Fixer Upper Family sermon series Evaluation Day Psalm 127:1
Fixer Upper #1/3
SERIES INTRO:
This month at Acadiana Baptist, we are putting FAMILIES FIRST in FEBRUARY. Each week will look at a practical and relevant FAMILY MATTER that will strengthen and encourage every family here. The family is in trouble…we all know that divorce is running rampant…couples are unhappy and discontent with each other…parents have lost their way and are watching their children lose theirs. Many families have lost their anchor and are adrift on a sea of immorality, selfishness and discontentment. There was a time, not too long ago, when the family acknowledged God, His Word and His right to rule in their homes but that day has long since passed and the result is that the family is in a mess…sadly, even church families are not immune to such struggles. With all of that being said, the family can be saved!
One of our favorite tv shows is Fixer Upper. Led by Chip and Joanna Gaines out of Waco, TX, they go with a couple and tour a few old homes with potential and fix them up for them. It’s a lot of fun and if you like home design, it’s a great show. Each show breaks down into basically 3 sections…evaluation day, demo day, and reveal day. Today, let’s evaluate where you and your family is according to God’s Word
EVALUATION DAY
Psalm 127:1
A. Rudyard Kipling once wrote about families, “all of us are we–and everyone else is they.” A family shares things like dreams, hopes, possessions, memories, smiles, frowns, and gladness…A family is a clan held together with the glue of love and the cement of mutual respect. A family is shelter from the storm, a friendly port when the waves of life become too wild. No person is ever alone who is a member of a family.
B. Would to God that every family could be described as such. The reality is that family life is often something endured and tolerated instead of enjoyed and life transforming. What happened? Charles Swindoll in his book, “The Quest For Character” quotes sociologist Carle Zimmerman from a 1947 book titled, “Family and Civilization” where he recorded several specific patterns that existed as certain civilizations disintegrated:
*Marriage loses its sacredness…is frequently broken by divorce.
*Traditional meaning of the marriage ceremony is lost.
*Feminist movements abound.
*Increased public disrespect for parents and authority in general.
*Acceleration of juvenile delinquency, promiscuity, and rebellion.
*Refusal of people with traditional marriages to accept family responsibilities.
*Growing desire for and acceptance of adultery.
It has often been stated that a nation is only as strong as the families that make up that nation and it is true for the Church. Our church will only be as strong as the families that make up her membership. I think it is important for you to know that God is INTERESTED and CONCERNED about your family! That is why God gave us example after example of families throughout His Word, He gave good examples, and not so good examples, for our understanding.
C. The 127th Psalm is the middle of a set of 15 Psalms called the Songs of degrees, or Songs of Ascent. Historically, these psalms were sung on each step as they ascended to the Temple in Jerusalem. Some were written either anonymously or by David. This Psalm is different in that it was written by David FOR Solomon. What did David want Solomon to know? The first line was a reminder to Solomon about the importance of the godly foundation of his home. “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it:” God MUST be the one building your house! He designed it and has a great desire for it. God began human existence with a marriage and a family. The first community that God established was a family and a home. The Israelites did not have a formal place of worship before the Tabernacle. Previous to this, the place of worship was the family altar, in the home, led by the husband or father. Families have always been important, and they are still important today.
D. By looking to God’s Word three basic, fundamental truths are understood about families!
BODY:
I. THE FOUNDATION OF A GODLY FAMILY (Genesis 2-3)
Note: Every building, if it is to stand the test of time, must have a firm foundation. Without a good foundation, cracks will soon appear and before you know it the whole thing will fall apart. What kind of foundation have you got for your family? Money? Possessions? Popularity? All of these are nice to have and certainly can be a help but they can also be a burden and they are certainly not always present. A look at the FIRST family (and I don’t mean the Trumps) shows us the kind of foundation we all must have!
A. A Foundation of God Genesis 2:18—gives your family AUTHORITY
–God formed and founded the first family. That makes God the authority in your home. Every decision made, action taken, and the determined values of your home are based on God and His principles. Who is the AUTHORITY in your home…what factors the most in your family life? FEAR, CULTURE?
B. A Focused Goal Genesis 2:23-24—gives your family UNITY
–Moses records 2 things: leaving and cleaving—this is reference to paving your own path and experiencing life together. LIFE together not just co-existing, or living, together. Is there a special connection in your home that you share as husband, wife, mom, dad and children? That is what makes a house a home!
C. A Faithful Graciousness Genesis 3:8-13, 15, 20—gives your family BEAUTY
–Somebody once said that Adam said for the rest of his life that Eve ate them out of house and home. But, notice the loving response of Adam in v. 20. He had experienced grace from God and therefore extended grace to Eve. There was perhaps not a more gracious man that ever lived, beside Jesus, than Adam. Within the family structure grace should be expressed and experienced more than it usually is…how much grace is shown in your home?
II. THE FIGHT OF A GODLY FAMILY (Malachi 4:6, 3:14-15)
Note: Why do families struggle so much today?
A. The Family Unit has been Ravaged
B. Moral Values have been Redefined
III. THE FLOURISHING OF A GODLY FAMILY (Ephesians 5:23, 25-27; 6:1-4)
Note: How can your family go against the tide and actually flourish and thrive in this present world? How is it that your family can go over and beyond what everyone else has done? If you came from a broken home, YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE DESTINED TO REPEAT! You can thrive if you’ll encourage 3 simple thoughts.
A. The Father Acts as the Head Ephesians 5:23, 25-27, 6:4
B. The Mother is Supportive Ephesians 5:24
C. The Children are Respectful Ephesians 6:1-3
CONCLUSION:
Evaluate your family. What’s going on in your family today? Is there a need, or needs, that need to be addressed? Does forgiveness need to be extended? Do you need to come and pray for your family today? Your marriage will never work until God is at the center of it…like hair being braided, it takes 3 strands of hair…it takes you, your spouse and the Lord. Invite God back into your family this morning!