THE MANTLE OF PARENTHOOD
Dr. Jobe Martin
Biblical Discipleship Ministries
www.biblicaldiscipleship.org
www.evolutionofacreationist.com
A Brief Personal Testimony
• In this talk I will be taking the position that the
Bible is the Word of the one true God.
• I am assuming that you are establishing a
Christian family.
• There may be a homeschool family from some
other faith, or no faith here. If you were giving
this talk you would surely teach from your
worldview as I will be doing today.
THE MANTLE OF PARENTHOOD
MANTLE (Webster)
•
•
•
•
•
1. “A kind of cloak to be worn over other garments.
2. Anything that cloaks, covers, envelops, conceals.
3. The outer covering of a wall.
4. The outer casing of a blast furnace.
5. A covering of clay put over a wax model so as to
form a mold when the wax is melted out.”
• 6. Etc.
PARENTHOOD
“The condition of being a parent; relation or
authority of a parent.”
– A condition
– A relationship
– An authority
SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
The God of the Bible is greater than our
circumstances (1 John 4:4).
God is sovereign (Nehemiah 9).
God can cause all things to work together for good.
God’s grace is always sufficient (1 Cor. 12:9,10).
Parental schooling is 24 hours a day.
There is no such thing as a day off.
Your spouse will never help you as much as you
deserve and feel that you dearly need.
There can be many tears.
There are days that your feelings tell you “this is not
worth it!”
There are days when you are completely convinced
that you are into a bottomless pit of absolute
incompetence.
Take heart…God’s mercies are new every morning!
1 Corinthians 12:9,10
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for
thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather
glory in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me.
SHAMGAR—A COMMON
ORDINARY MAN!
A Short Devotional
The God of the Bible wants to take
common, ordinary people like
you and me, with our common,
ordinary things and do
uncommon, extraordinary things
in His power and for His glory!
Uncommon, Extraordinary,
in God’s power =
HOMESCHOOL!
JUDGES 3:31
31 And after him was Shamgar the
son of Anath, which slew of the
Philistines six hundred men with an
ox goad: and he also delivered
Israel.
BIBLE STUDY HAS SEVERAL
DIFFERENT PARTS:
1. Observation
2. Correlation
3. Interpretation
4. Application
OBSERVATION
•
•
•
•
•
•
Observation=What do we see.
There was a man named Shamgar.
Shamgar came after someone.
His Father’s name was Anath.
He killed 600 Philistines.
He did it with an ox goad.
He delivered his country.
Correlation
Correlation=What Scriptures relate.
In the case of Shamgar there is one other Scripture
that correlates and that is
Judges 5:6:
6 “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath,”
This is all we know about Shamgar, but we do learn
some things about the days during which Shamgar
lived in Judges 5.
•
Correlation
• “…the highways were unoccupied, and the
travellers walked through byways.
• 8 They chose new gods;
• then was war in the gates:
• was there a shield or spear seen among forty
thousand in Israel?”
Judges 5:6,8
INTERPRETATION
Interpretation=What does it mean.
• A Jewish man named Shamgar killed 600
Philistine soldiers.
• He was probably a farmer since he knew how
to use an ox goad.
• He used an ox goad as a weapon because it
appears that the weapons had been
confiscated.
INTERPRETATION
What is an ox goad?
An ox goad is a stick or pole 6 to 8 feet long with a
point on one end.
How do you make an ox go?
Our Creator, the Lord Jesus, made the ox with a
sensitive spot where the hoof hooks onto the
ankle. Touch that spot and the ox lifts its leg.
When the leg comes down it is ahead of where it
was, the other feet want to catch up and the ox is
moving.
INTERPRETATION
• Shamgar’s father’s name was Anath.
• Anath was the Philistine God of sex and war.
• Shamgar’s family had probably sold out to the
pagan Philistine culture.
• At the very least Shamgar’s grand parents had
named his father with the name of a Philistine
demon god.
• And yet this common ordinary man with his
common ordinary tool saved his country!
BIBLE STUDY HAS SEVERAL
DIFFERENT PARTS:
1. Observation: what is seen
2. Correlation: where else
3. Interpretation: the meaning
4. Application: who, me?
APPLICATION
• God wants to take common ordinary people with
our common ordinary things and do uncommon,
extraordinary things in His unmistakeable power
and for His own glory!
