How Can We Build a Biblical Faith in Our Children?

by Larry Rouse
www.cvillechurch.com

When God blessed our family with children, my wife and I were determined to do one thing in this great stewardship that we had received. We wanted one day to give each of our children back to God. Nothing else in our relationship with them or in their personal accomplishments would mean anything when compared to this.

Sadly, as we look at church history and the example of Christians that we have known, a large number of disciples fail in this effort. The generation of God’s people that crossed the Jordan and took the promised land, were given specific instructions by God concerning the teaching of their children, even to the point of building a monument as a teaching tool (Deut 6:3-8; Joshua 7:3-8). How did that generation succeed? “When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10).

Parents Must Have a Strong Faith

We cannot instill in our children that which we do not have. However, when a child sees that his parents are serious about their love for God, their whole-hearted worship to God, and an everyday discussion about the God that knows them through and through, then that child will take notice. The instructions given to Israel to teach their children were preceded by the exhortation to: “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deut 6:5-8). Just talking about religion, or depending upon the church to do your teaching, or simply “making them be faithful” by placing their bodies at church services are poor substitutes for a personal example of a living faith (James 2:18).

Never underestimate the power of a living faith in the life of a Christian. Timothy, like so many families, evidently had only one parent and one grandparent that were genuine Christians. Paul could attest to the great impact these two women had in Timothy’s life. “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5).

The example of one godly parent will leave a powerful voice in the conscience of a child that will never leave him. I can personally attest to the power of a mother that was determined to teach her children.

For those Christians that have not yet married, make it your uncompromising determination to marry a Christian. Let your home be like the home of John the Baptist, where there were two parents that were “both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6).

Parents Must Teach Right From Wrong

Those who posses a Biblical faith understand the great need to “discern good and evil” (Heb 5:14). Satan, through his subtlety, can entice the young Christian into decisions that, over time, will place him in the wrong company and eventually enslave him into a practice of sin. How blessed is the child whose parents plainly teach him the difference between the “harmless” compromises of Satan and the less traveled way of righteousness (Matthew 7:13-14).

There will be times when our children’s faith will be tested. Here is when a godly parent will help his child to stand rather than search for a way to compromise. Sadly, I have seen parents and elders angry at the Christian who warns against the immodesty found in the “harmless” activities found in the modern day dance teams, cheerleading and many other popular activities. “You are persecuting my child” or “I do not want my child to be left out” are the fearful replies of some parents. These faithless “Christians” are denying their children an opportunity to stand and suffer for their faith and for what is right (Heb 11:35-38). It is in these kinds of battles of discernment that a real faith is developed.

Parents Must Have a Right Relationship with Each Other

One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is to demonstrate what a relationship based on the love of God is like. When a husband loves his wife “just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” and a wife “respects her husband” (Eph 5:25, 33), then a child is seeing a demonstration of what a relationship with God is like. When the love of God motivates the parents to serve each other, to demonstrate the longsuffering and forgiveness of God and, in that, provide an atmosphere of encouragement, then faith can abound (Eph 4:31-32).

Those homes where uncontrolled anger is a way of life will rarely produce children of faith. Alcoholism, drug addition, and chronic depression are common products of such an atmosphere. I have personally known of men that were highly respected in the church whose children later revealed that their father was a very different person in the home. It is no wonder why children from this kind of background “leave the church” at their first opportunity.

Parents Must Avoid the Schemes of Satan

When one posses a living faith, he is filled with optimism and zeal (1 Cor 13:4-8). Satan, if he cannot get you to compromise the truth, can simply take your focus away from the grace and power of Jesus Christ to magnify the bad things in life and major in talking about the faults of others. What do you talk about at lunch after services? Some Christians think that their “spirituality” is best demonstrated by always talking about the weaknesses of their brethren. While there is a place to see genuine weaknesses, we must be careful to be sure we are acting in love in order to help another, rather than in a spirit of pride to exalt ourselves and look down on others (Luke 18:9).

How can a child come to believe in a God who forgives and is longsuffering when he sees a very different example displayed in his parents? A living faith is nourished when we understand that our God is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7). This is the God that I willingly go to with my sins, my thoughts and my very life. Parents, what kind of God are you teaching your children about? Remember the true badge of discipleship: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). May your children see that spirit in you.

The Finish Line

It is my prayer that each of us as parents will one day see our children cross “the finish line” of a life of faithful service to God. Let it be that each of our voices and the memories of our lives be found in that great “cloud of witnesses” that cheer our children on to heaven (Heb 12:1-3).

