative to improve it, to strengthen it and to recognize our parents before they pass away! It means to acknowledge the sacrifices, see them as Christ sees them and forgiving them.
The blessing to live long is more than just physically living longer, but better health as we saw last week and it’s more about a promise of a legacy, a ripple effect that lives beyond you in the lives that you influenced for righteousness.
The Family Blessing v12-14-
John first addresses:
Dear children v12,13
Children get the basics, their focus is on relationship and the security found in that place. A child knows His Father’s voice, he recognizes it, he doesn’t doubt it, he just accepts it. A child wants to know that they are right with daddy.
The challenge here is to grow in the grace and the knowledge of Him
Young men v13b,14b - do not lose the essence of this next stage of spiritual maturity. This is not a gender specific address as much as it is giving a picture of the person who has moved along in their spiritual journey and what characterizes his or her life.
You have overcome the evil one - what does it mean to overcome the evil one? It is the awareness that God has given you tangible evidence in your life of victory, victory over his lies. This person has practically put James 4:7 to the test. They have submitted to God, they have resisted the devil and he has fled. You have covered yourself in the blood of Christ and he has left your home, left your mind. He is not welcome here, there is a new stronghold in place. Whether you have experienced this in a new sense of peace in your heart or your family, it is a new level of awareness and expression of faith. Bondage Breaker – Neil Anderson.
You are strong – because the Word of God lives in you. It is living from strength to strength because of the manifest presence of His Word being lived out in your life. We are not just talking about reading the Bible here – anyone can do that. It is when the Word of God begins to penetrate all areas of my life. Ephesians 6:17 The Word saturates my decision making process from relationships to work and God is giving me some spiritual backbone and muscle. We overcome evil with good; we overcome by continuing to stay in the fight and by pushing ahead in all that will strengthen your faith.
fathers v13a,14a
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning – there is an expression of maturity here, a sense of growth that has come through the knowledge of God and His work in history, that He transcends time.
In order to be a father there is the implicit sense here that this person is bringing along children in their faith. Certainly this holds true for actual fathers, but more so those who are spiritual fathers, those who are mentoring those that they have brought by the Spirit of God to faith
A blessing is a statement of affirmation that builds confidence, breathes spiritual hope and gives recognition to a specific person.
In the OT, it was rooted in a child’s personhood. It was given informally and formally at times. The emphasis was certainly on the firstborn, but every child received it. The Hebrew father would gather his peers together in a circle and would speak blessing into his son or daughter’s life. It would take place usually between their 14th and 16th BDAY. It would bring insight and practical wisdom for the child and bring confidence for him or her to build on their future.
Jesus called the little children to come to him for blessing in Mark 10:14,16
Blessing, bestowing honor on a child, begins with a meaningful touch. We should never think that our children are too old to show affection to them.
In Genesis 27:26,27, we read, “Then his father Issac said to him, “Come here, my son, and kiss me.”
Once again just like forgiveness studies have shown that meaningful touch lowers blood pressure, protects children from seeking sexual intimacy prior to marriage and can add up to two years on your life!!
To say, well, I show my love by my actions just doesn’t cut it. You need to confess that attitude and realize just how important it is.
Blessing is fulfilled with the spoken word
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21 The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
We need to share words of affection and spiritual vision.
AFFECTION
This week my girls took it upon themselves to clean out the flower bed in the front of the house. Unfortunately the ‘clean freak dutchmen’ in me could only see the path of mud left by the trail on the bottom of their shoes at first. “Look at your dress shoes’ was the first thing that came out of my mouth and immediately I caught myself and felt terrible for that ugly side of me and missing the joy they were deriving in their wonderful project.
Naturally, that is what we do. As I was watching a leadership video with some of our men this week, it pointed out that if we were to choose between focusing on our strengths or eliminating our weaknesses, two thirds of us would normally focus on eliminating the weaknesses. We need to focus on strengths!
