“The Most Important Job in
the World”
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen. What is the most important job in the world? President of the
United States? Famous inventor of marvelous machines? Doctor
discovering miracle cures? Actually, many of us already hold the most
important job in the world: parent. It’s that time of the year when college and high school graduations are
taking place. It’s a year of graduation milestones for our family.
Our oldest graduated from college last weekend, and our youngest will graduate
from high school this afternoon. We tend to think of our little ones always
under our care and guidance. But, they will grow into a life of their own,
and we must prepare them for it. That surely is the most important job in
the world. Proverbs says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he
is old he will not depart from it.” But the opposite is also true: fail to
train up your child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will suffer
for it. Researchers have noted a common thread in the lives of many
criminals: a lack of parental direction and discipline in their younger years.
Of course, even those with the best upbringing can wander off the right path.
But, a good foundation in early life is a child’s the best hope for happiness
and success. Parents often fret when their children leave the nest at around age 18.
But, by then it is practically too late. The time to focus on your
children’s future is in their youngest years. That will set the pattern
for their lives. Maybe you cannot leave your children a big inheritance in the way of
money and property. But, there is a much greater, much more valuable
inheritance and heritage that is within the grasp of every parent. Paul
puts it this way in Ephesians, “Bring them up in the training and instruction of
the Lord.” “Let the little children come to me,” Jesus says, “and do not
hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” That is the greatest gift you can pass on to your children, bringing
them to Jesus. Sharing with them the Good News that “God so loved the
world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life.” The Good News that their sins and your sins
and the sins of the whole world are forgiven on account of Jesus Christ.
As Peter and Paul say in Acts, “Everyone who believes in him receives
forgiveness of sins through his name. . . Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and you will be saved.” For parents these days, there are so many important things to consider
in your children’s upbringing: good education, appropriate discipline, proper
socialization, developing a positive feeling of self-worth. And there is
an abundance of organizations and activities to help in your children’s growth
and development. These things are important and they have their place. But, in the hectic shuffle of modern life, don’t neglect your
children’s greatest need: training and instruction in the Lord. Bring them
faithfully to worship, Sunday School, Confirmation classes. And consider the advice of Abraham Lincoln: “If you will train up a
child in the way he should go, then you must walk that way yourself.” You
know how children learn by observation and imitation. It is so cute when
little children copy your actions. Well, later on in life they will copy
your habits, your words, your attitudes. So, in your life set them a
Christian example by your own words and deeds. For instance, teach them
the habit of regular attendance at church and Sunday School by faithfully
attending with them yourself. On the back cover of today’s bulletin is a “Recipe for Raising
Children.” This could be a good Mother’s Day or Father’s Day sermon all by
itself: 1 Cup of Psalm 127:3—“Children are a heritage from
the Lord, a blessing from him.” You see, your children are just on loan to
you from the Lord. He has entrusted them into your care because he thinks
that in all the world you are the parent for this child. 1 Cup of Proverbs 22:6—“Train up a child in the way
he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” 2 Tablespoons of Mark 10:14—“Let the little
children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these.” Carefully mix in Proverbs 13:24 and Hebrews 12:11
as needed—“He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful
to discipline him”; “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those
who have been trained by it.” Balance with generous measures of Colossians 3:21
and Ephesians 6:4—“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become
discouraged”; “ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up
in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Sprinkle in generous amounts of Ephesians
6:18—“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and
requests.” Stir together in a pot called home, adjusting
ingredients as seems best to achieve proper consistency. Let rise for
approximately 18 years and then serve to the world. Important: For good results, do not use a pressure
cooker for this recipe. God bless you as you continue doing your best for the Lord in the most
important job in the world. Amen. Return to Top | Return to Sermons | Home | Email Church Office
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