Jesus Family

Joshua 24:14-15

2008.5.11

Are you still

Complaining?

What did you see?

How do you feel?

"Money will buy a bed but not sleep; food but not appetite; medicine but not health; a house but not a home; and amusement but not happiness."

Jesus Family

Joshua 24:14-15

2008.5.11

QuizQ 1. What do you think this background music is fo

r?

Q 2. Throughout the history, where do you think the first wedding was held?  

Q 3. Who do you think the presider of the first wedding at the  Garden of Eden? 

Q 4. Who do you think the bride and bridegroom were at the first  wedding at Eden? 

1. Bible Focuses on Family( 가정 중시 ).

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male & female He created them. God blessed them & said to them, `Be fruitful & increase in number; fill the earth & subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea & the birds of the air & over every living creature that moves on the ground." (Genesis 1:27-28)

- The Bible focuses on the families!

- Family relationships are important in the Bible story.

2. Trends That Are Taking Place Today( 변화된 가정 환경 )

James Dobson, an American psychologist and Christian counselor, pointed out some alarming trends that have taken place in the last 30 years.

1) "More than 40 years ago, the family was a typical thing. We saw lots of family pictures. The TV programs we watched were all made for the family. The family was considered something of great value. "

- But today, the traditional family is no more!

2) "More than 40 years ago, religion was considered good, especially for the family. You saw billboards supporting going to the church."

- But now, Christianity is losing ground. Today, God is pretty much left out of our society, our schools, & our public institutions. Today, religion is out.

* The Bible teaches that everyone should have a family. - God said, "It is not good for man to be alone." - Family is extremely important even though it is being grossly neglected by many people today. - Marriage is justified by God.

3. The Role of the Family ( 가정의 역할 )

1) PROCREATION (출산 , 생육 )

2) CHRISTIAN NURTURE ( 기독교적 양육 )

- God wants us to know who we are. God wants us to realize that we are His children. - Joshua says, "But as for ME and MY household, we will serve only the Lord (Joshua 24:15)."

- Christian families are those that don't walk in the value system of the world but live by Kingdom values. - Christian families should be united families. - Through all the ups and downs of family life, we must be resolved to follow Christ and be obedient to His ways.

3) ( 예화 ) Henri Nouwen introduces us to interesting cases of cancer patients in his book The Wounded Healer.

* Two cancer patients: Both patients were Christian males in their late forties. One man, Harrison, was a single who worked at a Tobacco plantation and the other man, John, was married and had kids.

Both men had surgery at the same hospital and the operations were successful. However, Harrison was not able to wake up from the anaesthesia while John was able to.

Why was John able to recover while Harrison could not?

- John had a family that could support and encourage him and share the pain. Before he had surgery, his two daughters came and said to him, "Dad we will be waiting for you." This kind of encouragement gave John a purpose to survive.

- On the other hand, Harrison did not have anything to look forward because he had no supporting group. He had no reason to survive; he saw no reason to live.

Conclusion:  - Families provide security, encouragement, hope, and comfort.

- The church is a big family and the family is a small church. - The church and family are our two hopes of the future. - The church needs to support the family, & the family needs to support the church.

We're brothers & sisters in Christ Jesus. God is our father. "The family that prays together, stays together." "The family that worships together, holds together." We are one in Jesus. We are family of God. We are Jesus' family.