Mother's Day!
Psalm 127
Introduction:
A. It is Mother’s Day!
B. I think it is appropriate to talk about
families today!
I. A look at families.
A. In slower days, family ties were stronger.
1. The family used to work together on a farm or
Family business.
2. The family used to enjoy leisure time
together.
3. Family was important; so much so, it was a
disgrace in Ancient days to die with no
children!
B. Look at what the Psalmist says:
1. Read vs. 3-5; Children were a special
blessing
from God.
The more the merrier!
a. Of course, we realize that they didn't have many
of the expenses that we have today.
b. When children got too sick, it didn't necessarily mean a big doctor
bill, but it might mean death.
c. When children got old enough, they helped with the family business, so they were an asset, not just an expense.
2. So there just weren't many disadvantages to having lots of children!
C. I'm not about to propose that everything should go back to the way it used to be; a lot of things are better than they used to be!
D. But look at our families today; much of life today makes it hard on families!
II. What can we as the church do?
A. Get on our knees!
1. Pray about our part in it.
2. Are we adequately doing our part in stressing
the importance
of the family?
3. Or are we along with the rest of the world stressing
everything else and not giving people what they need to build strong families?
B. We need to re-evaluate our ministries!
1. Are we teaching to meet the needs of
families?
2. Are we stressing and teaching to live in
committed, monogamous relationships?
a) Sex is a part of God's plan.
b) It is a sacred matter!
1) It is to be shared by two
people in a
committed relationship!
2) There is a bonding element to sex. It is meant to draw us closer together in a committed relationship!
3) We should be teaching that!
3. Are we stressing to make time for families and make that a priority or do we as a church add to the problem of just being too busy for family?
4. We must re-evaluate our ministries; our
families depend on it!
III. What can we as individuals do?
A. We too can pray and ask God for guidance!
B. We can regain a little common respect for
each other!
1. Parents, we teach respect by being
respectful.
a. be respectful to our kids.
b. be respectful to our spouses.
2. We need to be willing as parents to admit to
our
kids when we've made a mistake by saying,
"I'm sorry!"
3. We need to be careful to not push our children and tease them until they become angry!
Eph. 6:4 "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the
training and instruction of the
Lord."
NIV
C. We need to learn to communicate!
1. We need to sit down, talk, and work things
out!
Communication
is key in a relationship!
2. Parents, we need to work together raising our
kids, communicating so that we are together
on
discipline.
D. As families, we need to make time for each
other.
1. If we are too busy for each other, we are too
busy!
2. In our fast paced society, sometimes families
go
all day and not see each other!
3. When I was in a construction business with my
dad, we built an addition for some people.
a. They were good Christian people!
1. They went to church regularly.
2. They took an active part and were very concerned
with moral issues!
b. The parents taught at school, so with the exception of extra-curricular activities, they got off of work at the same time the kids got off from school.
c. But they came and went after school never seeing
each other; they didn't even eat together!
d. The housekeeper knew more about what was going on with the kids than the parents did!
e. This happens all over our land!
4. In our fast-paced society, we need to make time for each other!
5. As
Grandparents:
a. We need to be encouragers and advocates for the family!
b. We need to pray for our kids!
c. We need to help where we can!
d. But we also need to know when it is time to back off and trust that we have done our part. We have brought them up in the way of the Lord.
e. Our job becomes more of an advisor than the parent that demands what they must do! We can suggest but no longer tell or demand!
f. We have to give our families to God!
E. Lastly but not least, we need to make sure we offer our kids a belief in Jesus Christ!
Eph. 6:4b "bring them up in the training and
instruction of the Lord." NIV
1. If they are grown, offer them Christ!
2. Encourage them to go to church!
3. Tell them the difference God has made for you, but don’t come across so strong that you push them away!
Conclusion:
A. If we will do these things, we can still have
strong families!
1. If our kids are still home it isn't too late;
we
can still make a difference!
2. If we have a single parent home, we can still
make a difference!
3. If our family is a blended family, we can
still
make a difference!
4. If our family is a non-traditional family of
some sort,
we can still make a difference!
5. If our kids are already grown and we have
grandkids, we can still make a difference!
B. Let's determine and commit with God's help to do what we can in our Church and in our homes to preserve our families as we encounter Christ at the table this morning!
C. Now, if you have a mother who has valued
family, go out and make sure to thank God for her, and if she is still
living, let her know you appreciate her!
Prayer
of Confession
Service
of Communion
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