Sermon
delivered on June 17th, 2018
Sunday Morning Service
By: Pastor Greg Hocson
Scripture Text: Psalm 127
Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain
that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2: It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of
sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. 3: Lo, children are an heritage of
the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4: As arrows are in the hand
of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5: Happy is the man that hath
his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with
the enemies in the gate.
Introduction
I
will dare say this morning that no family here wants to fail. We all want God's
blessing upon our family. No one would want anything less for their family. And God's
plan for the home is not failure but victory. God wants us to have
strong and victorious family. God wants to bless our family. But there people
who plan or enter into wedlock without asking what God says about marriage,
about family, and about raising children. The result is they don't experience
God's blessing in their family life. But to have a blessed family, we must
understand the principles set before us in Psalm 127.
You
will notice on top of the Psalm it says, "The
Psalm for Solomon". According to the Scripture, Solomon
was the wisest man who ever lived. Yet Solomon did some foolish choices in his
life and because of those foolish choices he experienced much heartache and
headache in his own home. So it is possible to know this Psalm and not to put
it into practice.
I
am aware that not all of us here this morning are married. Many of you are too
young to think about entering into relationship much less getting married.
Others of you are not yet married but are thinking about it. This is what you
need to be pointing towards in your life. Others of you have grandchildren and
your children have left the home, you still play a very important role in the
lives of your children and grandchildren. But regardless of your situation, Psalm
127 speaks to all of us; to each and
every one of us here today.
The
great principle laid out in this Psalm is this - we are entirely dependent upon
God for the success of our family.
Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain
that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2: It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of
sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
This
Psalm speaks of the fact that God is the only One who can truly make your home
what it needs to be. Without the LORD our labor is meaningless,
defenseless and fruitless. The LORD must build our homes. Without Him our
efforts and labors will be in vain. Now, having said that the LORD must build
our home, that doesn't mean that we don't work or labor. We must labor
partnering with God. A successful family doesn't just happen. If you see a
godly and thriving family, you will find out that there have been sweat and
tears. There have been mental and spiritual sweat, tears of joy and tears of
sorrow and heartbreak. But we must build the home in total dependence upon God.
This
morning consider with the home that God builds. What does a home that God
builds look like? What are the marks of a godly home? What constitutes the home
that God builds? What is necessary? What must be there? I hope and pray
that this will be helpful and amplify what it is for God to build your home.
1. Conversion
The
home that God builds is a home whose members of the family have a personal
relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. Both husband and wife must
be personally converted to the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
The
most important and beginning place in establishing a Christian home is for two
people who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour as the head of that
family. That is why it is important whom you marry. Because a Christian home
requires for two people who know the Lord Jesus Christ. How can two walk
together except they be agreed?
A
pastor was asked by a couple if he would officiate their wedding, but this
particular couple were not really interested in what God has to say about
marriage. They have no interest in the Bible, no interest in the house of God.
So he politely turned them down, for he cannot bless them if they are
indifferent to Biblical marriage.
As
a minister of the gospel, that is my position too. It is a different story if
the couple is willing to be taught and willing to obey the principle taught in Psalm
127. But if they are not interested in
what God has to say about marriage, I will have to politely turn down the
request.
And
then the children also need to come to know the Lord as well. You cannot have a
Christian family without Christians. It would simply be Christian in name only.
So it begins with conversion. The members of the family need to know
the God who desires to build the home.
2. Communion
The
home that God builds is where the husband and wife know how to get a hold of
God in prayer. The husband and wife must pray together. I believe in the oft
quoted saying, "The family that prays together stays together."
Prayer
is the life-breath and heartbeat of a truly Christian home. It's also one of
the best ways to help your family thrive. When you pray together, each member
of the family learns what it means to be intimate with God. When you see
answers to prayer, you experience His love and His presence in your daily
lives. For this reason, we'd suggest that there's no time like the present to
introduce your children to the mystery, joy, and excitement of prayer.
Listen
to this article from "Focus on the Family" ministry ...
"...
prayer is vital because it provides a practical demonstration of the importance
of faith. Indeed, praying together is one of the most critical things you can
do to pass your convictions on to the next generation. Kids need to see genuine
faith acted out in their parents' lives. Actions speak louder than words. So
let your children hear you bringing your needs and requests before the Lord in
an attitude of humble expectancy. When they do, they'll get the idea that our
Heavenly Father can be trusted to guide us through every situation we encounter
in life. This can lead to some important and deeply meaningful discussions
about spiritual things.
The
benefits of prayer don't stop there, of course. In addition to strengthening
each individual's connection with God, prayer has the side effect of deepening
interpersonal relationships. It encourages family members to become more
sensitive to one another's feelings. Prayer is all about intimacy with the
Lord and with one another. The familiar, time-worn saying is true: families who
pray together stay together. That's because shared experiences of prayer
quickly become opportunities to express mutual love, forgiveness, and grace.
It's hard to hold on to grudges and cherish resentments when we're on our knees
together before the Lord. As an act of shared intimacy, prayer creates family
cohesiveness and strengthens the bonds between husband and wife, brother and
sister, parent and child."
