Weathering The Storms Of Life

Weathering The Storms Of Life

What Do We Do When Our Family Falters and Falls Apart?

INTRO: Three weeks ago I started a series about Weathering The Storms Of Life. I talked about What Do We Do When Things Go Bad? We looked at Job's unbelievable misfortunes. His reaction was to worship and trust the Lord. We also saw that he was truly blessed by God in the end.

We are starting in Sunday School a study about Job which is very timely indeed. We have seen this past week a parallel to what it can be to lose all we have in New Orleans.

Then, I talked about What Do We Do When Facing Death? We looked at several different characters in God's Word and how they handled death. While it is never an easy thing, it is something that is with us in life. The question is how will we face death? Are you ready to face the ultimate test?

Last week, I talked about, What Do We Do When Facing Illness?

Illness is around us all the time. How do we handle this? I talked about how we need to look forward, asking how this can help us be used of God and how we can grow spiritually.

Today, I want to deal with our family. What Do We Do When Our Family Falters and Falls Apart? I want to look at several things to day and try to answer several important questions in this important area of our lives.

DISCLAIMER ABOUT THROWING STONES
First,

What does the Bible tell us about marriage and divorce?

General:

Proverbs 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Jesus: Except for immorality

Matthew 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Mark 10:9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Paul: in the case of desertion

Romans 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband

1 Corinthians 7:10 - 11 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: ¹¹But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Next…
Why is marriage important?
We can see God's touch on family.

Righteous partnership - prevents sinful living

We can see our need in family.

Rewarding relationship - promotes happiness

We can see a blessing in family.

Fulfilling fellowship - protects our children and family

Next let us ask…
How can two people God has placed together separate?

Sin lives in our lives and hearts

Stubbornness dwells in us constantly

Showing mutual respect is absent in our actions

SELFISHNESS abounds in our lives

We must ask…
How do we prevent it?

Know the enemy wants to devour us

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ⁹Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Know the Lord

By seeking Him

By the salvation he offers

By serving Him

Know each other

Say… I love you

Remember your love

Show your love

Know yourself

Imperfect

Full of faults (both parties)

Proverbs 21:9, 19 ⁹It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house

^{19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Need a lot of fixing

Know a servant-like attitude

Put others (family) before self
Care about others before self
Serve

Know determination together

Resist failure
Resist carnal desires
Run from carnal influences

Refuse to look elsewhere (not about doing better - but who the Lord has given you)

Refuse society's answer - divorce
Refuse to have a disrespectful attitude in your hearts
Reveal a godly person
Render godly caring, respect and love

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 090405am}