The days of Noah Mirrors Today!

Building Strong Marriages

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/support]

God's Word to the Family

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/support]

God's Blueprint for Fatherhood

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/support]

Don't Drop the Baton

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/fan_mail/new] Theme: Strengthening the Family Text: Joshua 24:15; 1 Timothy 1:18 Joshua 24:15 (KJV) "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." 1 Timothy 1:18 (KJV) "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy..."   Introduction: Don't Drop the Baton During a relay race, four runners work together to win. Each runner may be talented, fast, and well-trained, but if one runner drops the baton, the race can be lost. The baton is passed from one runner to another until it reaches the finish line. Church, God has placed a spiritual baton in our hands. That baton includes: * Our faith * Our families * Our marriages * Our children * Our grandchildren * Our testimony * Our spiritual legacy The problem in many homes today is not that God has failed. The problem is that many people have dropped the baton. Prayer has been dropped. Bible reading has been dropped. Family worship has been dropped. Spiritual leadership has been dropped. God is asking us today: "Will you keep the charge I have given you?" Joshua kept his charge. Paul kept his charge. Timothy was instructed to keep his charge. Now it is our turn. If we are going to strengthen our families, we must understand that God has entrusted us with something valuable. The question is not whether we have a charge. The question is: Will we keep it?   1. We Have a Charge to Keep God First Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God..." Before Joshua could lead Israel, he had to settle who would be first in his life. Strong families begin when God is first. Not second. Not third. First. Illustration If the first button on a shirt is buttoned incorrectly, every other button will be out of place. When God is out of place, everything else becomes disordered. Application The strongest families are not perfect families. They are families that keep God at the center.   2. We Have a Charge to Protect Our Families Nehemiah 4:14 "Fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses." Families are under attack today. The enemy attacks through: * Division * Temptation * Distractions * Confusion * Discouragement Strong families don't surrender. They fight through prayer and faith. Illustration A shepherd protects the sheep because he understands wolves are real. Parents must guard their homes spiritually.   3. We Have a Charge to Pass Faith to the Next Generation Psalm 145:4 "One generation shall praise thy works to another." Faith is never inherited automatically. It must be taught intentionally. Example Timothy learned faith from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Someone invested in him. Application Our children should not only know our favorite sports team. They should know our testimony.   4. We Have a Charge to Build the Family Altar Genesis 35:3 "Let us arise, and go up to Bethel." The family altar represents: * Prayer * Worship * God's presence Many homes have televisions in every room but no place for prayer. Illustration A fireplace without fire becomes decoration. A family without prayer becomes spiritually cold. Application Families that pray together are strengthened together.   5. We Have a Charge to Live by Example 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." Children often imitate what they see. More is caught than taught. Illustration A father told his son not to smoke while holding a cigarette in his own hand. The son followed the example, not the instruction. Application Our lives are sermons our families read every day.   6. We Have a Charge to Remain Faithful During Difficult Times Galatians 6:9 "Let us not be weary in well doing." Every family faces storms. Joshua faced battles. Paul faced persecution. Timothy faced opposition. Yet they remained faithful. Illustration An oak tree becomes strong because it survives storms. Without storms there would be no strength. Application Don't quit praying for your family. Don't quit believing God. Don't quit standing on His promises.   7. We Have a Charge to Leave a Godly Legacy Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children." The greatest inheritance is not money. The greatest inheritance is faith. Example Abraham's faith impacted Isaac. Isaac's faith impacted Jacob. Jacob's faith impacted twelve tribes. One faithful life can affect generations. Application Ask yourself: "What will my family remember about my walk with God?"   8. We Have a Charge to Finish Well 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Paul did not say: "I started the race." He said: "I finished." Many people start strong. God is looking for people who finish strong. Illustration A marathon is not won at the starting line. It is won at the finish line. Application Stay faithful until the end. Keep praying. Keep serving. Keep trusting. Keep the charge.   Conclusion Joshua said: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Paul said: "I have kept the faith." Both men understood that God had entrusted something precious to them. Today God has entrusted us with: * Our faith * Our family * Our children * Our grandchildren * Our testimony The world is changing. Culture is changing. Society is changing. But our charge remains the same. Don't drop the baton. Don't abandon your assignment. Don't neglect your responsibility. Keep the charge. Protect your family. Pass on your faith. Finish your race. And one day may we hear the Lord say: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."   Altar Call If you have grown weary carrying your responsibilities... If you need strength to continue praying for your family... If you want to recommit yourself to the charge God has given you... Come to this altar today. And declare: "Lord, help me keep the charge You have placed in my hands."   Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/support]