• Shamgar shows us the importance of over-coming
family limitations.
• He shows us the value of perserverence—he is out
there every day putting his life on the line for his
God, his family and his country.
APPLICATION
• Shamgar shows us what Almighty God can do
through a single person who is ready and
willing to let our Lord do His will in our life,
even if it means putting our life in jeopardy for
His benefit and glory.
• Shamgar displayed a singleness of purpose.
• Shamgar is an example of unselfish
servanthood.
APPLICATION
• Are we ready and willing to put our lives on
the line for our God, our families, and our
country?
• What is your oxgoad (weapon)—your life, your
zeal, your words, pen, mind, computer,
connections, family, church.
• Are you ready and willing to make the prayer
of your life, “Lord, yet not my will, but Thy will
be done?”
Acts 13:36
• For David, after he had served his own
generation by the will of God, fell on sleep,
and was laid unto his Fathers, and saw
corruption.
• (David accomplished all that God had for him
to do in his generation.)
John 12:27, 28a
• Jesus said, “Now is my soul troubled;
and what shall I say? Father, save me
from this hour: but for this cause came I
unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy
name.”
Concluding Application
• Jesus from eternity past, had a purpose and a plan.
• David accomplished all that God had for him in his
generaton.
• What is your purpose, your plan, your focus for the
remainder of your life? For your children?
• Will you accomplish all that God has for you in
your generation?
Acts 13:36
• For David, after he had served his own
generation by the will of God, fell on sleep,
and was laid unto his Fathers, and saw
corruption.
• (David accomplished all that God had for him
to do in his generation.)
John 12:27, 28a
• Jesus said, “Now is my soul troubled;
and what shall I say? Father, save me
from this hour: but for this cause came I
unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy
name.”
Missionary/Mission Field?
• I led two lives as a youth.
• I left home as a mission field, not a missionary.
(How have you left home? How will your
children leave home?)
• Could our God use your time here to help you
fullfil His purpose for you in your generation?
• Are you practicing truth (John 3:21) and does
your life display Colossians 1:27?
If we call ourselves “Christians” we must be a people
who know and do what the Bible says!
Godly man or woman
Godly husband or wife
Godly dad or mom
And all of this is to bring eternal glory to our Lord.
WHERE DO WE START?
• The mantle of parenthood must start with a clear
understanding of what is true TRUTH. We must
know and practice God’s Word, the Bible.
– John 17:17
– John 8:32
– Hebrews 4:12
– Psalm 119
– John 12:48—It is God’s Word that will judge us at the
last day!
WHERE DO WE START?
Dads and Moms are you actually in the family of God?
Are you a true POSSESSOR of the Christian Faith or
just a professor of the Faith.
Have you received the Lord Jesus Christ as your
personal Savior?
But as many as received him, to them gave he power
to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe on his name: Which were born, not of
blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of
man, but of God.
John 1:12, 13
WHERE DO WE START?
Are we realizing our responsibility as parents to
live out so great a salvation?
We are the “Image Bearers” of the King.
As true believers and image bearers a
supernatural change has taken place!
Can our family see this supernatural change, this
enabling to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in the
every day activities of family life?
WHO AM I AS A CHRISTIAN?
• Member of the family and household of God:
Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19
• Complete in Christ:
Colossians 2:10
• Possessor of every spiritual blessing:
Ephesians 1:3
• Born of the Spirit:
• Baptized with the Spirit:
John 3:6
1 Cor. 12:13
WHO AM I AS AN IMAGE BEARER?
