Repeating Ourselves

As we are in the midst of another sermon series on parenting, I thought it would be useful to comment on why Pastor Toby and our elders believe it necessary to return to some of the same topics again and again in our teaching. 

The short answer is that God’s ministers are required to repeat themselves because God repeats Himself. Every day the sun rises and it sets, as a daily reminder of God’s glory and faithfulness. Likewise, Scripture repeats itself, returning to the same themes because God knows exactly what we need. As the Apostle Paul wrote concerning his own teaching to the Philippians, “It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again and it is a safeguard for you” (Phil. 3:1). 

With this particular topic of family and parenting, the reality is that when it comes to obeying the Lord, this is your most immediate area of duty. And it is also the most important area because it is the most potent. 

Great marriages and faithful children have an incredible power for earthly and spiritual good. And awful marriages and unfaithful children have an incredible power for earthly and spiritual ruin. And so ask yourselves – have you arrived? Are you the best husband or wife you could be? Have you perfected the art of parenting? Of course not. As you raise your children in the Lord and confront new challenges (or perhaps old ones that you thought you were done with), you need to hear the basics again and again, in order that you can stay the course in light of the Word.

Now sometimes we tend to think of sermons or biblical teaching as just mere information to acquire. And once you’ve heard or read something, you’re all set. But this is not how God designed His truth to work. Don’t think of sermons as merely facts, but as spiritual food. And just like real food, you need to keep eating. You need to sit down for more meals. Just because you’ve tasted steak before, does not mean you should never eat it again.

In the words of the Apostle Paul, our duty and desire as elders of this church is to preach Christ, warning and teaching every man in all wisdom, so that we may present each one of you perfect in Christ Jesus (Col. 1:28). And so we repeat ourselves, for God’s glory and your eternal good.