What you Tolerate, You Teach (Bad Parents 3- Pastor Jared)
Come unpack one of the most sobering parenting stories in Scripture: Eli the high priest and his sons Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 2). Eli was a respected leader for 40 years — judge, priest, the man people from across Israel came to see. But while he led a nation, he failed to lead his own household. His sons stole from God's offerings, slept with the women serving at the Tent of Meeting, and treated holy things with contempt — and Eli's response wasn't enough.
This message wrestles with the tension every parent, grandparent, mentor, and leader feels:
* When is discipline too harsh? When is it too soft?
* Why does the authority that works at work fall flat at home?
* What happens when familiarity with holy things turns into contempt?
* Is it easier to keep the peace than to fight for the heart?
Eli finally spoke up — but the rebuke didn't match the sin, and his family paid the price. The good news? We have a Father who does not ignore what He loves. God steps in. God speaks the hard truth. And where Eli wouldn't say "my sons must die," our God said, "My Son will die for them."
Don't ignore what you love. Have the courage to have the conversation.
This message wrestles with the tension every parent, grandparent, mentor, and leader feels:
* When is discipline too harsh? When is it too soft?
* Why does the authority that works at work fall flat at home?
* What happens when familiarity with holy things turns into contempt?
* Is it easier to keep the peace than to fight for the heart?
Eli finally spoke up — but the rebuke didn't match the sin, and his family paid the price. The good news? We have a Father who does not ignore what He loves. God steps in. God speaks the hard truth. And where Eli wouldn't say "my sons must die," our God said, "My Son will die for them."
Don't ignore what you love. Have the courage to have the conversation.
