Sermon Central
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Core Values -- Families Series
Contributed by Robert Simmons on May 6, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: We are in our series on Core Values. Core Values are the DNA that define who we are, what we are in infancy and in greatness. What God has called us to be. They are not just creeds on plaque or notes in book somewhere. They are the essence of who we a
Core Values: Building Strong Families
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
1. There is nothing more important than strong, united families
2. We will minister to the entire family, providing ministries relative to the needs of all age groups
3. Local church involvement should enhance the home, enrich marriages, and empower families to worship
a. Don’t sacrifice family devotions – it is powerful, formative, guiding, & biblical to pray together, study together, share together
4. We strive for early Christian training of children and youth using relevant children’s ministry to enable their life in Christ to begin at a young age
5. Children’s ministry must be vibrant, relevant and facilitate an experience with God’s word and presence
6. Family ministry shall bring the prophetic outpouring
a. Here the “sons & the daughters will prophecy” as the Holy Spirit fills every ministry – the nursery, the preschool, the Kid’s Church, the Teen’s Services, the young adults, the balding & bulging, the seniors – from the cradle to the grave the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh
7. Family ministry must develop three things in our kids:
a. Wisdom to make godly choices based on Scripture
b. A Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ and willingness to put their faith in God through every situation in life
c. Fellowship with brothers & sisters in Christ and demonstration of love & kindness
8. Invest in your Family
a. Warren Buffet is one of the richest men in America. In 1997, among the 70 or so people in this country who were worth 1 billion dollars or more, Buffet was the only one of only a few who acquired his wealth through investing. Many investors look to him for investment advice. His firm Berkshire Hathaway has one of the most widely read annual reports issued. And a book has been written about his investment strategies; it’s called The Warren Buffet Way.
b. If you could sit down with Warren Buffet for a while and get some investment tips would you?
c. Your family is your greatest treasure. If you could get some investment tips on how to grow it in quality would you be interested?
d. We hold in our hands a treasure of investment strategies for growing our family relationships. The Bible, God’s Word in written form, contains countless pro-family principles and precepts. If we learn and practice them they will make our family’s relationally wealthy.
i. How many of you own a VCR? How many of you know how to program it? There is a big difference between owning something and understanding how it works. People who have a nodding acquaintance with a second language know the gap between hearing words and understanding the meaning of those words.
9. See the Treasure in your family
a. One miner was asked how do you mine precious gold? You dig out a ton of dirt to find an ounce of gold. The challenge is making sure you see the gold as you dig through all the dirt.
b. Do you see the gold in your family? Do you see the gifts of the Holy Spirit entrusted to your children? Do you see the work of God in your spouse? Do you overlook the gold in the dirt?
10. Teach your family the Scripture
a. When God’s people were about to enter the promised land. They were less than one month away from the death of Moses, and the leadership of Joshua where, in a few more weeks, he would lead them to cross the Jordan river. There were giants in the land. There were over 40 other people groups inhabiting the place where God had promised His people a land flowing with milk and honey. There would be many battles and much anxiety.
i. What was God’s plan? What was the first and foremost item on the agenda to prepare for this most difficult time?
ii. Did He say increase defense spending? Or stockpile weapons? Did He tell them to roll over their 401K plan, or take out a savings account or a CD to prepare for a possible depression?
iii. No, He says you should diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and teach them diligently to your children. Why? That it may be well with you in order that you may go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore to give your fathers, by driving out all your enemies from before you, as the LORD has spoken.
