Sermon Central
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A Family's Foundation Series
Contributed by Dennis Cummins on Oct 18, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: This sermon includes a video illistration which we can email you upon request for free. This can be viewed on Itunes podcast or Video cast under ExperienceChurch.tv or viewed online at www.experiencechurch.tv.
The Foundation of Functioning Family’s
At the end of their first date, a young man takes the girl back to her home. Emboldened by the night, he decides to try for that important first kiss. With an air of confidence, he leans with his hand against the wall and, smiling, he says to her, "Darling, how ’bout a good night kiss?"
Embarrassed, she replies, "Oh, I couldn’t do that. My parents will see us!"
"Oh come on! Who’s gonna see us at this hour?"
"No, please. I would just die of embarrassment if someone saw us."
"Oh come on, there’s nobody around, they’re all sleeping!"
"No way. It’s just too risky!"
"Oh please, please, I like you so much!!"
"No. I like you too, but I just can’t!"
"Oh yes you can. Please?"
"NO, no. I just can’t."
"Pleeeeease?..."
Out of the blue, the porch light goes on, and the girl’s sister shows up in her pajamas, hair disheveled. In a sleepy voice the sister says: "Dad says to go ahead and give him a kiss. Or I can do it. Or if need be, he’ll come down himself and do it. But for crying out loud tell him to take his hand off the intercom button!"
Western Culture Formula for a Functional Family:
N+K+P=FF - Needs+Knowledge+Pleasures = Functional Family.
12Some of you say, "We can do anything we want to." But I tell you that not everything is good for us. So I refuse to let anything have power over me.
C+BPR+BPT-CU=FF
Chris + Biblical Principles + Biblical Patterns – Curse = Brings Functional Families.
The Principles are the what – The patterns are the how.
In the Garden they functioned in three harmonious Keys:
1. Unity between God and man.
2. Personal Unity.
3. Unity with others.
1. Unity with God:
God was Adams heavenly father.
This is the foundation for a consistent experience of peace and fulfillment.
Adam had had perfect unity w/ God. Adam would walk with God…
Made in His Image – Cookie Cutter,
Adam wasn’t a babbling adult - hooked on phonics…
He didn’t have a child’s mind in an adult body. He was created with the character of God.
Adam wasn’t born into sin like we were. His spirit was untarnished. It was pure, holy, and innocent.
Romans 8:6 “…but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;”
So how did the curse come into play?
A. Seeking Independence
Adam and Eve broke their dependence on God in order to have self-control and self-rule.
Romans 8:5-8 (New International Version)
5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man[a] is death, 7the sinful mind[b] is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
“Selfishness is the greatest curse of the human race”
~William Gladstone
Through their independence from God – The Curse began.
When we become selfish and seek our own desires is when the curse is active in our lives.
B. Choosing to please others rather than God.
Adam sought the approval of his Wife rather than Gods…
John 12:43 (Amplified Bible)
43For they loved the approval and the praise and the glory that come from men [instead of and] more than the glory that comes from God.
This is where compromise creeps into the home. We try to please our spouse, kids or other family members while bringing disappointment to God.
When we seek our own independence and to please others rather than God
This is where Christians break fellowship with God, they try to hide from God. (Adam and Eve hid in the garden)
Today we hear all kinds of excuses why people don’t come to church anymore…Church is where God is…two or three gathered – Christ’s Body.
One man stated that Sunday was his only day off to visit his pigs in the country.
Excuses:
• I used to go to church. – life time member
• My kids are in sports.
• That’s my only day off. – That was my only Son
• The Spirit of God is not allowed to move. – But don’t go anywhere else to church.
John 6:44 no one can be saved unless the Spirit draws them.
In the last 6 months we’ve had over new Kids 100 KOTR get saved.
In the last three months we have seen over 25 get saved.
The biggest reason people stay away from church is they really don’t want to know God and they don’t want God to really know them.
Because they don’t want to surrender their lives to Him.