• Indwelt by the Holy Spirit: Jn. 7:39; Rom. 5:5, 8:9;
1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19; Gal. 4:6; 1 Jn. 3:24
•
•
•
•
•
Sealed by the Spirit: Eph. 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:22
Given spiritual gifts: 1 Cor. 12-14; Rom. 12
We are IN CHRIST: Jn. 14:20; Col. 1:27
A member in Christ’s body: 1 Cor. 12:13
A branch in the Vine:
John 15:5
•Recipientof eternal life: John 3:15 and 16,
John 10:28, 1 John 5:11-13
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Seated in heavenly places:
Eph. 2:6
Minister of the N.T.:
2 Cor. 3:6
Ambassador of Christ:
2 Cor. 5:20
A living letter:
2 Cor. 3:3
A minister (servant) of God:
2Cor. 6:4
God’s inheritance:
Eph. 1:18
Redeemed: Rom. 3:24; Col. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:18
•Christians are God’s “house” on earth:
1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:1
• An heir of God:
Rom. 8:17; 1 Pet. 1:4
• Joint heir of Christ: Rom. 8:17; Heb. 9:15
• Have access to God:
Rom. 5:2; Eph 2:18;
Heb. 4:16, 10:19
• A called and protected people: Titus 2:14,
1 Peter 2:9
• Delivered from the power of sin: Rom. 6:2;
Phil. 3:3; Col. 2:11
• A living stone:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Eph. 2:21,22; 1 Pet. 2:5
A sheep in His flock:
John 10:27-29
A part of Christ’s bride:
Eph. 5:25-27
A priest in God’s Kingdom:
1 Pet. 2:9
A new creature:
2 Cor. 5:17
A child of light:
Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess.5:4,5
In the Spirit:
Romans 8:9
Positionally glorified:
Romans 8:30
•Delivered from the kingdom of Satan:
Colossians 1:13, 2:15
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Foreknown: Acts: 2:23; Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2
Elect: Rom. 8:33; Col. 3:12; Tit. 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:2
Predestined:
Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:5,11
Chosen:
Matt. 22:14; 1 Pet. 2:4
Called:
Matt. 22:14; 1Thess. 5:24
Reconciled by God: 2 Cor. 5:18,19; Col. 1:20
Reconciled to God: Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor.5:20
•Redeemed how I love to proclaim it, redeemed by
the blood of the lamb!
Rom3:24; Col 1:14
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
All condemnation removed: Jn5:24;Rom8:1
Crucified with Christ: Rom. 6:6; Gal. 6:20
Dead with Christ: Ro 6:8; Col 3:3; 1 Pt 2:24
Buried with Christ:
Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12
Raised with Christ:
Rom. 6:4; Col. 3:1
Regenerated: Jn. 13:10; 1 Cor. 6:1; Tit. 3:5
Born Again:
Jn. 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:23
•I am forgiven all my sins!!! Eph. 1:7, 4:32;
Colossians 1:14, 2:13, 3:13
•
•
•
•
•
Child of God: Gal 3:26; Jn 1:12; 2Cor 6:18
A New Creation: 2Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 2:10
Adopted:
Rom. 8:15,23; Eph. 1:5
Acceptable to God:
Eph. 1:6; 1 Pet. 2:5
Made Righteous Ro 3:22; 2Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9
• Perfected forever:
Hebrews 10:14
• Justified: Ro 3:24;5:1,9; 8:30; 1Cor 6:11 Tit 3:7
•We have heavenly citizenship:
Luke 10:20; Eph. 2:13,19; Phil. 3:20
• Within the “much more” care of God:
Romans 5:9,10
•
•
•
•
•
Object of God’s love:
Eph. 2:4, 5:2
Object of God’s power: Eph. 1:19; Phil. 2:13
Object of His faithfulness: Phil 1:6; Heb 13:5,6
Object of God’s peace:
John 14:27
Object of God’s consolation:
2Thess 2:16
•Object of God’s intercession:
Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25
• Object of God’s grace:
• For salvation:
• For keeping:
• For instruction:
Ephesians 2:8,9
Rom. 5:2; 1Pet. 1:5
Titus 2:12
These 64 identifying distinctives are who we
are as the image bearers of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
All of this starts at home.
WHERE DO WE START?
• Perhaps a good place to start this conference as
well as the first day of the rest of your life is to
examine and test yourself to see if you are a true
Christian.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.
2 Corinthians 13:5
HOW DO WE PERSEVERE?
Whatsoever things were written aforetime were
written for our learning, that we through patience
and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
5Now the God of patience and consolation grant you
to be likeminded one toward another according to
Christ Jesus: 6That ye may with one mind and one
mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
7Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also
received us to the glory of God. Romans 15:4-7
HOW DO WE PERSEVERE?
• We must be aware of the intense spiritual
battle which engages us, to destroy us
individually, destroy our marriages, steal our
children and reek havoc in the church.
