The Basis For Getting Along Series

THE BASIS FOR GETTING ALONG

Effective Family Living Series. Part 1

Eph. 5:21 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”

That’s a tall order, isn’t it? Submit? For what? This is the intro. Text to the rest of Eph.5:22-6:9. This is the key thought surrounding these verses. Get along with others, c’mon, live in the real world, will ya?

A man was driving home from work one evening when he suddenly realized that it was his daughter’s birthday and he hadn’t yet bought her a gift. So, the man rushed off to the nearest toy store and asked the sales clerk, "How much is that Barbie in the window?"

The sales clerk replied in a condescending tone, "Which Barbie? We have Barbie Goes to the Gym for $19.95, Barbie Goes to the Ball for $19.95, Barbie Goes Shopping for $19.95, Barbie Goes to the Beach for $19.95, Barbie Goes Nightclubing for $19.95, and Divorced Barbie for $265.00."

The overwhelmed man asked, "Why is the Divorced Barbie $265.00 and all the others are only $19.95?" "That’s obvious!" said the sales clerk. "Divorce Barbie comes with Ken’s house, Ken’s car, Ken’s boat, and Ken’s furniture.

This is the real world where relationships in families are a mess and it is in trouble. I don’t have to be genius or a prophet to realize the truth of that statement. Do you not agree? In all kinds of ways people have found ways not to get along with people. Now you tell me to submit to people, to such people, my own family members who don’t understand me? Look around, do we not see all sorts of tears and rips in relationships that bring so much pain and suffering. So why should I submit to such dysfunctional people?

Go to school or work you may see bullies, cliques formed that exclude, labels being put on people, office politics, look at u funny because u talk different, wear old clothes, smell different, etc. Because of that, I sense that in our hearts, at least when we get home, we can put the cares of the world behind us, we desire a home where people get along with each other. We want to leave all the dirt behind and have a home… But then the real world comes crashing in, as we step in there is strife, people still can’t along with each other, disagreements, fights, who does the dishes, the laundry, the cleaning, play, cook, feel exhausted… u go lock up in your room , that is if u have a room, wondering if there is anything that can relieve this pressure.

Inside there is a hunger brewing for a bit of heaven, to feel safe, loved, valued, worthwhile. People can build a house, but to build a home is something else. The success of current TV talk show “Oprah” with Dr. Phil, testifies to this hunger for effective family relationships, for home. Millions are tuned in to her show, looking for tips to get along. And why? Because of the human need for love. We protest we are not just numbers, or automated machines, or rejects from a factory. In our innermost being we sense life is precious. We want life to grow and flourish but we’ve got big troubles here in this world.

There is an escalation of violence. We see more and more violent toys, in video games, glorifying gore, blood and guts don’t like somebody, nuke them. In a world that gives tolerance a high value, more and more intolerance is shown. It is shown in the way many drive their cars without regard for the safety of others, as we in the news week after week of teens being killed while driving their fast powerful cars. It is shown in the movie that drew the most patrons in last 2 weeks “Panic Room”… story of a 3 crooks who can’t get along who broke into a home of a mother and her daughter who can’t get along with the father, then the crooks can’t get along with the mother in story in all ended up in a violent climax! Assaults in homes are on the increase, violence at home, even cream of society … It is shown, PoCo mayor Scott Young was charged with assaulting his wife Wendy. Even Christians are affected. Apparently, a recent study by George Barna showed, the percentage of born-again Christians who have been divorced (27) actually beats the national average by 2 points. Homes are being ripped apart, moms and dads torn away from each other and their kids. "While it may be alarming to discover that born-again Christians are more likely than others to experience a divorce," says Barna, "that pattern has been in place for quite some time." I.e the pattern of not getting along has always been there.