Now, hear me out, I am not talking about sin. I am talking about where the attention and focus of our lives is on. We need to build up our children. If we have something negative to critique, we better be ready to affirm the 5,6,7 positive things they are doing.
SPIRITUAL VISION
We need to be praying and speaking spiritual vision into the lives of our kids
Genesis 27:28 as Issac blessed Jacob he spoke the abundance of God into his life. We need to do the same because every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights. He is the one that we need to pursue and speak His favor, His goodness into their lives.
The Family Challenge v15-17
The challenge here is to train your children to live lives of righteousness, to train them to pursue those things that will last for eternity, to crave the spiritual milk and meat of the Word instead of running after everything else this world has to offer.
There are 3 undertoes, 3 very strong current systems that this world operates on:
The cravings of sinful man – when normal appetites turn into addictions – you name it – food, sexual intimacy… going outside the boundaries that God created for their ultimate and true fulfillment.
The lust of the eyes – the desire for more, coveteousness, the need for more possessions, when our possessions possess us, materialism.
The boasting – the need for affirmation turned ugly to the point where it becomes all about what I have accomplished
The will of God is the challenge found in leading our children to a place of surrender and sacrifice. It is teaching that shows that God rewards a life lived out for His purposes. It trains a child to see beyond the eternal present that so many are caught up living only for.
The Family Anointing v20-29
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. v20 The truth is that Jesus is the Christ, He is God, He is the one we have been anointed and empowered to follow.
Teach your children the truth, the truth about Jesus and the truth of the anointing and the power to live out the blessing for the will of God!
Have you ever considered yourself to be an anointed Christian?
· Maybe you’ve thought that only certain people in ministry are anointed?
· Maybe you’ve only considered that the O.T. prophets and the N.T. apostles were the only ones anointed and that you are not.
· No matter what you have or haven’t thought about the anointing of God, if you are a Christian, then you have received an anointing.
To anoint means to "rub oil or ointment on," "to put oil on in a ceremony of consecration." So, to anoint something or someone is to apply something, in this case oil, to an object.
· Maybe you have been anointed with oil in a prayer service, or when someone has prayed over you for healing.
· Maybe you’ve even done the anointing.
· Then again, perhaps the idea of anointing with oil is foreign to you.
· Whatever the case, anointing is found all over the Bible.
· Prophets were anointed to be able to proclaim God’s word.
· Priests were anointed to carry out their duties of worship and sacrifice.
· Kings were anointed so they could rule.
· People were anointed for healing.
Honour ranks #5 on God’s Top Ten in the commandments that He gave. It is expanded in Deuteronomy 5:16
Ephesians 6: 1-3
When children do not honour their parents, the very fabric of society begins to unravel.
Honouring your parents means choosing to place a great value on your relationship with them. It means that we take the initiative to improve it, to strengthen it and to recognize our parents before they pass away! It means to acknowledge the sacrifices, see them as Christ sees them and forgiving them.
The blessing to live long is more than just physically living longer, but better health as we saw last week and it’s more about a promise of a legacy, a ripple effect that lives beyond you in the lives that you influenced for righteousness.
The Family Blessing v12-14-
John first addresses:
Dear children v12,13
Children get the basics, their focus is on relationship and the security found in that place. A child knows His Father’s voice, he recognizes it, he doesn’t doubt it, he just accepts it. A child wants to know that they are right with daddy.
The challenge here is to grow in the grace and the knowledge of Him
Young men v13b,14b - do not lose the essence of this next stage of spiritual maturity. This is not a gender specific address as much as it is giving a picture of the person who has moved along in their spiritual journey and what characterizes his or her life.
You have overcome the evil one - what does it mean to overcome the evil one? It is the awareness that God has given you tangible evidence in your life of victory, victory over his lies. This person has practically put James 4:7 to the test. They have submitted to God, they have resisted the devil and he has fled. You have covered yourself in the blood of Christ and he has left your home, left your mind. He is not welcome here, there is a new stronghold in place. Whether you have experienced this in a new sense of peace in your heart or your family, it is a new level of awareness and expression of faith. Bondage Breaker – Neil Anderson.
