Home
(Jeremiah 6:16 GW) “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask which
paths are the old, reliable paths. Ask which way leads to blessings.
Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves.”
Joshua 24:15 NIV - “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
• Joshua made a choice for his home. His choice was for his household to serve one God only, to worship one God only. A choice against idolatry and for faithfulness. Regardless of the choices of others Joshua’s wife and children knew which way he would lead them.
The challenges of Joshua’s day are no less than those we live among today. We have to choose to live according to God’s design for us IN OUR HOMES and FAMILIES.
•Is Christ is the head of this house, The unseen guest at every meal, The silent listener to every conversation.
•America’s Number 1 problem is the breakdown of the family.
•Described as “dysfunctional” - if that is the case of society’s top problem then our highest priority must be to build functional families.
•William Bennett calls the family “The fundamental unit of civilization.”
Since the advent of television there has been a wide variety of depictions of the family: Ozzie & Harriet, I love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver, Andy Griffith Show, My Three Sons, Father knows Best, to the Brady Bunch, Sanford & Son, The Munsters, The Adams Family, The Huxtables, The Simpsons, The Bundy's, The Family Guy, The Sopranos, The Bunkers, the Partridge family, The Kardashians
“The family has always been the cornerstone of American society. Our families nurture, preserve, and pass on to each succeeding generation the values we share and cherish, values that are the foundation for our freedoms. In the family we learn our first lessons of God and man, love and discipline, rights and responsibilities, human dignity and human frailty.” Ronald Reagan
Condition of the Modern Family
•Distracted.
(Isaiah 53:6 NIV) “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way.”
•Divided.
(Mark 3:25 NLT) “A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.”
•Disrespectful.
(Titus 3:3 CEV) “We used to be stupid, disobedient, and
foolish, as well as slaves of all sorts of desires and pleasures.
We were evil and jealous. Everyone hated us, and we hated
everyone.”
•Dysfunctional.
(James 3:14-16 NLT) “But if you are bitterly jealous and there
is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with
boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s
kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and
demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition,
there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.”
Dysfuction is Dangerous - dys means dangerous
•A dysfunctional family is one functioning dangerously
Dangerous for Whom?
1. For the Children - one study found that children of dysfuctional homes have behavior problems, find it more difficult to adjust, & make lower grades. Have a higher drop out rate from school and a higher rate of pregnacy out of wedlock (The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators- William Bennett)
2. For Husbands and Wives - Domestic Violence between spouses; divorce,etc...
3. For Society as a Whole - half the people arrested this year were under the age of 25. Since 1965, juvenile crime rate has soared at a 175 % rate. As families become dysfunctional there is a threat to a nation’s well being.
Establishing House Rules
Clearly defined roles and expectations.
(Judges 21:25 NIV) “In those days Israel had no king; everyone
did as they saw fit.”
(Habakkuk 2:2 GW) “Write the vision. Make it clear on
tablets so that anyone can read it quickly.”
•The Parent MUST be the Parent, Husband , Wife, etc...
"The thing that impresses me most about America is the way parents obey their children." Edward, Duke of Windsor
Strong commitment to one another.
(Philippians 2:3-4 NCV) “When you do things, do not let
selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give
more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested
only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.”
(Colossians 3:18-21 NLT) “Wives, submit to your husbands, as
is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your
wives and never treat them harshly. Children, always obey your
parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate
your children, or they will become discouraged.”
•Family is not an important thing , it’s everything!
"There is no place like home when the people who live there make 'building one another' their highest priority."
Consistent and considerate communication.
(Ephesians 4:29 NLT) “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let
everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will
be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
(James 1:19 NIV) “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of
this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and
slow to become angry.”
Authentic relationship with Christ.
(1 John 4:19 NLT) “We love each other because he loved us
first.”
(PSALM 128:1-6 The Message) “All you who fear God, how blessed you are! how happily you walk on his smooth straight road! 2 You worked hard and deserve all you've got coming. Enjoy the blessing! Revel in the goodness! 3 Your wife will bear children as a vine bears grapes, your household lush as a vineyard, The children around your table as fresh and promising as young olive shoots. 4 Stand in awe of God's Yes. Oh, how he blesses the one who fears God! 5 Enjoy the good life in Jerusalem every day of your life. 6 And enjoy your grandchildren. Peace to Israel!
“There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society are created, strengthened, and maintained.” Winston Churchill
Live in such a way that brings blessing to your home
(2 Samuel 6:9-11 NIV) “David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, "How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?" 10 He was not willing to take the ark of the LORD to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.”
•For 3 months the most awesome symbol of God’s presence was seated in Obed-Edoms home. This box was the most sacred article in all of Israel’s history - the most powerful object on the face of the earth. A box measuring 4’ x 2.5’ x 2.5’ was the focal point of his home. I am certain beyond doubt that this box changed the way they lived in that house.
•Every day for 3 months they were aware that God was living with them, lodging in their lounge. When God’s presence is welcomed and encouraged a home is truly blessed.
•In most of our homes there is a box which is the focal point. The furniture points toward it and too often our attention is too focussed upon it. It has the power to shape our home life, form our children, corrupt our values, disturb our relationships and control our diaries. In many homes the TV Times is read more often than the Bible. (This is not an anti-TV message, because I enjoy TV)
•The box at the centre of Obed-Edoms house brought blessing. It reminded them DAILY of God’s presence and goodness to Israel, His faithfulness, promises, covenant, power and glory.
Inside the ark of the covenant were three items ...
1. The two stone tablets of the law given to Moses - God’s Word in our homes
2. A jar of manna from Israel’s wilderness wanderings - God’s provision in our homes
3. Aarons budding staff - God ordained leadership in our homes
Each of these I believe should be represented in our homes, and when they are we too, like Obed-Edom will be blessed.
In his house God was acknowledged, values and treasured.
Jacob (who we read of earlier) valued the worship of God in his family -
GENESIS 35:3 .... " I will build an altar to God." Is there an altar in our home ?
Driving Dysfunction Out of Your Home
1. Get God’s input. With so many "experts" running around with all of their ideas and inventions, it can sometimes be confusing to know who to listen to. The Bible specifically outlines God’s original design for the family. As long as we live according to His will, we can avoid the world’s less than perfect lifestyle and live in His perfect peace. (Gen. 2:8-24)
2. Make the Word of God the final authority in your home. Arguments and division need to be squelched with a higher authority than opinions or out of control emotions. To be a functional family in the plan of God, we must live according to Kingdom principles. What is right for this situation according to the Kingdom? How can this problem be solved with a Kingdom mindset? When we seek first the Kingdom of God, we can expect the promise of abundance. (Matthew 6:33)
EXALT God in your home, EXAMPLE Christlikeness in your home, ENCOURAGE Faithfulness in your home, EDUCATE Your children in God’s ways in your home, ESTABLISH Godly values in your home
