Mothers, fathers, children; where would we be without them? All of us reading this have a father and a mother. No one, except Jesus Christ, enters the world without benefit of a mom and a dad. Some of our moms or dads may not have been a good role model, but we could not be alive today without them. The Bible says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord.” Children are precious gifts to many married couples from our Heavenly Father. Yet, He chooses some couples to not have children. His wisdom is always best, even in these situations. But, to most of us, we have been blessed with children.
Today, some couples are getting married with the express desire to go through all of married life without children. Some do it for medical reasons. However, some simply decide that they do not want the responsibility of raising a child. They might blame the condition of the world or economic issues. But, they are robbing themselves of one of the greatest blessings God has given to married couples. Even in the difficult times, children are a blessing.
Sunday we will move forward in our study of the Book of Ephesians to chapter six verses one to four. In this section the Apostle Paul tells us how Spirit-filled children, parents and fathers will look and act like. He will lay down a number of principles for each one to demonstrate in their lives to show the world the grace of God in action. He will impress upon us how to imitate the relationship between the Son of God and His Father.
Do you know when the first Mother’s Day was celebrated in America? 1908. Do you know hen the first Father’s Day was celebrated in America? 1910. Now, do you know when the first Children’s Day was celebrated in America? 1925? NO! 1950? NO! Actually, the first Children’s Day was celebrated over 40 years before the first Mother’s Day; 1867! Before Ann Jarvis began to petition for a day to remember mothers, churches were setting aside a day to remember children. Without children a society dies. Without obedient children a society falls apart. Children are truly the future of any community of people.
Strong Christian families are needed today. Mothers are needed who love and serve the Lord and are Spirit-filled in living for Him. Fathers are needed who love and serve the Lord and are Spirit-filled in living for Him. And, children are needed who love and serve the Lord and are Spirit-filled in living for Him. The Apostle Paul will give instruction on how this can happen.
Sunday I will share 10 reasons we often raise “angry” children. Do you wonder why more and more children are going up mad at the world around them? I will list what I believe to be 10 causes for this phenomenon. This list is not inspired not exhaustive. Still, it will give us food for thought as to what we can do set our children on a course to love and serve the Lord.
What is our purpose? What is our role? What is our function? Is this simply three ways to ask the same question? Is our purpose the same as our role which is the same as our function? Is it related to how the words are used in a particular context? Let’s see.
When we speak of a role our minds will often interpret this as in the role an actor plays. The part, or role, he or she plays is not their real life or their real job or their real family. They are given a part to play and they say woods given to them to say. People who play the role of a smart person may or may not be as smart as they appear. An actor or actress play the part, let’s say, of a doctor may perform that role extremely Well. But, I for one, will not call upon them when I need surgery!
Purpose has become an overly used word in our day. It seems everyone from Rick Warren to Dr. Phil uses this word! Of course a legitimate use of it is fine. But any word or thought that is overused loses its significance. What our most important purpose on earth do is to glorify God.
But, I want to think about function. How we function is part of doing what God has called us to do. Each of us functions in many different capacities. For instance, each of us functions as a producer. That is, we function as a worker. Some of us function as a parent. Everyone has a parent, but not all of us will be parents. Another function some of us will take on is that of a partner. Not as a partner in a company, but functioning as a partner in marriage. Every husband and wife have certain functions that are more related them them than to the other. In the coming weeks we will be looking into these functions in relationship of the biblical family.
Though I will use these three words somewhat interchangeably, I want to try to focus on the thought of function. I don’t want us to just be “playing a role.” I don’t want us to just know what our purpose is to be. Rather, I want us to function in way God has called us to function. If husbands and wives, moms, dad, and children would do this, Christian homes would better reflect Jesus Christ.
So, how’s your function quotient. In mathematics the term function is used of inputs and outputs. A home will only put out what is being put into it. Let’s commit to functioning well.
The Bible has much to say about believers in the Church. Different pictures were used to describe the Church. Some of these are a building, a bride, a body, and a bastion. But, the one picture that might be most endearing is the picture of the brethren. The New Testament draws lessons from the relationship in a family for our relationship with each other. Just like in a family sibling rivalry exists, at times a little misunderstanding can happen in a local church. And, just like in a family, we will defend our family to the end, so also in a local church we should be prepared to stand up for one another. Families are a great metaphor for the Church.
Many years ago Bill Gaither wrote a song we sing quite often. Some of the words are, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood. Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I’m part of the family, the family of God.” This family is precious to us. We have members of our family around the world that we haven’t met. Yet, this is not the family I want to talk about.
I doubt anyone would disagree with me that the family is under attack. More than ever the family unit is being maligned and redefined. Society is pushing the make up and purpose of the family unit far from a biblical model. G. K. Chesterton once said, “The family is the test of freedom.” Where did the family come from? Why does it exist? How is it formed? These and other questions will be considered as we continue our way through Ephesians 5.
Two main functions will be seen in these verses. The first one is the roles of the husband and wife. Paul will spell out how this relationship should function. Remember, he was addressing a culture quite immoral and pagan. Ephesus was the headquarters for the worship of Diana. The people who made up the church were coming from lives of debauchery and depravity. They did not grow up in a “christian home” or a “christian society.” They had to learn first hand how the home should be a reflection of Christ and the Church. What a change this represents for them. What a testimony it would have been to see the dramatic difference their families would make.
The second relationship referred to is the parent and child. Some married couples will not have children. God is the One who opens and closes the womb. But, those who are blessed with children carry a huge weight of responsibility. The home should the breeding ground of faith as the children see genuine faith being lived out. One author said this, “The family circle is the supreme conductor of Christianity.” We as parents are to be raising our children to love the Lord. Will they all follow the Lord? No. But, it is our responsibility to be the first one to share the Gospel.
Family; we all have one. It may not be the best, and it may not even be Christian. But, we can change that cycle. Love your family and give thanks for them.
I want to start a “SOT” campaign, will you join me? I will be starting a petition to address this very important issue. You will be asked to join my name for this campaign. What is “SOT,” you might ask? Of course it’s, “Save our Turkey.” Too many turkeys are dying needlessly for over indulged and over eating Americans. Look at the turkey above. Why does he look so happy, knowing he is about to be eaten! Sad, sad, sad!
Soory, enough of this frivolity. Turkey is as much a part of Thanksgiving as football, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. How could we have Thanksgiving without these staples. The Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day for over 70 years! The Dallas Cowboys have hosted a game on Thanksgiving day since 1966. And, the Green Bay Packers have been a staple as well. They all go along well with the turkey dinner. THIS is Thanksgiving, right?
Wrong! Before there was football, TV, or the ubiquitous turkey, people gathered to give thanks. George Washington issued the first national day of thanksgiving in 1789. Then, Abraham Lincoln honored the last Thursday of November as a national day for giving of thanks to “…the Most High God.” Thus, a day for remembering God’s special gifts was given during the Civil War.
This year, as you gather with family, friends, or celebrate alone, remember the great blessings God has given you. Most of all, be sure to give Him praise for the blessings of salvation and for our Saviour. Go ahead and eat turkey and watch football. Just remember the real reason for the day.
