Scripture Reading: Matthew 15:1–9
Introduction
A. While He lived on earth, Jesus had a lot to say about family.
B. Jesus accused His generation of neglecting their responsibility to their parents and making excuses for disobeying God.
Discussion
I. God has always expected children to honor their parents.
A. Children have always been commanded to obey their parents in their youth (Ephesians 6:1–3; Deuteronomy 5:16).
B. They must obey their parents as long as their demands do not violate God’s word (Romans 1:28–32; cf. 1 Kings 15:12–13).
C. Not only are children to obey their parents, but they are also to respect them (Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 19:32; 1 Kings 2:19).
II. There is more to honoring parents than obeying them as a child.
A. We should also give them due respect when they are old (Proverbs 23:22, 25).
B. It is a child’s duty to care for his parents when they can no longer do for themselves (1 Timothy 5:4; Matthew 15:4–6).
C. Godly men and women of the past have left us good examples of this (1 Samuel 22:3–4; John 19:25–27).
Conclusion
A. This might not always be an easy commandment to keep, but we must not neglect it as the Pharisees did.
B. When we do things God’s way, we have the enduring promise of His blessing, and there can’t possibly be any reward greater than this!