Sermon Tone Analysis

Wednesday, May 18, 2022 Commands of Christ – 23

A Christian’s Relationships: Within God’s family

1.

Why are family relationships special?

Wikipedia

Human bonding is the process of development of a close, interpersonal relationship between two or more people.

It most commonly takes place between family members or friends,[1] but can also develop among groups, such as sporting teams and whenever people spend time together.

Bonding is a mutual, interactive process, and is different from simple liking.

It is the process of nurturing social connection.

Bonding typically refers to the process of attachment that develops between romantic or platonic partners, close friends, or parents and children.

This bond is characterised by emotions such as affection and trust.

Any two people who spend time together may form a bond.

There is an emotional/physical bond between parents and their children established at birth.

Wikipedia: Of all human bonds, the maternal bond (mother–infant relationship) is one of the strongest.

The maternal bond begins to develop during pregnancy; following pregnancy, the production of oxytocin during lactation increases parasympathetic activity, thus reducing anxiety and theoretically fostering bonding.

It is generally understood that maternal oxytocin circulation can predispose some mammals to show caregiving behavior in response to young of their species.

In contrast to the maternal bond, paternal bonds tend to vary over the span of a child's development in terms of both strength and stability.

In fact, many children now grow up in fatherless households and do not experience a paternal bond at all.

In general, paternal bonding is more dominant later in a child's life after language develops.

Fathers may be more influential in play interactions as opposed to nurturance interactions.

Father–child bonds also tend to develop with respect to topics such as political views or money, whereas mother–child bonds tend to develop in relation to topics such as religious views or general outlooks on life.[Rossi, A. & Rossi, P. (1990).

Of Human Bonding: Parent Child Relations Across the Life Course.

Chicago: Aldine.

ISBN 0-202-30361-6]

We realize that repenting of our sins and making Jesus Lord of our life can rupture those closest, earliest family bonds and for our emotional well being we must for NEW “family” bonds — bonds with other believers.

(Agree-Disagree)

Matthew 10:34–39 (NASB95) “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

35 “For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; 36 and A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.

37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

Acts 2:40–45 (NASB95) And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.

44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

Hebrews 10:23–25 (NASB95) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

2-fold admonition: Since we have turned to Jesus and “have confidence to enter the holy place by the Blood of Jesus (vs.19) - personally “hold fast”

CBL Dictionary - An almost technical sense of “hold fast”; “adhere to,” in the sense of following obediently, occurs in reference to Christian teaching and tradition.

The faithful persevere and “hold fast” to the Word (Luke 8:15; cf. 1 Corinthians 11:2; 15:2; Hebrews 3:6,14; 10:23).

Secondly - it seems of major importance that we MUTUALLY (not one-sided) strengthen the bonds with our “church family.”

The name of our church is New Life Family Church.

The name implies that we believe something about family is important.

What are your impressions?

Our church, should want to help people who leave their family behind because they accept Christ.

I think it is appropriate for our area because many leave their physical family bonds (they weren’t strong?).

W minister to those who leave their family behind for other reasons and have no immediate family.

It seems most of us feel a need to bond with people outside of our family.

(Agree-Disagree)

Those bonds will have a tremendous effect upon the trajectory of our life.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (TPT) So stop fooling yourselves!

Evil companions will corrupt good morals and character.

Wikipedia: Social connection is the experience of feeling close and connected to others.

It involves feeling loved, cared for, and valued,[1] and forms the basis of interpersonal relationships.

"Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard and valued; when they can give and receive without judgement; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship."

—Brené Brown, Professor of social work at the University of Houston[2]

Increasingly, social connection is understood as a core human need, and the desire to connect as a fundamental drive

We could go to a bar and forge bonds with others.

Affinity Groups: Ages (Seniors Center, Clubs, crafts, hobbies.

Mental Health Groups (Thoughts?)

Neighbors

Politics

Church

Lesson writer intro:

Purpose: To describe the quality of relationships the Father desires for his children.

The Christian community is a family, God's family.

We need a strong awareness, therefore, of God as our Father and of our fellow Christians as brothers and sisters through Christ.

At the same time we can never forget our responsibility to those outside the family, whom we long to see brought in.

In Matthew 7:1-12 Jesus introduces us to these basic relationships.

Read: Matthew 7:1-5

2. Our relationship with our brothers & sisters: Why does Jesus tell us not to judge others (Matthew 7:1-2)?

Luke 6:37 (NASB95) “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.

Romans 14:10–13 (NASB95) But you, why do you judge your brother?

Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt?

For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

11 For it is written, “AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.” 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

Contrary commands?

Luke 12:57 (NASB95) “And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right?

John 7:24 (NASB95) “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

1 Corinthians 5:12 (NASB95) For what have I to do with judging outsiders?

Do you not judge those who are within the church?

1 John 4:1 (NASB95) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Matthew 18:17 (NASB95) “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

So, what is Jesus forbidding?

Lenski: What he forbids is the self-righteous, hypocritical judging which is false and calls down God’s judgment on itself.

POSB: It is fault-finding; it is being picky.

It is the habit of censorious and carping criticism.

It is not the moral judgments that have to be made sometimes (cp. 1 Cor.

5:3-5, 12-13); not the specific occasions when value judgments have to be made; not the careful discrimination that is sometimes necessary (Matthew 7:6).

There are several reasons why people tend to judge and criticize.

1. Criticism boosts our own self-image.

Pointing out someone else's failure and tearing him down makes us seem a little bit better, at least in our own eyes.

It adds to our own pride, ego, and self-image.

2. Criticism is simply enjoyed.

There is a tendency in human nature to take pleasure in hearing and sharing bad news and shortcomings.

3. Criticism makes us feel that our own lives (morality and behavior) are better than the person who failed.

4. Criticism helps us justify the decisions we have made and the things we have done throughout our lives.

We rationalize our decisions and acts by pointing out the failure of others.

5. Criticism points out to our friends how strong we are.

Criticism gives good feelings because our rigid beliefs and strong lives are proven again.

Proven how?

By our brother's failure.

6. Criticism is an outlet for hurt and revenge.

We feel he deserves it.