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Enemies Of The Family
Intro:
A. God’s
Plan For The Family: There Are Many Enemies Of The Family
B. Some
will be obvious, others more subtle
C. We’ll
examine these issues and more tonight.
I.
Divorce
A. Marriage
is for life
1.
God’s marriage law is very simple – a permanent lifelong
commitment.
a.
According to Matthew 19:6 it is God who joins a couple together
i. More than
a civil contract – a divine covenant – Romans 7:1-4
b. Jesus
states this law, and that divorce and remarriage constitutes adultery in Mark
10:11-12
c.
Although God allowed divorce in the OT, He did not approve of it and it was
not His intention from the beginning – Matthew 19:7-8
d. In
Fact, Malachi said “For
the Lord God hateth putting away” Mal
2:14-16
e.
Therefore God’s law is simple one man for one woman for life!
2. Exceptions?
a. Matthew
19:9
b. Since
this is the only exception to God’s law, what does that tell you
about the sin of adultery?
3. The
seriousness of marriage
a.
Since a lifelong commitment, should be entered into reverently, discreetly,
and in the fear of the Lord.
b. In OT God forbade
his children from marrying unbelievers. Deut 7:1-4; Ezra 9:12
i. We can’t honestly teach that
this in NT, it surely seems unwise, at least to marry someone who does not
share the same values and beliefs. Paul did warn us to not be unequally
yoked with unbelievers in 2 Cor 6:14-18
ii. Marrying an unbeliever itself may
not be sin, could certainly lead TO sin & AWAY from God – II
Cor 6:14
4. How
to prevent divorce BEFORE marriage
a.
If a Christian, don’t even consider marrying a non-Christian
b. Don’t
marry someone your embarrasses to introduce to your family
c.
Examine the family background of the person you want to marry.
d. Be sure you have
mutual interests.
e.
Avoid extreme differences in education
f.
Don’t marry someone who is selfish and inconsiderate of your feelings
while dating
g. How
willing are they to assume financial responsibilities
h. What
are their attitudes toward children
i.
Don’t marry a drinker
II. Other
enemies
A. In his book
THE BATTLE FOR THE FAMILY, Tim LaHaye discusses
“the fifteen enemies of the family”. These are humanism, big
government, public schools, television, media, feminism, materialism,
urbanization, easy divorce, women in the
workforce, pornography, drugs, rock music, homosexuality, and ignorance of
family life principles.
B. Five
which are a particular threat to God’s people
a.
Family Enemy #1 – Humanism
i. Def
– A man centered religion that believes man can solve his own
problems independent of God. Humanism says “No deity will save us, we
must save ourselves”
ii. Jeremiah 10:23
1.
We are taught to cast our cares upon God in I Peter 5:7
2.
because Jesus is “the
way the truth and the life” in John 14:6
iii. Humanism is so
dangerous because its tentacles, like an octopus, extend from power centers
like the government, public schools, and the media, all of which impact our
thinking/actions
iv. We must teach our
children to depend on God, not man; the Bible, not human wisdom
b.
TV: The electronic equalizer
i. While it may that TV
has always been with us it is very young compared to the human race.
1.
People act as if they can’t live without it
2.
TV is not bad in and of itself, but what is shown on it often is
3.
Materialism, pornography, adultery, homosexuality, feminism, fornication,
as well as profanity are often shown and glorified.
ii.
Philippians 4:8
a.
Do the things we watch appeal to the right things to think about or the
wrong things
iii.
I Thessalonians 5:22
c.
Materialism – The God of our
generation
i. Many have fallen at
the feet of materialism – Christians can’t serve two masters (Matt
6:24)
ii. Materialism is
hungering & thirsting for things of world & seeking to satisfy
one’s needs through working for and obtaining material possessions
iii. This attitude pulls
the family apart
1.
We need to learn that “godliness
with contentment is great gain” I Timothy 6:12
2.
& “a man’s life
consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses”
Lk 12:15
iv. Often
through greed, covetousness, and materialism, fathers have no time for
families. Wives are forced into the market place and children are taught
the importance of things not values.
d.
Feminism – Blurring God’s
Sex Distinction
i. Feminist movement in America has
been around a long time, but gaining in its popularity and its effect on
Society and the church
ii. Feminists deny the
differences in roles that God placed upon men and women
iii. Man has authority over
woman (I Cor 11:8-9) & wife should be subject to husband Gen
3:16
iv. Referred to as “weaker vessel”
I Peter 3:7 & told to be quiet in public assembly I Cor 14:34
v. God directed that she “guide the
house” (I Tim 5:14) and to be a “keeper at home” (Tit
2:4)
vi. Woman NOT inferior to man,
but different in role in God’s plan. Feminism undermines that role.
e.
Ignorance Of Family Life Principles
i.
“My people are
destroyed for a lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6) cried
the prophet long ago.
ii. Lack of
knowledge in regard to family life will destroy our homes.
iii. The
Bible regulates every area of our lives and the home is no exception.
1.
In it we learn our roles, what’s right and responsibilities.
2.
We learn how to treat one another and correct our sins
iv. Of
course, we have to search for the answers.
v. The Bible
is not indexed with a section entitled “family life”
Thus,
there is value in reading good books, listening to tapes, watching videos,
and attending seminars and classes that are Bible based. The Bible should
always be our final guide and source for decision making.
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