Dial-A-Bible-Study

(434) 975-7373

Free Bible Study Materials

Call Anytime!
E-Mail: larryrouse@cvillechurch.com

Following the Apostles -- Teaching as they Taught

by Billy Moore
www.cvillechurch.com

"Go teach all nations" was the command they had received from the Lord (Matt.18:19), and before his ascension he said, You will be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). In Jerusalem they stayed and on the day of Pentecost they received the baptism of the Spirit (Acts 2:1‑4), who was to guide them into All truth" (John 16:13) and that day they began that seemingly impossible task of preaching the gospel of Christ to all nations. Let's observe what they told men to believe and do.

In Jerusalem

When they preached that God had made the same Jesus whom you have crucified to be both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), the cry came from that multitude, "Men and brethren, what shall we do? For the first time they told men what to do for the remission of their sins. Listen to their words: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...." (Acts 2:38). My friends, if you have trouble understanding this, read it again and again.

Later, in Jerusalem, Peter reminded them that they had "denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead, " and even though they had done it in ignorance, they were guilty. Then he commanded: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted that your sins be blotted out" (Acts 3:19).

In Samaria

Persecution caused the disciples to be scattered abroad and they "went every where preaching the word." Philip went to Samaria to preach, "When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women (Acts 8:12). A preacher in that city, who had been deceiving the people, making them think that he was some great one, heard Philip and "Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip... " (vs. 13). Philip preached the gospel, they believed and were baptized.

A Nobleman Converted

The conversion of the Treasurer of Ethiopia is one of the most simple. He was a religious man, who had been to Jerusalem to worship and was returning to his home when Philip was sent by the Lord to teach him. When Philip first saw him the man was reading Isaiah the Prophet and invited Philip to explain what he was reading. The record says, "Philip began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. " We are not told all the things he said about Jesus, but as they rode along in that chariot they came to a certain water (lake, stream, or pool): and the Treasurer said, Here is water; What hinders me from being baptized? Now, notice what Philip said: "If you believe with all your heart, you may. " Then the man said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both those men went down into the water, and he baptized him. (Read it in your Bible in Acts 8:36‑38). My friend, do you have any difficulty understanding that? If so, just read it again. What did that Treasurer believe? What did he do?

An Enemy Converted

In Jerusalem young Saul of Tarsus was a leader of those who persecuted the disciples. He obtained permission to go to Damascus to bind disciples and return them to Jerusalem to be punished. Enroute the Lord appeared to him in a light brighter than the noon day sun and told him, I am Jesus whom you persecute. Saul asked, Lord, What do you want me to do? The Lord said, "Go into the city, and you will be told what you must do?" Saul had been blinded by that the light, but a friend led him into the city. For three days he was fasting and praying, then the Lord send a gospel preacher, Ananias, unto Saul to lay his hands upon him that his sight might be restored, and to tell him what he must do. When Saul received his sight "he arose and was baptized" (Acts 9:18). Years later, Saul (now called Paul, the apostle) told of his conversion as he made his defense before the Jews in Jerusalem. He said, Ananias came to me and stood and said to me, God has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lords (Acts 22:16). What did he believe? What was he told to do? Read in your Bible. Is it too difficult to understand?

The first Gentiles Converted

Peter, was sent to preach to the house of Cornelius, the first Gentiles to receive the gospel. He told them of Jesus and the things he did in the land of the Jews, and how the Jews had killed him by hanging him on a tree, but that God had raised him on the third day, and had commanded us to preach to the people that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead; that through His name whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins. And he commanded him to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Acts 10:34-48). What were the Gentiles to believe? What were they commanded to do?

The Pattern

Friends, surely we can see the pattern: where ever the gospel was preached, men were commanded to believe, to repent of their sins and be baptized into Christ. So Luke writes that in Corinth, "And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized" (Acts 18:8). Each of us who hears the gospel must decide whether we believe, and if we believe whether we will repent of our sins and whether we will be baptized in the name of Christ "for the remission of sins."

Realizing the brevity of life, the frailty of man and the surety of judgment, we should believe and obey the gospel, the power of God unto salvation.

Dial-A-Bible-Study
(434) 975-7373
Free Bible Study Materials
Call Anytime!

E-Mail: larryrouse@cvillechurch.com

The Christian's Apparel -- Inside and Out

Larry Rouse
www.cvillechurch.com

The real measure of a Christian lies on the inside. Jesus repeatedly warned those who admired the hypocrites of that day that it was “out of the heart” that one’s actions arise (Mt 12:34-35, 15:18-19). Later, our Lord confronted these men with the plainest and strongest words of His ministry. “For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also” (Mt 23:25-26). In every application we make of God’s word we must first start with the heart.

