Category: Children

Children have far fewer “rights” than adults in most societies, including our own. They don’t have the right to vote, to buy alcohol, to live on their own, or to drive a car. While children are considered a precious commodity, it is understood by all that it will take time for them to reach a state where they can enjoy, appreciate and profit from independence. In the meantime it is the responsibility of parents to care for, protect and educate them in preparation for the time they will take their place as adults in society.

Continue reading “A Child’s Rights” →

Seventeen years ago Hillary Clinton wrote a book titled, It Takes a Village. The book maintained that for a child to develop properly and be successful, they need the help, education and support of their whole society. In other words, it takes a village to raise a child.

Clinton was criticized by many who felt that such a position would erode the rights of parents to raise their children as they see fit, with their values and world view. However, the book was well received, and Clinton has maintained an influential voice in American culture.

Continue reading “In the News: It’s My Child… Not Yours!” →

Children are gifts given to us by God (cf. Psalm 127:3-5). As such, parents are obligated to care for them. They have the responsibility to provide for, teach, be an example to, and discipline their children.

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

In this lesson, brother Dennis Craig discusses the Biblical admonitions regarding the disciplining of our children.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The text of Ephesians 6:4 serves as a foundation for the principles of effective parenting. The sermon examines the two goals stated: 1) Not to provoke your children to wrath; 2) To train them up in the Lord’s way. Practical suggestions are included.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Debbie and I are beginning a new stage of our lives about now, as Jeremiah graduated from high school yesterday evening. Kaleigh is leaving for school (in Nacogdoches) in August, so things will definitely be different around the Cox house.

Jeremiah is staying at home at least for the first couple of years, but will be going to school and working (if he can find a job)! So, the hatchlings are all about out of the nest.

If you see Debbie dabbing at her eyes from time to time, it is definitely at least a mild case of empty nest syndrome. As for me, I am excited about what is to come, Lord willing. Change can be good!

I am proud of my kids, and I think they know that. (I try not to tell them that too often, as I don’t want their heads to swell). I am most proud of the fact that they are all here this morning (assuming no sickness, since they are all healthy at the time of this writing), and are striving to serve God. I also am proud of what they are doing with their lives.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5).

Congratulations are in order for Jen and Josh Scroggins, the proud parents of their third child, a daughter they named Rylee, born last Monday.

The Psalmist said that the man who fears the Lord and walks in his ways would have a wife, and children all around his table. “Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord” (Psalm 128:3).

Families are truly a blessing from God. This is true even after the kids get older, and make your hair turn gray, or fall out!

They are also a responsibility. “And you, fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6;4).

As a congregation, we are blessed to have some great parents who take that responsibility seriously. Keep up the good work!

This post contains short summaries and links to both audio and Powerpoint presentations of all the sermons Mo Hafley preached for the West Side congregation in the Fall 2010 meeting, November 6-11.

Lesson 1: Looking Unto Jesus

In this sermon, Mo Hafley of Paden City, WV uses the text of Hebrews 12:1-7, to establish the nature of the Christian’s race on earth, and the motivation behind it as we look to Jesus, our Savior.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 2: How We Worship

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a discussion on proper worship to God, with an emphasis on focus and proper spirituality when we sing, pray, commune around the Lord’s table, give of our means, and listen to the preaching of the Word of God.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 3: A Few Days with Paul

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a discussion of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica and Berea, as recorded by Luke in Acts 17:1-13. Paul and the first century disciples showed great courage in the preaching of the gospel of Christ.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 4: Parents and Children

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a wonderful treatment of God’s word on the topic of Parenting. In it, Mo shows what God expects of Christian parents, and even has some words of admonition for children.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 5: Preaching Properly

In this sermon, Mo Hafley discusses the proper tone we are to take in preaching. Emphasis is placed upon militance in preaching, as too often in our day and time people heap up for themselves teachers having itching ears. Soft preaching is not God’s way.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 6: Holy Living in an Unholy World

This sermon by Mo Hafley documents the moral evil that is present in our world, and especially our nation. Biblical advice is given to Christians, explaining how we are to navigate in such troublesome waters.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Lesson 7: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego

This lesson is an expository treatment of Daniel 3, showing the courage of these great servants of God. Regardless of consequence, Christians must emulate them.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 8: Evidences

This lesson by Mo Hafley is a concise detailing of various internal and external evidences, given to prove God’s existence, and the validity of the Bible as God’s revelation.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Lesson 9: Homesick for Heaven

This lesson was an appropriate ending to our gospel meeting with Mo Hafley. He used homesickness (an emotion we have all felt) to explain the type of desire and expectation we as Christians should have regarding our heavenly home.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

In the beginning, God created man. As recorded in the Genesis account, there was not a single animal in creation that would serve as an acceptable companion for man. So, God created woman. The text reads, “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:21-24).

There is a great significance to the phrase, “they shall become one flesh.” When a man and woman wed, they establish a lasting and intimate relationship. It is this relationship alone that God intends the sexual appetite to be satiated, and it serves the purpose of birthing and raising children. “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’” (Genesis 1:28). “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

Continue reading “The Importance of Family” →

Ephesians 6:1-4

Here the Holy Spirit reveals instructions to children and fathers.

First, children are to obey. The simplicity of the reason would certainly appeal to a child, “for this is right.”

Additionally, Paul records the promise of Deut. 5:16, “that it may be well with you.” It is the wise child who heeds and obeys the counsel of his parents. God is pleased, and many pitfalls that other young people fall into are avoided.

Second, the admonition to fathers. “Do not provoke your children to wrath.” This does not mean to not make your children mad. Rather, the provocation would be because of wrong action on the part of the father. In contrast, the godly father is to “bring them up” or grow them into godly men and women through training and nurturing. God’s word supplies the father what is needed in this. We are to follow God’s instructions rather than our own philosophies on childrearing.

Jesus indicated in Matthew 7:7-11 that God cares for his children. He indicated that as a Father, God is like unto human fathers, who give their children what is needed. As parents today, we give our children stones and serpents rather than bread and fish when we disregard God’s words regarding parenting.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

AOTS Number 77

It is important to many parents to supply for their children all the toys and comforts of life as possible. We supply for them a house, but too often parents do not ensure that a child has a caring and Christian home.

To listen to this Podcast, click here .

To subscribe to the AOTS feed, click here .

AOTS Number 73

Because of the faithfulness of Moses’ parents, he had the opportunity to become a great man of God. As Christian parents, we too have a responsibility to be faithful, and thus benefit our children.

To listen to this Podcast, click here .

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You have embraced the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and have determined to accept Him as your Savior. As such, you have determined to turn away from past sins, have confessed Christ as Lord of your life, and have put Him on through baptism in water for the remission of sins. In short, you have begun the Christian walk.

Some of you have been on that path longer than others. Whether you are a newborn babe in Christ, or already have developed some maturity in your walk, there are certain suggestions I would like to make that will benefit you in your profession as one of God’s children.

Continue reading “Suggestions to Young Christians” →

AOTS Number 36

Children will go to extremes to get their parent’s attention. Why not give them your attention and instruction and guidance easily, to avoid the extremes?!

To listen to this Podcast, click here .

To subscribe to the AOTS feed, click here .