INTRODUCTION
The months of May and June have a tendency to draw our attention towards two primary roles that are in our society: mothers and fathers. When we think about these roles in society, we have to look at the family. The family is a very important part in a society. People from all walks of life and all across the spectrum realize this fact.
"Family is not an important thing. It is everything." – Michael J. Fox
"Dad kept us out of school, but school comes and goes. Family is forever." – Charlie Sheen
"A man should never neglect his family for his business." – Walt Disney
"A family is a risky venture, because the greater the love, the greater the loss… that's the trade-off. But I'll take it all." – Brad Pitt
"As the family goes, so goes the nation and goes the whole world we live in." - Pope John Paul II
The family is the centerpiece of a society. It was the very first institution that was created by God among humans. He created the family even before He created the church. It is because the family plays such an important role that Satan has made it the target of many attacks.
We see the family under fire in so many different ways. Divorce is tearing families apart and causing children to question the validity of a strong marriage. Abuse of children is rampant. Children abusing parents is on the rise. A study done by Lifeway Research this past March shows that while love, protection, provision, and involvement were among the leading desired qualities of parents, "being a committed Christian" was close to the bottom[i]. The family in our society is under attack.
As we continue our series, "We Are The Champions," we are going to talk a little about how Christ has made us champions even in the area of the family. Romans 8:37 says, "… in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us." Contrary to what may seem to be unraveling in our society, the family is God's centerpiece and showcase in a society. Through Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, He has given us victory in our families. Today, we are going to take a look at some of the ways in which He has made us champions over our families.
LUKE 15:11-32
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus shares a series of parables for the Pharisees and scribes who had come and were complaining against Him for eating with sinners. One of these parables is the well-known one about the prodigal son. It is found in Luke 15:11-32. As we examine this parable, I would like for us to see some keys to being a champion for our families.
First, we see that Christ has made us family champions by enabling us to be providers. Provision of needs is critical in a family. Children look to the parents to provide what is needed for them. It is important that the parent make provisions for those in their care.
Luke 15:11-12
The father in this parable had taken the time to provide for his family. The soon-to-be prodigal son demanded his inheritance immediately. While we focus many times on the boldness and harshness of this prodigal son, do not miss the father. The father was able to provide that for him. We may not all be "well off" financially, but it is important that we make plans and be wise so that we might be able to be the best provider that we can be.
While this is talking about finances, it is the responsibility of the parents to provide all the needs a child needs. Money may be needed for many things in this life, but our families also need love, respect, shelter, and an example to follow. During my time of working at the MS Baptist Children's Village, I had the opportunity to see countless times where children were neglected in many areas.
It is easy to look at this task of providing for our family's needs and say, "this is too much for me." It is too much for you. But for Christ in you, it is not too difficult. Christ has given us everything that we need to carry out this task in providing for our families.
A second key that we see is that Christ has made us family champions by enabling us to be teachers.
Luke 15:17-19
After the prodigal son found himself in a very undesirable position, he remembered things that he had learned about home. He remembered that in his father's house, people were valued and taken care of. He realized that the way in which he was living was not the way he had been brought up. He was sinning against God and his family.
This education does not come without intentional teaching done on the part of the parents. We can hope that our children are good people who love and serve the Lord, but that is not going to just happen on its own. It is going to take some intentional teaching of the parents to the children.
One of the best teaching tools that we have is modeling. If we will live the life that we hope for our children before them, they will see the value in it and pick it up much easier. I'm sure that you've heard or seen the advertisements about foster families on radio and tv. A parent does not have to be a "perfect" parent with all the answers, just available and willing. The classroom with that has the most impact for children today is the home.
A third key that we see that Christ has given to us to be champions over our families is compassion.
LUKE 15:20
There is no telling how long this father had been looking out the window and longing for his son's return. Some of us have children or other family members that our hearts are broken over and we're longing for them to return to the Lord. I would encourage you to follow the example of this father here: don't give up on them.
As the prodigal son returned broken and bankrupt by the life he had chosen, the father ran to him and loved on him. The compassion that Christ has shown to us should cause us to show that same kind of compassion to others, especially those in our families. One important thing that I see here is that the father was not afraid to demonstrate his compassion. The compassion that Christ has placed in our hearts is one that cannot and should not be restrained.
A final key that Christ has given to us to be champions over our families is the ability to initiate.
LUKE 15:25-28
The older son was not so thrilled at the reaction of his father to this prodigal son. He was a little bitter and refrained from joining in the festivities. The father did not just sit back and let things go; he went to the older son.
In our culture today, it is frowned upon to initiate help or thoughts into a situation without being asked to first. Many feel that they do not want to intrude. It might be a situation like the father in this parable found himself: the other person is in the wrong. They need to make the first move.
By sitting back and waiting for others to make the first move, we will lose a generation. Christ made the first move towards us by His compassion and love for us. He has instilled that within the hearts of His people to do the same. We are not to sit back and wait for things to get better. We have been charged with the duty of initiating in our families.
If we want to see a reversal in the direction of families around us, we are going to have to take the initiative and not sit on the pews or sidelines and watch them crumble. The father in this parable had every right to just blow off the older son and continue the celebration of the prodigal's return, but he didn't. He went to the older son with a heart of compassion and the truth about the situation to make a difference.
CONCLUSION
The family is an important part of our society and culture. God has a great plan for the family. Through Christ's work on the cross and by His resurrection, He has made us champions over our families. This great work can only come through the life that has been surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. If you have not given your life to Christ, I would like to invite you to do that this morning.
With today being Father's Day, I would like to say a word to the Dads in the congregation. He has called us to take the lead. We have a part in each of these keys that we've discussed this morning. I know that you get beat up and put down from so many directions. I want to encourage you today. I would like you to know that we at Bethany Baptist Church are for you. I would like to call all fathers to the front as we have a prayer over you.
[i] http://www.lifeway.com/Article/research-religious-convictions-not-among-most-desired-parent-traits
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