Fail to Honor our Parents 10 Stupid Things We Do Fail to Honor our Parents

Think About This: “The world is passing through troublous times. The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they knew everything, and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness with them. As for the girls, they are forward, immodest and unladylike in speech, behavior and dress.”

Think About This: Who wrote this? Ann Landers? Dear Abby? Dr. Phil? Oprah? None of the above. It was written by a man called Peter the Hermit. It was written in 1274 – more than 700 years ago. What is our obligation to our parents?

The Command What is honor? To whom does this command apply? HONOR YOUR PARENTS What is honor? To whom does this command apply? Dependent children – respect and obey Ephesians 6:1-3 - 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3“that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

The Command What is honor? To whom does this command apply? HONOR YOUR PARENTS What is honor? To whom does this command apply? Dependent children – respect and obey Independent children – respect and listen

The Command What is honor? To whom does this command apply? HONOR YOUR PARENTS What is honor? To whom does this command apply? Dependent children – respect and obey Independent children – respect and listen Aged parents – respect and support

The Command HONOR YOUR PARENTS What do parents owe the child in return for honor? Proper example Instruction in the way of the Lord Communication Love Time Discipline Prayer

The Motives Because God said so Because it is right and proper WHY OBEY THIS COMMAND? Because God said so Because it is right and proper It will lengthen your life It will benefit society

What if parents don’t deserve honor? The Questions What if parents don’t deserve honor? Perfect parents have imperfect kids Perfect kids have imperfect parents REMEMBER: “You are no bargain to live with, either.” Even Jesus had imperfect parents

What if my parents are no longer living? The Questions What if my parents are no longer living? Honor the sacrifice they made They trained, taught, instructed They disciplined Honor their memory

Practical Suggestions Don’t expect perfection from your parents Learn your parents’ story and try to understand their unique journey Pay back the good you received from your parents Refuse to return evil for evil

Conclusion: Robert Frost – “Home is the place where, when you go there, they have to take you in.” It is a “stupid thing” to fail to honor our parents. Young or old, dependent or independent – We must honor our parents. It will lengthen our life It will give us eternal life.