Restoring God’s Influence in Family and Governance

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound connection between the state of a nation and the state of its families. The family unit is the cornerstone of society, and whoever influences the family ultimately shapes the future. This principle underscores the importance of integrating God into every aspect of life, including politics. The separation of church and state should not imply a separation of God from moral and ethical governance. When God is marginalized, His authority is diminished, leading to the chaos we witness in political, social, economic, and familial spheres.

The departure of government from God’s principles has resulted in the turmoil we face today. Human institutions, such as government and family, were established by God and should not be redefined according to human whims. The Bible is replete with political themes, emphasizing that governance should reflect God's values. Therefore, it is crucial to support political parties and candidates that align with the kingdom of God's values. Without God's guidance, government is destined for trouble.

To resolve the issues of our time, we must bring God back into the conversation and take His viewpoint seriously. Government is an institution that belongs to God, and excluding Him from it leads to instability and disorder. By incorporating God into politics, we can ensure that governance reflects divine principles, leading to a more just and harmonious society.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Family as Society's Cornerstone: The family is the foundational unit of society, and its influence extends to the future of the nation. Whoever shapes the family shapes the future, highlighting the importance of nurturing families with godly values. [00:19]

2. God and Governance: The separation of church and state should not mean excluding God from governance. God's principles should guide political decisions, ensuring that government reflects divine values and moral integrity. [00:19]

3. Redefining Human Institutions: Human institutions like government and family were established by God and should not be redefined based on human desires. Adhering to God's original design ensures stability and order. [00:19]

4. Voting with Kingdom Values: When participating in politics, it is essential to support candidates and parties that align with the values of God's kingdom. This alignment ensures that governance reflects divine principles and addresses societal issues effectively. [00:49]

5. The Consequences of Excluding God: Excluding God from government leads to chaos and instability. To resolve contemporary issues, God's perspective must be integrated into political discourse, ensuring that governance is just and harmonious. [00:49]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - The Family's Influence on the Nation
[00:49] - Integrating God into Politics
[01:10] - The Role of Government in God's Plan
[01:30] - Voting with Kingdom Values
[01:50] - Consequences of Excluding God
[02:10] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:24 - "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
2. Romans 13:1 - "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God."
3. Proverbs 29:2 - "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan."

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Observation Questions:
1. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the family unit and the future of a nation? [00:19]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of God in political governance? [00:49]
3. According to the sermon, what are the consequences of excluding God from government? [00:49]
4. How does the sermon define the original design of human institutions like family and government? [00:19]

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Interpretation Questions:
1. What might it mean for a family to be the cornerstone of society, and how does this influence the future of a nation? [00:19]
2. How can the principles of God's kingdom be reflected in political decisions, according to the sermon? [00:49]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that redefining human institutions leads to instability? [00:19]
4. How does the sermon propose that integrating God into politics can lead to a more just and harmonious society? [00:49]

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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own family. How can you nurture it with godly values to positively influence society? [00:19]
2. Consider your political views. How do they align with the values of God's kingdom, and what changes might you need to make? [00:49]
3. Think about a recent political decision or policy. How might it have been different if it had been guided by God's principles? [00:49]
4. Identify a human institution in your life (e.g., family, workplace). How can you ensure it aligns with God's original design? [00:19]
5. How can you actively bring God's perspective into conversations about governance in your community? [00:49]
6. What steps can you take to ensure that your voting decisions reflect the values of God's kingdom? [00:49]
7. Reflect on a time when excluding God from a decision led to chaos. How can you prevent this in the future? [00:49]

Devotional

Day 1: The Family as the Foundation of Society
The family unit is the bedrock of society, influencing the future of a nation. When families are nurtured with godly values, they become a powerful force for shaping a society that reflects divine principles. The health and stability of a nation are directly linked to the spiritual and moral health of its families. By prioritizing the integration of God into family life, individuals can ensure that their homes become centers of love, integrity, and faith. This influence extends beyond the home, impacting communities and ultimately the nation. [00:19]

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth." (Psalm 127:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate godly values into your family life today to ensure your home reflects divine principles?


Day 2: God’s Role in Governance
The separation of church and state should not equate to excluding God from governance. God's principles are essential for guiding political decisions and ensuring that government reflects divine values and moral integrity. When God is marginalized in political discourse, His authority is diminished, leading to chaos in various societal spheres. By advocating for the integration of God's principles into governance, individuals can contribute to a more just and harmonious society. [00:19]

"For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations." (Psalm 22:28, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you advocate for God's principles in your local community or political environment today?


Day 3: Upholding God’s Design for Institutions
Human institutions like government and family were established by God and should not be redefined based on human desires. Adhering to God's original design ensures stability and order. When individuals attempt to redefine these institutions according to personal whims, it leads to instability and disorder. By upholding God's design, society can experience the peace and order that comes from aligning with divine principles. [00:19]

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain." (Psalm 127:1, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have redefined God's design? How can you realign with His original plan today?


Day 4: Voting with Kingdom Values
When participating in politics, it is essential to support candidates and parties that align with the values of God's kingdom. This alignment ensures that governance reflects divine principles and addresses societal issues effectively. By voting with kingdom values, individuals can influence the direction of their nation and contribute to a society that honors God. [00:49]

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34, ESV)

Reflection: As you consider upcoming elections, how can you evaluate candidates and parties to ensure they align with the values of God's kingdom?


Day 5: The Impact of Excluding God
Excluding God from government leads to chaos and instability. To resolve contemporary issues, God's perspective must be integrated into political discourse, ensuring that governance is just and harmonious. By bringing God back into the conversation, individuals can work towards a society that reflects divine order and peace. [00:49]

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!" (Psalm 33:12, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to bring God's perspective into your conversations about governance and societal issues?

Quotes

"The saga of a nation is the saga of its families written large. Whoever owns the family owns the future. Separation of church and state should never mean separation of God and right. God should not be marginalized and put on the sideline. His authority should not be negated." [00:00:04]

"It is the departure of government from God that's got us in the political, social, economic and familial chaos that we're experiencing today. And we should not take human institutions that He established, which includes government and the foundation is the family, and redefine it at our own whim." [00:00:19]

"So are you talking about incorporating God into politics? You can't exclude God from politics since government is supposed to reflect God in history. The Bible's full of politics, and the idea is simply that you vote for the party or the candidate that best reflects the values of the kingdom of God." [00:00:38]

"Unless God is brought back to bear and His viewpoint is taken seriously on the specific issues of our day, then will not have the resolution. Government belongs to God. When God is excluded, government is in trouble." [00:00:58]

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Transcript
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