The Christians Obligations to His Family

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I.  Introduction.

A.       We continue w/series on obligations of Christians.  This is the 5th installment of 6 lessons on the matter.  Lord willing, series will conclude tonight.

B.       Discussed various obligations in a number of different arenas.

1.      to the Local church.

2.      To Jesus Christ

3.      To fellow Christians

4.      To the alien sinner.

C.       All the above important but equally important are obligations we have to our family.

1.      Godly families are becoming few & far between in the late 20th century.

a.      Divorce:  almost 50% of all new marriages now end in divorce.  Many w/in the first year or two.  Majority split up for reasons other than adultery.

b.      Some families have at least one member who battles some sort of addiction that taxes the family. 

c.       The standard: God’s Word – is not the factor that it should be with many.  This condition only leads to a number of other problems.

2.      Let us strive to have a godly family.  One that God would be pleased with.  Each member (Christian or not) has a duty of the family relationship.

a.      Christians especially…. have an obligation to the family.

b.      Can’t be pleasing to God w/o fulfilling this obligation.

c.      Ask:  Am I doing what God would have me to do when it comes to this part of my life?

1.      Perhaps there is room for improvement.

2.      Responsibilities of this nature involves a fulltime commitment.

3.      Make sure you are following through.

 

II.  What are some of the responsibilities Christians have to the Family?

A.     The Christian must be sold on Christianity.

1.       Must be a part of our life.  Must be who we are – not just a hobby or a pastime.  (part time Christians)

a.      if we are sold on Christianity…it will be seen in the kind of life that we lead.

b.      Others will see Christ in our lives!  Rom. 14:7 – No one lives without influencing another!

1.      parents:  how are you influencing your children?  Good? Bad?

2.      Do children see our efforts to follow Christ?

a.       Jhn. 13:15 – for I have given you as an example that you should so as I have done to you.

b.       1 Pet. 2:21-22

2.  You are setting an example in your home!  No way around it.  What kind of example is it?

a.      proper:  kindness; love; faithfulness to God in all things; Bible study; prayer.

b.      Improper: quarrelling; gossiping; selfishness; unfaithfulness to God; social drinking; lottery ticket?

c.      Children, especially, soak up what we do, say, etc.

3.  The Christian is to remain steadfast in the Lord.  We owe it to our families to do so!

a.       We manifest how important we think Christianity is by what we do.

b.       Are we steadfast in keeping the commandments of the Lord?

1.      Acts 2:42 – notice example of the FC Church.

2.      1 Cor. 15:58 – notice the words of the apostle Paul.

4.  Are you sold on Christianity?

B.     The Christian is obligated to promote godly influences in his family.

1.      I must be a good associate myself & choose the proper kind of people to be friends with.

a.           what kind of friends do we keep?  Ones w/Godly standards?

1.      not only responsibility of parents; older ones; but of young folks as well!

2.      1 Cor. 15:33 – those around us – influence us for good/bad.

b.           May not always be obvious that they are leading in wrong direction.

2.  Our families ARE influenced by the kind of associates we choose. 

3.  Consider two men who let the influence of those around them draw them away from God:

a.      Solomon – 1 Kings 11:1-8

1.      Solomon – wisest man ever.  In beginning:  God well pleased w/him. 

2.      10:24 – many came to seek wisdom from him.

3.      Turns away from God due to influence of wives.

4.      11:11 – penalty from God b/c of his actions.

b.      Peter – Mt. 26:69-75

1.      Peter part of inner circle of apostles.  Certainly one that was well respected.

2.      Notice 26:70,72,74 – rejects Christ 3 times.

3.      Influenced to deny Christ b/c of those who stood around the fire.  Didn’t want to get caught.

4.      Result:  26:75 – went out & wept bitterly. 

c.      These men no different from us.  If it happened to them – it can happen to us!

4.  Prov. 28:7

5.  2 Cor. 6:14 – Don’t fellowship evil in your life – get it out of your life!

6.  Not only should we associate w/those who are good – but make sure the external influences on the family are good/wholesome!

a.      What on TV?  Books we read? Viewing on internet? What movies being watched?

1.      All these mediums influence our thoughts.  What we think is important to God!

2.      Prov. 23:7; Lk. 6:45; Heb. 4:12 – How important are our thoughts?

b.      ungodly activities promoted in all the above mediums.  They can poison our minds.

1.        Movies/TV filled w/ref to sex, immoral lifestyles, filthy language, all under the guise of being funny.

2.        Internet/reading lit. can be just as bad.

c.      worldly & salacious material in these mediums is SINFUL!  The Child of God should have nothing to do with such!

d.      What are we promoting in our family?

C.    The Christian owes it to his family to oppose worldliness.

1.      remember 1st point:  Must be sold on Christianity!  Christianity MUST be exhibited on a daily basis in my life!

a.      Mt. 6:24 – Can’t be neutral toward sin & be a Christian!

1.      two are diametrically opposed!

2.      One or the other; all or nothing.

b.      Mt. 12:30 – must make a decision – a choice!

2.  As a member of my family – need to be on guard against worldliness creeping in & wreaking havoc!  This MUST be priority ONE!

a.      If worldliness in family already – need to work on getting it out.  1 Jhn. 2:15-17 – love of world causes one to be unpleasing to God.

3.  To oppose something means to ”act against.”

a.      can’t very well act against something by condoning it.

b.      Parents sometime condone worldly influences placed upon children.

1.        miss services to play sports.  Sing in a chorus, plan in a band, etc.

2.        attend school dances or other questionable activities where one’s influence is compromised.

c.      Must speak & work against the success of worldly activities.

D.    The Christian must fulfill his duties to the family relationship.

1.      Men have obligations in two arenas. 

a.      As a husband:

1.      Eph. 5:23 – to be the leader of their family.

2.      Eph. 5:25 – to love/cherish their wife.

b.      as a father:

1.      Eph. 6:4 – to bring children up as God would have them.

2.      To disciple children when necessary.

3.      To teach by example & instruction as well.

2.  Women also have obligations in two arenas:

a.      as a wife:

1.      Eph. 5:22-23 – submit to husbands remembering that he is the head of the family.  V. 24 – subject to him in everything.

b.      as a mother:

1.      Prov. 22:6 – she too responsible for the training & admonition of her children.

3.  Children have obligations as well.

a.      Eph. 6:1-3 – submit to parents.

b.      Be an example to siblings.

 

III.  Conclusion.

A.     If all members of family are striving to meet their individual obligations to the family – then that family will be pleasing to God, and an example for others.

1.      Oh how we need more families who strive to do as God would have them to do.

2.      One of the greatest jobs we have is to influence & teach our families to embrace the doctrine of Christ – just as we have.

B.     Obligations to family is a full time job.

C.     How are you doing?

D.     I N V I T A T I O N

 

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