Growing beyond our families
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
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Emotion
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Language
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Social
Families and holidays
Families and holidays
Great to be around family
nostalgia
But
Tension arises and differences emerge
In some situations the difference is good
evidence of personal growth and maturation
Every child looks for things to improve on
Every parent knows they have scared their kid our of own weakness
If tension is a result of personal spiritual maturation we have a choice
Gossip
Financial decisions
forgiveness
coarse gesturing / sarcasm
staying true to our growth in the opposition of family is very tough.
sometimes a fear of rejection causes us to fold or give in to old habits
Regret later
While family is quiet possibly the most difficult to apply lesson of growth but the tension is found everywhere
Who’s voice will I listen to…God or man
Our family and friends may think it ‘strange’ we don’t fall back into line
3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
Change from God or Not
any change we implement and try to live out will be challenged by those closest to us. Any change we undergo needs to be evaluated as to whether or not it is a God inspired change or not.
So we watch
38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”
Persevering though Godly change
As we become the image of God through spiritual growth, we will find tension with many people.
We are faced with a choice, God or man.
St. Luke captures Christ approach to this tension
26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
New Testament III: Luke Jesus Permits Us to Love Family but Not More than God
He demands our highest affection for himself and that very correctly. The love of God in those who are perfect in mind has something in it superior both to the honor due to parents and to the natural affection felt for children. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 105.5
Most of us go into gatherings knowing we will be tested, few of us go in with a plan to meet the challenge....we failed to prepare well
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,
CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Those who choose to lead a glorious and blameless life should store up beforehand in their mind a sufficient zeal. They should remember him who says, “My son, if you come close to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for every temptation. Make your heart straight and endure.”14 How will those who do not have this zeal be able to reach the goal that is set before them?