Ephesians 6:10-19
2 CORINTHIANS 10:12
For we dare not make ourselves of the
number, or compare ourselves with some that
commend themselves: but they measuring
themselves by themselves, and comparing
themselves among themselves, are not wise.
• God’s word is our standard—we must keep our eyes
fixed on things above not on things that are on the
earth. Keep looking ahead.
• Keep the eternal perspective!
• 27Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel,
My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is
passed over from my God? 28Hast thou not known?
hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the
LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth
not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his
understanding. 29He giveth power to the faint; and
to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Isaiah 40:27-29
HOW DO WE PERSEVERE?
• Depravity is now the accepted lifestyle and has
penetrated the church.
• Good is evil and evil is good (Isaiah 5:20).
– Immorality is accepted
– Adultery is accepted
– Homosexual lifestyle is accepted
– Lying and cheating are accepted
Biblical Truth is being severely compromised!
The Depravity Factor
• Two of the great dangers we face as parents:
– 1. becoming so immunized to apostasy and evil that it
seems normal and no longer alarming
– 2. becoming discouraged and deciding that there is no
use in standing up to such overwhelming evil.
So don’t lose your perspective—godly parenting is more
than worth the costs, sacrifices, and inconveniences.
ROMANS 15:1-6
1We
then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities
of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2Let every
one of us please his neighbour for his good to
edification. 3For even Christ pleased not himself;
but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that
reproached thee fell on me. 4For whatsoever things
were written aforetime were written for our
learning, that we through patience and comfort of
the scriptures might have hope.
ROMANS 15:1-6 (continued):
5Now
the God of patience and consolation grant
you to be likeminded one toward another
according to Christ Jesus: 6That ye may with
one mind and one mouth glorify God, even
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
THE COST
• There is a cost as we persevere in dedicated
godly marriage and parenthood.
• I must “…die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31b).
– I must die to selfishness.
– I must die to pride. (Philippians 2:1-4).
A GODLY FAMILY BRINGING GLORY TO OUR GREAT
CREATOR AND SAVIOR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,
IS WORTH ANY COST, IS IT NOT?
• Perhaps our biggest problem:
A GREAT OBSTACLE TO GODLINESS
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pride in adults
Pride in husbands and wives
Pride in parents
Pride in teenagers
Pride in children
Pride in brothers and sisters
•
•
•
•
•
“I can take care of myself!”
“I am indestructible!”
“I can handle these drugs!”
“I can handle social drinking!”
“I will not be seduced by internet or by women!”
• ROMANS 12:3:
• For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every
man that is among you, not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt to every man the
measure of faith.
The proud teenager says:
“I can do all things.”
The humble teenager says:
“I can do all things through
Christ Who strengthens
me.”
WHAT ABOUT THE TEACHING ASPECTS
OF ALL OF THIS?
Do we have a clear purpose: Glorify God.
What is our focus: God, spouse, children: discipleship.
Do we have an agenda, an overarching plan.
At what spiritual targets are we aiming our children?
Colossians 1:10
THE PLAN
As a Christian I must know, live, and teach the
foundational beliefs, freedoms and restrictions of
TRUE BIBLICAL FAITH.
Ezra 7:10
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of
the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel
statutes and judgments.”
THE FAMILY PLAN
Compose a family definition of success using
Scripture. A BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF SUCCESS
IS A GREAT AID TO ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES.
“As for me and my family, by God’s grace and
in His mercy we will walk in a manner worthy
of our Lord, to please Him in all respects. We
will in His power bear fruit in every good work
and we will keep increasing in the knowledge
of God.”
(paraphrase of Colossians 1:10)
Compose a family doctrinal statement. A FAMILY
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT ESTABLISHES LIBERTIES
AND LIMITATIONS.
“Others can, we cannot.”
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
Include Scriptures for which there is no compromise:
• Creation: Genesis 1
• Entrance of sin, The Fall: Genesis 3
• Trinity: Romans 1:20 cp Genesis 1:1
• Salvation: Romans Road=3:23; 6:23; 5:8: 10:9-13 etc
• Resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15
• Eternal Life: Revelation 22
THE PLAN (Doctrinal Statement, Definition of
Success) ESTABLISHED UNDER THE MANTLE OF
PARENTHOOD
• Certain things are never an option for us:
– Certain attitudes
– Certain behaviors
– Certain clothing styles
– Certain types of music
– Certain kinds of friends
– Certain varieties of entertainment
– ETC.
