Fighting for Our Families: A Call to Commitment

Devotional

Day 1: Covenant of Family Faithfulness

Child dedication is a sacred covenant that involves a commitment from parents to raise their children in the ways of the Lord, with the church playing a supportive role. This partnership is foundational for instilling faith within the family and guiding children towards a relationship with Christ. It is a promise that extends beyond a simple ceremony, embedding itself into the daily lives and decisions of the family. The church's role is not passive; it actively participates in nurturing the spiritual growth of its youngest members, providing resources, teaching, and a community of faith that surrounds the family with love, support, and accountability.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6 ESV

Reflection: How can you, as a parent or church member, actively contribute to the spiritual upbringing of the children in your community today? [01:49]

Day 2: Unity in the Spiritual Household

The church is more than a gathering; it is a family where every individual, regardless of their life stage, plays a crucial role. This spiritual household thrives on mutual support and the upholding of values that fortify communal bonds. Recognizing the collective responsibility to support one another is essential, as it reflects the interconnectedness of the body of Christ. Whether one is single, married, a parent, or a grandparent, their presence and contribution are invaluable to the strength and unity of the church family.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

Reflection: In what ways can you actively engage in supporting and strengthening the bonds within your church family this week? [43:59]

Day 3: Perseverance in Spiritual Protection

The narrative of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem serves as a poignant metaphor for the spiritual fortification required to protect our families. Just as Nehemiah faced opposition, families today encounter challenges that threaten their spiritual well-being. Perseverance and faith are key in overcoming these obstacles. With God's help and the support of a faith community, it is possible to build walls of protection that safeguard the family from spiritual attacks.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12 ESV

Reflection: What are some practical steps you can take to build spiritual protection around your family in the face of opposition? [47:02]

Day 4: Vigilance in Guiding Children's Growth

In an age where media and technology heavily influence our children's development, it is imperative for parents and guardians to be vigilant. Monitoring and guiding children's content consumption is not only proactive but also prayerful work. It ensures that what they absorb aligns with biblical values and fosters a God-centered worldview. This responsibility requires discernment and an active role in shaping the environment in which children learn and grow.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." - Philippians 4:8 ESV

Reflection: How can you help guide the media consumption of the children in your life to reflect Philippians 4:8 starting today? [53:45]

Day 5: Prioritizing Faith and Community

Regular church attendance and involvement are essential for spiritual growth and maintaining family unity. Prioritizing spiritual commitments over secular activities demonstrates to our children the value of faith and community. It is a tangible way to show the importance of nurturing our relationship with God and with fellow believers, setting a precedent for the next generation to follow.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33 ESV

Reflection: What change can you make in your weekly routine to prioritize your spiritual growth and your family's involvement in church? [01:09:09]

Sermon Summary

Today, I spoke on the importance of fighting for our families, drawing from the biblical account of Nehemiah who led the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. I began by dedicating a child, Andres, to the Lord, emphasizing the significance of parental commitment and the church's role in supporting families ([01:49]). I then welcomed everyone, including our online viewers, and led a prayer for God's guidance and a fresh insight into His word ([42:37]).

I addressed the various forms of family units present within our congregation, from singles to grandparents, and assured everyone that they are not alone and that we, as a church, will fight for their families ([43:59]). I highlighted the Communist Manifesto's aim to abolish the family, drawing parallels to the current societal challenges we face, and affirmed that at the Father's House, families are central to our mission ([45:29]).

I recounted the story of Nehemiah, who faced ridicule and opposition when he set out to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. I drew an analogy to our spiritual lives, where the enemy seeks to prevent us from building walls of protection around our families ([47:02]). I read from Nehemiah 4:14, urging us to not fear the enemy but to remember the Lord and fight for our families ([48:20]).

I then discussed the practical steps we can take to protect our families, such as monitoring what our children are exposed to and ensuring they are part of a church community ([53:45]). I stressed the importance of being present in church, not allowing distractions like sports to take precedence over spiritual growth ([01:09:09]).

