Families – Good, Better, Best
1. Why God Created the Physical Family
It starts with Marriage
Marriage – a Divine institution
If we were mere animals, developed by evolution, marriage would never have existed.
God bestowed this to humans alone. His kind of life — family life.
Human men never did think out, devise, or institute the relationship of marriage, with family and home life.
Marriage was ordained by God — not by man. Therefore, it is governed by the laws of God and man has no jurisdiction over it, in God’s eyes.
Marriage is the beginning of the proper relationship for the building of a family.
Why the Family?
There are lessons to learn and character to be developed from the correct family structure.
Man from the wife and wife from the man
Men are typically a certain way
I learned the power of interpersonal relationships from my wife Jule. [Pepsi / education level / rank in company].
We should all have examples like this in our married lives
Children Learn Lessons from Parents
For a considerable time, parents stand as it were in the place of God to their children.
HOW: After birth it is not like an animal that are on their feet immediately so they can survive. A child must be cared for physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually until they start transitioning into adult-hood.
This is done in much the same way that God cares for us and we should depend on Him.
Siblings learn from each other
2. God Thinks Our Physical Family Is Very Important
He designed it with purpose
The Bible is full of instruction for fathers, mothers, husbands, wives and children and their relationship to one another. It is quite explicit regarding our responsibilities in these regards.
THE ROLE OF A HUSBAND
Now we can begin to examine the biblically-ordained role of a husband in a Christian marriage. As we will see from the pages of the Bible, the husband is to be the leader in the marriage. But notice in what regard the husband is to lead.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives just as Christ also loved the church…
Husband Is to Love His Wife
THE ROLE OF A WIFE
1 Corinthians 11:3 the head of a woman is the man
A Wife Needs to Submit to Her Husband
The Proverbs 31 Woman
THE ROLE OF THE PARENTS
Train Up Your Child In The Lord
Don’t Provoke!
Parents Must LOVE Their Children
Parents Need to “Chasten”
THE ROLES OF THE CHILDREN
5th commandment
Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
1st commandment with a promise we can conclude that the converse is true — it will not go well for the disobedient…
Children Need to Respect Their Parents!
Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect.
Example of not happening today: don’t listen; derogatory statements towards parents
“Obey Your Parents in the Lord”
USE THESE KEYS!
We have been given the tools to have Godly relationships.
If these things are done, then the hearts of the parents and the children—turn toward each other [Malachi 4:6]
If we follow the words and admonitions of the Bible, we can insure a happy family unit: (happy: a simple word that means and encompasses so much; what so many wouldn’t give to have a harmonious relationship with their spouse and children; one that continues to grow and one that will last.
3. God Doesn’t Necessarily Call Everyone in a Family
Even though members may be a part of a nuclear family it may not be everything that it can be… And blood (the bond) only goes so far some times.
Who and why God calls whom He does
God does not always call the whole family
Different scenarios
Even if several are called — it still doesn’t mean we will end up in the same place
Calling is not conversion – Many are called, few chosen
Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
Parable of Wheat [Matthew 13:24]
God does the calling
Romans 9:15 For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOMEVER I WILL HAVEMERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOMEVER I WILL HAVE COMPASSION.”
Sometimes it is merciful to call and other times it is not.
(big requirements if called, big rewards)
Romans 11:32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.
Why would God call one and not the rest of the family?
He knows His reasons. Everyone in their own order; everyone in their own time
God has not promised that it will go well.
What we do know is that…
Matthew 10:32 Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. Religious, governmental, and philosophical differences would continue to be a cause of division – because man’s ways and God’s are at odds with one another.
Matthew 10:35 For I have come to ‘SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW’;
Matthew 10:36 and ‘A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THOSE OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.’ Matthew 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
Luke 14:26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate [Strong’s: love less by extension;] his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
(CEV) You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life.
It’s not just the lives of those around us, but even our own life.
Luke 14:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:34 Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?
Luke 14:35 It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Gods ways not the physical family
Our ways more like God’s
Therefore, not like physical family
Matthew 10:21 Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
While God knows our physical family is very important, He has given us something better…the Better Family.
4. The Church Family
Mark 3:31 Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.
Mark 3:32 And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.”
Mark 3:33 But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?”
Mark 3:34 And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!
Mark 3:35 “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”
This was not an idle saying… or just something to make us feel good.
God is our Father
He is not just My Father but yours
Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us?
Are we not all therefore His Children with this common bond of the Holy Spirit?
They are better because of the Holy Spirit, same way of life, love, care and concern
Sons of God NOW
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Even though we are not born yet.
Just as the unborn child in his mother’s womb is the child of his father and mother, though not born yet, the child can still be the son though it is not born yet.
So are we, if God’s Spirit dwells in us — if we are being led by God’s Spirit — children of God.
