Building a Strong Family: Living by Faith

Heavenly Father,

As we gather together today, we come before Your throne with humble hearts and eager spirits. We thank You for the gift of family, for the bonds of love and fellowship that unite us as brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, we invite Your presence to dwell among us as we delve into Your Word and explore the principles of building strong families rooted in faith. Open our hearts and minds to receive Your wisdom and guidance, and may Your Holy Spirit empower us to live lives that honor and glorify You in all we do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Good morning, Ridge family and guests. Today, we are continuing our family series : foundations for the Family: Building Godly Homes

We've been discussing the importance of a Marriage Lived for the Glory of God, looking closer at the blueprint for a Godly marriage, as well as how God wants us to communicate with each other with words of grace and acts of love, last week we looked at the importance of raising our children in the way of the Lord according to scripture.

All these messages that pertain to family, marriage and raising our children in order to build a Godly home goes against what the world teaches.

Again lets take the words of life breathed out by God Himself and lets let it offend us this morning. Today's message title is Building a Strong Family: Living by Faith. We are going to take the word FAITH and use each letter as an acrostic for each point that we will be making and applying scripture to each of those points.

Before we get into the acrostic of FAITH, I want to to say a few opening remarks about the Biblical concept of what faith is.

It is have been said that...

Faith is only as valid as its object. You could have tremendous faith in very thin ice and drown.… You could have very little faith in very thick ice and be perfectly secure.

—Stuart Briscoe

Stuart Briscoe

To put it as plain and simple as possible true genuine Biblical saving faith is faith/trust/belief in who YHWH is (Revelation of Himself) and what He has said.

Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Does It Mean to Have Faith in Jesus?

The Bible uses the phrase “faith in Jesus” synonymously with belief in Jesus as Savior. Romans 3:22–23 says that “righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” When we place our faith in Jesus, we believe in Him, and God grants His righteousness to us.

It is this kind of faith that pleases God. Hebrews 11:6 “6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Parents, teach this to your children, show this to your children, live in faith to YHWH so your children see Christ in you.

So lets being with the first letter in the word FAITH....

Foundation in God's Word

Our first point of focus is the foundation of our families in God's Word.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we're reminded that,

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Scripture serves as the cornerstone upon which we build our homes, providing guidance, wisdom, and strength for every aspect of family life.

Adoration and Worship

Next, we turn our attention to the importance of adoration and worship within the family.

Psalm 95:6 calls us to COME....

Psalm 95:6 ESV

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

Family worship cultivates a spirit of gratitude and reverence toward God, fostering unity and intimacy within the family as we gather to praise His name and seek His presence.

Intentional Discipleship

Moving forward, we delve into the vital role of intentional discipleship within the family. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs us,

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 ESV

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

As parents, we have a sacred responsibility to pass on our faith to the next generation, teaching and modeling God's truth in all aspects of life.

Trust and Dependence

In our fourth point, we explore the significance of trust and dependence on God. Proverbs 3:5-6 admonishes us to,

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Trusting in God's wisdom and provision enables us to navigate life's uncertainties with confidence, knowing that He is faithful to guide and sustain us through every trial and triumph.

Humble Service

Our final point centers on the practice of humble service within the family. Philippians 2:3-4 exhorts us,

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Serving one another with humility and love strengthens our familial bonds, reflects the character of Christ, and fosters a spirit of unity and harmony within the home.

Conclusion:

As we conclude our time together, let us commit ourselves to building strong families rooted in faith. May we prioritize God's Word, worship, discipleship, trust, and humble service in our homes, trusting in His guidance and provision every step of the way.

And may the love of Christ dwell richly in our families, shining brightly as a beacon of hope and truth in a world in need of His redeeming grace. Amen.

Gracious God,

We thank You for the time we've spent together in Your presence, exploring the truths of Your Word and seeking Your guidance for building strong families rooted in faith. As we prepare to depart from this place, we ask for Your continued grace and favor to rest upon each family represented here today. Strengthen our hearts and minds to walk in obedience to Your Word, and may Your love and peace abound within our homes, filling every corner with Your presence. Guide us, Lord, as we seek to live lives that reflect Your glory and honor Your name. And may the lessons we've learned today bear fruit in our families for generations to come. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.