Brothers and sisters, last week we talked about being thankful for the things that we have, and for the life that we share. Well part of that life that we share is with family. AMEN
Now, by family I don’t necessarily mean family by some blood DNA, but family as “God’s Family”. If you really thought about it, you and I are as much the sons of God as Jesus himself. So it would seem, that “we are Family” AMEN
There was even a place in time right here in the U.S where fathers and mothers were lost, and kids were left without a family. Someone, would stand up and take care of that child or those kids, and love them as their own.
That’s probably where that old saying comes from that says “If you feed a child long enough they start to look just like you, they start to act like you.” In fact, if you didn’t tell people that some kids were not yours, they would never know.
Jesus says, I am the vine, you are the branches. If you draw your family tree and start from the beginning, well, you’ll find that “we are family”. AMEN
Matthew 12:50 states: For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
However, this family, this GREAT BIG FAMILY of ours is becoming more comfortable with sin. We laugh at things that use to make us cry. We excuse the things that use to break our hearts. We see wrong and unjust actions, and we look away, probably saying, or thinking, that these are just a sign of the times.
Brothers and sisters that tree, that family tree, began as the family of God. However, there are fallen branches that have fallen for the Devils lie, and are now a part of the family of the Devil.
1 John 3:10 states: In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Now, I’m not trying to say that “that tree”, “that family”, should be perfect, because no family is perfect, because we all fall short, and we all should continue to strive for what God intended.
However, we are family, but as with any family, as with any group, there will be issues. There will be grudges, selfishness, critics, distrust, lying, deceit, hurt, and they may turn their back on you as a Christian. Just as there is love within our bond, there will be hurt and pain.
But, Just as Jesus forgave, we as family have to learn to get past our issues and find that path to unity. AMEN
My message today is “We are Family”
Brothers and sisters, if you didn’t know, my wife and I have been married a long time, and we both have great big families. There are times of hurt and pain, times of love and greatness, times of happiness, times of plain old silliness, and sometimes just plain old embarrassment. OR so we think… AMEN
I ask you, my brothers and sisters to think back, think back to when you thought your family was embarrassing. And as you think back, let me tell you a story. AMEN
Well long time ago, my middle daughter thought her mom was embarrassing her. She used to get so embarrassed when her mom came to her games and each time she made a score or the team was doing something great, she would make a “Zena Warrior battle cry”, and everyone knew it was her mom. I’m almost sure that a thought went through her head that went something like this: “Oh Lord, Why Is My Moma Making That Noise? Why Can’t She Just Sit There And Cheer Like The Rest OF The Moms?”. AMEN
But now, when she talks about those times, when she thought she was embarrassed ……well…. it turns out that…… that “embarrassment” was one of hers, and her teammate’s fondest memories. MY LORD!
You see the other girls on the team remember that warrior cry her mom attempted with a smile. They say that whenever they heard her warrior cry, they knew they were gonna win that day.
You might even say, that her mom became there warrior mom, and that sound was the game’s winning sound. So, back in the day, when she use to get mad at her mom, now she’s rejoices every moment she was at those games.
That’s family brothers and sisters, and sometimes that embarrassment is actually a blessing. AMEN
Proverbs 31:26-27 states: She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Brothers and sisters, when God created woman for man, he created the beginning of the human family. And Guess what? They mess up, and they had family struggles of multitude.
The bible tells us that Adam and Eve had two sons. The first born, Cain, became a farmer. The second born, Abel, was a shepherd. Each son brought a sacrifice to the Lord. Cain brought some of his harvest, and Abel brought the firstborn of his flock. God saw the heart behind each offering, and God liked Abel’s sacrifice (and heart) more.
Of course Cain got mad. He didn’t want God to tell him what to give. Cain wanted to decide for himself. He had let pride and selfishness get into his head. Cain was jealous of Abel, and he was mad at God.
The Lord warned Cain that his selfish anger was dangerous. But, Cain didn’t listen to God. He was still mad. So, one day, when he was in the field with Abel, Cain let his anger rule, and he killed his brother.
When God saw Cain’s sin, He was sad because He knew sin’s cost. Cain’s sin had to be punished so God sent Cain away from His presence. Cain’s sin led to being sent away from enjoying fellowship with God. His jealously and anger had led him to kill a family member, and would ultimately miss out on the joyous relationship with that person.
He messed up. Our first family messed up! Our first family had issues. AMEN
Genesis 4:9-13 states: And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Brothers and sisters, if the very first family messed up, what do you think is gonna happen to our families? AMEN
Right now, there is a growing number of family marriages that have ended in divorce. There are children growing up without a father in the home, or some without a father or mother. When any of these things happen it means that the family structure has been broken, and while the family may still exist in some form, it no longer exist in the way that god originally intended. AMEN
Now, even if we say the family structure is broken or flawed, that family has to cope with those flaws, just like any other brokenness or flaws in this world. We have to press on through all of this brokenness, and have to help each other out as we make the best of our family flaws. Just because a family is broken or has flaws, doesn’t mean that that is a bad family. It just means that the family has to work a little bit harder. AMEN
Proverbs 3:5-6 states: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Brothers and sisters, sadly today the attitude that prevails in our home family, or friend family, or work family, and even church family, is to be tolerant, be agreeable, be harmonious, be peaceful, be open-minded, accept everything, be a peacemaker and don’t rock the boat, or even worse, we mirror the mistakes and wrongdoings of others .
