HINDRANCES TO PRAYER
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LESSON #9 DOMESTIC PROBLEMS
TEXT: I PETER 3:1-7
REVIEW:
What was last weeks lesson?
Idolatry.
What is a biblical definition of an idol?
Any object, person, thing, or passion you would place above god.
What are some common things that can become an object of idolatry if we are not careful?
Family, job, hobby, etc…
Why do we have to guard our hearts from this spirit?
Because many things will try to take dominance in our hearts.
What kind of God do we serve?
A Jealous God.
READ TEXT:
1 Pet 3:1-7
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
(KJV)
Many times the reason a man’s prayers are not answered or the reason they are hindered is because he
- Has failed in his responsibility toward his wife
- Or has not fulfilled his duty towards his family
It is also true the possible reason behind most women’s unanswered prayers
- Is that they have failed in their responsibility towards their husband
- Or not fulfilled there duty towards there families
You can have a man come to church
- He is active
- He is on outreach
- He never misses a service
- He seems to be the model Christian
But at home he is something totally different
- He shows no consideration of his wife
- He is unkind
- And even mean at times
- Or possibly brutal
I have seen women come to church
- They are the picture of a Godly woman
- They smile all the time
- Their helpful and kind
- They are never in the middle of church turmoil
But at home they are something totally different
- Their mean and nasty
- Treat their husbands with neglect
- Always screaming at the family
- Always complaining
Yet I have seen these people wonder why their prayers are not being answered
We have the answer here in our text
I don’t want this to turn this into a marriage seminar but I do want to look for just a moment at some requirements for a good home
Define marriage?
A joining together of a man and a woman
The bible says the two become one flesh
Marriage was the first institution ordained by God
Marriage is the building block behind everything else. Churches, cities, nations all stand on the strength of the family.
All life is built on the family
When the family begins to break down so will everything else
In the garden of Eden God united Adam and Eve in marriage and blessed it.
Marriage is not for
- Convenience
- Or because it is the thing to do
- Temporary
- Disposable
- Manmade
- A tug of war
Marriage is
- Gods plan
- Lifelong
- A partnership
What makes a good home?
Discipline
By this I mean both self-discipline and parental discipline
Self discipline
The value of any kind of discipline is orderliness
If your home is
- Disorganized
- Fragmented
- Not united
Then it is suffering from a lack of discipline
The first step to having a disciplined home is
- Disciplining yourself
How are you at personal discipline?
- Do you leave things laying around
- Do you leave things until the last minute
If you are not disciplined you will not be able to discipline your family.
There are also “spiritual disciplines” that need to be evident in your home
In second Tim. 2:15 Paul says
“Study to show yourself approved unto God”
This word “study” means to “give diligence” or “be disciplined”
It will take discipline if you are going to
- Establish a daily prayer time
- A time to read the Word of God
Everything you do as a Christian will require some level of discipline.
When there is a lack of personal discipline in the home it will cause many conflicts
- Duties are left undone
- Important things are forgotten
- Bad habits are started
And all these things will lead to conflict in the family
Parental discipline
What I mean by parental discipline is that parents should discipline their kids.
Children need to be taught that there are consequences for their actions. They need to know the difference between right and wrong.
Prov 13:24
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
(KJV)
Prov 19:18
18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
(KJV)
Prov 23:13-14
13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
(KJV)
The problem is that we are all born with a sin nature
You don’t have to teach children to do wrong they will do it automatically.
You don’t have to teach them too
- Lie
- Cheat
- Steel
You do have to train them to do what is right
And we do this by discipline
The bible is clear that the best way to discipline a child is with corporal punishment, spanking, hiding in S.A.
This does not mean injure
And it does not mean to strike a child in anger
The child needs to know that the punishment is just that “punishment” not just a release for your anger.
Before you punish a child talk to them make sure they know why they are being punished.
Never let your punishment be a weapon to “get even” with your child.
Col 3:21
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
(KJV)
Discipline should always be done in love. Disciplining your children will give you some of the greatest opportunities you will ever have to encourage them to do what is right.
DEVOTION
Devotion to each other
Loyalty is very lacking in the home today
Everyone is fighting everyone
- Fathers against sons
- Mothers against daughters
- Brothers against sisters and vice versa
The family should be a unit and this word comes from the word unity or united.
If a family is to function properly there must be a loyalty among family members.
The reason there is no loyalty in families anymore is because we have forgotten how to serve one another
This is the primary function of a family
- To serve each other
- To meet each others needs
- To be there for each other
Families today are
- Demanding
- Always asking
- Always taking
And when this is the case it will be difficult to have a peaceful home.
Paul said:
“Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church”
Jesus gave up everything for the church
No sacrifice was too great
There also needs to be a
Devotion to God
God designed the family to be a spiritual body and, just like a church, its main function is to worship and bring glory to God.
Your family should be in church.
It should be involved in what the church is involved in.
You and your family should be faithful in attendance.
Your family should support the church
- In prayer
- In time
- In offerings
The greatest thing you can do to unite your family is get them involved in church together
COMMUNICATION
One of the greatest causes for family splits is a lack of communication.
Are there open lines of communication in your home?
Can your children come to you with their problems?
Can they come with the confidence that you will listen and give good advice?
In this day and age we are so busy
Too busy
- Rushing here and there
- Doing this and that
We have become too busy for our children or our spouse
For your family to work you must spend time with them.
Sitting in front of a T.V. together is not quality time.
When was the last time you did something with your family?
- Played a game
- Went for a walk
- Just sat around and talked
If you are too busy to spend time with your family then you need to rearrange your schedule
Note: Doesn’t mean you spend less time at church
Means you spend less time on the TV.
- Or just throw it out
Means you cut back on some of your other activities
Or maybe you should find a different job were you don’t have to work so much overtime
You must find time to spend with your family
Lastly
DETERMINATION
You will not have a good home unless you want it so badly that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make that home a success.
Living in a family is both a privilege and a responsibility
It is a place were we should feel safe and protected.
It is also a place were we can grow, serve, and minister to each other.
In every family there will be trials!
How we respond to these trials will determine the success or failure of the home.
Anytime you place a group of people into a close relationship like the family there will be conflict.
When those conflicts arise between family members how will you respond?
James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
(KJV)
What is patience’s perfect work? Paul said:
ROM 5:3-5
3 AND NOT ONLY SO, BUT WE GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS ALSO: KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION WORKETH PATIENCE;
4 AND PATIENCE, EXPERIENCE; AND EXPERIENCE, HOPE:
5 AND HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED; BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS GIVEN UNTO US.
(KJV)
What this is saying is that patience brings us qualities like
- Confidence
- Assurance
- Godly love
These are the exact things we need to make our homes and families a success
We have to be determined to respond to trials in the right way
- Not demanding our rights
- Not insult for insult
- Or an eye for an eye
We need to be willing to respond with patience and love
Even with a willingness to suffer if need be to minister to the needs of others in our family.
If your prayers are being hindered you need to ask yourself what kind of a home do I have?
