BIBLICAL FAMILY LIVING I
HOW TO LIVE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND STILL LOVE IT!
HEB 13:4
Sunam 2/3/02
“Marriage should be honored by all….”
Mark 10:6-9 - "But at the beginning of creation God ’made them male and female.’ 7’For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.
My overall goal for our church is to win souls. The most powerful witnessing tool we have at our disposal is the Christian family!
This is the reason why Satan has attacks the family with such
vehemence! He has used the most power derision tool – our culture to influence the church into thinking that our personal happiness (whatever that is) includes the manner in which our relationships are dealt with.
John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
God intends for you and I to enjoy a life of completeness – fullness – peace and prosperity!
But Satan - through our immoral and weakened culture has influenced the church so that we are now left to “interpret scripture” as it relates to family life.
Many ministers are afraid to preach on the Biblical family because there are people in the congregation that might be uncomfortable because their lives have been torn through broken relationships, or rebellious children.
For those who have been torn apart because of a broken relationship please know that God is able to heal, restore, and rebuild your life to wholeness again! To those whose children are turning away from God – keep praying that their independent spirit will have a declaration of DEPENDENCE.
Still this should not cause good pastors to teach what the Bible says because there are many people in the congregation who need to know how to build a strong Christian family.
So allow me this series for a season to instruct the church on “How to live together and still love it!”
I. GOOD RELATIONSHIPS TAKE TIME TO DEVELOP:
A. People mistakenly think that they are in love in their courtship days, pre-wedding days, and that their love will last.
1. It has only begun – if nurtured, worked with and encouraged the love a couple has on their wedding day will grow into a relationship that is solid and founded upon Biblical principles.
a. But it takes time –
b. The average divorce happens 3-5 years into the marriage. This means that probably after the 1st year of marriage someone decided “through the hardness of their heart” this wasn’t going to work!
c. It takes a couple about another year to have enough fights, turn their hearts away from one another, and general disrespect to completely destroy the relationship.
Summary: Til’ death do us part” means just that! Those who have invested years into their marriage relationship have learned that their spouse is increasingly fascinating because of the wonderful uniqueness of the one they married.
II. GOOD RELATIONSHIPS ARE DEVELOPED – NOT CHANGED!
A. Too many think that their spouse is never going to change. They think that what they have is what they have!
1. They have not learned the beauty of loving a person so they can become all God wants them to be.
a. Love in marriage means that we show patience when our partner is acting out of insecurity, pressure on the job or anger because of past issues.
b. Partners need love, understanding, patience, forbearance, respect, and someone who will listen to them!
c. It takes some people a little time to “get it” in regards to relationships – They need time to understand that love is defined as self – sacrifice in the relationship!
Summary: Because our culture is in such a hurry, relationships do not have enough time to mature and become what the Lord called them to be!
As a result, many couples enter into holy wedlock with a “I hope it works out” attitude. This is another way of saying, “Look partner, you have so much time, and if it doesn’t work out – out you go!”
Good marriage relationships know how to work it out!
B. Too many young people think they can change their fiancé’s religion – this is rare! “Be not unequally yoke together with unbelievers!”
1. It is a terrible imposition to ask a future spouse to change their religious history and family heritage!
a. Most people do not readily give up their religious heritage!
b. Many couples have caused their relationship to become stagnant over religious differences.
c. As a result, many children are confused about what they should believe because of this division in the home!
So good relationships take time, and they are developed not changed.
III. GOOD RELATIONSHIPS ARE A POWERFUL WITNESS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD!
A. Married partners who are committed to loving one another are sued of God to set an example that God puts people together in His wisdom and that it is the will of God THEN to allow that loving relationship to communicate the power of the gospel to the neighborhood.
1. Our neighbors are watching! They can hear! They see how well we treat our children! They can see how well we care for our possessions!
a. Too often the relationships of Christians are so immature that they need not invite the neighbors to church because they have already decided!
2. Let your light so shine before men!
a. We are not promoting a show for the sake of the neighbors – we are promoting the kind of relationship with our partner that will convince one another, our children, and our neighbors that Jesus can help us to live together in harmony and peace.
b. Let them see you go to church - - let them see you bring your children to Royal Ranger or Missionettes! Let them see you enjoying your Christian friends – invite them over to join you!
Summary: Why not keep in mind that we cannot hide our light under a bushel! We must let it shine!
CONCLUSION:
I realize that this topic can be controversial! But it is because many of you have been torn because of broken relationships – God can heal you from the pain from broken relationships! And as we continue to move ahead in Christ, the healing will be accelerated!
For those of you in a hurry to have a happy home, you need to pray for a new vision for your spouse – it takes time, commitment, and continuous respect to help your spouse feel comfortable enough so they can be developed as God works in them!
Finally, Let’s ask God to help us to win our neighbors and our neighborhood through our married life!
There is no greater witnessing tool than a couple committed to encouraging one another, loving each other, and shining for Christ!
