Get ready to start a journey…a journey through the pages of the Bible and the pages of your life.
Parents, we must teach our children the truths of Scripture, and we must confirm the truths of Scripture by our actions. The spiritual education and development of our children is on us … a weighty responsibility that cannot be delegated.
Yesterday we focused on the assignment that God gives every husband. And we emphasized that it is a very tall order! Every husband is to love his wife just as Christ loved the church. Today we’ll focus on the biblical instruction for wives from Ephesians 5. Let’s be receptive to understanding what is truly expected.
Building a strong family begins with strong marriages. Husbands, today’s passage is for you. I will warn you; this passage presents a tall task. And yet, this is the biblical model for every husband and father.
In today’s passage, Jesus puts marriage on the divine level. He looks each husband and wife in the eyes and says, “God has joined you together. Don’t mess it up” (My paraphrase). Marriage is not about a man and woman going through a ceremony, moving into a home with a white picket fence, and having a family.
How can we make our families strong—bulletproof—against the constant attacks from our culture? Well, for starters, strong families always start with strong marriages. So, let’s begin at the beginning. This passage in Genesis is repeated by Jesus in the Gospels and Paul in his letter to the Ephesians.
How can we make our families strong—bulletproof—against the constant attacks from our culture? Well, for starters, strong families always start with strong marriages. So, let’s begin at the beginning.
How can we make our families strong—bulletproof—against the constant attacks from our culture? Well, for starters, strong families always start with strong marriages. So, let’s begin at the beginning.
Homes have personalities. Some are warm and inviting. As soon as you walk in, you want to sit on the couch and relax. Others are cold. As soon as you walk in, you want to walk out. Some homes are fun. There is laughter, joking, and comfortable interaction. Some homes are wound so tight you can cut the tension with a knife. What’s your home like?
Parenting isn’t for sissies. In today’s world, it takes courage to speak and live out the truth of God’s Word. Godly parents are willing to do what’s best for their children, not what’s expedient or expected. The premier passage on parenting instructs every parent to keep God’s Word at the forefront of our thinking as a guide for keeping our family strong.
The responsibility of parenting cannot be delegated. The youth group, private school, or Christian school cannot impart the deep truths of the faith to your children. Sure, each plays a part, but parenting is for parents. There are things your children will not hear unless they hear them from you.
The family is under attack. From the classroom to the courtroom to the cinema, the “traditional” family is being hit from all sides. But while parents can’t control Hollywood, we can control little Henry. We may not be able to sway judges, but little Jimmy lives under our roof. We can’t control everything the teacher says, but we can control what little Susie hears and watches at home. Therefore, parents must be committed to teaching their children diligently.
How can we live family strong? There is no simple answer to that question, but, for sure, the place to start is in the premier parenting passage of the Old Testament.
I have lived long enough to know that talk is cheap. From politicians to preachers, many words can flow from the mouth without ever resulting in meaningful action. My mom taught me early on that actions speak louder than words. So we are spending a few days considering the premier parenting passage in Scripture.
While Christian parents know what’s at stake, we also know that the culture subtly rubs off on our children. So how can we protect and guard our homes? How can we stay family strong?
Our passage today is an answer to a question … actually, two questions. So let’s check them out.
One of the things we need to talk to our Father about is spiritual protection. We have an enemy who is out to get us.
Today’s passage makes it clear that temptation does not come from God. God can neither be tempted nor tempt us. So, what is the source of temptation that strongly influences our lives?
Temptation is real, persuasive, and alluring; otherwise, it wouldn’t be called temptation. But you do not have to cross the line. If you choose to take that step, you do so because you want to, not because you have to.
Christians in every generation have the same temptation—the allure to retreat from the world. From business to education to recreation, there is a desire only to be involved with other believers. One problem … that was not the intention of Jesus.
It was going to be a tough meeting. Those sitting around the table had some real issues with each other. You could feel the tension—so thick you could cut it with a knife, as the saying goes. I knew this time together could blow up in my face.