Family Studies
Executing the Principles (Covenant, Grace, Empowering Intimacy) In the Church
Series: The Foundation of a Biblical FamilyGodly Families; the Bridge for Modern Society
Introduction:
1. The Bible describes the world in depressing language. a. “Even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise they became fools . . . Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to degrading passions, to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them” (Rom. 1:21ff). b. Peter describes how they have “pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries” (1 Pet. 4:3). c. But such has always been the case. During the days of the flood God observed: “The wickedness of man was great. Every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). Lot was oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men and his soul was tormented day after day by their lawless deeds (2 Pet. 2:7-8). 2. Our day is not much different. We constantly complain about the deterioration of our society and yet we look at other parts of the world where genocide, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, war and other forms of hatred are rampant and we are reminded of how blessed we are. But nevertheless, like Lot we are oppressed by the conduct of unprincipled men. 3. There is hope, however. Paul wrote, “Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11). 4. Yes, that is who we used to be: “Foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our lives in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done but according to His mercy . . . so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7). 5. And now we have become a bridge across which others may come into the family of God.Discussion:
I. It begins with a renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:2), an individual transformation as a result of our encounter with God, and extends into our families.A. Review chart 1. (Contact me for copies.)
B. Review chart 2.
C. Review chart 3.
II. Just as individuals transformed by God make for families transformed by God, strong families make for strong churches, that bridge the gap between the Lord and the world.A. Once we have allowed the Lord to transform us and our family we need to go the next step and apply the same principles in the church.
B. If we can give ourselves to each other as the body of Christ, the family of God in unconditional commitment, if we can be gracious to one another, if we will apply ourselves diligently to empowering each other, then together we will experience the intimacy that God wants us to have. We will be close to God and to one another. We will be the microcosm of heaven that God intends the church to be.
C. Look with me at the biblical evidence.
1. The unconditional commitment that members of the family of God make to one another.
a. Paul gave his life first to the Lord and then to others (Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 4:8-15).
b. No withholding from those who were different (Acts 6:1-7; Acts 15).
c. They had all been baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:13).
d. They had all been brought into the same family. They were sons of God (Gal. 3:26-29).
2. The grace with which they were to treat one another.
a. As evidenced in Rom. 12:9-21.
b. As evidenced in Rom. 14:1-15:7. If we are too immature to get along with one another how are we going to be effective in changing the world?
c. If God is our Father we will love Him and the child born of Him (1 Jn. 5:1).
3. We are in the business of re-parenting people.
a. The Jews of John 8 prided themselves on being the children of Abraham, thus sons of God. But Jesus said, “You are of your father the devil.”
b. As members of the family of God we are in the business of teaching people about God their Father.
c. The job of spiritual leaders is that of parenting.
1) Paul acted as a nursing mother to the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 2:7-12).
2) Elders become qualified to manage the church of God by managing their own households well (1 Tim. 3:4).
3) Leadership in the family of God is about empowering others, not about getting “my way” (1 Pet. 5:1-5; Matt. 20:20-28).
4. The church is designed to empower people. Sometimes referred to as edification.
a. God has given gifts for the edification of His family (1 Cor. 14).
b. God has given gifts for the equipping of His family (Eph. 4:11ff).
c. The church takes people from the world and trains them in three areas . . .
1) Personal Christian living (Eph. 4:17-6:5).
2) Functioning as a member of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11ff; Rom. 12:4-8).
3) Functioning in the world (Eph. 6:5-6; Rom. 13).
d. As we are trained and function effectively in these areas we are equipped to reach the lost with the message and so we evangelize the lost. Who are then trained in the ways of the family of God.
e. Is it any wonder then that Jesus would say, “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven?” (Matt. 6:13-16).
5. The intimacy in evidence.
a. They gave to help each other (Acts 2:43-47).
b. They sold their property to help each other (Acts 4:36).
c. They first gave themselves to the Lord, then to one another (2 Cor. 8:5). Paul identified the grace of Jesus as the model they were following (2 Cor. 8:9).
III. The Lord God, our Father, has raised us up for just such a time as this.A. Remember the account of Esther, who was the Jew who became queen during the reign of Ahasuerus. Mordecai was her cousin.
B. When Esther learned of the plot by wicked Haman to destroy the Jews, she told Mordecai about it.
1. Mordecai in unconditional commitment to God and his people said to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14).
2. Mordecai empowered Esther to act and so the Jews were delivered.
C. The devil is our Haaman. But we are the hope of those who would turn to God. God has raised us up to serve His purpose in our generation (cf. Acts 13:36).
D. He is our deliverer. The battle belongs to Him. And we are His. He will empower us. You have been raised up for such a time as this. Be the bridge across which the world walks into the family of God.
Conclusion:
1. Do you need to cross the bridge? 2. Do you need to make a change in your life?
