Strengthening Families Through Faith, Prayer, and Community
Summary
As we gather at the start of a new year, we are reminded of our purpose as a church: to worship the Lord together and to be a beacon of light in our community. We are called to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Reflecting on the past year, we recognize the blessings God has bestowed upon us and the faithfulness we have shown in pursuing His will. As we look forward to 2025, we focus on three key areas: family, prayer, and building projects.
The family unit is under attack, with Satan targeting it as a primary mode of destruction. The alarming statistics on abortion highlight the severity of this attack. As a church, we must actively stand against these forces by strengthening our families. We are reminded of the importance of teaching and demonstrating godly love, as outlined in Deuteronomy 6:5-14. Fathers, in particular, are called to lead their families in faith, teaching their children to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength.
In addition to focusing on families, we are committed to becoming a church of prayer warriors. Prayer is our weapon against the false gods and distractions of this world. By dedicating ourselves to constant prayer, we can rely on God and not on ourselves or the idols of greed and power. We are encouraged to join together in prayer, especially during our Saturday morning prayer meetings, to seek God's guidance and blessings for our church and community.
Finally, we are embarking on building projects to enhance our facilities and better serve our community. These projects are not just about physical structures but about creating spaces where families can grow and thrive in their faith. As we move forward, let us remember the love of God, which is immeasurable and strong. Let us root for our families, teach godly love to our children, and demonstrate that love to others. May 2025 be a year of prayer, growth, and unwavering commitment to God.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Importance of Family: The family is the first institution ordained by God and is under attack by Satan. Strengthening our families is crucial to withstand these attacks. Fathers are called to lead by teaching their children to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength. [08:05]
2. Rooting for Our Families: In a world that often promotes self-centeredness, we must root for our families. By loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength, we naturally extend that love to our families, making them strong and united. [17:11]
3. The Power of Prayer: Prayer is essential in combating the false gods and distractions of this world. By committing to a life of prayer, we rely on God and not on ourselves, allowing us to be a light in our community. [37:20]
4. Teaching Godly Love: Fathers have a significant role in teaching their children about godly love. By living out the teachings of Christ, fathers can guide their children in faith, ensuring a strong spiritual foundation for future generations. [26:19]
5. Demonstrating Love to Others: Our love for God should be evident in our actions and interactions with others. By demonstrating godly love, we show the world the transformative power of faith and the strength of our community. [32:00]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:00] - Reflecting on the Past Year
- [04:51] - Focus Areas for 2025
- [05:58] - The Attack on Families
- [07:07] - Sobering Statistics on Abortion
- [08:05] - The Importance of Family
- [10:46] - Rooting for Our Families
- [12:30] - The Impact of Social Media
- [14:01] - The Rise of Narcissism
- [17:11] - Loving God and Family
- [19:43] - Challenges in Marriage
- [21:33] - Strengthening Young Marriages
- [22:58] - Teaching Godly Love to Children
- [26:19] - Fathers' Role in Faith
- [28:56] - Demonstrating Love to Others
- [33:09] - Building Projects for Growth
- [37:20] - The Power of Prayer
- [40:39] - Invitation to Know Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:14-16
- Deuteronomy 6:5-14
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Matthew 5:14-16 say about the role of believers in the world? How does this relate to the church's purpose as described in the sermon? [03:00]
2. According to Deuteronomy 6:5-14, what are the specific instructions given to families regarding teaching and living out God's commandments? [08:05]
3. What alarming statistics were shared in the sermon about the attack on families, particularly concerning abortion? [05:58]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of fathers in teaching godly love to their children? [22:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of being a "light on a hill" in Matthew 5:14-16 apply to the church's mission in the community? What practical steps can the church take to fulfill this role? [03:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer can combat the distractions and false gods of the world? How does this align with the teachings in Deuteronomy 6:5-14? [37:20]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of fathers in spiritual leadership within the family. How does this responsibility impact the spiritual growth of children and the family unit as a whole? [22:58]
4. What are the implications of the sermon’s call to demonstrate godly love to others, and how does this reflect the teachings of Deuteronomy 6:5-14? [32:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own family dynamics. How can you actively root for your family and support their spiritual growth in the coming year? [17:11]
2. The sermon emphasizes the power of prayer. What specific steps can you take to become a prayer warrior in your daily life? How can you incorporate prayer into your family routine? [37:20]
3. Consider the role of fathers as described in the sermon. If you are a father, how can you take a more active role in teaching your children about godly love? If you are not a father, how can you support the fathers in your community? [22:58]
4. The sermon discusses the impact of social media on self-centeredness. How can you balance your use of social media to ensure it does not detract from your family relationships and spiritual life? [14:01]
5. How can you demonstrate godly love to others in your community? Identify one specific action you can take this week to show love and support to someone outside your family. [32:00]
6. Reflect on the building projects mentioned in the sermon. How can you contribute to creating spaces that foster spiritual growth and community engagement? [33:09]
7. The sermon calls for a commitment to prayer and spiritual growth in 2025. What personal goals can you set to deepen your relationship with God and strengthen your role within your family and church community? [36:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Strengthening the Family as a Spiritual Fortress
The family is the first institution ordained by God and is under attack by Satan. Strengthening our families is crucial to withstand these attacks. Fathers are called to lead by teaching their children to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength. [08:05]
In today's world, the family unit faces numerous challenges and threats. The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing these attacks and taking proactive steps to fortify our families. Fathers, in particular, are encouraged to take on the role of spiritual leaders within their households. By teaching their children to love the Lord wholeheartedly, they can build a strong spiritual foundation that will help their families withstand external pressures. This involves not only verbal instruction but also living out the principles of faith in daily life. The call to strengthen families is a call to return to the biblical model of family, where love, respect, and faith are central.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Reflection: How can you, as a parent or family member, actively contribute to making your home a place where God's love and teachings are evident every day?
