10 Commandments #1: The Foundation For A Strong Family Series

THE FOUNDATION FOR A STRONG FAMILY - HAVE NO OTHER GODS

Ten Commandments for Strong Families Sermon Series - Part 1

Exodus 20:2

We begin a new series today “The Ten Commandments For Strong Families.”

Why is having a strong family important?

Quotes about family:

“The most important thing in the world are family and love.”

“Peace is found in the smile of a child, the love of a mother, the joy of a father and in the

togetherness of a family.”

“Never lose sight of the fact that the world judges you on how you treat your family.”

“A good quality life is finding a good balance between work, family and friends.”

“Nothing is better than going home to family, eating good food and relaxing with them.”

Michael J. Fox said “Family is not an important thing, it’s everything.”

Barbara Bush (former first lady) said “To us family is putting our arms around each other and

being there.”

“No marriage or family will ever reach its full potential unless everyone in it works together in

unity of purpose, respecting one another and relying on each other’s strengths.”

“Your family needs to be appreciated, even when they are driving you crazy. As much as they

make you mad, annoy you, interrupt you, curse at you, try to control you, these are the people

who know you best and will stand by you even when you’re being a hot mess.”

“Your family will expose both your strength and your weakness.”

We go through life wondering what it’s all about, but at the end we find out it’s all about family.”

Call it a clan, a network, a tribe or a family. Whatever it is you need one.”

The Bible says: 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for

members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Your family will leave it’s imprint on you, whether good or bad, all your life you will be

responding to their impact. That’s why it’s important that we build strong families. God wants

us to take care of our families, to interact with them, but in a godly way.

THE FOUNDATION FOR A STRONG FAMILY

Ten Commandments for Strong Families - Part 1

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Most of us love our families, but most of us struggle being around them. Over the next 10 weeks

we’re going to learn how to be around our families in a godly way. Just as they affect us, we also

have the opportunity to affect them. So often we get so stuck in our flesh, in old dysfunctional

ways we have been around them. Having a strong family will benefit us mentally, emotionally

and spiritually. That’s why God wants us to invest in strengthening our families.

If we want strong, godly families, we have to look for opportunities to set the tone for godliness

in our families. God wants us to consider ourselves to be ambassadors to our families.

For years we have been in a values vacuum. When you look on television whose family values

are you going to follow? the Simpsons? the Modern Family? the Waltons?

Thousands of years ago God gave 10 values for family living. They're called The Ten

Commandments. These values were meant to last for every society, and for every generation.

The Ten Commandments are about the only thing that Jews, Moslems and Christians will agree

on. For the next ten weeks we're going to look at the 10 Commandments, how they can make a

difference in your family and why God gave them.

Deut. 6:6-7 "Never forget these commands that I am giving you. Teach them to your children."

Do you know the Ten Commandments? How many do you live by? Can you name them? How

can you live by them if you can't name them?

1. I am the Lord thy God! Thou shalt have no other Gods but me!

2. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain!

3. Thou shalt keep the Sabbath Day holy!

4. Thou shalt honor father and mother!

5. Thou shalt not kill!

6. Thou shalt not commit adultery!

7. Thou shalt not steal!

8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor!

9. Do not lust!

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s property!

Why did God give the Ten Commandments?

Realize this: He gave them to help us and not hurt us. To protect us and not punish us.

When I tell a child, "Don't touch the hot stove" am I doing that for their good or for my good?

I'm doing it for theirs. Every time God says, "Don't" in the Bible it's always for a positive

purpose. Always. If you ignore god’s warnings, they will be to your own hurt.