Does it Matter What a Christian Wears?

The subject of clothing is a highly personal one and one that commonly provokes great emotion. Many who claim to be Christians place this subject as off-limits to the Lord and especially to those who teach His word. How many times have I heard someone say: “It doesn’t matter what you wear, but what is inside your heart is all that matters!” Is that really what the scriptures teach?

The scriptures plainly address the relationship of our hearts to what we wear. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9-10 KJV). What is the condition of the heart described in this verse, and what is the kind of dress that will follow?

Essential Elements in the Heart of the Christian

Modest apparel is a product of shamefacedness and sobriety, qualities that ought to be in the heart of every Christian. The English word “shamefacedness” is a good translation of the Greek word “aidos.” Greek lexicons define this word as meaning “the idea of downcast eyes; a sense of shame or honor, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect.” The word “sobriety” indicates “soundness of mind, self-control.” In essence, the Christian will not seek to draw the attention of others to themselves through their clothing. They will not be trend setters, seeking the latest fashions regardless of the message conveyed to others by those fashions.

Consider the importance of shame. Shame comes from previous instruction concerning right and wrong. For shame to profit you, there are two things you must posses: proper teaching and a good conscience. Someone has likened the conscience to an alarm clock. If you heed its alarm and then act, then you will be “awakened” and thus helped to fight sin. However, if you chose to ignore it, by “going back to sleep,” or in others words, by continuing in your sin, then you will, in time, no longer hear the alarm of your conscience. Paul described the terrible consequences of those who reject sound teaching as “speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2).

Too Much Clothing or Too Little

Shame will keep a Christian from seeking attention by distinctive displays involving “broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” (1 Timothy 2:10 KJV). It also will avoid attention by having too little clothing, which is a great problem in our culture.

The scriptures teach that public nakedness should always produce shame. When Christians had given in to a practice of sin, God likened the shame that they should have felt as being like the expected shame found in physical nakedness. God described them as being: “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” He then urged them to “buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see”
(Rev 3:17-18).

In the scriptures, nakedness is insufficient clothing, not a complete absence of clothing. The priest, while clothed, could still reveal his “nakedness” by not properly covering from “the waist to the thighs” (Ex 28:41-42). In the Garden of Eden, after the first sin, Adam and Eve were still naked when they made the equivalent of men’s swimming trunks (Gen 3:7, 10-11)! God provided sufficient clothing when he had made them “tunics of skin”. This tunic is defined in lexicons as being: "generally with sleeves, coming down to the knees." If you want to be sure to avoid nakedness, then this example ought to provide us a safe guide to follow.

You Clothes Convey a Message

The Old Testament describes the “attire of a harlot” (Prov 7:10; Gen 38:13-15). A woman can dress in such a way as to encourage men to pursue immorality with her. Here is where many women fail to understand how their dress can affect men. The scriptures give emphasis towards the woman concerning her dress (1 Tim 2:9-10) and give emphasis towards the man in how he looks at a woman and thinks (Mt 5:27-30). As a rule, men are more susceptible to visual stimulation, and as a result, the modern day pornographic industry has geared its primary attention to men. Ladies, please do not judge your clothing on “how it looks to me,” but also be open to teaching concerning how it affects others.

Clothing during Worship

It ought to go without saying that men and women should always dress modestly in public settings and especially when gathering together to worship God. In recent years, with the advent of the “non-traditional” services, has come the philosophy of “come as you are.” It is common in these gatherings to see an open display of immodesty by those who claim to be Christians. I understand that for the new Christian, and certainly for the visitor from the community, that they may not yet have received the proper teaching to guide their consciences. But when a gathering of Christians has become a demonstration of a people that no longer “know how to blush,” then a serious examination of hearts needs to take place
(Jer 6:15; 8:12).

Should we then have a dress code? When we have shamefacedness and sobriety in our hearts, along with a willingness to talk with mature Christians about these things, then I am sure our clothing will reflect it. When we come to worship with the people of God with a heart of reverence and love, with a desire to pursue holiness, then our clothing will reflect it
(Heb 10:23-29).

Be honest, what message does your clothing reveal about your heart?

