March 9, 2003-Ten Values That Build Strong Families Part 1: The Foundation for a Strong Family
March 16, 2003-Ten Values That Build Strong Families Part 2: Accept No Substitutes
March 30, 2003-Ten Values That Build Strong Families Part 3: Take God SeriouslyMarch 9, 2003
Ten Values That Build Strong Families
Part 1: The Foundation for a Strong Family
Exodus 20:2 – 3
" These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children." Deuteronomy 6:6-7
The foundation for a strong family
" You shall have no other gods before me" Exodus 20:2
The Principle: Put God first
The Promise
" In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success."
Proverbs 3:6
The Living Bible
How do I put God first?
Give God priority in your …Finances
" Honor with Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and you vats will brim over with new wine." Proverbs3:9-10
" The purpose of tithing is to teach you to put God first in your lives."
Deuteronomy 14:23 (The Living Bible)
" On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made."
I Corinthians 16:2Interests
whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God
I Corinthians 10:31
Relationships
A righteous man is cautious in friendship,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 12:26
Proverbs. 27:19
Schedule
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed Mark 1:35
Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.
Jeremiah 2:32
Troubles
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me. Psalm 50:15
Ps. 50:15
Your CommitmentBut as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15
March 16, 2003
Ten Values That Build Strong Families
Part 2: Accept No Substitutes
Exodus 20:4-6; Deuteronomy 5:8-10
Through the ten commandments God …
· Tells us about Himself
· Tells us what He expects of us
· Tells us we need His grace
· Prepares us for the way of love
Let’s be serious about holiness
Anything we idolize will…
Disappoint us
Dominate us
… you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
I Corinthians 12:2
Deform us
But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men… Those who make them will be like them Psalm 115:4,8
God is exclusive
Personal sin affects our families
Don’t chisel away at God with mental images
You saw no form of any kind the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, ?or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below. And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. Deuteronomy 4:15-19
Perennial grievance
Parental hangover
Absolute perfection
God in a box
Managing director
Worship God His way
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Romans 1:25
It is possible to worship false gods, but it is also possible to
worship the true God falsely.
March 30, 2003
Ten Values That Build Strong Families
Part 3: Take God Seriously
You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Exodus 20:7
Leviticus 24:10 - 23
God’s name represents his character, reputation and authority
We misuse God’s name when we use it…
… to impress
… to intimidate
… to insult
… impulsively
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Matthew 6:7
How can I change my vocabulary?
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45
· Reverence God’s name continually
· Represent God’s name clearly
Use God’s name correctly and gain …
· … access to God
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
· … answers to prayer
I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
John 16:23-24
… authority over demons
Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
Acts 16:18