The most important thing about any person is what comes to their mind when they think about God. Probably the next most important thing about any Christian person is what that believer understands to be his greatest foe. Psalm 78 contains some subject matter that warms the heart (78:38,39). And yet it is mostly about successive human failure particularly with reference to fathers. This sermon divides into three simple parts. First, there is instruction required. Fathers are required to provide instruction. Second, there is curriculum provided. The Psalm, and as far as we are concerned, the New Testament gives us specific subject matter. There is of course the law of God, His "testimony." The law is God's abiding testimony as to what constitutes righteousness. Ceremonies and the Aaronic priesthood are abrogated. In the New Testament Christ Himself is the message. How sad however that Christ and the New Covenant are not nearly as effectual as might be the case if we were correctly informed, and daringly candid about who are greatest foe is! That Barak Obama is a foe, that demons are foes, that this present evil age is a foe I certainly affirm. That any of these, or all these combined constitute your greatest foe I deny. The psalm vividly displays the "carnal mind" as every father's greatest foe as well as every other believer's greatest foe. Furthermore, unbelief is every father's leading or foundational besetting sin. If you do not understand this and clinch this and follow through on this in your instructing then the best that you will accomplish is to cut off weeds on the surface. You may wreck your home and others also should you be in error here.
