We have come to the conclusion of our series on home improvements. I have not as yet had the pleasure of bringing up teenage children. I read about a dad who was left this message.

Daddy, I am going to wash my hair, if Tom calls tell him to call at eight. If Herb calls and Tom doesn’t tell Herb to call at eight. If they both call tell Herb to call at 8.15 or 8.30. If Timmy calls and Tom and Herb don’t tell Timmy to call at eight. If they both call or one calls tell Timmy to call at 8.15 or 8.30.

One dad listening to the phone on one occasion commended his daughter on only being onto her friend for twenty minutes. She replied, "It wasn’t a friend it was a wrong number."

I cannot obviously profess to being an expert on teenage children but I have been a teenager and this morning want to turn the spotlight on the children, the young people, and see what the Lord expects from you.

A few weeks ago in the bible class we looked at the fifth commandment.

We stressed the importance of this commandment, in fact it is central to all others.

You can see from these two passages that the promise attached to the fifth commandment in Exodus is also given for all the commandments in Deut. Because this was God’s plan for the well being of society, that within the home, the tenth commandment would be taught and passed from generation to generation.

Upon this society would be built the family unit. The family unit would uphold Godly standards.

Failure within the home would mean failure within all of society. We cannot have anarchy in the home and government in the land it won’t work.

1 Peter 2:3-4 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. [4] To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

1 Tim. 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

1 Peter 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

If you find a child with no respect for authority in the classroom, then he will have none in the workplace, none for the laws of the land and sadly it is unlikely that he will ever honour the Lord.

So you can see how important it is for children to honour their mother and their father.

We already have looked at how, when the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, the job of teaching was given to the home.

The hearts - love the word.

The habits - live the word.

The hands - labour according to the word.

Heavenly - look at things through the word.

The house - loyalty to the word.

That is the sort of home that the word of God envisaged.

How important young people are to this chain that God has established. It is interesting that the first commandment in connection with the family doesn’t mention the husband and wife relationship but the child /parent. Why? Because this is the way it is passed on to subsequent generations.

Young people, the word of God takes your life seriously, the Lord takes your life, your witness and you seriously.

A secular psychiatrist Dr Harold Voth said this, "If the husband and father is not clearly the head of the family there will be nothing but chaos." He says, "The father is responsible for establishing family standards, character, direction and strength. If he does not do that the family is ruined."

When the father’s and the parent’s authority is undermined in the home by disobedient and rebellious children that headship is under attack and there will be chaos and trouble.

Children, young people you have such an important role to play in defeating the devil.

Parents need to teach their children, the book of Proverbs is based on this principle.

Children need to be taught, how important it is for the parent/

child relationship to function properly.

This relationship is under the attack of Satan, mums and dads don’t fulfil their roles.

Children refuse to obey and don’t honour their father and their mother.

The laws of the land and society now frown upon the idea of children obeying parents, especially, in fact, mainly in this western culture.

The UN Child’s Bill of Rights 1959 upon which most western governments have based their child laws, has many flaws.

Parental authority challenged, discipline challenged, parents shouldn’t be allowed to teach any religious preference but it should be left up to child.

The family unit of mum, dad and child is under satanic attack, through bad parents, rebellious children and humanism.

Paul has warned us in scripture what to expect in the last days

There is responsibility with parents, but only perfect children can expect perfect parents, and I don’t believe there are either.

Many are like this little girl. A child was very unhappy because her parents had refused her wishes. That evening her mother was amused to hear her pray, "Please, Lord, don't give her any more children; she doesn't know how to treat the ones she's got now!"

I think we go through about four stages as far as our parents go.

• We idolise them; there is no one like mama and papa.

Young people you need to read again what the word of God says.

Read how serious disobedience is in the eyes of God.

For someone to be disloyal to their family disobedient or dishonouring was a very serious crime in the eyes of God and all of Israel.

Do you need to read again what Moses said?

The word ‘honour’ means to give due reverence to, this is not only for children or young people but for all of us.

The Lord was speaking to old men, but do you notice young people how those who didn’t honour their mother and their father annoyed the Lord Jesus Christ?

This is the only commandment addressed to children specifically in the entire Bible.

Who is this commandment for?

The word for children is ta tekna, any child, any offspring under parental authority. This in not just infants and young ones, all who live under the control and authority of their parents.

Young people, here is the only commandment addressed specifically to you. If you get this one right, so many other things will follow.

Col. 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Ephes. 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

What are they to do?

Obey is hupakouo it means to hear under.

Children get under the authority of your parents and listen.

But surely there must be exclusions.

What does the scripture say?

Col. 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Young people if you profess to love the Lord, if you say you are saved, then this is the word of God to you, obey your parents in all things. Unless asked to do something evil or contrary to the will of God.

• The word of God says so.

Col. 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

• It is right.

Ephes. 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

• It pleases the Lord.

Col. 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

It pleases the Lord when we give to him.

It pleases the Lord when we walk like him.

It pleases the Lord when we work for him.

It pleases the Lord when we have faith in him.

Let me give you another reason to obey your parents.

Ephes. 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. [2] Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) [3] That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Generally, rebellious children have attitudes that will lead to shortness of life.

Life can also mean quality not quantity.

Are you saved? Then Jesus says; "If ye love me keep my commandments."

King Saul had many faults but consider a good side to him for a moment.

1 Samuel 9:1-2 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. [2] And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

Here was a strong young man.

1 Samuel 9:3 And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

What a job his dad gave him, go and find the asses, not very glamorous. What did this tight young man do?

He obeyed his dad.

1 Samuel 9:5 And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.

There is a dad at home, he loves me and he will be worried.

Be thoughtful and considerate for those who have cared for you all your life, for those who have provided for you and prayed for you.

I want to finish by looking at two trees and two sons.

Absalom, consider his sad story.

2 Samuel 13:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

Amnon raped his sister, David didn’t seem to take a tough enough line, Absalom wanted revenge. Here is a son and he is hurting, maybe you think mum and a dad have treated you unfairly?

2 Samuel 15:2-6 And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. [3] And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. [4] Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! [5] And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. [6] And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

He worked behind his dad’s back to do him harm.

2 Samuel 18:9 And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away.

Joab kills Absalom the rebellious son of David.

2 Samuel 18:33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

Disobendice to parents will lead to many tears.

Let me tell you about another tree. Let me tell you about another son, his name is Jesus.

As son of man, he was obedient.

As Son of God, he was obedient.

John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Philip. 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

What an example of an obedient son.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Two sons, two trees.

The path of disobedience led to tears.

The path of obedience led to triumph.

Philip. 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Mark 1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Ephes. 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.