Families Under Attack

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/fan_mail/new] Sermon Title: Families Under Attack Scripture: Nehemiah 4:14 Nehemiah 4:14 (KJV) "Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses."   Introduction: The Enemy Knows Where to Attack If an enemy wants to destroy a nation, he often attacks its foundation. The family is the foundation of society. Strong families build strong churches. Strong churches build strong communities. Strong communities build strong nations. The devil understands this truth. That is why Satan attacks: * Marriages * Parents * Children * Communication * Morality * Faith The enemy is not simply after your house. He is after what happens inside your house. He is after the hearts of husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and grandchildren. When Nehemiah was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the enemy attacked from every side. The people became discouraged. Fear spread through the camp. But Nehemiah stood and reminded them what was at stake. He said: "Fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses." That message is still relevant today. Families are under attack, but God has given us the weapons to fight back.   1. The Family Is Under Attack Through Division Mark 3:25 "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." One of Satan's greatest weapons is division. He divides: * Husband against wife * Parent against child * Brother against brother The enemy knows he doesn't have to destroy a family if he can divide it. Illustration A bundle of sticks tied together is difficult to break. Separate them and they snap easily. United families are stronger families.   2. The Family Is Under Attack Through Busyness Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God." Families are busier than ever. Parents are busy. Children are busy. Schedules are full. Yet relationships are empty. Short Story A child once asked his father: "Dad, can we schedule some time together next week?" The father realized he had become so busy making a living that he forgot to make a life. Families need more than activity. They need connection.   3. The Family Is Under Attack Through Moral Confusion Isaiah 5:20 "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil." The world constantly challenges God's standards. What God calls right, society often calls wrong. What God calls wrong, society often celebrates. Families must stand on God's truth. Illustration A building without a solid blueprint eventually develops structural problems. God's Word remains the blueprint for healthy families.   4. The Family Is Under Attack Through Neglect of Prayer James 5:16 Many homes have Wi-Fi passwords but no prayer life. Many families talk about everything except God. Prayer invites God's power into the home. Illustration A phone disconnected from its charger eventually dies. Families disconnected from prayer eventually become spiritually weak.   5. The Family Is Under Attack Through the Loss of Spiritual Leadership Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua took responsibility. He didn't wait for culture to change. He didn't wait for government to change. He led his family. Illustration A train without an engine will not move far. Families need godly leadership to stay on track.   6. The Family Is Under Attack Through Generational Drift Judges 2:10 "There arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD." One generation failed to pass their faith to the next. The result was spiritual decline. Short Story Timothy knew God because Lois and Eunice intentionally taught him. Faith must be transferred, not assumed.   7. The Family Is Under Attack Through Fear and Discouragement Nehemiah 4:14 The people became afraid while rebuilding. Fear always tries to stop progress. Many families today face: * Financial fear * Health concerns * Relationship struggles * Uncertain futures But Nehemiah said: "Remember the Lord." Illustration David did not focus on Goliath's size. He focused on God's greatness. Families that remember God find courage.   8. The Family Can Win the Battle Romans 8:37 "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." The family may be under attack, but it is not abandoned. God still heals marriages. God still restores children. God still saves households. God still strengthens families. Illustration A tree that survives strong winds develops deeper roots. Sometimes the very attack meant to destroy a family becomes the thing that strengthens it.   Conclusion: Fight for Your Family Nehemiah did not tell the people to surrender. He told them to fight. Fight for: * Your marriage * Your children * Your grandchildren * Your home * Your spiritual legacy Not with anger. Not with bitterness. But with: * Prayer * Faith * God's Word * Love * Commitment The enemy may be attacking your family today. But God is greater than every attack. Closing Declaration The devil may attack our family— But he cannot have our family. The enemy may attack our marriage— But he cannot have our marriage. The enemy may attack our children— But he cannot have our children. Because we belong to God. And as for me and my house, We will serve the Lord! Altar Call If your family has been under attack... If your marriage needs strengthening... If you're praying for children, grandchildren, or loved ones... Come to this altar today. Let's stand together and declare: "Lord, strengthen my family and help us win the battle."   Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2359736/support]