Faith Begins at Home
- Rev. Jerry Lepasana
- May 3, 2009
- Series: A Household of Faith
A Household of Faith: (Part I)
FAITH BEGINS AT HOME
Psalms 78:1-8 (NIV)
1 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old--
3 what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their forefathers-- a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.
There is an alarming reality regarding the faith of kids growing up in evangelical churches. Dawson McAlister, a national youth ministry specialist, says, “Ninety percent of kids active in high school youth groups do not go to church by the time they are sophomores in college. One third of them will never return.”
Perhaps it’s not as alarming to listen to statistics like this when we don’t attach specific kids with them. But what if I ask some of the kids you know here at our church to represent the statistics. Perhaps it would be more disturbing once we assign names and faces to the ninety percent who will leave their faith, and a third of them will never return.
I realize that there are some who would justify the departure by saying, “Kids today are so busy that they don’t have time for church.” However, this attitude portrays a wrong notion concerning faith. Here’s where I am coming from: I trust that as you all attend BCI, our church can do a good job of helping you understand that faith is not a place or a program you go to, but it is about a relationship that you nurture. You see, you don’t go to church because you want to be in church and attend the worship service. You come here because your worship experience will allow you to be more intimate with the Lord and you’re convinced that having an intimate relationship with Him will allow you to have a more meaningful journey.
- I believe with all my heart that if this is our understanding of faith, if it is a relationship; then all of us, even our kids, will make time for the relationship that matters to us.
So, is this your understanding of faith? Now, if it is a relationship, I would like to submit to you this morning the notion that the church is not the primary nurturer of the faith. Beginning this Sunday, I would like to begin a series about families entitled, “A Household of Faith.” Throughout this series, I would like to hammer out this truth that we have to go back to the home. Now, I am not saying that the church has no responsibility; what I want to communicate is the fact that the church stands only as a partner to the home. When you examine the Bible, it shows without a doubt that God has ordained the home to be the primary institution to lead people to a deeper relationship with God.
Our chosen text is one of those Scriptures that would clearly show that we have to go back to the home. This beautiful Psalm was written by Asaph, who was a Levite in the temple courts during the time of King David. He was primarily responsible in leading praise and worship in the temple. As he declares his music, he takes the opportunity to remind the people concerning the reality that faith begins at home. I would like to highlight three major teachings in our passage:
I THE GIFT OF INFLUENCE: (vs.1-3)
Asaph’s role in the temple included a lot of teachings. But when you look at this particular Psalm, he undermined his position as a temple teacher; instead, he elevated himself by taking the position of a father trying to teach his children.
This in a way establishes one of the most important roles of parents – To teach. I love what Asaph is trying to do. He is literally communicating that He was more effective in teaching as a father, than he was as a Levite in the temple. Being a pastor of a church, I don’t have a problem accepting that with our church kids, you as their parents are more effective teachers to them than I am. Why? Obviously, God has given you the gift of greatest influence to them.
The Search Institute did a substantial survey among young people which was entitled, “The Most Significant Religious Influences.” The survey confirms that the top three religious influences are: Mothers, Fathers, and then Grandparents. Pastors only appear 7th among the list of influences.
This is the reason why in the Bible the mandate to teach children was given to parents, and was done in the home. Asaph knew this, and it is seen in other major verses both the Old and New Testament:
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NIV)
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Ephesians 6:1-4 (NIV)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise--
3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Parents, in our main text, Asaph was saying, I would like to teach what I myself have received. Then when you go to these additional references like Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 - These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Likewise, you can only pass on what you have. Therefore, you have to know God deeper, so you lead your children in that level. You should not expect your children to go where you have never been. Martin Luther puts it in this way:
Most certainly father and mother are apostles, bishops, and priests to their children, for it is they who make them acquainted with the Gospel.”
Think of that for a minute. Indeed, God wants all parents to function like bishops and priests to their children. As parents, you have to be more intentional in fulfilling those roles. Don’t forget, you are the biggest religious influence for your children. Can they count on you?
