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Connected
by Alex M. Lindsay
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Reference: Deuteronomy 6:1-25

Today's Father's Day gift is a little extension cord with multiple plug-ins. It allows you to have more than one thing plugged in at a time. Of course, if the main plug is not connected to a source of power, then all the other plug-ins will not benefit. This provides us with an image of what a Father or a Grandfather can be like: a great source for sons and daughters / grandsons and granddaughters to get wisdom, guidance, and inspiration.

Our text in Deuteronomy is showing how fathers needed to be "plugged-in" to what God was giving them and to be an extension of that to their children and grandchildren. Let's consider a few things from Deuteronomy 6.

A Blessing Promised - Deuteronomy 6:1-3
God has good things prepared for those who trust and obey (Psalm 31:19-21). His rules are not just something that God puts out there, so that He can prove that He's the boss. Everything God tells us to do / not do is for the purpose of blessing and protecting us (Deuteronomy 6:24; 8:11-16; 33:1-3; Psalm 19:7-11; Jeremiah 29:11).

A Book Prepared - Deuteronomy 6:4-6
We have one God. He tells us to love Him more than anything else. We are to love Him with everything we've got (Psalm 103:1). The way we connect to the love of God is through the Word of God (John 14:15-24; 15:7-11; I John 5:3). References to "keeping" God's commandments are not just about obedience / performance, but rather they are emphasizing the reverence and respect that we should have for His commandments. We need to give God's Word time and attention. We show our love to God by caring about what He says to us. There is more to God's Word than mere commandments. The Bible is a revelation of God's mind, heart, and character. We can't love Him if we don't know Him (II Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 3:14-19). God prepared His Book to allow us to be intimate with Him. We must stay connected and pay attention to Him!

A Battle Plan - Deuteronomy 6:7-19
It would be great if we just naturally were attracted to God's Word and God's ways. Unfortunately, we naturally drift into our own cycles of self-interests. It takes discipline to love God (or to love anyone, for that matter). It will be a fight against our natural tendencies and weaknesses. We need to plan our love-life and our walk with God. We also need to pass this on to our children and grandchildren. These verses give us a lot to think about.

We need to focus on a few points:

  • We need to diligently teach and regularly speak about the things of God.
  • We need things around the house that help us remember God and His promises.
  • We need to do all we can to put the thoughts of God before our eyes and in our heart.
  • We need to keep ourselves connected.
  • We need to also keep our children connected.
  • We need to, as much as possible, help our grandchildren be connected to the Lord (Deuteronomy 4:9).
  • There are "enemies" out there: influences of the world that will come into the home, the mind, and the heart. They will compete for the attention and affection of our souls. They will distract us, so that we can not redeem our time for the Lord.
  • See Deuteronomy 6:7 cp. Proverbs 6:20-23. See also Deuteronomy 7:25-26; Joshua 24:14-16; Psalm 101:1-3; 1:1-3; Proverbs 2:10-22; 4:23-27; Ephesians 5:1-21; 6:4, 10-18; I Timothy 4:15-16; I Peter 5:8-9; I John 2:15-17.

A Bridge to Pursue Conversation - Deuteronomy 6:20-25
We are focusing on verses 20-21 and noticing that the father, that is referenced in this passage, has created an environment where his son feels free to ask questions. The father is available and approachable - a safe person for his children to come to for a conversation. Our children need to know that we will listen and that their questions are important. Consider II Timothy 2:24-26.

Originally delivered June 17, 2018
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