PRIVILEGES OF CHILDHOOD

Text:  Matthew 5, 6.

Purpose:  To learn our responsibilities as children of God toward our heavenly Father, as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Incidentally, to learn better the duties of parents toward our children, in order to give children proper impressions and images for understanding the fatherhood of God.

Introduction

Nineteenth-century "liberalism" popularized the concept of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. They were not wrong in affirming these notions, or the consequent social responsibilities to which they lead. They were mistaken in extending God's special fatherhood to all men, irrespective of the new birth, and in seeking the Kingdom of God through human effort and wisdom.

Jesus Christ also spoke of the fatherhood of God. Particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, He several times returns to the theme. It is impressive also that the Lord distinguishes between His own unique relationship with the Father and that enjoyed by His disciples. "Your Father," He says. When Christians pray, it is "our Father." Jesus is the only-begotten ("unique" is the exact Latin-derived synonym for the Greek word translated "only-begotten") Son of God. Our sonship is of a different sort.

In this lesson we learn from Christ what it means to have God as Father. We may also learn how better to "parent" our own children, so they will have experiences from which to understand the idea of God as heavenly Father as they grow older.

Body

I. Glorify your Father (Matthew 5:14-16).

   A. By good works, as light in a dark world.

        1. The Christian is created "unto good works" (Ephesians 2:10).

        2. His good works will be seen, though they are to be directed toward glorifying God and not self (as in Matthew 6:1, 5).

        3. Peter speaks of the God-honoring effect of good works (I Peter 2:11,12).

        4. Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5). His power enables our good works (Philippians 2:13, 15,16).

        5. When we do good works for Jesus' sake, we should specifically say that they are performed because of Him and by His grace. Otherwise our works will be no different in effect from the benevolent acts of unbelievers. We sometimes hear of "giving the church the glory." This is an unscriptural idea; the Lord says rather that the church is to give God the glory (text; Ephesians 3:21).

   B. By fruit-bearing.

        1. When we bear much fruit, God is glorified (John 15:8).

        2. The fruit borne comes by God's power and work in us; it is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). Just as observers compliment one whose work has produced a lovely flower-bed, so others who see the fruit of the Spirit in transformed lives will be motivated to praise God who has done it - especially if they knew those "lives" before they were "transformed. "

   C. Does your life glorify God? Or do others blaspheme God because of what they see in you? (Romans 2:24.) Can they see that God is really your Father?

II. Imitate your Father (Matthew 5:38-48).

   A. This is true in general.

        1. God is our Father.

        2. We are beloved children.

        3. We should imitate our Father, just as a little child seeks to do whatever it sees the parent doing.

   B. Because God is holy, we are also to be holy (I Peter 1:15,16).

   C. Here Jesus is speaking specifically about doing good to enemies; we are to imitate our Father in this respect.

        1. God sends His sunshine and rain on all alike.

        2. We are to do good to those who do us evil, just as God does.

        3. In this respect we are complete - "perfect" - nothing is lacking. If we do good only to those who do us good, we are not complete, for our goodness is short of the Father's.

   D. If your children imitate you, will they be like God? They will, if you will imitate your heavenly Father.

III. Serve your Father (Matthew 6:1-18).

   A. In service to others, such as alms.

   B. In service to God, such as prayer.

   C. In service for self, such as fasting.

   D. If work is done for God's sake, as our all-seeing Father, it will not matter whether other people see it or not. When we are tempted to say, "My work is not appreciated," we need to remember for whose sake we ought to be doing it. He appreciates it, now, and He will reward it openly.

IV. Trust the Father (Matthew 6:25-34).

   A. If God gives life, He will give meat to sustain it; if He gives us a body, He will give clothes for it to wear. Do not be anxious, therefore, about such secondary needs as food or clothing, for God has already given you the major gifts of life and body.

   B. You are of more value than field-grass fuel; you are better than birds. If God cares for these parts of His creation, He will surely care for you. Trust Him!

   C. Worry is a waste of effort anyway. You cannot add height to your body or length to your life by anxiety. Trust God instead.

   D. Your heavenly Father knows your needs. Seek first His Kingdom (His rule in your heart) and His righteousness (His verdict of approval through faith in Jesus Christ), and He will supply every need that arises.

   E. "Perfect happiness is perfect obedience to one in whom you have perfect trust" (Hannah W. Smith; see Proverbs 3:5,6).

   F. So give yourself completely to the Lord, then trust Him implicitly for all your needs. He is your Father.

Conclusion

I. Because God is your Father, you should glorify Him, imitate Him, serve Him and trust Him. These are the privileges and duties of childhood.

II. See how God teaches us to be as fathers. Let us show our children a living context for understanding God as Father.

III. Learn the joy of God as Father. How could we not glorify, imitate, trust and serve such a Father as this!

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