You are strong – because the Word of God lives in you. It is living from strength to strength because of the manifest presence of His Word being lived out in your life. We are not just talking about reading the Bible here – anyone can do that. It is when the Word of God begins to penetrate all areas of my life. Ephesians 6:17 The Word saturates my decision making process from relationships to work and God is giving me some spiritual backbone and muscle. We overcome evil with good; we overcome by continuing to stay in the fight and by pushing ahead in all that will strengthen your faith.
fathers v13a,14a
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning – there is an expression of maturity here, a sense of growth that has come through the knowledge of God and His work in history, that He transcends time.
In order to be a father there is the implicit sense here that this person is bringing along children in their faith. Certainly this holds true for actual fathers, but more so those who are spiritual fathers, those who are mentoring those that they have brought by the Spirit of God to faith
A blessing is a statement of affirmation that builds confidence, breathes spiritual hope and gives recognition to a specific person.
In the OT, it was rooted in a child’s personhood. It was given informally and formally at times. The emphasis was certainly on the firstborn, but every child received it. The Hebrew father would gather his peers together in a circle and would speak blessing into his son or daughter’s life. It would take place usually between their 14th and 16th BDAY. It would bring insight and practical wisdom for the child and bring confidence for him or her to build on their future.
Jesus called the little children to come to him for blessing in Mark 10:14,16
Blessing, bestowing honor on a child, begins with a meaningful touch. We should never think that our children are too old to show affection to them.
In Genesis 27:26,27, we read, “Then his father Issac said to him, “Come here, my son, and kiss me.”
Once again just like forgiveness studies have shown that meaningful touch lowers blood pressure, protects children from seeking sexual intimacy prior to marriage and can add up to two years on your life!!
To say, well, I show my love by my actions just doesn’t cut it. You need to confess that attitude and realize just how important it is.
Blessing is fulfilled with the spoken word
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21 The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
We need to share words of affection and spiritual vision.
AFFECTION
This week my girls took it upon themselves to clean out the flower bed in the front of the house. Unfortunately the ‘clean freak dutchmen’ in me could only see the path of mud left by the trail on the bottom of their shoes at first. “Look at your dress shoes’ was the first thing that came out of my mouth and immediately I caught myself and felt terrible for that ugly side of me and missing the joy they were deriving in their wonderful project.
Naturally, that is what we do. As I was watching a leadership video with some of our men this week, it pointed out that if we were to choose between focusing on our strengths or eliminating our weaknesses, two thirds of us would normally focus on eliminating the weaknesses. We need to focus on strengths!
Now, hear me out, I am not talking about sin. I am talking about where the attention and focus of our lives is on. We need to build up our children. If we have something negative to critique, we better be ready to affirm the 5,6,7 positive things they are doing.
SPIRITUAL VISION
We need to be praying and speaking spiritual vision into the lives of our kids
Genesis 27:28 as Issac blessed Jacob he spoke the abundance of God into his life. We need to do the same because every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights. He is the one that we need to pursue and speak His favor, His goodness into their lives.
The Family Challenge v15-17
The challenge here is to train your children to live lives of righteousness, to train them to pursue those things that will last for eternity, to crave the spiritual milk and meat of the Word instead of running after everything else this world has to offer.
There are 3 undertoes, 3 very strong current systems that this world operates on:
The cravings of sinful man – when normal appetites turn into addictions – you name it – food, sexual intimacy… going outside the boundaries that God created for their ultimate and true fulfillment.
The lust of the eyes – the desire for more, coveteousness, the need for more possessions, when our possessions possess us, materialism.
