Reframing the Family October 27, 2013 Faith Foundations Sunday AM Recap Today I want to speak to what it means to have a Christian home to have faith in your family? I did not grow up in a Christian home? I grew up in a religious and moral home where Christ was mentioned but not the driving truth. So what is a Christian home? It is a home where Christ is central to every decision made and where He is allowed to rule and reign in the life of the entire family. I RESPECT the Truth Seek to have a healthy fear and love for the Lord. A FEAR the Lord Conversation this week w/ Matt Burton See Annanias and Sapphira and 1 Cor. 11 and 1 John 5.
B OBEY His Leading The Christian life is knowing God, hearing and voice and obeying His leading. By this will all men know that you are my disciples if you obey my commands. Jn. C LOVE the Lord Love the Lord your God w/ all your heart and w/ all your soul and w/ all your strength. II PROTECT the Truth We are to guard against comfort and convenience. (11) A Keep the SABBATH Holy Don t let anything become more important than your worship of God. This commission is being tested more than ever in our families and our personal preferences. Keeping a day set apart for worship and free of the things of this world is critical to our family s health and future.
B Never FORSAKE or FAKE Church Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God w/ a sincere heart and w/ the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hb. 10:19-25 Do you have to go to church to be a follower of Christ? No! But a Christ follower will desire fellowship w/ others in Christ and you will be a more fervent and affective Christian if you have a church family to spur you on and ministry to you and w/ you. It is frightening how people are dropping like flies from the church in our nation for all kinds of reasons.
Recent stats are not encouraging. Less than 20% of US attend church weekly 24% of US attends church 3 out of 8 weeks A majority of US attend church 12 times annually Churches 40+ are declining the fastest By 2050 attendance is expected to be ½ of 1990 There is no shortage of reasons for this slide but it doesn t have to continue nor do we have to dumb down the Gospel to reach a new generation. 5 Keys to Finding a Church Home 1 Be Sure God Shows Up 2 Be Sure the Word is Taught 3 Be Sure the Great Commission is Engaged 4 Be Sure Your Expected to Follow Jesus 5 Be Sure God s Calling is Present Sad when kids come to church w/out their parents. Sad when kids determine where a family attends. C Build a Family ALTAR 1 Take Time Weekly to Pray Together 2 Engage in Spiritual Conversation
D Take a Family Spiritual RETREAT Take a time out from the world to seek an encounter w/ the Father. Fast, pray, worship, study the Word. E Engage in MINISTRY / MISSION Together Do ministry together in your community or globally. One of my greatest joys has been taking my kids w/ me on mission and serving alongside of them in ministry. F Seek Daily Opportunities to ENCOURAGE Discuss what God is teaching you in your QT. Pray w/ your spouse and kids about life events/issues. IV EXPECT the Truth Expect God to show up and act like God in the life of your family.