February 5, 2017

Christ-Centered Families

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: Vision & Values Scripture: Genesis 2:18–24

Vision & Values
Christ-Centered Families
Genesis 2:18-24

(To download and print blank sermon notes to complete while you listen, click HERE.)

The family is God’s idea!

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)

“Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.” (Malachi 2:15)

“God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.” (Baptist Faith & Message)

“We believe God is the originator of the family. It was established by God in His inaugural act of the marriage between a man and a woman. The Bible further defines the family through God’s instruction for married couples to have children, whether by birth or by adoption. We believe the purpose of the family is to glorify and honor God by forming the spiritual, emotional, physical, and economic foundation for individuals, the church, and any society.”
(FamilyLife Family Manifesto)

Family is for the Glory of God and the Good of people

We glorify God when we appropriately Respond to and accurately Reflect God’s character, purposes and ways

A Family Is ...

1. A Shelter From Storms

“In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.” (Proverbs 14:26)

Types of Storms:

  • Change
  • Failure
  • Rejection

“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

How Can You Turn Your Home Into A Shelter?

  • Hear
  • Hug
  • Help
  • Hope

Make sure you give more strokes than pokes!

2. A Learning Center For How To Live Life

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)

What You Learn From Your Family:

  • Relationships
  • Skills
  • Character
  • Values

Values are more caught than taught!

3. A Place To Play

“Enjoy life with the wife whom you love…” (Ecclesiastes 9:9)

Don’t just Endure each other, Enjoy each other!

4. A Launch Pad For Ministry

“Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—”
(1 Corinthians 16:15)

The greatest gift a parent can give a child is a Godly Parent

“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14–15)

Making It Personal

What can you give “Thanks” for about the family you grew up in?

Whatever stage or season your family is in right now, which of the four characteristics above do you most need to grow in?

Whatever stage or season your family is in right now, will you commit that for you and your house, you will serve the Lord?

 

other sermons in this series

Feb 19

2017

Missional Lifestyle

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Matthew 9:35–38 Series: Vision & Values

Feb 12

2017

Radical Obedience

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 2 Kings 5 Series: Vision & Values

Jan 29

2017

Transformational Relationships

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: 1 Samuel 18–23 Series: Vision & Values