Building a Godly Family Life — Zac Poonen — April 23, 2023
https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/building-a-godly-family-life River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that believers should adopt the childlike humility of Jesus's followers, contrasting this with the pride of the Pharisees. He draws a parallel between God's fatherly discipline and a grandfather's care, asserting that God disciplines us as a loving father, not a distant grandfather. Ultimately, the message encourages trusting God's sovereignty through all circumstances, viewing difficulties as opportunities for Him to draw us back to Him.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What does Jesus say about children praising Him?Jesus defended children shouting hosannas in the temple, quoting Psalm 8 to show that God ordained praise from the mouths of infants.Matthew 21:14–16
Becoming like little children to enter the kingdomJesus taught that unless believers humble themselves and become like little children, they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 18:1
God is a loving father who disciplines His childrenThe foundation of a godly life is knowing God as a loving father who uses discipline to correct believers, proving He has not abandoned them.
Building a personal walk with God through a clear conscienceThe first floor of a spiritual life is maintaining a clear conscience by listening continuously to the voice of God speaking through the conscience.
Why family life matters in the New CovenantUnlike the old covenant where leaders could have wayward families, New Testament elders must have well-brought-up children as proof of spiritual fitness.
Family instructions in Ephesians and ColossiansGod repeats instructions regarding husbands, wives, and children across New Testament epistles because people easily ignore them.
The fruit of being filled with the SpiritBeing continually filled with the Holy Spirit results in a spirit of thankfulness, mutual subjection, and order within the home.Ephesians 5:18–21
Husbands and wives fulfilling their rolesWives are called to submit to their husbands, while husbands are called to deny themselves and love their wives just as Christ loved the church.
Fathers raising children without provoking angerFathers bear the primary responsibility to teach children God's word and train them without provoking them to anger.
The spiritual armor and the protection of the homeThe teaching on putting on the whole armor of God is strategically placed right after the instruction on family life, showing that the home is a primary target of Satan.
The role of the woman and the partnership in marriageA wise woman builds her house, and God designed marriage so that the husband needs his wife as a suitable helper to rule together.Proverbs 14:1
Learning from Adam and Eve's failure in the GardenAdam failed to protect his wife from deception in the garden and later blamed her when confronted by God, serving as a warning against passivity and blame-shifting.