But all that does is “Rock the Boat” That boat is gonna tip over and most of us will drown in our own sin. AMEN
Brothers and sisters, unfortunately, our family today is broken, and somehow we need to draw a line,
• A line between right and wrong,
• A line between true and false,
• And, a line between sin and righteousness.
We don’t have to go along to get along. A family protects, and sometimes that protection is simply talking about or committing to change our failures.
1st Timothy 5:8 states: But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Brothers and sisters, if we don’t step up, our families could become so mixed up and confused and every kind of worldly and perverse and ungodly thing will slip in and tear us down.
Now I’m not saying that all families are bad or confused.
I know that:
• There are sweet and kind and considerate families.
• There are caring and compassionate families who would give you the shirt off their backs.
• There are families that are always looking on the bright side, who always see the best in others.
• There are families that are not afraid to “see something wrong, and say something”.
• And, there are those who never meet a stranger, and they have a kind word for everyone.
These are the kind of families that make you feel good, you like to be around them, they can turn bad situations around with their positive outlook and attitudes, and they are not afraid to speak up for what’s right.
Then there are other family, yeah family indeed, family in need:
• They’re mean and spiteful and hateful,
• They’re selfish and rude and inconsiderate,
• They are the family trouble makers known for messing up stuff,
• And, they don’t care about anybody else but themselves.
These are the kind of family nobody wants to be around, they bring a negative atmosphere with them everywhere they go. But yet they are our family. Our task is not to look away. AMEN
Brothers and sisters, I believe we need to get back to:
• Sincerely loving our family,
• Teaching our family,
• Showing our family God’s spirit,
• Inviting our family to church,
• And, breaking bread with our family.
Brothers and sisters, somehow we have to find that powerful stimulant for change. It may not be a permanent prescription for change, and it may not break the chokehold of a habit, but we must never give up on protecting the true spirit of family.
I believe that a family that embraces love will always lend a helping hand to inspire and change a willing and motivated person. We just have to keep trying and never give in to the will of the Devil.
I’m here to tell you, the Devil wants us to give up on God’s family, just so our loved ones can be inducted into his family of sin. AMEN
What we have to do is, grow up. Grow up wise and righteous and continue to teach our young, and sometimes old family, the lessons of Gods salvation. AMEN
Hebrews 10:24-25 states: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Remember Esau and Jacob. Esau vowed to kill his brother Jacob for deceiving him when Jacob tricked him out of his birthright. Then Jacob was forced to leave home and traveled across the desert to his mother’s ancestral homeland, where he found a different kind of deception in his uncle Laban, who was the brother of Jacob’s mother.
Genesis 27:41-43 states: And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;
After fleeing, Jacob had to discover the value of hard work, with patience and endurance. In about 14 years he would transition from a boy to a man.
Although he lived with his uncle, he worked for his meals, and room and board. He worked hard, and his willingness to work was second to none. His learning knew no bounds, and his relationship with others improved by leaps and bounds.
You see, his uncle would realize his weakness for his daughter Rachel, and would trick him into working 14 years for her hand in marriage. Karma hit him strong, but his gained wisdom would lead him back home in hopes of forgiveness.
When he returned home as a man that had experienced the same deception he had done to his brother, His brother Esau accepted and had forgiven him. What a family!
Proverbs 11:29 states: He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
Brothers and sisters, as we mature, not as we get older, as we mature, we start looking for ways to make the best choice and not ways to conserve our pride. Jacob had matured the hard way.
On another note, remember Joseph.
Joseph was the most loved son of his father. When Joseph reported having dreams of his brothers, and even the stars and moon, bowing before him, his brother’s jealousy of Joseph grew into action. The brothers sold him into slavery to a traveling caravan of Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard.
In Egypt, the Lord's presence with Joseph enables him to find favor. With God's help, Joseph interprets the dreams which anticipate seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.
Then there was, as predicted, a shortage of food in Canaan which forces Jacob to send his sons to buy grains from the Egyptians. They would find themselves right back to where the first dream began, at the foot of their brother, right back at the mercy of the brother that they sold.
Their Brother! Their family! But was he upset? No!
What he needed to know was if they had matured. He also needed to know that they had not done the same thing that they did to him, to his younger brother Benjamin. Joseph had forgiven them, and would let them know that they didn’t have to feel guilty for betraying him, because it was God's plan for him to be in Egypt to preserve his family.
Genesis 40:20 states: But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Joseph told them to bring their father and his entire household into Egypt to live in the province of Goshen because there were five more years of famine left. There father Jacob is then joyously reunited with his son Joseph. AMEN
Brothers and sisters, that’s family! Sometimes we mess up, sometimes we hurt, but God is always in control. What was intended will always prevail. We may not understand it, but we must believe. Just like Joseph, we have to embrace the arm of forgiveness, and understand the gift that we all share as family.
