What Every Family Needs

Psalm 127:1-5

Introduction:

1. To hear the advertisements, retailers will tell you everything you need and hundreds of items you don’t need!

2. It has been amazing to see what the girls have needed for college

3. You have probably been buying school supplies for your children

4. The things I am talking about know no season—we need them all the time

Every Family Needs God

I. They Need the Presence of God

1. Joshua 24:14-22 They needed to know who their God was and what He had done for them.

2. What about your house? Does God live there? Would people visiting you know that Jesus was important to you?

a. Could they tell by your language?

b. Could they tell by your television?

c. Could they tell by your pocketbook?

d. Could they tell by your books? Magazines?

e. Could they tell by your music?

f. Could they tell by your family worship?

3. The examples of Ray and Kathy Harshman

II. They Need the Instruction of God

1. Sometimes people don’t think they need the Lord telling them what to do.

2. The more I study the Bible, the more I realize how much I need the counsel and the instruction of God’s Word.

3. 2 Tim. 3:14-17 Paul knew what Timothy needed

4. As a husband, I knew I would need God’s counsel, then as a Father, as a preacher, as a brother, as a church member

5. Proverbs 2 Isn’t this what every parent wants for their children? This treasure is ours in the Bible—we need God!

III. They Need the Power of God

1. Rom. 8:26-28

a. God knows and cares

b. God will all turn out for the better

c. God sees things I cannot see

2. When The Last Child Leaves

The last one cleaned her bedroom out; She left today at five,

There was not much to talk about; Her car backed down the drive.

This is the first night they all slept Behind some other door.

This is the first night these rooms keep Our children safe no more.

They never were our own to hold; We had them for that time

When they could not yet handle cold And needed help to climb.

You loved them, Lord, before the day They came into our sight,

You love them more than words can say—Please love them well tonight.

3. It is a profound notion that there are things I cannot do for my child, that they reach in each stage of life points where God must help them.

a. Praying for them is the most important thing you can do

b. God can do things we cannot.

4. Our task is to do all we can to help them to heaven.

5. Luke 15:11-24 sometimes even the best job we can do with our kids is not enough! Good parents sometimes have kids who make terrible choices!

a. God is able to do things we cannot

b. Our task is to remain faithful and with open arms when they come home

Conclusion:

Do you know the presence of God, the instruction of God, the power of God in your home?

Would you like to?