t: Job 1:5, Title: Keep the Home Fires Burning, Date/Place: NRBC, 7/5/08, PM
A. Opening illustration: Bonnie said that in the covenant that we must accept okra from Benny
B. “We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances;”
C. Background to passage: As we continue looking at our church covenant, let me remind you in brief that we have talked about regenerate church membership and voluntary self-commitment, as well as our specific commitments to the church services and ministries to attend, give, advance, support our church. Tonight we begin a paragraph of the covenant that deals with personal, private, home life. Yes, our covenant specifies some things that you promise to do as a member of NRBC. I had a lady tell me one time that she did not owe the church any kind of explanation for the way she was living. And specifically tonight, we are going to briefly look at our family commitment to NR. Was reading devotionally on day this week and I came across a verse in Job that I am sure I have read, but it really jumped off the page at me. It spoke of Job’s personal practice of family ministry. Job was a godly and wealthy man, but he was the priest of his home and his led his family and acquaintances to Christ.
D. Main thought: Jesus Christ and New River Baptist Church expect (and you promised) to live family life in a fashion to exalt Christ, support the church, and pass on the faith to the generations. In order to do that we promise four things:
A. To have family devotions
1. Job called the family together for worship. Within a biblical theology, we must move from thinking about worship as what happens on Sundays in the church to what happens everyday. Life is worship—that is the perspective of the NT. And so the family, being the basic unit of scripture should worship together. And John Brown in 1858 knew that families worshipping together was essential to passing on the faith once handed down to the succeeding generations. Therefore the church agreed that they would all participate.
2. Gen 35:1-3, Joshua 24:15
3. Illustration: the puritans viewed the home as a mini-church with the father as the pastor, assuming the responsibility for teaching and leading everyone in his household to godliness, what if we began inspecting homes that did not measure up to the covenant in this area,
4. Most families have heard about it, at least in the past couple of years from me. But very few of our church families do more than just pray over the meals (which is good, don’t get me wrong). But saying grace over food doesn’t get the faith into our children’s hearts. Our conference on family worship was well attended, but not by NRBC members. I want to provide further opportunities and further resources to help those of you that want to abide by the covenant. What about singles, empty-nesters, grandparents. This is your promise to NRBC.
B. To maintain personal devotions
1. As the priest of his home, Job had to maintain a close walk with God to minister on behalf of others. Most of us would all agree that genuine believers should be having some kind of daily quiet time with God. Most of you get your bible and read and pray sometime during the day. That is good. If you really believe that God wants to and is going to speak to you, you will get in His Word daily.
2. Phil 3:8-10, Isa 55:6, 31:1,
3. Illustration: the garden was work and time consuming in an already busy schedule, but it is worth it, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."
4. But it is tough! Schedules are tight, the kids (or grandkids) think it’s lame, and it’s easier not to. It is a struggle for most families. But like many other things in life, if it becomes important enough to you, you will make time for it. Most of us can get up an extra 15 minutes earlier for the greatest treasure in the universe. If you are going to follow your commitment to grow, you must spend time in the word. Most of us read little scripture and pray and fast only in small amounts. This is your promise to NRBC.
C. To teach and train our children
1. Not only did job worship with family, he taught them right, for they came. John Brown also realized that it was our responsibility at home to religiously educate our children. Far too often that responsibility is shirked by parents (although not overtly, but more like neglect), and put upon a Christian school or a church. And while it is definitely helpful to have a church or school that reinforces principles that you teach at home, it is ultimately the responsibility of the parents.
2. Deut 6:5-8, 4:9-10, Eph 6:4,
3. Illustration: tell about Matt Strevel’s devotion about how to tell if a song is really Christ-centered,
4. There are many great tools out there. There are many methods. Some will work better for some families than for others. But Mom and Dad, you must come up with a plan to teach and also to train (demonstrate) you faith. And this doesn’t just mean to teach them to repeat a catechism. It means train them on how to discern truth from the bible, and make God honoring decisions. How to choose modesty clothing. How to share their faith. Take them on mission trips. This is your promise to NRBC.
D. To evangelize through family
1. Job’s family included all those that live under his tents. We know that there were many, but not how many. But these extended family and non-family acquaintances must have attended some of these worship services. So Job is actually seeking the salvation of kindred and acquaintances. The family may be the most underused and most effective means to bringing unchurched people to the Lord.
2. Acts 16:15,
3. Illustration: Voddie’s church asks for two nights a month to invite others into your home and fellowship over a meal, and if they are lost to present Christ and bring them to church with you, it was great to see the families that came out for the car wash last month, 101 ideas for Family Evangelism,
4. What if you all made a commitment to one night a month having a family, lost or saved over to your home for dinner with the intention of sharing Christ with them? 85% of people who come to churches come because a friend invites them. This is another method of training your children that there is nothing more important in anyone’s life than what they do with Jesus. Again, parents, you must lead with the idea. Do you know if your neighbors are really saved? How about your extended family? If a tragedy happened in their lives, would you be kicking yourself because you didn’t confront them? This is your commitment to NRBC.
A. Closing illustration: "The Christian home is . . . by far the most powerful evangelizing agency in the world. . . . By their gracious influence, Christian homes win more converts than all the preachers put together. Give us enough of them, and the world would soon be a Christian world . . ." (David and Vera Mace) It was late, and my young sons, Peter and Paul, had been in bed for at least an hour. My wife and I had just returned from our Bible study group, and I snuck into the boys’ room to say good night. "Dad, can I have some ice cream?" "No, Peter, it’s late, way past bedtime." "But Dad, you promised." He was right. Peter had asked for ice cream earlier in the day, but we didn’t have any. And I had said, "I’ll get some for you later, I promise." Dinner came and went. We cleaned up the kitchen; the boys picked up their toys. The sitter arrived. And my wife and I left for Bible study. I’d forgotten all about the ice cream. But Peter hadn’t. So, even though it was after 10 o’clock, I hopped in the car, drove to the convenience store, got a half gallon, and hurried home. Peter and I enjoyed that chocolate-vanilla swirl together. After all, I had a promise to keep.
B. Remember this is your commitment to the church, but more importantly it is your obligation to God. The church covenant and statement of faith simply put in plain concise language what the bible clearly teaches.
C. Questions and Answers
Additional Notes
• Is Christ Exalted, Magnified, Honored, and Glorified?