Dial-A-Bible-Study

(434) 975-7373

Free Bible Study Materials

Call Anytime!
E-Mail: larryrouse@cvillechurch.com

Making Faith Your Own

by Larry Rouse
www.cvillechurch.com

How can we best help others go to heaven? As we gain experience we can see that there are many who begin the Christian life, but for various reasons give up the fight. Our Lord Jesus Christ knew that this would be true for many. In one instance Jesus likened the Christian life to that of building a tower. “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’” (Luke 14:28-30). Why did this man fail? Jesus gave the answer. “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33).

How are you building your Christian tower? That depends on how you view your relationship with God. Far too many who have named the name of Christ have yet to take seriously their personal responsibility to build their own faith. A biblical faith will produce confidence in the scriptures and also humility to be constantly seeking and testing that faith. To this person the scriptures are alive because their faith teaches them that they serve a God who knows them through and through and has spoken so that he can see himself and be changed (Heb 4:12-13). There is a huge difference between the one who has observed what men expect him to believe versus the one who has struggled and fought to find the answers that resulted in faith. One may have, out of peer pressure, memorized the pat answers concerning “what we should believe” and have no real confidence and knowledge of God’s word.

Our Limitations in Producing Faith in Others

As a parent I am greatly interested in learning how to produce faith in my children. Long before I ever had children, I was interested in helping others to find a living faith. Fortunately, God has given us some simple spiritual laws that if we will learn and heed them then we can best help others to walk by faith.

The first hard lesson for me to learn was that I could not “make” another person believe. In my early years as a Christian I tried to impose my will on others through sincere, but misguided efforts. I tried to use personal pressure and personality to “make” someone serve the Lord. All this accomplished was to have others flee from me and in turn, to greatly raise my own frustrations. Fortunately, I quickly learned the difference between what the Lord wanted from me and what was the responsibility of others. “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (1 Cor 3:5-7). The Lord wanted me to plant and water His perfect word. The rest would be left to the one being taught in his response to God.

Faith Takes Time

Genuine faith always takes time. Each man must go through the process of learning about the nature of God and then, through refection, come to trust God. Also in this process one must come to see the bad news about their own sin so that the good news of the sacrifice of Christ can be a life-changing force (Rom 3:23: Rom 5:6-8). There will be some who have previously given much thought to these things and thus can respond quickly when the pure gospel is preached (Acts 2:41). There will be others who will need much more time, because of their background, to come to know the one true God (Acts 17:16-17).

How Did Jesus Build Faith?

When you examine the teachings of Jesus, you will find that He placed challenges before His hearers and then let them struggle to find answers. How many times did Jesus ask a question, rather than giving a quick answer? Jesus asked his disciples “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” and then let them discuss it (Matthew 16:13-18). Why did Jesus speak in parables? He wanted them to think and in that process find God’s truth. Sadly, most people would not have this spirit to seek and dig deeper and as a result they rejected the Lord (Matthew 13:10-15).

You can easily tell when a man has made faith “his own.” He not only can plainly tell you why he believes what he does, but, more importantly, he will stand and fight for these truths. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).

Are we really teaching others to reason from the scriptures, or are we simply giving them a catechism, a man-made series of questions and answers, to memorize?
Consider these truths next time your faith is challenged.

Avoid the emotional response to run and hide

It can be very stressful to examine long-held practices. As you build your trust in God you will not be afraid to put them to the test (Phil 3:4-10). If you make changes by faith, you will be willing to talk with others about those changes and not run from them. Some make changes because of peer pressure from false teachers. This newfound “faith” is then used by men to make one “run and hide” from those now considered “traditionalists.” A Biblical faith will not do this! “They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them” (Gal 4:17).

Do not make sweeping generalizations

Just because you have found one item of past practices that must be changed does not mean everything must be cast away. You should not blindly accept everything that another has taught you, nor should you blindly reject everything that you have been taught. Walk by faith by reexamining the scriptures and allowing that alone to determine your stand.

Learn patience as you seek

Just like the farmer who must plant, water and wait, so you will be in the process of building your faith (Jas 5:9-11). Give priority to establishing a strong foundation in trusting God, and then to the issue by issue studies that will arise. There may be times where a particular issue will be laid aside for now to be studied later. Let honesty, integrity, and a deep love for God cloth you as you walk before Him. He will give you time and opportunity to know His will (John 7:17; Eph 5:17).

Do you really believe in the Lord? May the Lord bless you as you grow in His grace and knowledge. “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:17-18).

Dial-A-Bible-Study
(434) 975-7373
Free Bible Study Materials
Call Anytime!

E-Mail: larryrouse@cvillechurch.com