Upholding God's Design for Family and Faith
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delve into the importance of maintaining the sanctity and structure of the family and the church, as ordained by God. The family unit, consisting of one man, one woman, and their children, is a divine institution that, when followed according to God's instructions, remains unbroken. The devil seeks to destroy this unit and, by extension, the church, which is composed of families. Despite the brokenness of individuals, the family structure itself is not flawed because it is established by God, whose designs are eternal and effective.
We then explored a story from Acts 5:1-11, where a husband and wife lied about their land donation to the church and faced severe consequences. This story underscores the importance of honesty and humility before God. God knows our hearts and seeks those who approach Him with humility, not with proud sacrifices. Over the past few weeks, we have been emphasizing the need for humility and the dangers of pride. A prideful church cannot fulfill God's will, and prideful individuals cannot win souls for God. We must acknowledge our dependence on God, recognizing that without Him, we are nothing.
God's grace and mercy are abundant, but they are not to be misused as a license to sin. When we sin, we must come to God with a humble heart, seeking forgiveness and striving to do better. God disciplines us out of love, much like a parent disciplines their child. This discipline is not out of anger but out of a desire to make us better. Just as a parent corrects a child to save them from future trouble, God corrects us to guide us toward a more productive life in His kingdom.
We also discussed the importance of following God's instructions precisely, using the analogy of traveling from Key West, Florida, to Seattle, Washington. If we deviate from the correct path, we may still reach our destination, but it will be a much more difficult journey. Similarly, if we follow God's guidance, we can avoid unnecessary hardships and be more effective in His kingdom.
The fire on the altar in the Old Testament served as a reminder of God's presence and power. This fire, which was started by God, was to be kept burning continuously, symbolizing the perpetual presence of God among His people. In the New Testament, John the Baptist spoke of Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire, signifying the ongoing presence and power of God in our lives. We need this continuous presence of God to navigate the challenges of life and to remain under His protection.
The fear of God, which involves a deep respect and reverence for His holiness and righteousness, is essential for living a life that pleases Him. This fear is not about being afraid of God but about respecting Him and His commands. The story of Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire before God and were consumed by it, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of obeying God's instructions. Their disobedience and irreverence led to their downfall, and God used their example to teach the other priests the importance of following His commands precisely.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of maintaining the family structure as ordained by God. The traditional family is under attack in today's society, but God's design for the family remains unchanged. The family, as created by God, is good and does not need improvement. We must protect this divine institution and live according to God's principles to experience His blessings and protection.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Family as God's Design: The family unit, consisting of one man, one woman, and their children, is a divine institution that remains effective when followed according to God's instructions. Despite the brokenness of individuals, the family structure itself is not flawed because it is established by God, whose designs are eternal and effective. This divine order is under attack by the devil, but it remains unbroken when upheld by God's principles. [22:09]
2. Humility Before God: God knows our hearts and seeks those who approach Him with humility, not with proud sacrifices. A prideful church cannot fulfill God's will, and prideful individuals cannot win souls for God. We must acknowledge our dependence on God, recognizing that without Him, we are nothing. This humility allows us to be used by God in His kingdom and to experience His guidance and power. [23:27]
3. God's Discipline Out of Love: God's grace and mercy are abundant, but they are not to be misused as a license to sin. When we sin, we must come to God with a humble heart, seeking forgiveness and striving to do better. God disciplines us out of love, much like a parent disciplines their child. This discipline is not out of anger but out of a desire to make us better and to guide us toward a more productive life in His kingdom. [24:36]
4. The Continuous Presence of God: The fire on the altar in the Old Testament symbolized the perpetual presence of God among His people. In the New Testament, John the Baptist spoke of Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire, signifying the ongoing presence and power of God in our lives. We need this continuous presence of God to navigate the challenges of life and to remain under His protection. [13:19]
5. The Fear of God and Obedience: The fear of God, which involves a deep respect and reverence for His holiness and righteousness, is essential for living a life that pleases Him. The story of Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire before God and were consumed by it, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of obeying God's instructions. Their disobedience and irreverence led to their downfall, and God used their example to teach the other priests the importance of following His commands precisely. [18:50]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Introduction to Pentecost Sunday
[04:31] - The Bible as Our Guide
[09:03] - The Fire on the Altar
[13:19] - Continuous Presence of God
[18:50] - The Fear of God and Obedience
[22:09] - The Family as God's Design
[23:27] - Humility Before God
[24:36] - God's Discipline Out of Love
[33:26] - Living with the Real Thing
[34:16] - How We Worship Matters
[36:36] - Prayer and Fasting
[37:19] - Protecting Our Children
[38:01] - Family Prayer Time
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Acts 5:1-11 - The story of Ananias and Sapphira lying about their land donation.
