Sunday September 18, 2011 - The Good Fight #2 - Surveillance

TENSION:

Every conflict is about perspective.

We fight with our parents because we interpret words and events differently than they do.

We want to have things “my way” not “your way.”

TRUTH:
The Old Testament closes with instructions about the coming day of the Lord. God instructs His people about how they should live as they prepare for this day. He reminds them to follow the commandments He gave to Moses and also tells them that Elijah will return to set things right before that day.

“He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse” (Malachi 4:6 NIV).

The New Testament opens with the gospel accounts of the life of Jesus. However, before the famous Christmas story about Mary and Joseph, another baby is born. His name is John and he is a miracle baby too. When an angel comes to tell Zechariah that his wife will give birth to John, the angel tells Zechariah how John will prepare the way for Jesus.

“He will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17 NIV).

The end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament emphasize one thing—the relationship children have with their parents. God wants us to have a good relationship with our parents.

APPLICATION:

In order to turn your heart toward your parents and have a good relationship you will have to change the fight. Stop fighting against “their way” and start fighting for a relationship.
Fighting for relationship might mean surrendering your right to be right.
When you have no relationship, you will rebel. Rules without relationship equals rebellion.

LANDING:

What does your relationship with your parents look like? Do you have a relationship? Are you honoring them? Are you rebelling against rules? If so, the reason is not because they're wrong; it is because you have no relationship.