Parents Need Only Two Prayers…April 14th

A representative from a lesser known media outlet made the following statement earlier this family pictureweek; “…we’ve always had kind of a private notion of children: Your kid is yours and totally your responsibility. We haven’t had a very collective notion of, ‘these are our children.’ So part of it is we have to break through our kind of private idea that kids belong to their parents, or kids belong to their families, and recognize that kids belong to whole communities…”

For years we have embraced the notion, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.”  We must never forget God’s instruction is for parents to bring their children up in the Lord, Ephesians 6:1-4.  Mothers and fathers (Families, not communities) are responsible for raising children.  Proverbs 6:20, “My son, observe the commandment of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.” There are some who would like the passage to read…My son, observe the commandment of your community leader and do not forsake the teaching of your neighbor.

This coming Sunday morning our lesson will be focused on how parents prepare for children, and how parents come to understand the obligation of bringing their children to God.  As always, I hope you’ll remember the inspired words of Paul from the 14th chapter of I Corinthians; “…I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”

Sunday morning, April 14, 2013

The following songs are found in the hymnal, Songs of Faith & Praise.

“I Will Call Upon the Lord” – 63

Our opening song,  the ‘call to worship’, comes from the book of Psalms, chapter 18:3…almost word for word.  Penned in 1981, this contemporary psalm provides the singer a strong opportunity to express our deepest desire to ‘call upon the Lord.’

“Father, Hear the Prayer We Offer” – 777

Written over 150 years ago, this song is filled with poetry that stirs the heart…if you’ll take the time to examine the message.  Notice the reference to Old Testament scripture in verse 2, “Not forever by still waters would we idly, quiet stay; but would smite the living fountains from the rocks along our way.” (Read Exodus 17: 5, 6)

“When My Love for Christ Grows Weak” – 350

Before we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we’ll sing this old spiritual song that reminds us to stay close to Christ.  As we sing the first two verses we are reminded of Christ in the garden.  The 3rd and 4th verses take us to Calvary as we sing, “There behold His agony, suffered on the bitter tree; see His anguish, see His faith…”  But the final verse encourages us to learn from Christ, and to become self-sacrificing.

diamonds

“More Precious than Silver” – 273

One of my favorite hymns (we are singing this song to our God) starts with the words, “Lord, You are more precious than silver…”.  A song, as you look more closely at it, professing our desire for God and for God alone.  We sing that He is more precious than silver…more costly than gold…more beautiful than diamonds.  So I ask you, do I really believe that, or are you just singing it?  Remember I Corinthian 14:15

 

“When He Cometh” – 714

Known in some circles as a ‘child’s hymn’, this spiritual song reminds us that God will come back and take (collect) his children home.  The chorus is an interesting analogy; “Like the stars of the morning, His bright crown adorning, they shall shine in their beauty, bright gems for His crown.”  Who will shine in their beauty?  Take a look at verse 3…“Little children, little children who love their Redeemer are the jewels, precious jewels, His loved and His own.”

“I Will Pray” – 840

“Father, in the morning…At the noontide…in the evening shadows…I will pray…Morning, noon and evening unto Thee I’ll pray.”  How often do we pray?  When times are tough and the going get’s rough?  Perhaps when we’re happy and content.  But read I Thessalonians 5:17, Paul tells us in to, “Pray without ceasing…” That would be morning, noon and evening!

“Hark! ‘Tis the Shepherd’s Voice” – 880

Another ‘children’s hymn’, this song calls for us to take on the responsibility of bringing our children (the lost) back to the fold of Christ.  The words of Jesus from Matthew 18 sum it up pretty well; “What do you think?  If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go the mountains to seek the one that is straying?” Let’s sing and then let’s ‘bring them in!’

“God’s Family” – 744crying

As we close the service this morning, we’ll sing about the family of God.  Do we really see each other as brothers and sisters?  Can we say we laugh together?  How often have you cried with a brother or sister in Christ?  Do we share with each other our heartaches and sighs?  When was the last time you shared your dreams with the family of God?  On Sunday morning we should do more than just say “Hi…how are you doing?” as we hurry away to lunch.  Remember, we are part of the family…that’s been born again!