Keith Battle - Falling in Line in the Home

Alright, when discussing Ephesians chapter 6, the point of this series is to use the theme of fall in the fall season, so every message will touch on the concept of falling. Today, I want to focus on Ephesians chapter 6 and the subject of «falling in line in the home.» Verse 1 of Ephesians chapter 6 says, «Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. Honor your father and mother; this is the first commandment with a promise. If you honor your father and mother, things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.» Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them; rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. Amen. Let’s pray.

Father, please speak to us through your word now. Give us light, provide us with instruction, and help us to not just hear this message but to heed it. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tessa, I’m glad you made it to church today. It is clear from this passage that children should fall in line with their parents; that is their responsibility. The two directives given to children are to obey your parents in verse 1 and to honor your father and mother in verse 2. That’s falling in line: children should obey and honor their parents.

Before we dive into the words «obey» and «honor,» let’s define what a child is. For the sake of this passage, a child does not merely refer to someone recently released; it refers to a relational context. You can be 65 years old and still be somebody’s child—you’re always someone’s child. The term «child» also refers to parental dependency. You are still a child if you depend on your parents for financial support, no matter your age. For instance, if you are on your parent’s cell phone plan, you are a child. If your parents pay your car note or car insurance, you are a child. If you require them to co-sign for you to qualify for a car, you are a child. If you live in a house where your parents reside and it’s their house, you are a child. Likewise, if you have your own place but keep going back to your parent’s house for laundry because you lack a washing machine, you are a child. If you have your own space yet your parents cover your cable or property maintenance, you are still a child.

What I’m trying to say is that you become an adult when you are 100% financially independent. The role of parents is to guide their children toward independence. We inadvertently hinder them when they remain dependent on us. Sometimes, you have to let them struggle a little, as there is strength in their challenges. Just because you can rescue them doesn’t mean you always should; even if you have the money, that doesn’t mean they should have it. Many aren’t ready for that. We tend to over-give, which creates a disability in their ability to handle pressure and work ethic.

So now, children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord. Obedience is spiritual. The word «obey» comes from two Greek words: «hupo,» meaning under, and «akuo,» meaning to hear. Thus, obedience literally means to hear under someone; it means to listen submissively. It’s not just submission in principle, but a submission in practice—it means I not only listen, but I also act. That is obedience. It follows directions and is spiritual in nature because it states you do this out of reverence for God, following their direction.

Honor, on the other hand, in verse 2 says, «Honor your mother and father.» I appreciate that it says both; we tend to honor one more than the other. I remember years ago, whenever I watched football, whenever a player scored, they would always say, «Hi, Mom» on the sidelines. Let me tell you, it struck me that while players once said «Hi, Mom,» they rarely said «Hi, Dad.» Even though Dad paid for the cleats and took them to practice, when scoring a touchdown, players would say «Hi, Mom.»

My son has a tattoo of Vicky’s name on his arm; I looked on his arm searching for my name because I’m like, «Wait a minute, we both won!» But let me explain this: the reason football players no longer even say «Hi, Mom» is that we are raising an orphan generation, a generation of individuals who are parentless. That explains why some of them are so radical; it’s evident in movements led by angry young individuals, expressing their rage toward society.