– Ecclesiastes 8:11: Nip it in the bud!!!!
• As a parent do not ever think: “Well, that’s
just a little thing. It is not worth risking a
dispute over that.”
• A seed is a little thing, but it can grow into a
mighty tree!
• Exercise your God-given loving leadership
and authority as a parent = Nip it in the bud!
THE PLAN ESTABLISHED UNDER THE
MANTLE OF PARENTHOOD
• Certain things are always acceptable options:
– Humbling ourselves before our Lord and each other
– Exhibiting a loving and forgiving spirit
– Practicing generosity and hospitality
– Eagerly seeking ministry opportunities
– Practicing servanthood at home with each other
THE PLAN ESTABLISHED UNDER THE
MANTLE OF PARENTHOOD
• Certain things are always acceptable options:
– Establishing acceptable habit patterns
– Exhibiting obedience
– Learning diligence and attentiveness
– Demonstrating wise use of time and money
– Becoming well-mannered
– Practicing the fruit of the Spirit; Love, Joy, Peace,
Longsuffering (patience), Gentleness, Goodness,
Faith, Meekness, and Temperance (self-control).
Galatians 5:22, 23
Godly parenting is not:
Do as I say, not as I do!
ALL PARENTS FAIL FROM TIME TO TIME
• We always go back to Jesus as our example.
• Jesus came to serve, to destroy the works of
the devil, and to die for each of us.
MARK 10:45
For even the Son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to
give his life a ransom for many.
1 JOHN 3:8
For this purpose the Son of God was
manifested, that he might destroy the
works of the devil.
PHILIPPIANS 2:8-11
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly
exalted him, and given him a name which is above
every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of things in heaven, and things in
earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father.
AS IMAGE BEARERS WE ARE TO
IMITATE THE LORD JESUS
EPHESIANS 5:1-2
1Be ye therefore followers (imitators) of God, as
dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also
hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweetsmelling savour.
1 PETER 1:16
Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1 PETER 2:21
For even hereunto were ye called:
because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that ye should
follow his steps.
Parental schooling is 24 hours a day.
There is no such thing as a day off.
Your spouse will never help you as much as you
deserve and feel that you dearly need.
There can be many tears.
There are days that your feelings tell you “this is not
worth it!”
There are days when you are completely convinced
that you are into a bottomless pit of absolute
incompetence.
Take heart…God’s mercies are new every morning!
It is never too late
to start doing what is right:
As an individual before God,
As a spouse,
As a parent!
PHILIPPIANS 3:13, 14
13Brethren,
I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those things which are
before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The Holy Bible : King James Version. Oak Harbor,
WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Forget yesterday.
Press on.
Parental schooling is part of the high
calling of God.
THE PROBABLE FRUIT OF
PARENTAL SCHOOLING:
I have no greater joy than to hear
that my children walk in truth.
3 John 4
BY GOD’S GRACE HOPEFULLY JESUS
WILL ONE DAY SAY TO US:
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant:
thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will
make thee ruler over many things: enter thou
into the joy of thy lord.”
Matthew 25:21
2 TIMOTHY 4:7, 8
7I
have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8Henceforth there is laid up for me a
crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that
day: and not to me only, but unto all
them also that love his appearing.
Let us by our Lord’s infinite mercy,
strength, and grace hit His targets
with our children.
Psalm 127
PSALM 127
1Except
the LORD build the house, they labour in
vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the
watchman waketh but in vain. 2It is vain for you to
rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of
sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
PSALM 127 (continued)
• 3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and
the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4As arrows
are in the hand of a mighty man; so are
children of thy youth. 5Happy is the man that
hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be
ashamed, but they shall speak with their
enemies in the gate.
• Our children are each a very special assigned
gift to us from Almighty God. Let us equip
them to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit
within the framework of God’s Word, the
Bible. May we, by God’s grace and for His
glory, prepare our children to be fearless
defenders of the Faith, . . . rightly dividing the
Word of Truth.
Note to me: Steve Green song
May all who come behind us find us
faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
O may all who come behind us find us
faithful.