“Children Are An Heritage of the Lord”

1. “Children Are An Heritage of the Lord” LLC Summer Services Spokane 2013

2. Children are an Heritage of the Lord • God the Giver of Life • Blessings of Children • The miracle of birth • The lives that we share • Temptations • The world • Our own flesh • From within • A believing home • Responsibility of parents • Joys of family and children

3. God is the Giver of Life • The Old Testament examples of Rachel, Hannah, and Ruth all show that it is God who gives conception and the fruit of the womb • Rachael • “And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb” (Genesis 30:22) • Hannah • “The Lord killeth, and makethalive” (1Samuel 2:6) • Ruth • “So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son” (Ruth 4:13).

4. God is Author of Life • “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5)

5. Songs and Hymns of Zion #394 Before my birth, Creator, before I was conceived, You knew my name and called me a child that You redeemed. Your arms of loving kindness surrounded me in love, before my mother knew me You knew me there above.

6. Songs and Hymns of Zion #394 Already at conception my mortal life began. You give each day and moment according to Your plan Your hand of grace established my days of life from birth, my homeland and my dwelling, my duties here on earth.

7. Songs and Hymns of Zion #394 As stars up in the heaven give praises with one voice, so I within Your kingdom in liberty rejoice. Preserve me, Heav’nly Father, my days within Your care. Your arms of lovingkindness securely lift and bear.

8. Psalm 139:14-16 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

9. Children Were Once Greatly Desired • Rachael • “And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach” (Genesis 30:23) • Elisabeth • “Removed my shame in the eyes of men” (Luke 1:25)

10. What Luther Says about Children • A masterpiece of God • “if a man could make a single rose, an empire should be given him” • “But, because of their commonness, innumerable gifts of God are not appreciated” • “They are far greater worth than all the fruits of the trees” • “He gave them body and life and all their members and also intends to support them”

11. Today, the World Teaches . . . • Children have become obstacles financially and in personal achievement • Unable to find time to care and love them • Look down upon and even despise those who wish to accept as many as God gives • A believer cannot help but be influenced by the world we live in • The enemy also makes inroads into God’s kingdom • Birth control • Unsupportive comments • Listening to carnal reason

12. Trust in God in All Things Cast all you care and sorrow on Him who cares for you; the Lord who knows tomorrow has helped you hitherto. He who from dust you made, your breath and spirit gave, He knows your needs and trials. His arm is strong to save. So lay your cross upon Him and rest your burdens there; the Lord in grace will change them to blessings you can bear. Before you comprehend, you see how God again has scattered all you sorrow and taken all your pain.

13. Trust in God in All Things Do not forget this, pilgrim, but let your heart embrace how God sheds on His children His blessedness and grace. Believers He will bear and hold them in His care. He never will forsake them, but hears the smallest prayer. Thus on His way endeavor, the just shall live by faith. Far from your heart e’er sever all earthly lusts away. On your Redeemer wait! His love and mercy great will strengthen you in battle; let not your heart be faint.

14. Trust in God in All Things When sorrow, fear you’re fighting, and doubts your heart command, the Lord of Hosts Almighty, still holds you in His hand. He will not always chide but in His house will hide His warfare-wearied children, His name to glorify.

15. Jesus Teaches Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Mark 10:14,16

16. Of Such is the Kingdom of Heaven Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven Matthew 18:10

17. A Child is an Example of Faith Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4

18. Children bring Work and Joy • Children require much care • Trials of health • Spiritual trials • Children bring much joy • Happy sounds • Quick to forgive • Trust • Innocence

19. A Parents Duty • “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) • “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6) • “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:14,15,17)

20. A Sacred Duty • “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6,7)

21. Teach with word and example • What is dear to you may become dear to them

22. A Christian Home • Make known the reason for hope • Speak of the joys • Even in trials . . . there is joy • God helps in our homes

23. Songs and Hymns of Zion #423 O Lord of all creation through ev’ry generation, the world is Your design. Let words of blessing find us, let cords of mercy bind us and draw us to our rest divine. Your grace and consolation are in Your congregation; we hear Your Word, our light; from selfishness it wakes us, from easy pathways takes us to teach us what is true and right

24. Songs and Hymns of Zion #423 The days each child is given are written up in heaven before his bones are framed. For ev’ry child You lend us, Your strength You also send us to carry us through times of pain. What wealth to us You render, what joy, and moments tender, when children light our homes. In living hope enfold them, in ev’ry footstep hold them among the ones You call Your own.

25. Songs and Hymns of Zion #423 In all her joy and weeping hold mother in Your keeping. Increase her faith, we pray. Oh, strengthen her and guide her, Your wisdom, Lord, provide her to teach her children ev’ry day. O gracious Heav’nly Father, our mother gently gather to Jesus’ heart of love. Through all of our tomorrows we cast on Him our sorrows and yearn for heaven’s home above.

26. The Blessings of Family

27. Many are the Joys

28. The Blessings of Family

29. The Blessings of Family

30. Through Faith • “Through faith we understand” • “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:6,7)

31. Psalm 127 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It 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. Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

32. The children which God hath graciously given • “And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant” (Genesis 33:4.5)

33. God’s Gift of Prayer • The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry (Psalm 34:15) • Fervent prayer of righteous (James 5:16) • Pray without ceasing (1Thessalonians 5:17) • Thy will be done (Matthew 6:10)

34. Children are an Heritage • As people, we are dependent on God‘s blessings • In the increase of children • If children are withheld, it is God who withholds them • Genesis 30:2 • If children are given, it is God who gives them • Genesis 33:5 • A reward, to be accounted as blessings and not burdens • “And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me” (Hebrews 2:13).

35. Remain Joyful • Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.