Hymn of the Month: #358 “For All the Saints”. This traditional English tune (Sine Nomine) is wonderfully combined with lyrics that focus on the promise of eternal rest for all who trust in the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Thess. 4:16; Rev. 14:13). Soli Deo Gloria!
Men’s Advance: Join us at CFC for the 2010 Men’s Advance w/ Elder Bill Potter and Pastor Serven speaking on the theme: “The Battles that Men Fight” (Feb. 26-28, 2010). Also, a dinner & concert for families will be held on Saturday night w/ Nathan Clark George! Sign-up now to take advantage of the early-bird price!
Upcoming Events:
Jan. 29th - Westminster Presbytery Mtg. in Belleview, FL
Feb. 7th - Fellowship Meal following the worship service
Feb. 11th - Meeting of the Overseeing Session (7PM)
Feb. 26-27th - Men’s Advance w/ Bill Potter in Troy, MO
Feb. 28th - Fellowship Meal after the worship service
Special Events in 2010:
Mar. 5-6th - CHEC Family Economics Conf. in Colorado
Mar 20th - Liberty Day w/ Dr. Paul Jehle in Chicago, IL
June 22-23rd - CHEF Conf. w/ Ken Hamm in St. Charles
Aug. 13-16th - CHEC/VF Father & Son Conference in CO
Oct. 25-30th - Film Academy & SAICFF in San Antonio
“The 5th Commandment: Honor Your Father and Mother” (Part 1)
Deuteronomy 5:16 January 24, 2010
Pastor Marcus J. Serven
Covenant Family Church (RPCGA)
In the first table of the Law (Commandments 1-4) we learned about we should relate to our holy God. Now as we come to the second table of the Law (Commandments 5-10) we learn about how we should relate to one another. Specifically, how would the Lord have us treat our parents, and our superiors? The answer is clearly stated in the Bible (cf. Exod. 20:12; Deut. 5:16; Eph. 6:1-3). However, there are many other significant Bible passages as well—especially in the Psalms and the Proverbs. Moreover, the always wise and expansive Larger Catechism of the Westminster Confession of Faith summarizes our responsibility with these following citations:
Q. 124: Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?
A.: By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, Church, or commonwealth.
Q. 127: What is the honor that inferiors owe to their superiors?
A.: The honor which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart, word, and behavior; prayer and thanksgiving for them; imitation of their virtues and graces; willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels; due submission to their corrections; fidelity to, defense and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places; bearing their infirmities, and covering them in love, that so they may be an honor to them and to their government.
Q. 128: What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?
A.: The sins of inferiors against their superiors are, all neglect of the duties required toward them; envying at, contempt of, and rebellion against, their persons, and places, in their lawful counsels, commands, and corrections; cursing, mocking, and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonor to them and their government.
Wow! It would be difficult to add anything more to this list. Therefore, I would commend this summary to your careful study and application.
The Main Point of this Sermon:
“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you.” Deuteronomy 5:16a
What are the benefits in keeping the 5th Commandment?
1. Godly Growth in Children, (Proverbs 6:20-23)
2. Godly Growth in Parents, (Eph. 6:4, Col. 3:21)
3. A Long Productive Life, (Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 22:6)
Men’s Advance: Join us at CFC for the 2010 Men’s Advance w/ Elder Bill Potter and Pastor Serven speaking on the theme: “The Battles that Men Fight” (Feb. 26-28, 2010). Also, a dinner & concert for families will be held on Saturday night w/ Nathan Clark George! For more information and to register—go to www.genevanfoundation.com.
Upcoming Events:
Jan. 17th - Guest Preacher: Rev. Charles Kuykendall
Jan 17th - Full Meal following the worship service
Jan. 29th - Westminster Presbytery Meeting in Belleview, FL
Feb. 7th - Full Meal following the worship service
Feb. 11th - Meeting of the Overseeing Session (7PM)
Special Events in 2010:
Feb. 26-27th - Men’s Advance w/ Bill Potter in Troy, MO
Mar. 5-6th - CHEC Family Economics Conference in Colorado
Mar 20th - Liberty Day w/ Dr. Paul Jehle in Chicago, IL
Aug. 13-16th - CHEC Father & Son Conference in Colorado
Oct. 25-30th - Film Academy & SAICFF in San Antonio
How do you and your family observe the Sabbath day week by week? The answer to this question throughout the history of Christ’s Church has generally evoked two opposite extremes—license and legalism. License, or doing whatever you wish, leads to an apathetic attitude regarding the 4th Commandment. Legalism, or the observing of special rules and regulations to justify yourself, leads to a rigorous and austere attitude regarding the Sabbath day. The middle point between these two opposite extremes is the position of Christian Liberty—the exercise of personal freedoms governed by the Law of God. Within this balanced viewpoint the Bible enumerates several aspects of Sabbath-keeping that give purpose and structure to this special day: Worship, Fellowship, Instruction, Necessity, Mercy, and Hospitality. Reflect upon these clear instructions found in the Westminster Confession of Faith,
This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe a holy rest, all the day, from their own works, words, and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreations, but also are taken up, the whole time, in the public and private exercises of His worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy. (WCF, Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day, Article Eight)
The Main Point of this Sermon:
“…if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the LORD…” Isaiah 58:13-14
Verse of the Month:
Jeremiah 32:38-39
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. ”
Hymn of the Month:
Trinity Hymnal, #421
“Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness”