THE FAMILY
by:  Sven W Grahn

              GOD'S COMMUNITY ON EARTH.

              IN THE GARDEN COMMUNITY
 The results of broken community:
     a)   Fear and desire to hide who we are and what we have done - *Genesis 3:7-8.
     b)   Attempting to protect self and blame others - *Genesis 3:11-13.
 This leads to deception and manipulation of others.  Satan is jealous of community (living in harmony and association with others) 
 because he lost his with God.
 SO HE ATTEMPTS TO BREAK DOWN COMMUNITY BETWEEN GOD AND MAN AND MAN AND MAN.

  IMPORTANT:  God bases community upon love relationships which cause unity. 
  Satan distorts community to be based on achievements which cause competition and division.

               Example:  *Genesis 4:1-8. Cain based his offering upon achievement whereas Abel had based his offering upon relationship. 
  he result was division, strife, anger and murder in the first community/family.
  A true relationship means:  Love, acceptance, forgiveness, accountability, responsibility.
  Cain had fallen in Satan's trap and had broken his family relationship. *Verse 9 records his lack of responsibility and accountability -
  "Am I my brother's keeper?"
  *Verses 14 and 16 record that Cain was now out of community with God and fellow man.
  The human community (family) has constantly been under Satan's attack. 
  Relationships are destroyed and unforgiveness, pride, rebellion, hatred, abuse etc., breed through society.  
  The prophet Micah gave a description of broken community - *Micah 7:6.

               GOOD NEWS :      

               AT THE CROSS BROKEN COMMUNITY WAS REDEEMED.
a)  The broken community between God and man was restored. 
     *2Corinthians 5:17-21; *Ephesians 2:11-16; *Colossians 1:19-22 use the word reconcile which means: 
     RESTORATION TO DIVINE FAVOUR AND RELATIONSHIP.
 b) The broken community between man and man was restored.*Ephesians 2:14-16. 
      Those divided (Jew and Gentile) become one at the cross

               THE CROSS RESTORES NOT ONLY VERTICAL BUT ALSO HORIZONTAL RELATIONSHIPS.
  A new kind of life on earth results, called KINGDOM LIVING. LIVING IN HARMONY AND ASSOCIATION WITH GOD AND OTHERS.
  The Bible describes this life as FELLOWSHIP. The Greek word is KOINONIA, which means: partnership that is, (literally) participation, or (social)
   intercourse*1John 1:3-7 explains how this new life is lived out. 
  *Psalm 68:6 (Amplified) "God places the solitary in families and gives the desolate a home in which to dwell;
   He leads the prisoners out to prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a parched land."
   God is leading people out of isolation (being in their little corners alone) and bringing them in family relationships 
   and fellowship where He can process them.  
   Those who will not co-operate and rebel against family life in the Church end up living in spiritual drought.
   *Isaiah 65:8 "The new wine is found in the cluster (bunch). That means that grapes that are part of the bunch produce new wine, 
   whereas the grapes that disconnect from the bunch end up as raisins all dried up.
   WE ALL NEED ONE ANOTHER.

                GOD'S HOUSEHOLD/FAMILY  
a)  Living out the love shed abroad in our hearts -*Romans 5:5
b)  Forgiving, as God, for Christ’s sake has forgiven you *Ephesians 4:32
c)  Accepting others as they are.
d)  Being aware we are accountable to God for what we have been given.
e)  Taking the responsibility that goes with being God's child.

         .                    1 JOHN 3:14 - LOVING THE FAMILY IS PROOF OF NEW LIFE!  "We know we have passed out of death into life if we love the brethren." 
                                HOW IS A FAMILY/HOM ESTABLISHED?  KEY SCRIPTURE *PSALM 127
                               Just as a physical house does not come together by accident, but by design, so it is with a family
                               a) A house must be built by godly wisdom.*Psalm 127:1; *Proverbs 14:1.
                               b) A house must have a proper foundation. *Matthew 7:24-27..
                               c) A house must have divinely instituted government (authority) as its structure.
     *Ephesians 6:1-4; *1Peter 3:1-7; *Psalm 68:5.

                   THE ORDER OF HEADSHIP IN THE FAMILY/HOME.
      Just as there is an order of headship in the Godhead and the church, there is the same in the home.
      *1Corinthians 11:3; *Colossians 1:18; *Ephesians 5:23-25.
      In the home, God's established order is husband, wife and children.                                                                                                                                                                           HEADSHIP DOES NOT IMPLY SUPERIORITY.
      All Persons of the Godhead are equal in person and nature, yet the Son recognises the headship of the Father in terms of role and function.
      *1Corinthians 11:3; 15:28.
      The scriptures clearly teach us that in Christ there is neither male nor female and that both are equal in person and nature before the Lord.
      *Galatians 3:28.  Yet it is equally true that God has prescribed distinct roles and functions for each. *1Corinthians 11:3.

                                                a)  Headship does not mean:  Dictatorship, Inequality of value, Inferiority of womankind, Superiority of mankind.                                                                                     b)  Headship does mean::  Responsibility.  The man is responsible to lead, guide and provide for his home in all areas.  *1Timothy 5:8.
          c)  Accountability.  God will hold the man accountable for the state of the family at the judgement seat of Christ. *Hebrews 13:17  

                     THE PRIMARY ROLE FUNCTIONS OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS.
                       a)  The husband and father:
                             He is to be submitted to Jesus Christ. *1Corinthians 11:3.
                             He is to provide for the home naturally and spiritually.  *1Timothy 5:8.
                             He is to be the example of love and source in the home.  *Colossians 3:19.
                             He is to unselfishly give himself to his wife and family as Christ did for the Church.  *Ephesians 5:25-31.
                             He is to use wisdom in correcting his children.  *Colossians 3:21; *Ephesians 6:4.
                             He is to treat his wife with dignity and honour.  *1Peter 3:7.
                             He is to receive his wife as God's gift and a Help meet *Genesis 2:18-24.
                        b)  The wife and mother.
                             She must be willing to voluntary receive her husband's ordained head. *1Corinthians 11:3 Ephesians 5:22-24.
                             She is to honour her husband by supporting him.  *1Peter 3:6.
                             She is to be a help meet to her husband.  *Genesis 2:18.
                        c)  The children.
                             They are the special gifts of God to a man and woman.  *Psalm 127:3-5. 
                             They are to obey their parents *Ephesians 6:1.
                             They are to honour and respect their parents.*Ephesians 6:2-3.
                             They are to receive correction when necessary. *Proverbs 13:24; 22:6, 15; 23:13, 14; 29:15.                                                                                                                                     

                        SOME KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL FAMILY LIFE.   
                        There is no secret formula to success in the home. 
                        However, if certain attitudes and qualities are practised among all family members, 
                        God’s blessings will be in the home in a special way.                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                        Love.  When the family members are motivated by selflessness, the family problems will be reduced drastically. (*1Corinthians 13:4-7).              
                        Servant heart.  When each member of the family treats the other members with respect and serves gladly, 
                        everyone's needs will be met. (*Philippians 2:3).
                        Communication.  Every member of the family must be committed to open, honest, uplifting communication.  (*Ephesians 4:29).
                        Forgiveness.  Every family has abundant opportunity to practise forgiveness.  
                        Members who fail to forgive and apologise freely will live in unforgiveness from God. (*Matthew 18:23-28)

                        CONCLUSION:  
                        It is clear that God wants all of our homes to be an example to the world of kingdom principles in operation.  
                        It is one place where we can build according to God's pattern and expect to see the fruit that He has promised. 
                        Every believer should do all they can to make their home a place of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)

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