Day 2: Rooting for Our Families in a Self-Centered World
In a world that often promotes self-centeredness, we must root for our families. By loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength, we naturally extend that love to our families, making them strong and united. [17:11]
The modern world often encourages individuals to prioritize personal success and self-interest over communal and familial well-being. This sermon takeaway emphasizes the need to counteract this trend by rooting for our families. When we love God with all our being, this love naturally overflows into our relationships with family members. It creates a bond that is resilient against societal pressures and distractions. By prioritizing family unity and support, we can create a nurturing environment where each member feels valued and loved. This approach not only strengthens the family unit but also serves as a testament to the transformative power of God's love.
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively support and encourage each member of your family today, demonstrating God's love through your actions?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Prayer is essential in combating the false gods and distractions of this world. By committing to a life of prayer, we rely on God and not on ourselves, allowing us to be a light in our community. [37:20]
Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us with God and aligns our hearts with His will. In a world filled with distractions and false idols, prayer serves as a means of grounding ourselves in faith. By dedicating time to prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on God rather than on worldly possessions or achievements. This commitment to prayer not only strengthens our personal relationship with God but also empowers us to be a beacon of light in our communities. Through prayer, we seek guidance, strength, and wisdom to navigate the challenges of life while remaining faithful to our calling as Christians.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine, and what specific distractions do you need to set aside to make this possible?
Day 4: Fathers as Teachers of Godly Love
Fathers have a significant role in teaching their children about godly love. By living out the teachings of Christ, fathers can guide their children in faith, ensuring a strong spiritual foundation for future generations. [26:19]
The role of fathers in the spiritual development of their children is crucial. This sermon takeaway emphasizes the responsibility fathers have in teaching and modeling godly love. By embodying the teachings of Christ in their daily lives, fathers can provide a living example of faith for their children to follow. This involves demonstrating love, patience, forgiveness, and humility in interactions with family members. By doing so, fathers can instill a strong spiritual foundation in their children, equipping them to navigate life's challenges with faith and integrity. The impact of a father's guidance in faith can resonate through generations, shaping the spiritual landscape of families and communities.
Ephesians 6:4 (ESV): "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
Reflection: As a father or father figure, what specific actions can you take today to demonstrate godly love and guide your children in their spiritual journey?
Day 5: Demonstrating God's Love to the World
Our love for God should be evident in our actions and interactions with others. By demonstrating godly love, we show the world the transformative power of faith and the strength of our community. [32:00]
The love we have for God should not be confined to personal devotion but should extend to our interactions with others. This sermon takeaway highlights the importance of demonstrating godly love in our daily lives. By doing so, we become living testimonies of the transformative power of faith. Our actions and words can reflect the love, grace, and compassion of Christ, impacting those around us and strengthening our community. This outward expression of love serves as a powerful witness to the world, showcasing the strength and unity that comes from a life rooted in faith.
1 John 4:11-12 (ESV): "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."
Reflection: How can you intentionally demonstrate God's love to someone outside your immediate family or church community today, and what impact do you hope this will have?
Quotes
"You see, the first institution that God ever ordained was the family. After God created Eve, Adam said in Genesis 2, 23, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman because she was taken out of man. Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." [00:08:01] (22 seconds)
"Satan has been attacking the family from the very beginning of time and he is very cunning. Genesis 3 1 now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the lord god had made and we also know that he has dominion over this world first john 5 19 we know that we are of god and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." [00:08:32] (20 seconds)
"Marriage is harder than it has ever been. There's so many pressures, internal pressures, external pressures that rip marriages apart. You see, we live in a world where technology is built to be disposable. Most, if not all of us in this room, have a cell phone and it lasts about two years and the battery seems to die sometimes." [00:19:57] (25 seconds)
"Teach godly love to our kids. Deuteronomy 6, verse 6. And these words which I commanded you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes." [00:22:36] (-753 seconds)
"Dads, I don't know how to stress enough the importance of you teaching godly love to your children. And don't think that just because you're physically present, that's good enough. You need to be actively teaching your kids to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength. Listen to verse 7 again, Deuteronomy 6, 7. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." [00:25:09] (34 seconds)
"Now you might be saying, okay, that's good, but how does that apply to me today? Here's how. In Egypt, a lamb was sacrificed, and that lamb's blood was put on the doorframe of every Israelite door. In a supreme act of love and grace, God passed over every household that had that blood on that door. He spared the Israelites in this manner." [00:29:57] (29 seconds)
"One of the ways that we're going to do this in our church this year is we're going to figuratively write these commands on our doorposts, not only of our church building, but of every family that comes to this church. We want the Holladysburg Altoona community to see that we love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength." [00:32:24] (20 seconds)
"How many of you have made a new year's resolution? Raise your hand. Okay. A few of us have now, how many of you have already broken it? I'm just kidding. You don't have to, you don't have to raise your hand. I want you to do something different today. Last week, I asked you to memorize some scripture. This week, I want to ask you to make a New Year's resolution." [00:36:16] (19 seconds)
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." [00:37:59] (24 seconds)
"Will you give your life to God this year? Perhaps you're sitting here and you're, you're thinking about God today and you don't really know him. I'm not talking about just a head knowledge. You might know everything there is to know about Jesus, about how old he was when he died. And he died. He rose again about how he went to heaven, how he ascended to the right hand of God, the father." [00:40:19] (21 seconds)
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