TEXT:  1 Tim. 5:8

INTRODUCTION:

A.      PAUL’S CONCERN – CARE OF THE “WIDOWS INDEED” BY THE CHURCH.

B.      THO DEALING WITH A SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCE, PAUL SETS FORTH A

          GENERAL PRINCIPLE.

C.      WE NEED TO LEARN OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE FOR OUR OWN.

I.     WE MUST BE AS MUCH LIKE GOD AS WE CAN.

A.      MOTIVATED BY LOVE( Eph. 5:25 ).

B.      EVERYTHING GOOD AND NEEDFUL( James 1:17-18 ).

C.      HE WITHOLDS NOTHING THAT IS GOOD FOR US( Matt. 7:7-11 ).

D.      SO MEN OUGHT TO LOVE THEIR FAMILIES AND PROVIDE FOR THEM.

II.    FATHERS PROVIDE SUSTENANCE.

A.      WORK IS NOT THE CURSE OF SIN( Gen. 2:15;  3:17-19 ).

B.      2 Thess. 3:10.  SOMETIMES INVOLVES WORK THAT IS NOT TO OUR LIKING.

C.      OUR WORK WILL BENEFIT OTHERS( Eph. 4:28 ).

D.      A MAN SEEKING THE KINGDOM WILL WORK( Matt. 6:33 ).

III.   PROVIDING INVOLVES PREPARATION FOR THE

      FUTURE.

A.      NONE OF US WOULD NEGLECT OUR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION.

B.      MOST OF US CARRY INSURANCE – INCOME PROTECTION.  WHY?

C.      WHAT ABOUT SPIRITUAL TRAINING?

          1.       Must include both teaching an chastening – Discipline!( Eph. 6:4 ).

                   a.       Lois and Eunice good examples( 2 Tim. 1:5;  3:14-15 ).

                   b.       The wisdom of Solomon( Prov. 22:6 ).

                   c.       The Old law( Deut. 6:4-9 ).

                   d.       Any less important today?  When do we start?

          2.       Sometimes it is necessary to chasten.

                   a.       Prov. 13:24;  22:15;  23:13-14.

                   b.       God chastens us because he loves us( Heb. 12:5-11 ).

          3.       The best discipline involves example – “Monkey see … Monkey do.”

IV.  THE HUSBAND AND FATHER IS LORD OF THE

      HOUSE.

A.      MAN/WIFE – CHRIST/CHURCH( Eph. 5:22-24 ).

          1.       How did Christ establish this right( vs. 25-27 ).

          2.       To what purpose is the man the head( vs. 21 ).

          3.       He does not have built in slaves( Matt. 20:26-28;  1 Pet. 5:3 ).

B.      ONE FLESH WITH HIS WIFE( Eph. 5:28-31 ).

CONCLUSION:  HOW CAN I TEACH MY CHILDREN TO LOVE AND

        OBEY THE LORD IF I DON’T? ( 1 Tim. 5:8 ).