Today’s message summary of December 4, 2016 from Pastor Gus Brown:
A successful family is something that needs to be worked on. It can be difficult at times, and there is no manual that is offered that gives clues how to do it.
Every person within the family has a divine purpose, and it is up to the family members to help sharpen each other.
It is better, by far, to grow healthy children into healthy adults than it is to repair old men and women. The child raised in the Lord has a good opportunity to come up and succeed.
Dreams require sacrifice if they are going to become a reality. Children are to be taught how to make sacrifices. They need to be instructed how to give to others instead of just receive things.
Without sacrifice and dedication, a child will ultimately not go anywhere. Making sacrifices are a requirement for those who desire a good education.
There is a threefold development that has to be taught within a family that are critical to successful living:
- Mind development (intellect, psychology)
- Body development (physical appearance)
- Reproductive drive (sexual desire)
This needs to be instructed within the family as there will be a number of voices from the outside that will try to shape or influence how a person views these issues.
The most important part of this that is developed last (that should be developed first) is the spiritual development of the child and the family.
Psalm 119:99
I have more insight than all my teachers because Your decrees are my meditation.
Psalm 119:59
I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to Your decrees.
Psalm 119:11-12
I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. Lord, may You be praised; teach me Your statutes.
There will be the need for instruction to address the different levels of growth in the family.
Each person in the family has to still make his or her own commitment to Jesus Christ.
John 6:63
The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
John 1:12
But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name.
1 John 5:4-5, 13
…because whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Success comes from direct obedience to the Holy Spirit.
In the family, there can be these scenarios:
- One person saved and one not saved (1 Corinthians 7:13).
- Both husband and wife are saved.
- One following Scripture while the other does not.
- Both parents saved living out the Scripture, while a child may live for the Lord and another may not.
- The complete family is saved and is following the Lord.
The Holy Spirit is the teacher in the family (John 14:25-26).
We in the family are the students (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13).
The Bible is the textbook (2 Timothy 3:16).
The family is to help one another to grow:
- Intellectually. We communicate our knowledge to one another. We listen to each other.
- Emotionally. We cry, hurt, laugh and have fun together.
- Physically. Hugging, touches, kisses, wrestling.
- Spiritually. We all help guide, but only the Holy Spirit can do the real teaching (John 14:25).
Understanding a person is to know when the Holy Spirit is the only one to meet the need at this particular time in life.
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 