We are merely in a one of the phases of development, like a baby in the womb
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption [better translated sonship] by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
When we as human beings, now composed of flesh and blood, receive the Holy Spirit, it is God’s very essence being implanted in us — and we call Him “Father.” He is not some distant cold unknown and uncaring father, but Abba Father, a term of endearment and great affection which
Paul repeats in:
Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
We become His begotten children. It is a family relationship! And if He is our Father, then we are brothers and sisters…all of the same household of God. [Ephesians 2:18-19]
Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and [ALL] members of the household of God,
How do you treat the brethren?
…as family
…better than family
…worse?
Do good to the household of God
Gal 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
We are to be shining examples and light to ALL men and treat them, but we are to ESPEICIALLY do good to the those of the household of God, our fellow saints
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
And He will remember if we do this AND if we don’t do this.
THIS is an IMPORTANT POINT because it is A SIGN THAT WE ARE HIS CHURCH
It is the way that we know we are the church of God
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 John 2:9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
1 John 2:10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. We all say that we are in the truth, but if we do not treat the brethren properly we are not in the light…no matter what we SAY or THINK. It is based on what we do.
1 John 3:10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
1 John 3:11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,
I think in the church we have understood the need to practice righteousness towards God and has diligently tried to do that.
Growing up in Worldwide Church of God, I saw a spirit of unity and service and good will. When I travelled I felt I had a ready-made family wherever I went…that was willing to take me in and give me the shirt off their back.
I think the profound importance and necessity to love our brothers and sisters in Christ though has waxed cold:
Matthew 24:12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
John continues to expound on the necessity to love one another
A SIGN THAT WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT and ARE A PART OF THE CHURCH OF GOD
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
1 John 3:15 Whoever hates [same word as before: loves less] his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
1 John 3:16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. [This the extent to which we are to go]
1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
1 John 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
1 John 4:14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 1 John 4:15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
1 John 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
God’s Love must be in us. We must use it within us if we are to be considered His people.
We have a responsibility towards each other.
Note the example in Acts 2 when the church, the BETTER family began:
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
Acts 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
We are all begotten right now.
Conceived at different times and growing at different rates for different lengths of time BUT Born at the same time (or nearly) into the BEST family
The church family is a precursor to:
5. Our Eternal family – God Family
God Family – this is what God is working out here below
Our real family is the one that we will spend eternity with
God is in the process of Increasing His Family
This is the reason why God created the physical family so that He could reproduce Himself
Presently there are ONLY two members in the God Family — God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. But God plans to increase His Family! Let’s notice this marvelous truth in the Bible
Hebrews 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Here God shows us that it is His purpose to increase His Spiritual Family by having MANY more sons born into it
Jesus Christ is merely the firstborn of MANY sons of God
Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This is something God wants to do and looks forward to doing
(GNB) Ephesians 1:5 God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children—this was his pleasure and purpose
He wants to add to His family. He WANTS you and me to be a part of it.
Luke 12:32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Does God want us to set the goal of entering His Divine Family — the Kingdom of God — far above all of the physical pursuits of this world?
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Are we willing to give all that we have and all that it takes to be in the Kingdom of God?
God does not want us or any of mankind to miss out on the fantastic opportunity of becoming a part of His Family
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
IF WE DO MAKE IT INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD we won’t find Christ ruling alone
He didn’t come to Earth and sacrifice himself so that He could have it all to Himself
Co-Heirs and RULERS with Jesus Christ
Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may [future — at resurrection] also be glorified together.
As with the prince or offspring of a billionaire…they are only HEIRS, not inheritors! As we are now.
And what is it that Christ will inherit
God the Father appointed that everything should be under Jesus Christ?
Hebrews 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things….
If we put these 2 together we find we will rule with Christ over all things
Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
We are the HEIRS — JOINT-HEIRS with Jesus Christ to inherit everything forever! Can we grasp this?
I can’t!
More than the universe?
Isaiah 65:17 For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
Try to imagine this a glimpse of what eternity is like…
Compared to this what is the time that we have here on Earth. What is our 70 years on Earth, Our 50 years as an adult, Our years as a baptized member of God’s church?
Psalms 39:4 LORD, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.
Psalms 39:5 Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah
Psalms 39:6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.
6. Our Goal as Pictured by the Holy Days
Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.
Revelation 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Conclusion
God created the institution of marriage and family setting which was a foreshadow of things to come and as a means of building His family.
RECAP: GOOD FAMILY: We all started with physical parents and many of us have been blessed with a mother and father that cared for us and set a good example by remaining married.
Because you are sitting here today, you have an access to a BETTER family. One that is led by the Holy Spirit and understands the way of God and has the power to act upon it.
But we look forward to the BEST family, one that is perfect and completely spiritual and eternal/everlasting.
What is real? Genuine and authentic; lasting
This is what we are working towards.
The culmination of the plan of God
This is what we are striving for!!!
A name to be chosen
What name will you choose?