I shared the story of a successful attorney who changed his life's direction when he realized the impact of his actions on his son, illustrating the importance of leading our families towards God ([01:11:39]). I concluded by inviting those who felt alone or needed to recommit their lives to Christ to raise their hands for prayer, assuring them that they are surrounded by a church family ready to support them ([01:13:51]).

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What did Nehemiah urge the people to remember and do in Nehemiah 4:14?
According to Deuteronomy 6:4-7, what are parents instructed to do with God's commandments?
How does Psalm 127:3 describe children, and what does this imply about our responsibility towards them?
In the sermon, what societal challenge was highlighted as a threat to families, and how does the church plan to address it? ([45:29])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to "remember the Lord" when facing opposition, as Nehemiah instructed? How can this perspective change our approach to challenges? ([48:20])
How does the command in Deuteronomy 6:4-7 to impress God's commandments on our children relate to the idea of building protective walls around our families?
The sermon mentioned the influence of media and technology on children. How does this align with the biblical instruction to guard what our children are exposed to? ([53:45])
What does the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls teach us about perseverance and community support in the face of opposition? ([47:02])

Application Questions

Reflect on your current family situation. What are some practical steps you can take to "fight for your family" as Nehemiah encouraged? ([48:20])
How can you ensure that your children or those you influence are exposed to content that aligns with biblical values? What changes might you need to make in your household? ([53:45])
Regular church attendance was emphasized as crucial for spiritual growth and family unity. How can you prioritize church involvement in your family's schedule? ([01:09:09])
Think about a time when you felt alone in your struggles. How can you reach out to your church community for support, and how can you be a support to others? ([01:06:11])
The sermon highlighted the importance of leading by example. What specific actions can you take to ensure your footsteps lead your family towards God? ([01:11:39])
How can you create intentional moments throughout your day to talk about God with your family, as instructed in Deuteronomy 6:4-7? ([02:37])
Identify one area where you feel the enemy is attacking your family. What steps can you take to build a "wall of protection" in that area, and how can your church community assist you? ([47:02])

Sermon Clips

1) "Half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce, including born again believers. Drug use in middle school students is on a rise... Some of you parents give your kids phones, iPads, and you never monitor what they're looking at. It has become a babysitter for you... We need to fight for our families and rise up and draw a line and say, no more Satan." [53:45]( | | )

2) "Remember the Lord. What does that mean? Remember the Lord? Well, I mean, remember the promises that he's promised you... Remember this, I'll never leave you. I'll never forsake you. I'll be there. So you claim those promises... Remember how he's been faithful to you in the past." [56:32]( | | )

3) "Fight for your families... Remember the Lord. He's great and glorious. And now you've got to do something. You know, you just don't wait till your kids go crazy and then you bring them to our youth and our kids and say, heal them, take care of them. No, don't wait till the pastor and the youth. Fight for your family, yourself." [01:06:11]( | | )

4) "Being in the house every weekend is the most consistent appointment that you can make. It's more important than any ball game, soccer game... When are we going to stand up as parents and simply say to organizations, I'm sorry, my kids are not available on Sundays. Sunday is a time that we are in church." [01:09:09]( | | )

5) "True story. There was a very successful attorney... He heard the crunch of footsteps behind him... his young son, trying to step in the footsteps of his dad in the snow... He ran back, scooped him up in his arms... and prayed, Oh God, don't ever let my footsteps lead my children away from you." [01:11:39]( | | )

6) "So you guys need to understand that the kids that you have are gifts from God and they're rewards to you... It's impossible for us to raise our children and honor God... That's why we have child dedication. At church is that we're saying, I don't want to do this for myself, but I need." [01:49]( | | )

7) "It's impossible for you to protect your family, however that is... if you don't have protection, if you don't have walls... But here at the father's house, there are nobody that should, should ever fight alone because we're going to fight with you for you and for your family." [45:29]( | | )

8) "Fight for your brothers, sons, daughters, your wives, fight for them. When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans, that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work... But from then on, half of my men worked with the other half, stood guard." [48:20]( | | )

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