For example, I love the idea that as the Church, we are in a partnership with each other. You are my partner, and I am your partner. I also love the idea that we are in fellowship with each other. We share something in common with each other even though we may come from different places and different backgrounds. It’s that commonality that brings us together in relationship. And I love the idea of participation, that we are involved with each other for a common mission, a common goal.
Wouldn’t you like people to say that about you to others? Especially when it comes to living for Jesus? I think there are two things here for us to learn. First, I think this scripture encourages us to live our lives in such a way for Jesus that others in the church and in the community, should speak well of us. And then I think this scripture should encourage us to speak well of others in the church.
See, the Psalmist’s original audience needed to know that the knee bent, the body bowed in worship and praise to God means nothing unless they are living it every day outside of the community of the Lord’s people. And we too, need to be reminded of the same thing. That our worship here means nothing unless we are living it every day when we are out there in the world.
God gave Adam and Eve this command, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). For this to happen, Adam and Eve needed to move beyond the status quo. They needed to flourish. The word flourish means to thrive and prosper. It means to reach one’s full potential as a human being. God has the same desires for us today. He doesn’t want us to languish in idleness but make a concerted effort to be the most we can. Are we doing that?
What if I told you that you smell? First, you may be offended. How dare brother Jon say something like that, telling me I smell? Then again, you may be confused? I smell? (Sniff, Sniff) Or, maybe, you might be thinking, how did brother Jon know? Now, you may be wondering, Jon, where are you going with this thought? Well, let me tell you something. If after reading this, you realize you don’t smell, well, you’re going to want to make a decision about that.
Relatives, friends, and outside influences who do not share Christian values can challenge family unity. Fathers must teach their children (Ephesians 6:4) and talk early.
Satan and the world want to destroy the home. Families maintain spiritual unity through core practices like worship (Hebrews 10:25), Bible study, and evangelism.
Job's friends believed only good things happen to good people, but Job showed that the wicked sometimes prosper (Job 21:7-12). Blessings are not proof of God's approval.
Husbands and wives can agree that God should lead the home. When Adam failed to follow God's word (Genesis 3:6), leadership went astray. Seek God's kingdom first.
The home needs spiritual leadership led by God's Spirit and word (Romans 8:14). Like Jesus, who led by humble example (John 13:14), fathers must prioritize God.
Good communication skills require planning, patience, and practice. One cannot resolve all communication issues overnight. Sometimes, it takes time to think and to understand. We may need to broach the topic multiple times to communicate clearly.
When married couples love and respect each other, they will tell each other the truth. A relationship built on a lie will not last very long. Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.” This means that spouses do not keep secrets from one another. They are open, honest, and transparent. It also means that spouses must talk to one another about perceived problems in a constructive way.
Where does our focus need to be in 2023? Jesus tells us. “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40). How do we do this? Come to church. Read the Bible. Pray to God. Take care of your family. Help the needy. Love your enemies. “Fear God and keep His commandments for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Do we feel the same joy for the gift God gave to us as we do for those fleeting baubles that we exchange each December? When Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4), he had Jesus in mind. He is the gift given for all time with whom and by whom we may rejoice forever. After the “season of giving” has ended, God’s gift giving goes on.
It is important that we tell the truth regardless of how uncomfortable that may be. That does not mean that we must be mean spirited or belligerent to do it. We must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Lies, however, are so appealing to many today. This is because people generally want to justify how they act without worrying about whether what they are saying and doing is right or wrong.
God wants godly offspring from marriage. The unique purpose of marriage is for loving parents to have, shelter, and rear children so that they may become godly adults. It takes both a husband and wife being faithful to each other over a lifetime to do this.
God is the foundation of all spiritual families. Psalm 127:1a says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it.” We want to build our families with the Lord as the foundation. God wants great families!
Truth that rests on God’s revelation means the unchanging word of God serves as the underlying basis for government. Truth that rests on man’s reason results in fickle public opinion making the law. The difference is between a government that fundamentally stays the same and one that changes with popular opinion.
God created people for love and fellowship (Genesis 2:18). The church is God's community of love where our need to love and be loved is fulfilled in Christ.
Jesus commanded men to baptize other men (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16). What baptism did He command? He did not command a baptism that only He could do, but that all His disciples could do, namely, water baptism. “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). To be born of water and the Spirit is to be baptized in water according to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:12-13 says Philip baptized those who heard and believed the word in water. They did not receive the Holy Spirit, however, until John and Peter came later (Acts 8:16).