https://www.bible.com/events/49142092
Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg
Family Values Part 4
In our families, let’s lead with grace. Let’s give grace the first word.
Today we continue our teaching series called “Family Values” where we are taking a deep dive into strengthening our family relationships.
Family is so important. Though often challenging, family can be some of our deepest and closest relationships- and those matter!
We believe your family matters, and perhaps most importantly, your family matters to God.
Family Values is about walking out faithfulness to God within our families. Over the next few weeks we will consider what it takes to build strong family relationships.
Whether you are a son or daughter, husband or wife, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, your family relationships matter to God.
Throughout this series, we are clinging to two truths that we believe can change everything for our family relationships.
There is hope and there is help.
Today as we conclude our series, we are looking at the importance of extending grace within our families.
Hebrews 12:14-15
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
The New Living translation says it this way: “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. “
This idea of grace is so important that we are to look after one another to ensure that everyone gets to receive this gift. Everyone is included, and no one has to miss out.
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
So how does the grace of God impact how we live in relationship with one another?
How does this gift of grace show up in our families?
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
-That word ‘bear’ is so important (verse 13). Extending patience is a good way to define it, but even more this word implies “suffering”.
-You are to extend patience to the point of suffering. That is grace!
God’s Word isn’t arguing that extending grace to one another is easy or simple.
-Just as providing grace took sacrifice on the part of our Lord, extending grace in our families is a sacrificial act for the good of the other person and for the good of the family.
Because families are full of flawed people, the extension of grace is a mandatory family value.
-You can’t talk about healthy, God-honoring families with talking about grace
-Not only are your family members flawed, but they are different from you – with different personal styles and perspectives.
-If you expect everyone in your family to think and act like you do, both of you will be frustrated. Grace is the antidote.
Verses for further study/reflection:
Ephesians 4:29
Colossians 4:6
1 Peter 4:10
James 2:13
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