Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church

Today we continue our Suggested Topics Sermon series with suggestion -40. The topic is Children and the First Table of the Law. The question is, how do we cultivate obedience to the First Four Commandments-- Do we discipline for infractions-- How do we teach our children interact with other believers who have divergent practices so that we are firm, but charitable--

Today we come to verse 20 where we have the example of Isaac, who, as an old man, demonstrates how he, because he believed, was able to bestow blessing on his sons. Without faith, he could never have done such a wonderful thing. It was only through faith that he even had a blessing to give them because, ultimately, God is the only one who can either bless or curse.

Today we are continuing our sermon series in the book of Hebrews. We continue in chapter 11. I have slowed down with this chapter-it is so helpful for us to see examples of what faith does when we have it. Today, we return to that example of Abraham, only now we see how he has matured in his faith-so that by faith, he is willing to offer his son-believing that God can raise him from the dead if necessary.

Our focus today is on fathers-Ephesians 6-4. Much can be learned about other relationships too. Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath. All of you know what this means because it is so common. You provoke someone to wrath when you do something that irritates them. You have all struggled with this at times. We can see the sad results of children who have been provoked by their father. How many sullen teenagers there are who have very little regard for their fathers- How many adults there are who have very painful memories of their fathers-

What does it mean when it says- These all died in faith, not having received the promises-- It means that when they died, they still believed that God would give them what He promised, even though they still did not have the things that He had promised.

Wise parents will adjust the way they disciple their children as their children grow up, giving them greater and greater freedom as they mature. The person who suggested this topic asked me to deal with all different aspects of discipleship- protecting, nurturing, instructing, and preparing.

We are in chapter 11 where the writer of this letter shows us what faith can do for those who have it. He shows us what faith did in the lives of real people just like us. Today, we come to verse 11 and 12 where we find out what faith in our Lord did for Abraham's wife Sarah. It gave her strength to do what was impossible-to bring forth nations, one of which would bring forth the Son who would save the world.

How do we know when children are ready to come to the Lord's Table-- This question is raised because we are not expressly told about children and the Lord's Supper. There are things like that in the Scripture. We must deduce from what we are given in scripture.

Today we are continuing our sermon series in the book of Hebrews. Presently, we are in Heb 11. It presents to us what faith does in the lives of God's people. First, there was Abel. With him, we saw that by faith we are made righteous in God's sight. Next, there was Enoch. With him, we saw how faith gives us the hope of eternal glory. Then there was Noah. With him, we saw how faith responds to God's warnings and escapes condemnation. Today we come to Abraham where we shall see how faith obeys God's call.

Two errors often arise in relation to this doctrine of covenant succession. When the church becomes nominal, it is presumed that we are all good Christians even when we neither profess to believe the true gospel or walk in obedience. When revival breaks out, covenant succession has been rejected and children have been treated as unbelievers instead of nurtured in the faith. Our great concern must be to see what the Bible says about this and follow that.

Now we are in chapter 11 where faith that saves is presented to us. We saw in the beginning of this chapter what faith does. The rest of the chapter is examples. Abel and Enoch are the first two examples or witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 11. Noah, whom we look at today, is the third witness to the blessing that comes by faith. He shows us how faith responds to God's warning of judgment.