DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning and evening, March 7, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD
By Michael D. O’Neal……Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church…… Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Genesis 42:14-22
Text: Genesis 42:22
Genesis 42:22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.
Introduction: The abuse of children is a serious transgression. Child molestation is a great evil of our day. People who go to schools and distribute drugs to kids should be executed. However, there are other sins than these that are committed against children. Some of them are committed by members of Gospel Light Baptist Church. Some of them are committed by people who visit our services. Let me give you some examples, while I beg you today, DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD.
DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD
I. BY STOPPING HIM FROM TRUSTING CHRIST
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
A. By preventing him from hearing the gospel
B. By perverting the gospel of Christ
C. By persuading him that he is too young to be saved
DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD
II. BY SETTING A POOR EXAMPLE FOR HIM
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
A. In salvation
B. In service
* Children should see their parents go to church every time the doors are opened.
* They should see their parents perform jobs at church.
C. In spirituality
* They should see their parents pray, read the Bible, go soul-winning.
DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD
III. BY SLOWING DOWN HIS SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
A. By delaying his commitments
B. By dampening his zeal
DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD
IV. BY SUPPORTING HIS EVIL DEEDS
1 Samuel 3:12-13 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. 13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
A. By sanctioning his behavior
* “Boys will be boys”
* Jailbirds will be jailbirds, too
B. By silence
* Not reproving him when he does wrong
* Not correcting him when he does wrong
DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD
V. BY SUSPENDING CHASTISEMENT
Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
A. Chastisement portrays devotion
B. Chastisement prevents destruction
C. Chastisement produces dedication
DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD
VI. BY SHELTERING HIM FROM WORKING
Proverbs 21:25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
A. Work builds character
B. Work brings improvements
* Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD
VII. BY SENDING HIM TO THE UNWISE
Proverbs 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
A. For counsel
* Government schools
* Psychiatrists
B. For companionship
* In the neighborhood
* Among relatives
* In the church
Whether or not you are a parent, you and I have an influence upon children. Let’s do OUR part to win them and influence them toward a life of fruitful service for the Lord Jesus Christ.