2. Leviticus 6:13 - "A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out."
3. Leviticus 10:1-2 - The story of Nadab and Abihu offering unauthorized fire before the Lord.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the consequence for Ananias and Sapphira when they lied about their land donation in Acts 5:1-11?
2. According to Leviticus 6:13, what was the command regarding the fire on the altar?
3. What did Nadab and Abihu do that led to their downfall in Leviticus 10:1-2?
4. How does the sermon describe the importance of maintaining the family structure as ordained by God? [22:09]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God’s response to Ananias and Sapphira’s lie was so severe? What does this teach us about honesty before God?
2. What is the significance of the continuous fire on the altar in Leviticus 6:13, and how does it relate to the presence of God in our lives today? [06:00]
3. How does the story of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-2 illustrate the importance of following God’s instructions precisely? [18:50]
4. The sermon emphasizes humility before God. How does pride hinder our relationship with God and our effectiveness in His kingdom? [23:27]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to be dishonest. How can the story of Ananias and Sapphira encourage you to maintain integrity in your actions? [22:47]
2. The continuous fire on the altar symbolizes God’s perpetual presence. What are some practical ways you can ensure that you are continually aware of and seeking God’s presence in your daily life? [06:00]
3. Nadab and Abihu’s story shows the consequences of not following God’s instructions. Are there areas in your life where you have taken shortcuts or not fully obeyed God’s commands? How can you correct this? [18:50]
4. The sermon discusses the importance of humility. Identify a specific area in your life where pride has been an issue. What steps can you take to cultivate humility in that area? [23:27]
5. The family structure is under attack in today’s society. What are some specific actions you can take to protect and strengthen your family according to God’s design? [22:09]
6. God disciplines us out of love, much like a parent disciplines their child. Think of a recent situation where you felt God’s discipline. How did it help you grow, and how can you respond better to His discipline in the future? [24:36]
7. The fear of God involves deep respect and reverence. How can you cultivate a healthy fear of God in your life, and what changes might this bring to your daily actions and decisions? [28:48]
Devotional
Day 1: The Family as God's Design
The family unit, consisting of one man, one woman, and their children, is a divine institution that remains effective when followed according to God's instructions. Despite the brokenness of individuals, the family structure itself is not flawed because it is established by God, whose designs are eternal and effective. This divine order is under attack by the devil, but it remains unbroken when upheld by God's principles. The family is the foundational building block of society and the church, and maintaining its sanctity is crucial for spiritual and communal health. [22:09]
Genesis 2:24 (ESV): "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
Reflection: How can you actively uphold and protect the sanctity of your family according to God's design in your daily life?
Day 2: Humility Before God
God knows our hearts and seeks those who approach Him with humility, not with proud sacrifices. A prideful church cannot fulfill God's will, and prideful individuals cannot win souls for God. We must acknowledge our dependence on God, recognizing that without Him, we are nothing. This humility allows us to be used by God in His kingdom and to experience His guidance and power. Humility is the key to unlocking God's favor and being effective in His service. [23:27]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride, and how can you practice humility before God today?
Day 3: God's Discipline Out of Love
God's grace and mercy are abundant, but they are not to be misused as a license to sin. When we sin, we must come to God with a humble heart, seeking forgiveness and striving to do better. God disciplines us out of love, much like a parent disciplines their child. This discipline is not out of anger but out of a desire to make us better and to guide us toward a more productive life in His kingdom. Understanding God's discipline helps us to grow spiritually and align our lives with His will. [24:36]
Hebrews 12:6 (ESV): "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you felt God's discipline. How can you respond to it with a heart of humility and a desire to grow?