Colossians 3:13 states: Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Brothers and sisters, we can experience the wonder of family or we can dismiss the moments of real love that comes with it. Let’s not let days like thanksgiving be the only time families gather around and share those special moments.
We are supposed to live in harmony with one another, yet we gradually draw ourselves closer to the world and the sins that keep us down. When the link that binds us as family get broken or is somehow flawed, we seek not ways to repair the bonds of love within our family. We let it drift away, contrary to God’s instructions. AMEN
Brothers and sisters, God didn’t create men to be alone, yet we somehow strive to be separate from so many of God’s children. We have been somehow convinced that we have little in common with people that don’t look like us or behave as we do. But God created man and women. That’s it! Man and Woman! We were not meant to run away from what God intended. We were not meant to separate from family! AMEN
1 Peter 3:8-12 states “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing; For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
Brothers and sisters, we sacrificially love one another by being patient…knowing that as we reach out to family in love, one of two things are gonna to happen. The Spirit of God will slowly change them, or The Spirit of God will slowly change us.
In each case there will be struggle, and in some cases, you may have to reach down to lift them up, or they may have to give you a little push.
Let’s face it my brothers and sisters, We all have struggles and we all got issues. AMEN
Ezekiel 1:9 states: Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
And as I bring this message to a close
Brothers and sisters, thanksgiving has gone until another year, but the family remains. That conversation doesn’t have to end. That invitation to God’s house doesn’t have to be put off till another thanksgiving.
We Are Family. We may not look like the original family structure but we are family:
• We may be a family with absent parents,
• We may be a family with a single parent,
• We may be a family with a step parent,
• We may be an unlikely family,
• We may be a homeless family,
• And, we may be a group homed family.
But never the less, we are family, and whatever the shape, or size, or makeup of your family, we are all family through our father in heaven. AMEN
The truth is, we are brothers and sisters.
• Our home houses our family,
• Our school houses our family,
• Our jobs house our family,
• Our friendships house our family,
• And, The Church of Christ is a family.
Brothers and sisters, we are a family that should stay together, a family that should share together, and a family that should fellowships together. We should be the family of God. AMEN
It’s faith and trust in God that unites us and makes us family, not just blood and DNA. The bonds that bind our family is Jesus Christ our Lord and savior AMEN
But now, you have to know, that.... The devil has family too, and he understands our need for family. Even within the initiation into an evil spirited group, the leaders understand that word family and use it to disillusion our kids into becoming members. They know that deep down in everyone’s core, they need family, even if it is broken or flawed, or hurtful.
But…
• A real family should be building each other up.
• A real family should be encouraging each other.
• A real family should be loving each other.
• A real family should be counseling each other.
• A real family should be watching over each other.
• And, a real family should be sharing the word or God together. AMEN
Brother and sisters, I hope this thanksgiving brings you much love and togetherness. But just as that day fades into darkness, so does the structure of what was family and togetherness fades as a memory until next year.
But we don’t have to let that happen. No, we are not perfect as a family, and getting together might cause some stress because we fail to understand, that:
• Yes, we have issues as a family.
• Yes, we have struggles as a family.
• Yes, we fall short as a family,
• Yes, we get angry within our family,
• Yes, we can be a selfish family,
• And yes, we may have embarrassment within our family,
• But on the other side of that coin, families care. AMEN
Brothers and sisters, we here today may give thanks each Sunday, we may break bread each Sunday, we may drink from the fruit of the vine each Sunday, and we may get fed the teachings of God each Sunday. But in reality, we are like a family living and learning and growing together.
But are we doing our full duty as a family? Are we inviting other to experience the teachings of Christ? ARE WE?
Brothers and sisters, the greatest issue, the greatest struggle today in our families is the lack of God in our family structure. Because of this, families have forgotten what love truly is.
There have been generations of families who have not known love. These families have lived life feeling like it wasn’t worth living. These families are turning to alcohol, drugs, promiscuous activities, and many other things trying to fill a void that can’t be filled. They are searching for love and understanding in all the wrong places.
Wake up my family. Don’t let this thanksgiving go to waste. Let’s not be so busy working that we forget about loving our family. Let’s not forget to include God in our Family.
He is the Father, He is the Son, He is the Holy Spirit all in one. He is family! AMEN
Brothers and sisters, we can give everything we have, sacrifice everything, but unless Jesus is involved, all that we do is worthless. When we do something for our pride, or our honor, we aren’t doing it for Jesus, we’re doing it for ourselves.
We need to realize that God’s love for us is unconditional. Men threw rocks at His Son, Jesus. They hit Him with sticks. They even killed Him. But, Jesus loved them anyway.” They were his family. Jesus forgave them. He asked his father to forgive them because they knew not what they were doing. That’s true love!
Brothers and sisters, can we as family find it in our hearts to do the same.
Right here, Right now! Just like the original family we’re not perfect –
We have issues, and we have some work to do, but the bottom line is we’re family. We need each other, and believe me, that when we are together, we can do so much more than when we’re separate. AMEN AMEN
Someone once said: Family is not an Important thing, A Family is Everything!
