Don't Exasperate Your Children - Nathan Rages

Col. 3:21​ Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

Eph. 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger... 

Ways we might exasperate / provoke our children:

1. Too many rules.

2. Inconsistent discipline.

3. Angry discipline.

4. Pressure to achieve.

5. Too little encouragement

6. Suppressing individuality.

7. Overprotection.

8. Violating their privacy.

9. Favoritism.

10. Emotional coldness.

11. Unkind words.

12. Physical abuse.

What then should we do when we fail?

God's Message to Children - Nathan Rages

Eph 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.” 

This message was preached directly to the children in the congregation, using the following outline: 

Things you must DO:

 1.  Obey your parents. v1

 2.  Honor your parents. v2

Reasons WHY you should do them:

 1. Because it is right. v1

 2. Because you will have a long happy life. v3

 3. Because you love Jesus. v1

The Necessity of Christian Labor - Jess Schmid

The Lord, throughout the Scriptures, is calling His people to flee from the lazy tendencies of our culture and devote themselves to diligent effort for His glory and kingdom.

The Great "One Flesh" Mystery - Nathan Rages

Ephesians 5:31​-32 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 

This new "one flesh" relationship...

1. Changes other relationships.

2. Involves intimate oneness.

3. Lasts for a lifetime. 

Each of these concepts applies *both* to the Lord Jesus with His church and to Christian marriages.