3. Commitment
The
home that God builds is where the members of the family are committed to the
Lord. There must be a rigorous practice of loyalty to the person of Jesus
Christ. The mom and dad are wholly committed to Jesus Christ, not just on
Sundays but every day of the week.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service. 2: And be not conformed to this world: but be
ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The
mom and dad and the children are daily presenting their lives as a living and
holy sacrifice to God. No sacrifice is too great for the One who gave Himself
and died for us. No sacrifice is too great to make in order to know, love and
walk with Jesus.
"If Jesus
Christ is God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to
make for Him." - C. T. Studd
4. Communication
The
communication in the home must be wholesome, constructive and godly.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your
mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister
grace unto the hearers.
There
must not be bickering and fighting and cutting down and sarcasm that would
strip the bark off of others in the home. But in the Christian home the tongue
is used in a constructive way as you will be building up your children.
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned
with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
In
a confrontational situation, a soft answer is the one that will cool the
situation down and enable you to have effective communication.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous
words stir up anger. 2: The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the
mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
A
kind and gentle answer turns away anger, but harsh and angry words stir up
anger.
The
very discussions within that home need to have a Christian flavor. The talk in
the home must be Christ-centered. And as siblings talk with one another, they
are not attacking one another but they are expressing edifying statements love
for one another. They are affirming one another as the conversation that go on
in this home are to be conversations of grace.
5. Commandments
The
home that God builds embraces the commandment of the Lord. The word of God must
be read and obeyed in the home.
Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8: The statutes of
the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes. 9: The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the
judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
When
the Bible speaks God speaks and a godly Christian home seeks to hear and seeks
to obey the unchanging word of God. God's word must be our guide and final
authority in the home.
Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to
wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
The
word of God must be used to instruct the children in the way that they should
go.
6. Chastisement
The
home that God builds is where the mom and dad know how to lovingly and wisely
administer disciple. There needs to be Christian discipline in the home.
Sometimes admonitions and instructions are not enough. Children must understand
that there are painful consequences to wrong decisions.
The
Bible is filled with instructions to administer discipline in the home.
Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he
that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (diligently).
Proverbs 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not
thy soul spare for his crying.
Proverbs 20:30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so
do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but
the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Proverbs 23:12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine
ears to the words of knowledge. 13: Withhold not correction from the child: for
if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 14: Thou shalt beat him
with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left
to himself bringeth his mother to shame. 16: When the wicked are multiplied,
transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. 17: Correct
thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for
this is right. 2: Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment
with promise;) 3: That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live
long on the earth. 4: And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to
wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for
this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21: Fathers, provoke not your children to
anger, lest they be discouraged.
7. Charity
The
home that God builds is where the members of the family unconditionally love
each other. There must be a display of Christian love within that home.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity
envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5: Doth not behave
itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6: Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7: Beareth all
things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8:
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away.
There
must be love in the home. Fathers and mothers should learn to instruct and
nourish the family in love. Husbands love your wives. Fathers and mothers
love your children. Children love your parents. Children love your
brothers and sisters.
8. Church
The
home that God builds is where the members of the family love the church. There
needs to be a strong connection and commitment to local church where mom and
dad and the children come to worship together on the Lord's Day.
Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into
the house of the LORD.
Psalm 84:1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! 2:
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my
flesh crieth out for the living God. 3: Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,
and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine
altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. 4: Blessed are they that dwell in
thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Psalm 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I
seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
9. Consistency
The
home that God builds is where the mom and dad seek to be consistent, that is,
their life must be consistent with their doctrine. Be the example to your
children. Lead by example. They learn more from our behavior and attitude than
from what we tell them.
Don't be like the woman in ...
Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the
foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Every
wise woman builds her house, but a foolish woman builds her house but tears it
down and destroys it with her own hands.
"With their
doctrine they build and with their lives they destroy." - Augustine
That's
what happens if our life does not match what we believe and teach children.
10. Celebration
The
home that God builds is where there is laughter. There must be laughter and
light moments in the home. Let your home be filled with joy and happiness. We
need to lighten up; we need to learn how to laugh in our homes. Proverbs talks
about laugher.
Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but
by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a
broken spirit drieth the bones.
Did
you know that the human species is the only creature of God that can do three
things: laugh, weep and blush. Animals don't blush, animals don't weep and
animals don't laugh. God created us in His image. Laugher is a blessing. Let
your kids see you laugh, let them see you laugh at your mistakes. Enjoy each
other while you have each other.
Closing Thoughts
These
are what constitute a Christian family. The home that God builds is marked by
conversion, communion, commitment, communication, commandments, chastisement,
charity, church, consistency, and celebration.
Having
considered these 10 marks of a godly home, now do you understand why Psalm 127
starts with these words ...
Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain
that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
2: It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of
sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Is
God building your home? It is not automatic. It will not build it self just
like any other building. Except
the LORD build the house ...
Before
I close let me just remind everybody that there is no such thing as perfect
family. But having considered these 10 marks of the home that God builds, what
I hope it did to us as husbands and wives; as moms and dads; as brothers and
sisters, is that it led us to say within our hearts - who is sufficient
for these things?
2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to
think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Who
can feel qualified for a work which involves such tremendous issues?
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most
gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me.
AMEN!