12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. —Exodus 20:12

Our parental relationships matter because they are the

I. The command “honor”

• A. What does it mean?
  
  1. Specifically
     a. Literally, the word means to be heavy/weighty, glorify, ascribe value and worth, to respect, to hold in high regard
     b. Parenting is a heavy, weighty responsibility
     c. Parents are to be respected and honored for the role they assume
  2. Generally – it is the pattern of respect that is due for those in authority
     

• B. What are the limitations?

  1. Overarching principle Acts 5:29

     29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. —Acts 5:29

  2. Four times when you can’t honor your parents – Chip Ingram
     a. Priority of Salvation Mark 10:23-31

     23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” —Mark 10:23-31

     b. Priority of Service Luke 9:59-62

     59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” —Luke 9:59-62

     c. Priority of Marriage Ephesians 5:31-33

     31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. —Ephesians 5:31-33

     d. Priority of Wisdom Proverbs 9:7-9

     7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. —Proverbs 9:7-9
     

  3. Stages of honoring parents – Chip Ingram
     a. Children honor their parents by obedience Ephesians 6:1-3

     1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” —Ephesians 6:1-3

     b. Young people honor their parents by respecting and cooperating Proverbs 23:24

     24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. —Proverbs 23:24

     c. Adults honor their parents by affirmation and provision I Timothy 5:4,8

     4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. … 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. —I Timothy 5:4,8

Parents are given a

Reveal Answer

over children, but they are endowed with

Reveal Answer

. —Marshall Segal

II. The promise “this is the first commandment with a promise” Ephesians 6:2

2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), —Ephesians 6:2

• A. Exodus 20:12 “that your days may be long in the land that the Lord is giving you”

  12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. —Exodus 20:12

• B. Ephesians 6:3 “that it may go well with you”

  3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” —Ephesians 6:3

• C. Colossians 3:20 “for this pleases the Lord”

  20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. —Colossians 3:20

The pathway for experiencing God’s

III. The practical – Kevin DeYoung

• A. Say “Yes” – prompt and cheerful obedience when we are children
• B. Say “Thank you” – express appreciation for the sacrifices being or that have been made
• C. Say “I’m sorry” – own your part in the failures in keeping this command
• D. Say “Hello” – keep in touch/connected as your parents grow older

Honoring our parents will be at times hard, confusing, and even painful. If parents were always

Reveal Answer

, we wouldn’t need

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. —Marshall Segal

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. If your mom is on this side of heaven – please honor her by reaching out with a visit or a phone call!