The boasting – the need for affirmation turned ugly to the point where it becomes all about what I have accomplished
The will of God is the challenge found in leading our children to a place of surrender and sacrifice. It is teaching that shows that God rewards a life lived out for His purposes. It trains a child to see beyond the eternal present that so many are caught up living only for.
The Family Anointing v20-29
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. v20 The truth is that Jesus is the Christ, He is God, He is the one we have been anointed and empowered to follow.
Teach your children the truth, the truth about Jesus and the truth of the anointing and the power to live out the blessing for the will of God!
Have you ever considered yourself to be an anointed Christian?
· Maybe you’ve thought that only certain people in ministry are anointed?
· Maybe you’ve only considered that the O.T. prophets and the N.T. apostles were the only ones anointed and that you are not.
· No matter what you have or haven’t thought about the anointing of God, if you are a Christian, then you have received an anointing.
To anoint means to "rub oil or ointment on," "to put oil on in a ceremony of consecration." So, to anoint something or someone is to apply something, in this case oil, to an object.
· Maybe you have been anointed with oil in a prayer service, or when someone has prayed over you for healing.
· Maybe you’ve even done the anointing.
· Then again, perhaps the idea of anointing with oil is foreign to you.
· Whatever the case, anointing is found all over the Bible.
· Prophets were anointed to be able to proclaim God’s word.
· Priests were anointed to carry out their duties of worship and sacrifice.
· Kings were anointed so they could rule.
· People were anointed for healing.
Jesus was anointed, so that He could carry out His ministry.
We have received an anointing from the Holy Spirit
To be able to discern truth - 1 John 2:27.
To testify of the truth - 1 John 5:6 "To be able to pray - Rom. 8:39
We have received an anointing from the Holy Spirit
To be able to discern truth - 1 John 2:27.
To testify of the truth - 1 John 5:6 "To be able to pray - Rom. 8:39
To live a righteous life - To be strengthened with power in your inner being - Ephesians 3:16
To be led by God - Romans 8:9
To live in joy
To live in hope - Romans 15:13
To receive spiritual gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:7
To bear spiritual fruit - Galatians 5:22-23 "It is this anointing that opens your mind, teaches you, guides you, calls you to pray, empowers you, and enables you to be stronger Christians, more powerful Christians. Not just people who are saved, but people who are saved, indwelt, and empowered.
It is only because of the cross that you have forgiveness of sins, and the privilege of the indwelling Spirit, no only in you, but upon you.
You are anointed vessels of God. You have been cleansed by God and been filled with the Holy Spirit.
Not only is He in you but He is upon you!!
As the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost in the upper room and anointed them for service, you too have been anointed by God with the Holy Spirit for Christian service.
You are anointed vessels of God. You have been cleansed by God and been filled with the Holy Spirit.
Not only is He in you but He is upon you!!
As the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost in the upper room and anointed them for service, you too have been anointed by God with the Holy Spirit for Christian service.
In 1 John 2:28, John is not rejecting the teaching office in the church, but what he is strongly guarding against is false teaching and he is calling the believers to look for the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
The Takeaway
Families that honor God choose to live in the place of blessing as they live out the will of God under the anointing of the Holy Spirit!
Questions For Discussion and Small Groups:
Did you grow up in a home of honour?
What are practical ways that you can bless your children?
How do you teach your children about Jesus and his place in their lives?
How often do you focus more on sheer determination than the power of the Holy Spirit to live out the will of God?
Take the time this week to write a living tribute to your parents that focuses on the things that they have done right with you and then share it with them.
The Takeaway
Families that honor God choose to live in the place of blessing as they live out the will of God under the anointing of the Holy Spirit!
Questions For Discussion and Small Groups:
Did you grow up in a home of honour?
What are practical ways that you can bless your children?
How do you teach your children about Jesus and his place in their lives?
How often do you focus more on sheer determination than the power of the Holy Spirit to live out the will of God?
Take the time this week to write a living tribute to your parents that focuses on the things that they have done right with you and then share it with them.
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