Home for the Holidays Part 1
This newest series of messages on Internet Pastor is called “Home for the Holidays”.
It is that time of year again. The fall festivals have been celebrated and now Thanksgiving is coming up, and then Christmas. It is fascinating to me at how differently people react to the holidays. For some it is the absolute best time of the year, filled with good memories and the hopes of making new ones. For others, it is a dreaded and depressing time of year, filled with stress and anxiety. A holiday about being grateful, and a holiday that celebrated the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Two pretty good holidays. I thought we would do a series about these holidays and about family and I have decided to call the series, Home for the Holidays. Today, I want to talk about families. About what a family is supposed to be. In the weeks ahead we will talk about Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we will talk about how to handle the situations in our families because they are never quite what they are supposed to be.
So, why is family so important?
The answer to that question is found in the beginning of the Book.
Genesis 2:18 (NIV)
18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Genesis 2:24 (NIV)
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
The family was and is God’s idea. Whether you are married or not, it is not good for you to be alone. You were designed to be in relationship with other people. The basic unit of that is the family. Let me say up front for those of you who are not married and are feeling disconnected from family, that because the family unit is often a huge mess, God has also made the church to act as a family. All the points that we will make today about family, should also apply to the church.
What is a family supposed to be?
1. A SHELTER FROM STORMS
A family should be a place of peace, of protection, a place of refuge. A place where we can go when the world has dumped on and we can find shelter.
Proverbs 14:26 (TLB)
26 Reverence for God gives a man deep strength; his children have a place of refuge and security.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (TLB)
12 And one standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Have you ever realized, that the goal of most games, is to get home! Because when your home you are supposed to be safe.
A home, a family, should be a safe place. What can you do to make your family life that. Be a place where these four words are true.
Hear, Hug, Help, and Hope.
2. BE A LEARNING CENTER FOR LIFE.
In the family you are suppose to learn the basic skills of life. How to walk, talk, eat, use a TV remote — basic skills that you have to have in life. You learn those things with your family.
Psalms 144:12 (NIV)
12 Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants,
The Bible calls the family a garden. It’s a garden for growing people.
What you learn from your family:
Relationships
Character – Caught not taught
Values
3. A PLACE TO PLAY.
The family should be a place where you let down, kick back, relax and enjoy life.
Proverbs 5:18 (TLB)
18 Be happy, yes, rejoice in the wife of your youth.
Do you have fun with your family? It is like what one mushroom said to the other, “Are you a fungi?”
4. A LAUNCH PAD FOR MINISTRY.
Realizing that there is more to life than just us. As a family embracing the Kingdom of God together.
1 Corinthians 16:15 (NIV)
15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints.
Acts 16:34 (MSG)
34 There in his home, he had food set out for a festive meal. It was a night to remember: He and his entire family had put their trust in God; everyone in the house was in on the celebration.
If you want to build a strong family, you need to know the Lord and you need to help everyone in your family come to know the Lord.
As I said in the beginning, for those of you are feeling like you are alone, realize that the Bible says the church is to be a family. As a church, Vineyard is to do these same four things. To be a shelter from storms, to be a learning center for life, a place to play and a launch pad for ministry.
Welcome home for the holidays.
Come back often to see the latest sermons or bible studies on your Online Pastor site. We are blessed to be your Pastor Online!
Related posts:
- Home for the Holidays Part 2 This newest series of messages on Internet Pastor is called...
- Home for the Holidays Part 4 This newest series of messages on Internet Pastor is called...
- Home for the Holidays Part 3 This newest series of messages on Internet Pastor is called...
- Home for the Holidays Part 6 This newest series of messages on Internet Pastor is called...
- What Jesus Did – Part 1 Jesus is our model for life and ministry. I want...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Category: Sermons