Day 4: The Continuous Presence of God
The fire on the altar in the Old Testament symbolized the perpetual presence of God among His people. In the New Testament, John the Baptist spoke of Jesus baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire, signifying the ongoing presence and power of God in our lives. We need this continuous presence of God to navigate the challenges of life and to remain under His protection. The presence of God is essential for spiritual vitality and effective ministry. [13:19]
Acts 2:3-4 (ESV): "And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Reflection: How can you cultivate an awareness of God's continuous presence in your daily routine?
Day 5: The Fear of God and Obedience
The fear of God, which involves a deep respect and reverence for His holiness and righteousness, is essential for living a life that pleases Him. The story of Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire before God and were consumed by it, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of obeying God's instructions. Their disobedience and irreverence led to their downfall, and God used their example to teach the other priests the importance of following His commands precisely. Obedience to God is a reflection of our reverence and love for Him. [18:50]
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (ESV): "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are not fully obeying God's instructions? What steps can you take to align your actions with His commands?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Today, I can promise you, if we will follow the instructions of God, our lives will reap the benefits. I would hate to know that I was raising children and grandchildren in this world today without the church. Because the power of God can keep them. The power of God protects them. Every day, as part of my morning devotion, I pray for, first of all, for my children and my grandchildren. And then I pray for the kids of this church. God, protect them physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally." [36:36]
2. "At the end of the day, folks, we win. At the end of the day, young people, you can live for God. At the end of the day, you can go against the moral code and say, I will live a pure holy life. I will live with respect for my parents. I will respect the church. I will respect God. Regardless of what popular opinion might be trying to teach me, I believe that it is important that I have a relationship with God. And just because you don't understand it or you belittle it, that's fine, that's your opinion. I choose to be a Christian." [33:26]
3. "I believe that the Bible is our guide. I believe that whatever you need in your life, if you need direction, God can give you direction through His Word. If you need blessing, God can bless you through His Word. If you need deliverance, God can deliver you through His Word. All of that is found in the Bible." [04:31]
4. "There is something about fire that I believe is comforting to human beings. It provides warmth. It provides protection. You can cook with fire. There is something about fire that I believe is comforting in the human life that we desire. Thank the Lord for the discovery of fire. There is nothing like a warm fire on a cold night. There is nothing like putting some red meat on a grill and lighting a fire. The fire is something that we are geared toward. And spiritually speaking, we should desire the fire of the Holy Spirit." [14:37]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The things God sets into place are eternal and always work. Similar story occurred in Acts chapter 5 verses 1 through 11 during the time of the early church. A husband and wife lied to Peter about some of the land they had given to the church. And they were judged with physical death because of the lie. Peter informed them that not only had they lied to other people and to him but they had lied more importantly to God. God knows our hearts. He knows what we truly believe and our attitude toward Him. We cannot offer Him proud sacrifices that are unworthy of Him. He seeks those who come to Him in humility." [22:47]
2. "God wants us to know that He is serious when it comes to His honor and glory. If there is willful disobedience in the life of a believer then God disciplines us out of His great love for us. There is not a parent I believe in the room that enjoys disciplining your children. It is not something you look forward to. Those are probably hard conversations. But they are conversations that will make your child better. When someone corrects us it is not out of anger or hate or because they are mad at us. It is actually because they love us." [24:36]
3. "We need to obey and honor God in solemn and holy fear. We serve God because we love Him. But with that love comes a respect that we do what God commands us to do. I will submit to you today that you cannot live your life just any way you choose to and God will honor that. I don't believe you can just say I can live my life any way I want to with no regard for God and He will bless that or He will honor that. I don't believe that is true. God gives us principles that we live by." [18:12]
4. "I believe there is safety in living under the protection of God. I believe there is safety in the church. There is safety with the people of God. And God has to protect that. And we must protect that because the devil wants to destroy everything that structures around God and the church. If you notice our society today, the family is being torn apart. And the traditional family of one man and one woman and children is being attacked by the world and the people of the world who make fun of it." [20:06]
5. "We need the presence of God continually in our life. We cannot afford a day off. We cannot afford just to come in every now and then and feel the presence of God. But in the world that we live in and with the forces that we face in our lives, we need a continual move of God in our life. I don't ever want to be outside the protection of God. I never want to be to the point where I feel like I can live my life without the input of godly people and God that I can make it by myself because I cannot." [07:05]
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