FAMILY MATTERS

EPHESIANS 5:24-25, 6:1, 6:5

Only 63% of American children grow up with both biological parents as of 2005 (http://www.divorcemag.com/statistics/statsUS.shtml)

INTRODUCTION;

In our current age many fundamental institutions have fallen under attack in more ways than ever. Marriage is not exempt. New age groups have led movements to change marriage to be something other than what it was originally intended to be.

The world may argue against God’s design for marriage. No argument can change the fact God’s design is perfect. Acceptance is not enough to over-rule God’s design. Political correctness is not enough to cause God to change His mind. Changing times will never affect God’s plan. God said what He meant and meant what He said when He inspired His people to pen His words. Those words are forever settled in Heaven. We cannot change them.

Preachers need to preach God’s design for marriage more. Teachers need to teach God’s design for marriage and family more than ever. Parents need to model God’s design for marriage and family, and the family should seek to give God the honor He is due because of His design. He is the creator and chief architect. He knows what He designed, why He designed it that way and what the purpose of such design is. He has not hidden the design or purpose. He tells us plainly in the text of today’s study. May we all pray for guidance and understanding of today’s important look into the most understated union and most effective unit when revered as God’s chosen union to model His existence, the Family?

 

In our country we are required to get a license to:

  • Drive
  • Get married
  • Do business
  • Practice medicine
  • Hunt and fish
  • many other things

One thing we do not need a license to do is:

  • have and raise children

 

Today’s message is not to belittle those who may be divorced. We do not want to beat up on those who have committed sins in any area of this important matter of family God’s way. However we need to teach the right way. If you are among us today and have failed in these areas know this going forward; God’s grace is sufficient. From this day forward may we repent of past sins and commit to God’s design. From this point we can all see God build us and our families in the way He desires.

To comfort you today for the coming days after repentance consider these;

  • The woman at the well
  • The woman caught in adultery
  • Hosea and Gomer

 

  • I. Fundamentals of Marriage
  • a. Ordained institution
  • i. between one woman and one man = not two men or two women
  • b. Ordained uses of marriage
  • i. The marriage bed is undefiled (Hebrews 13:4) = Sex outside of marriage is sin.
  • 1. Husbands and wives keep one another from sin through this fulfillment of marriage purposes
  • c. Ordained purpose of Marriage (Ephesians 5:24-27)
  • i. Marriage creates a stronger witness for the creator and savior = if the two are desiring the same thing/God’s honor and glory
  • II. Framework of the Family
  • a. Ordained created order
  • i. Husband, wife and children
  • 1. Husband = responsible for everything/ Leader
  • 2. Wife = help to the husband/ technician organizing the home to accomplish the vision and responsibilities
  • 3. Children = demand our attention/ remind us of our need of the Heavenly Father
  • b. Ordained sacrifices
  • i. All members of the family are to sacrifice themselves
  • 1. Children submit to parents = children are unlearned
  • 2. Wives submit to husbands = not because he is dictator. She respects the call God has issued to him as leader
  • 3. Husbands = Sacrifice your lives by always serving your entire family to and for Gods glory
  • III. Fortune of the Godly Family
  • a. Ordained blessings
  • i. givers of respect receive respect = all must first understand their ordained role and respect each one
  • ii. fulfillment in physical and spiritual needs
  • 1. children need and appreciate hugs of affirmation and comfort
  • 2. wives appreciate a hug and kiss for no reason other than love
  • 3. Husbands need a families love more than they admit. Men really need someone affirming them or they feel inadequate.
  • b. Ordained witness
  • i. a loving family operating according to God’s design portrays a picture of God and man when we are receptive to His call on us.

Close;

To see revival of faith in our nation we will have to respect the first ordained union of God. Only then will we see real change toward fulfilled people who are focused on the things of God. Let us never stop preaching the ordained union of marriage between one man, one woman and the raising of children by the two!