Introduction: It is important to put God first in all aspects of life. Let’s look at 3 ways to put God first in the home.
A. Respect the marriage vows
1. Marriage is a covenant (or contract) (Malachi 2:14) “Yet ye say, ‘Wherefore?’ Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.”
2. Marriage vows are NOT to be taken lightly
a. Married till “death do us part” (Romans 7:-12) “Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.”
3. Marriage vows are a public declaration of a private commitment
a. Leave -- Cleave -- One Flesh (Matthew 19:4-6) “And he answered them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
b. Only ONE reason to end marriage while both spouses live (Matthew 19:9) “And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery”
4. Marriage vows are a promise to our spouse, God, and man
a. If we break our vows we break our word before all three
B. Permeate the Home with Love
1. LOVE = [Agape] “Seeking the welfare of others” (Vines, page 703)
2. Love expresses itself by DOING for others
a. Help children with homework --- just spend time with them
b. Help spouse with daily chores -- just spend time with them
3. Love will NOT provoke
a. Husbands are NOT to be “tyrants” (Ephesians 5:22-23, 25) “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and his is the savior of the body…Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it”
b. Parents are NOT to be “dictators” (Ephesians 6:4) “And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”
c. Wives are NOT to be “nags” (Ephesians 5:33) “Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself: and the wife see that she reverence her husband”
d. Children are NOT to be “spoiled brats” (Ephesians 6:1-3) “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (2)
C. Be in Submission to One Another (Ephesians 5:21) “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
1. Just as marriage is a symbol of the relationship between Christ and the church, the FAMILY is a symbol of the relationship between Christians.
a. Family members should NOT be selfish, but giving to the needs of others (Philippians 2:3) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”
2. Much is preached about wives being in submission, but very little is said of husbands being in submission to the wife.
a. The Husband is the HEAD of the house. He LEADS! He does not DRIVE! He is the “point man” through life for his family. He is NOT a drill sergeant, a monarch, nor a child. HE IS TO BE IN SUBMISSION TO THE NEEDS OF HIS FAMILY.
b. Needs of Family: SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL
i. Husband is the SPIRITUAL leader. HE must first be a spiritual man. ii. Husband provides for PHYSICAL needs. HE must WORK. iii. He provides emotional security. He does NOT abuse his wife or children.
3. Submission to our family means SACRIFICE sometimes of what we WANT for what they NEED
a. If all members of the family are in submission to each other, the home would be like heaven on earth.
A. The Home is the center of living in this world
B. IF we put God first in the HOME, soon we will put him first in the church, in the community, at the workplace, and everywhere we go
C. Let’s put God FIRST in the HOME!