Sunday, April 27, 2016 am
OTHERS 2016
Our Example - 7
An Example Within Our Families
The
past several weeks we have been discussing examples according to
scripture. The power of an
example as we consider others cannot be overstated.
In many instances we have taken broad subjects and made specific
application to how this affects our influence with others.
We have looked at various aspects of the life of a Christian.
Today we conclude this study of being an example by noticing our
influence within the family.
This too is a specific application to a broad subject, but one sorely
needed.
a.
The family as God
intended it to be –
i.
In scripture we find 3
institutions that God ordained – Government (Rom. 13:1), the church
(Ephesians 3:10,11; 1:22-23, 1 Timothy 3:15, etc.) and the home (Genesis
2:24-25). The home is
the fundamental unit upon which both society (including its government)
and the church depend.
Typically, as the home goes, so goes…
ii.
When God provided Eve
for Adam it is because He said, “It is not good that man should be
alone” (Gen. 2:18).
From that creation of woman from Adam’s side, the home was instituted.
Genesis 4:1-2 – records children being added to this home.
From that time, God’s intent was that a family consist of husband
and wife, and if so blessed, with children.
Children NEED both parents – a man AND a woman fulfilling their
roles! – and they need it without being confused!
From the dawn of civilization this has been so.
b.
The traditional family
is under attack in our society.
Those who advocate the need for a “traditional” family are often
viewed negatively. Abnormal
relationships are treated as normal.
Anyone who dares to question or express concerns about ANY type
relationship or family structure is branded as being old fashioned,
narrow minded, intolerant or even ignorant by some.
Many of the role models we see
are so ridiculous. Hollywood
is filled with scandal, infidelity, divorce, custody battles, immoral
families, etc. In many
instances it is glorified or used for entertainment.
Do we really want to use a models – the Kardashians or the
housewives of (wherever)?
c.
And as society changes,
dysfunctional families and problems are abundant.
Cohabitation is more abundant than marriage.
Children are all but expected to engage in sexual relationships.
They are given “protection” without accountability.
Children are confused about what their role is as they are witnessing
and being introduced to all sorts of parenting and sibling situations
that they their minds are too young to process with maturity, much less
be forced to deal with.
Multitudes of children are raised by single parents, and some even
outright abandoned (feeling like they are unwanted).
They are passed around in a system that is driven more my money
than love for them. Many are
burdened with guilt as their parents fight and destroy each other.
Children are sometimes left for fend for themselves for hours on
end so that their parents can make extra money for material wants.
AND Society KNOWS these things are a problem, but introducing the idea
that God might be a solution is far from what they are willing to
suggest.
And again our media has contributed to this in many ways with portraying
the dysfunctional and immoral as normal.
d.
Society desperately
needs to see examples of intact godly families. They need to
see us acting like what the Bible describes as a family, and with
JOYFULNESS!
1 Peter 2:12 – again, honorable conduct among the Gentiles – God is
glorified by what they observe.
We want to briefly examine some of the roles within the family.
Things we must set an example to world about.
a.
Husband and Wives
–
i.
Marriage is a sacred union between, a man and a woman
who have been rightly joined together
before God, Genesis 2:23-24.
A marriage is to be for life - cf. Matthew 19:8-9, Romans 7:2-3.
Divorce is condemned with one exception – fornication, and in
that only the innocent party has right to remarry.
ii.
They are to be examples
within the home – 1 Peter 3:1-2, Titus 2:3-5
iii.
Being examples as husband and wife starts by fulfilling their roles!
Both need to be Christians first (act like it)!
iv.
The husband needs to be the head of the house
–
Eph. 5:23. He needs to lead in such a way, that his wife is
willing to submit to Him.
He FOLLOWS the example of Christ and His love for the church in
this and sets an example of Christ for his family, including his
children who are watching.
He needs to love, cherish and care for her – Ephesians 5:25, 1
Peter 3:7.
He needs to be faithful to her – 1 Cor. 7:2-5, Romans 13:9 – do
not commit adultery, Heb. 13:4.
v.
Wives are a gift from God. Gen. 2:18 – she
is a companion and helpmeet to her husband.
Created from his side (rather than his foot or head).
Proverbs 12:4 describes her as the crown of her husband.
Prov. 18:22 says, “He who
finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.”
They too need to be an example – 1 Peter 3:1-5
The wife loves her husband – Titus 2:4-5, and to respect him
(Eph. 5:33).
She is to submit to her husband – Ephesians 5:22-24, 1 Peter 3:1.
She needs to be faithful to him - Mark 10:11-12
She has domestic responsibilities – Titus 2:4-5
The virtuous wife, is portrayed as an example is described in Proverbs
31:10-31
vi.
Be an example to your children –
We have already noted the model of a family they are going to get from
the world.
Let them learn what a healthy family is by observing your godly
conduct!
Children need to appreciate what it means when the Bible teaches that
God is our Father by looking at your good example.
They need to see a father that loves his mother and mother that loves
her husband, and BOTH submitting to God’s will in what they do.
b.
Parents and children
–
i.
Proper examples are desperately needed!
ii.
Fathers MUST be an example to their children!
They
need to provide for their children – 1 Tim. 5:8, 2 Corinthians 12:14, cf. Matthew 7:9-11
They need to love and care for them – Col. 3:21 tells us not to
provoke our children.
He needs to discipline them with love – Prov. 13:24, “He
who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him
promptly.”
Prov. 19:18 – “chasten your son while there is hope, do not set his heart on
destruction.”
Hebrews 12:9-11 – God chastens us as a loving father does his children,
for their good.
He teaches and trains his children – Ephesians 6:4
iii.
Mothers must be an example
She loves her children – 1 Thess. 2:7 (this is natural, and when
that love is not there, there is a concern)
She also teaches the children, just like the father does - 2 Tim.
1:5, 3:15
She provides a safe home environment for them -
iv.
Children can be a proper influence to one another and to their parents
–
They are to honor and obey their parents – Ephesians 6:1-3,
Colossians 3:20, Ex. 20:12, etc.
Under the Old Law, this was so serious that a rebellious child was to be
stoned to death – (Exodus 21:15-17)
Proverbs 23:25 – they have a right to be glad and rejoice because of
their children.
Prov. 10:1 says, a foolish son is a grief to his mother.
Responsibilities
extend beyond their years at home
– 1 Timothy 5:4-8, 16
As examples:
Again parents manifest to the world God’s intent for how children
are to be raised. They
need to see parents that are involved and there for the children.
They ALSO need to see parents who love God enough to instill His
values within them.
Siblings can be examples to one another for good or bad.
If you love God, you will strive to be a good example.
c.
NOTE: Not every family
is ideal. I realize this to
be a fact. Even in the Bible
you find families that have to cope with tragedy.
(Incidentally, the Bible made provisions for a woman who lost her
husband.) Circumstances
happen – tragedy and failures occur.
We have to adjust to these circumstances.
But how you respond can either make matters better or worse.
An
intact, godly family can attract the attention of those who are
struggling. Therefore it is
imperative that we remind ourselves of what our role is within the home
and that we seek to live it to the best of our ability, AND in a way
that brings glory to God.
If
society is going to change for the better, it will happen one person at
a time. And that begins
within our homes. Think
about it! How is your
home functioning?