Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

What is the first institution which God established? As you look at the first book of the Bible—Genesis—you discover what it is. The first institution was not a community or a city, which we first find in Genesis 4. It was not civil government—it first appears in Genesis 9. It was not the nation of Israel—its beginning was in Genesis 12. Nor was it even the Church, which does not appear in the Old Testament at all, but began in Acts 2. What is the first institution of God? It was the family. It was the divine institution of marriage. We find its beginning in Genesis 2. The home should take priority over all other institutions. It has been described as the building-block of society. As goes the home, so goes the nation. As goes the home, so goes the church.

In my preaching series on “Confronting Complacency,” I addressed the question, “How Is Your Home?” I emphasized that you must place your family as a top priority in your life. How can you ensure that it is top priority? We examined three key principles. Evaluate your own home in light of these principles.

In your home. . . . are you founded on the rock?

The only solid foundation for any home is Christ and His Word. . . any other foundation is like sinking sand.

No home can be built effectively without dependence on the Lord (Psa. 127:1). If you are seeking to build your home on your own strength and resources, you are building in vain.
No home can be built effectively without commitment to the Lord (Josh. 24:15). Joshua’s commitment should be ours: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
No home can be built effectively without teaching of the Word (II Tim. 3:14-17). It is the Word of God by which we are saved from our sin, grow spiritually, and become equipped for service.

In your home. . . . are you fulfilling your role?

Each member of the family has a God-given role to fulfill. If the home is to function properly, each member must fulfill his/her role.

What’s a husband to do? He is responsible to lead and love his wife (Eph. 5:23, 25-33; Col. 3:19; I Pet. 3:7).
What’s a wife to do? She helps her husband (Gen. 2:18-25) and submits to him as her leader in the home (Eph. 5:22-24, 33; Col. 3:18; Tit. 2:5; I Pet. 3:1-6).
What are children to do? They must obey and honor their parents (Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20).
What are parents to do? They should not provoke their children to anger, but instead bring them up in the training of the Lord (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).

In your home. . . . are you focusing on relationships?

Healthy relationships are vital to a God-honoring home. What are some essentials in developing such relationships?

There must be binding commitment. . . . maintaining loyalty (Prov. 17:17; 18:24; 27:17) and keeping confidences (Prov. 11:13; 17:9; 26:20).
There must be effective communication. . . . a listening ear (Prov. 18:13) and a controlled tongue (Prov. 12:18; 15;1; 16:24; 21:23).
There must be self-control. . . . controlled anger (Prov. 15:1, 18; 29:8, 11) and a composed spirit (Prov. 15:1; 17:14; 20:3).
There must be unselfish consideration. . . . putting interests and welfare of others before our own (Phil. 2:3-4) and demonstrating humility, meekness, kindness, and forgiveness (Eph. 4:1-3, 30-32).
There must be time concentration. . . . quality time (Mark 3:14) and quantity time (Deut. 6:7).

Evaluate your home and your responsibilities in the home. . . .

How is your home founded on the rock of God and His Word? How can this be strengthened
How are you fulfilling your role in the family? How can you improve in fulfilling it?
How are you focusing on relationships in the family? Which relationships need to be improved?
Take steps today to make your home one which glorifies and honors God!

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie