Introduction

Good morning, family! It's wonderful to see each of you here today, ready to delve into God's Word together. We're going to be talking about something that's close to our hearts and homes. We're going to chat about families and the secret to their strength.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, "The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children." That rings true, doesn't it? Our society, our families, and our homes are all reflections of our moral compass. They're a mirror of what we believe, what we value, and who we are in Christ.

Let's look at what the Word of God has to say about this. We're going to read from Deuteronomy 6:1-7.

Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

The Secret of Strong Families

The secret to a strong family is much simpler than that. It's about love. It's about faith. It's about living our lives in a way that honors God and reflects His love to those around us.

The importance of love: In Deuteronomy 6:5, we're commanded to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This isn't a suggestion, folks. It's a commandment. And it's not just about feeling warm and fuzzy inside. It's about a deep, abiding love that permeates every aspect of our lives. It's about loving God with everything we have, with every fiber of our being. And when we do that, when we truly love God in that way, it changes us. It changes our families. It makes us stronger.

Faith: We need to trust in God, to believe in His promises, to rely on His strength. Deuteronomy 6:2 tells us that we should "fear the Lord your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments." This isn't about being afraid of God. It's about having a healthy respect for His power and His authority. It's about recognizing that He is God, and we are not. And when we have that kind of faith, when we truly trust in God, it gives us a firm foundation. It gives our families a solid rock to stand on.

Living our lives in a way that honors God: Deuteronomy 6:3 tells us to "hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee." This isn't just about following a set of rules. It's about living a life that reflects God's love and God's grace. It's about being a living testimony to His goodness and His mercy. And when we live our lives in that way, when we truly strive to honor God in all that we do, it sets an example. It sets a standard for our families to follow.

Teaching our children: Deuteronomy 6:7 instructs us to "teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." This isn't just about Sunday school lessons or bedtime prayers. It's about making God a part of our everyday lives. It's about teaching our children to see God in the world around them, to recognize His hand in their lives. And when we do that, when we truly make God a part of our families, it strengthens our bonds. It brings us closer together.

Modeling the Biblical Way

As we continue to unpack the richness of Deuteronomy 6:1-7, it becomes clear that the strength of a family is not a secret, but a clear directive from God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO