Showing The Generation To Come God's Praises

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Psalm 78:4-7
Psalters: 51, 121, 213, 134
Sacrament of Baptism
  1. The duty.
    1. God gives a duty to believing fathers in both dispensations.
      1. The fathers are ?commanded? to instruct their children concerning God?s works and law ? not a choice.
      2. The chief responsibi lity for the inst ruction of the children belongs to the ?fathers.?
    2. They must teach their children.
      1. The calling is to ?shew ?or ?declare;? to recount or rehearse accurately.
      2. It refers to a constant speaking of them, by repetition, i.e., memorization and a steady diet.
      3. This instruction is to be characterized by an urgency.
    3. The ones to be instructed are ?their children.?
  2. The content of the instruction is the laws which Moses was to give to Israel from Mount Sinai.
    1. What is to be taught is the ?testimony in Jacob, and ... law in Israel? (5).
      1. A ?testimony? is a witness and a ?law? is a legal directive.
      2. These laws and practices were the civil, ceremonial, and moral.
    2. This includes an oral tradition God?s ?wonderful works? of creation, history, and redemption, showing ?His strength.?
      1. Especially the saving work of God in redeeming Israel out of Egypt.
      2. God?s strength is most evident in His powerfully saving wretched sinners.
    3. And to be taught are the ?praises of Jehovah? (4).
  3. God?s promise is very encouraging.
    1. By grace they will ?not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.?
    2. They will ?set their hope in God.?
    3. And they will tell ?their children.?