THE TRUTH ABOUT THE FAMILY
Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
INTRODUCTION: We have the potential throughout our lives to be part of several family relationships;
The family we were born into – our family of origin
The family we create through marriage
The family of our spouse we inherited through marriage
The family of God through salvation
We also live in a time and culture that has sought and been, at least partially successful in redefining and expanding the meaning and nature of family:
Single parent family
Same sex (couples) family
We are also experiencing today the fracturing of the family. What was once the sacred ground of the family has now moved into our schools and institutions. What once was a foundational institution of Biblical proportions is now in danger of crumbling at its very foundation.
WHAT IS A FAMILY?
Family is a permanent human community that one enters by birth, covenant (marriage) or adoption.
The family is a God-imaging institution
It is a covenant community – Marriage vows
God is Himself a covenant community – The Trinity.
THREE IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT A FAMILY
1. Truth #1 – God has ordained the family and is deeply concerned for its welfare.
Genesis 4:8-10 8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" 10 The Lord said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground.
Proverbs 7:21-26 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. 22 All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose 23 till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. 24 Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. 25 Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. 26 Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
Luke 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
Luke 15:31-32 "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
a. God is concerned enough about the family to warn us of danger.
b. God is concerned enough about the family to judge those who would harm it.
c. God’s concern for the family is of greater value than any reward or blessing He would give us, or that we already have.
2. God has commissioned the family to propagate itself until Jesus comes
Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
John 14:1-3 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Matthew 22:25-30 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27 Finally, the woman died. 28 Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"
29 Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
a. God has ordained the family to last until Jesus comes
b. The family by physical birth continues until it is superseded by the family of spiritual birth.
c. We are all married to Jesus
3. God has charged the family with certain truths.
Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
a. Parents have a responsibility to train up their children
b. Children have a responsibility to obey the instruction of their parents
c. Children have a responsibility to establish a family
d. Husbands have a responsibility to love their wives.
i. As Christ loved the church
ii. It is the ONLY permanent relationship in the family unit
