1. Families are under attack like never before in the history of America.
2. The institution of marriage has become a big target.
3. Changing the make-up and order of the family which is the basic unit of society and the church, changes the direction of the nation.
4. The family is of critical importance.
We often fear terrorism, crime, or a major disease and yet are complacent when it comes to our families. As God’s people we need to begin to understand why our families are splintering and why the divorce rate is at 50%. Families falling apart is not new. We see Satan attacking the home and the family since the Garden of Eden. It is there that we see Adam and Eve disobeying God followed by their son Cain getting angry and killing his brother Abel. The Christian has three enemies identified in the Bible - The World system, our old fleshly nature, and Satan himself. Satan is out to destroy us, our children, and our home.
God tells us in Eph 6:12; “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
In the Church, we need to take inventory by asking some questions:
How’s your family? Is it strong, vibrant, and standing in good relationships with love? Or is it filled with anger, yelling, crying and desperation? Our families today are under attack like never before; it’s time to reclaim our homes for Christ. And it is a battle we cannot afford to lose. The stakes are high!
When it comes to the subject of the family many today are shallow, surface Christians, many of whom do not know God’s Word. Many are ignorant of our adversaries’ devices, being deceived and walking in pride and blind to the truth. Some Christian families are even living a facade, a double lifestyle, trying to look good on the outside while their homes disintegrate. They become discouraged, defeated and confused, not knowing what to do. As Christian leaders we need to do everything we can to eradicate that!
We see God’s design at the beginning,: Genesis 2:18-25 “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”
Here are some other translations of the same passage:
Amplified Bible: “Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.”
NIV: “The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
NASB: “Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."
Holman Christian Standard Bible: “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is like him.’"
Contemporary English Version: “The LORD God said, ‘It isn’t good for the man to live alone. I need to make a suitable partner for him.’"
English Standard Version: “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’"
Good News Bible: “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.’"
As God looked upon Adam, He said it was not good that he was alone. Genesis 2:19-20 “And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.”
Having looked at and named all the animals there still was not found one that was like Adam. Did you ever consider the fact that the naming of the animals was not a test of Adams creative abilities, but rather an opportunity for Adam to see that there was indeed none like him? This would do two things; first, when God created Eve, there would be an instant bonding with the one God supplied for him. Genesis 2:23 “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” And second, there would a grateful recognition to God for providing such a one unto him. God’s purpose for bringing man and woman together was to provide companionship – they were to become one entity – they should be one flesh.
Consider this; when God constituted marriage in Genesis 2, it had nothing to do with love or the feeling of love. It was an act of God that necessitated a commitment of Adam to Eve, and vice versa. The idea of marrying for “LOVE” is a relatively new thing brought about by western culture. For the first four or five thousand years marriages were arranged and the idea of “love” was cultivated afterwards. The reason marriage worked in that environment was that both parties knew that the primary purpose of marriage was for companionship. The world says, “Marry the one you love, God says “love the one you married.”
God has a design and master plan for marriage.
It is a shame that we even have to mention this but when God established marriage He did so in the context of one man and one woman. This is the biblical standard. Since God established marriage as between a man and a woman, no one has the right to redefine it except Him and He is not going to do so. God also gives us a complete account as to how He views homosexual and lesbian relationships in Romans 1:8-32. So marriage was and is to be between a man and a woman.
With this came the necessity for a leaving and cleaving: Genesis 2:24 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” The leaving and cleaving principle is very important. Even though Adam and Eve were the first two persons, having no one to leave on earth, God gave a dynamic piece of information to us; the idea being that when two come together in marriage they are to leave their former homes. This is important for at least two reasons. First, they must be separated from former lines of authority, so that, secondly, they may establish their own family authority. The cleaving is important because they need to realize that to go running home to mom and dad every time things don’t go well is not an option!
The married couple has made a conscience decision to leave one home to establish another. The leaving and cleaving is necessary if God’s order in the family is going to be established.
In Adam and Eve’s case it was a union that was to be in place from the time God brought them together. After the fall it was to be maintained unto “death do they part”. This is seen from our Lord’s words found in Matthew 19:6 “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” So we see that God designed the family in a manner which is to begin with the union of a man and a woman who leave their respective families to join in a life-long companionship with the husband as the head of the new family.
The responsibilities within marriage are illustrated in Genesis 1:27-28; “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.’”
Here we see two basic responsibilities within the relationship; to procreate - that is to have children. Though procreation can take place outside of marriage, God’s intent and desire is that it takes place within the context of marriage, thus providing a stable atmosphere to raise those children. Note this passage found in Malachi 2:14-15 God was displeased with the Israelites for divorcing their wives and states, “…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. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.” God also said here that He would not hear their prayers! He was serious!
It is not enough to populate the earth, God wants a godly seed, and that can only come from a godly entity - a godly family. Some couple may need to think about not having children - what is the purpose for not having them? Remember we are to do all things for the glory of God. God gave the first couple the responsibility to be good stewards of all that he had created - this would include children. We are to use all the Lord has given to us to bring glory to His name and we are to raise children to bring glory to His name as well.
Adam was given a helper – God never intended him to it alone. God told Adam and Eve to subdue and control the earth: this refers to every aspect: biologically, scientifically, technologically, and etc. With few exceptions, covered by Paul in 1 Corinthians 7, we are to marry, have children and use the resources God has given us for His glory.
The biblical family is established by the uniting of two people, a man and a woman, in a life-long covenant of companionship having left their former families, where in they can bring up godly off-spring and be good stewards of God’s creation.
This is God’s plan, but unfortunately we do not live in an ideal setting - this world is corrupt and man’s evil heart has corrupted even the most basic of God’s creation.
Let’s take the church back to the biblical understanding of the family and do all that is in our power, individually and corporately, to produce biblically strong families for the glory of God! Then let’s cooperate with God by showing off what a real family, built on the principles of God’s word really looks like. And finally, we need to make sure the laws of our land cooperate with that plan.
God keep us faithful.
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The League was formed in 1897 to name and confront sin. We do so because of the love of Christ, knowing that He is the only eternal answer to a sin-infestation. Psychology isn't enough. Counselors can't do it. There isn't enough money in all the world to hire enough politicans and policemen to reign in sin and the devil. The only solution is both the most costly and least expensive. The only solution is the righteousness of Jesus Christ -- the gospel.
Consider this your invitation to partner with The League, Maine's Family Policy Council, as we proclaim the uncompromised truth of God’s Word in the public square. The League has a public voice that churches and even denominations don’t have. By supporting the League you are becoming that public witness.
Thank you for your prayers and support. You can also invite Michael and Paulie Heath to your church for a League Sunday. Mike is prepared to share a message on Christian Citizenship and Paulie is prepared to sing a few song specials. You can contact Paulie Heath at (207) 215-6886 to make the arrangements.
