HANDOUT FOR SERMON: FAITH AND FAMILY-SUCH A BLESSING.                                  June 19, 2022, Manchester TN 9:30 a.m. service.

INTRODUCTION: If you and your family are all faithful Christians isn’t that a wonderful blessing? But have you ever considered the expectation that God has of your family in call, purpose and work? What was Christ’s intent for His Church & kingdom? Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Timothy 2:4, Revelation 7:9

The growth of the Church was amazing, and one may read of entire households of people surrendering to Jesus Christ and following Him. Scripture: Acts 2:38-47, Acts 11:14, Acts 16:15-16 & 34, acts 18:8, 1 Corinthians 16:1, Philemon 1:2, Romans 16:1-27

LESSON: FAITH AND FAMILY, Bless be the bond that ties.

1.JESUS GIVES US THE WORST CASE SENERIO OF FAMILY AND FAITH. Matthew 10:32-34

What it truly means to be a follower of Christ, a Christian. It will cost you!
How strongly do you want a relationship with Jesus and His followers?
You may have to choose between your mother or father and Christ!
Yet remember you are NOT ALONE! John 7:5, Matthew 13:57 Jesus understands!

“HERE ARE MY MOTHER AND MY BROTHERS.” Matthew 12:46-50

His physical family verses His spiritual family. His mother valued Him, but His brothers didn’t.
In Christ you will always have genuine family. This was and is God’s plan!

“WE HAVE LEFT ALL AND FOLLOWED YOU.” Mark 10:28-31

Peter was proud of what he had give up for Jesus. We all have given up things for Jesus!
LOOK at what you have gained!!!!
You now have an eternal family who love, help, serve and forgive you!

Faithful families=appreciate and value what you have if all your immediate and extended family are Christians.  God wants faithful families in the world, in our communities for a purpose! What is that purpose?

HOW SHOULD THE FAITHFUL FAMILIES DEAL WITH NON-CHRISTIAN FAMILIES?

Jesus says SHINE ever so bright.                                                                                                       Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 3:1-4, Acts 2:42-47
Jesus says be STEADY.                                                                                                                Scripture: Romans 12:17-18, 1 Peter 3:8-12
Jesus says the end goal is SANCTIFICATION.                      Scripture: 1 Peter 3: 1-6, 2 Timothy 2:20-21 & 22-26

5.HOW SHOULD FAITHFUL FAMILIES DEAL WITH CHRISTIANS & CHURCH FAMILIES.                                                                                                                                               The interaction with God’s people-the Church! Exactly the same as with non-Christian people!

SHINE
STEADY
SANCTIFY

DANGERS CAN OCCUR. Potential dangers for faithful families to lose touch with the mission they are bought and called to do!

Only hang out with “their own family members” or their favorites.
Self-righteousness, arrogance, or pride.
Close oneself off from the mission of Christ.
Become blind or callous to the struggles, need and woes of other Christians.
Lose interest in the lost condition of others.
Jealousy in the group over the big faithful family.

CONCLUSION

John 14:27, Galatians 5:22-26, James 3:17,

The amazing power of the Gospel: we all can become great people & families!

Romans 12:1-2 Change & transforms people.                                                                                            Matthew 5:9   Peacemakers – called the sons of God.                                                                            2 Timothy 1:7 God gave us a spirit not of fear but power and love and self-control.                            Colossians 3:14 Put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.