Main Idea: Your family is a means to a stronger faith and your faith is a means to a stronger family.
God often uses the process of dealing with our families to strengthen our faith.
Mark 5:19 – The Man Possessed by Demons. “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how He had mercy on you.”
John 11:25 – Mary and Martha When Lazarus died. “I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?
Genesis 50:20 – Joseph to his brothers. “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”
John 4:53 – The Nobleman’s son healed. “Then the father realized that this was the very hour in which Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and all his household believed.”
1 Samuel 1:18 – Hannah’s Distress. She said, “Then Hannah went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.” Hannah left with a stronger faith – even though nothing had changed in her circumstances, and she had been given no guarantees.
Family trouble has led a lot of people to Jesus. And faith in Jesus has solved a lot of family trouble.
Several ideas that can help us navigate family life in a faith-enriching way.
I. God is for You
Romans 8:31 – If God is for us, who is against us?
As you navigate family life, remember God is your biggest supporter. As opposed to being just a spectator or a judge.
LaVern’s “View”
When Jesus advertised the coming of the Holy Spirit He referred to Him as the Helper (John 15:26) He is also a comforter, a guide, and a companion.
Life is hard but our relationship with the Lord should not be.
· Philippians 4:6-8 “Peace of God that surpasses all understanding”
· Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”
· 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxieties upon Him for He cares for you.”
· Hebrews 4:14-16 “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses.”
II. Our Reaction does not have to be our Response
Matthew 21:28-31 – The obedient son whose first reaction was “no” but his response was “yes.”
My reaction and response to the aggressive driver.
• Ephesians 4:6. “Be angry but do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger.”
III. Prayers for Our Families
Psalm 20:6 “Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand.”
The Lord can answer right away when we call (Psalm 34:4,6,17) Or He can answer before we call (Isaiah 65:24). And He can answer us even without a call (Psalm 37:7, 46:10). But He reserves the right to speak whenever He wants and to be silent. And we can trust that all of it comes from love.
But never think that just because God doesn’t respond that He didn’t hear or care.
• John 11:42 “I knew that You always hear Me,
• John 12:30 “Jesus said, “This voice was not for My benefit, but yours.”
IV. God works through imperfection.
• Adam and Eve – Family issues: lethal envy and jealousy cost the life of a younger son by the hand of the older. And banishment of the older son.
• Abraham and Sarah – Family issues: Abraham gave his wife away. Fertility problems created tension between them to the point of Abraham having sexual relations with the handmaiden which produced a child and painful consequences for everyone involved.
• Isaac and Rebekah, Family issues: She favored one child over the other and deprived the latter of his birthright. Her trickery led to a split between the brothers that has caused turmoil to this day.
• Jacob and Rachel – Jacob’s father-in-law deceived Jacob into marrying his other daughter instead of the one promised to him. The morning after their wedding night Jacob was horrified to learn that he had spent the night with his intended’s sister. Later on their sons conspired to kill the youngest but sold him into slavery and lied to their father that he had been killed by a wild animal.
• Moses – Family issues: racial prejudice because Moses married a woman of color; sibling jealousy, a sibling who lost faith and led God’s people into sin.
• Elkanah – Family issues: A son with a weakness for women that ultimately led to her betrayal of their son and his death.
• David – Family issues: infidelity, incestuous rape, murder, treason. And Jesus was called the son of David. He chose to be born through the lineage of David.
• Jesus – Family issues. His birth was a family scandal. She was at least three months pregnant when she married Joseph. As an adult, Jesus experienced family tension because of his ministry. Siblings who didn’t believe in Him. In addition there were family concerns about his mental health and stability.
God works through our imperfection as He is perfecting us.
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