The Battlefield Of The Family

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, January 25, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE FAMILY

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 4:7-15

Text: Nehemiah 4:14

Nehemiah 4:14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

Introduction: PREPARE FOR WAR IN 2004! Christians are under attack, and many of them do not even know it! Forces are at work, endeavoring to undermine the things of God in the lives of people.

One of the greatest areas of spiritual warfare is that of the home. 

As the home goes, so goes the church. As the church goes, so goes the country. I want to point out to you that one of the great arenas of Christian warfare in America is:

THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE FAMILY

I. THERE IS A BATTLE OVER THE MEANING OF THE FAMILY

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.

A. The requirement for the family
1. Psalms 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.

B. The reason for the family
1. To glorify God
2. For a godly seed

C. The roles in the family
1. The head of the family
2. The helper in the family
3. The heirs of the family

II. THERE IS A BATTLE OVER MORALITY IN THE FAMILY

Malachi 2:15 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.

A. Dedication to the marriage vows

B. Devotion to personal purity

C. Diligence in raising children

III. THERE IS A BATTLE OVER MONEY IN THE FAMILY

Proverbs 15:16-18 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

A. How to secure it
1. Beer sales?
2. Sunday work?
3. Overtime and shift work?

B. How to spend it
1. Credit? Debt?
2. Order: Earn – receive money – buy
3. Tithes and offerings first, before other bills and expenditures

C. How to save it
1. A fool spends everything he has – Proverbs 21:20

D. How to be satisfied with it
1. Food and raiment are our basic necessities – 1 Tim. 6:8

IV. THERE IS A BATTLE OVER THE MIND (ATTITUDE) IN THE FAMILY

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

Among the family members, from the father down through the children, the correct attitude must be chosen:

A. Distrust of God or dependency upon God
1. Tithing – can we do it?
2. Prayer versus worry

B. Dissatisfaction with God’s provision or delight in God’s provision
1. About your mate
2. About your money

C. Despair over the situation or a determination to conquer the foe
1. Stop whining and worrying!
2. Keep waiting, working, and WINNING!