II THE GIST OF INSTRUCTIONS: (vs. 4-5)
Once you begin teaching your children, what should be the content or the gist of your instructions? It is possible that some parents would feel inadequate in teaching their children because they don’t know what to teach. Asaph, our psalmist, provided us with the things parents should never hide from their kids:
A. His Praiseworthy Deeds: (v.4)
The Bible consistently calls God’s people to praise Him because of His attributes and activities, or because of who He is and what He has done. Notice the three words in verse 4 that bring the same ideas - the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.
In the history of Israel, parents should be able to rehearse to their children all the grace and power of God manifested in the Exodus of God’s people from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the provisions of Manna in the wilderness, the conquests of the Promise Land under Joshua, and many others. All of these events prove how God had proven Himself to them again and again that He is the greatest God above all gods. That He alone deserves all their love and loyalty.
For us today, we need to be familiar with these stories plus the most important of all, which is the powerful crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which ultimately brought us our salvation from sins. We need to know how to lead our children in the appreciation of who God is and what He has done for us all, most especially His provision of a great salvation for us. Without this, it would be difficult for them to fall in love with God. Why? John the apostle explained:
1 John 4:19 (NIV)
19 We love because he first loved us.
Our love for God develops when we understand that how God was willing to love us first despite of who we were – rebellious and running away from Him.
B. His Precepts: (v.5)
The Psalmist in verse 5 has also mentioned that God has clearly revealed his will to His people by giving them His commands. Parents must be familiar with them so they can pass them to their children as well.
It is unfortunate that there are people, even Christians who have developed the wrong perception towards the Word of God. They think that God’s commands are so restrictive, so they reject its instructions. I believe this is a big lie from the Devil. God’s Word was given for our advantage. King David once declared:
Psalms 119:92-93 (NIV)
92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
Parents, I hope you will not miss this. It’s not the philosophies of the world that can preserve the lives of our children. Only God and their knowledge of Him that can do it. We should never fail in teaching them the praiseworthy deeds of God, and His precepts. Remember, it is to their advantage when they know God and live their lives for Him. Listen again to this passage:
Deuteronomy 6:24 (NIV)
24 The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.
God’s ultimate desire is for them to experience His prosperity and preservation. Is that your desire for your children? Then, teach them well.
III THE GOAL OF INSTRUCTIONS: (vs. 6-8)
When we have faithfully fulfilled our responsibility, our highest blessing is to see our children put their trust in the Lord and live a life of obedience towards God.
Wow, knowing what God could do for our children, for them to really trust the Lord and love Him with all their heart, soul, and might is the greatest accomplishment a mother or a father could have.
Now, other parents might not agree because they only see their roles as providing meals three times a day, shelter, and clothing. Let me tell you that you can give them all the best meals, house, and clothing, but without the Lord in their lives, they will still be miserable. Only God who authored life can bestow life to the full. If you want your children to experience the best life, help them to fall in love with God.
In addition to them, I love the emphasis in these verses concerning affecting the next generations. I pray that you parents would have foresight. If you teach your children well, they in turn will teach your grandchildren, and from there the next generations.
Have you ever thought of that? There is a tragic incident in the book of Judges that we should not fail to see:
Judges 2:10 (NIV)
10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.
Can you imagine, after all the things that God has done during the time of Joshua, the next generation that came did not know the Lord? That’s a real tragedy! You and I should do a better job in teaching our children. Why? Because it’s our children who will teach our grandchildren.
Allow me to challenge you to reflect on how you are relating to your children. Are you leaving them a godly heritage? If they will listen to you and watch your life, will they fall in love with Jesus? I will assure you that our church, BCI, will always be committed in partnering with you in raising your children in the Lord. But again, BCI is not the primary nurturer of your children’s faith, you as parents are the greatest influence to them. I pray that you parents will step up your game, and make a difference in the faith of your children. If you do a great job, you will save your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren from a lot of miseries and heartaches.