Family Foundations

Mathew 7:24-27

Integrity Church  Todd Felkel  5.29.11

1.  Watch Out For The Rising Tide Of Immorality.

Mathew 7:25 (NLT)  But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.

There has been a great shift in our foundations over the last 100 years. With the moral decay of families, children no longer have a solid foundation on which to stand.  The result is drifting families lost in a sea of hurt and confusion and immorality with no leadership, no direction, no strategy and no vision for their life.

What foundations in our country are being destroyed?

□ Marriage                      □ Mothers                   □ Fathers

□ Strong work ethic         □ Freedom                  □ Sanctity of human life

□ Purity                           □ Truth                        □ Bible and prayer

□ Respect for others                   □ Masculine sons        □ Feminine daughters

2.  Build On The Solid Rock of Christ.

Mathew 7:24, Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

Matthew 22::37-40 (NLT)  Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

You stop a family from drifting when you get anchored to Christ. 

Play this video here:  http://youtu.be/omMDWcAaW88

3.  Be A Listener And A Doer of God’s Word.

Mathew 7:24, Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise,

James 1:19-22, Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.  So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.  But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

As you follow Christ, you cut a path of clarity that your children can step through and follow in your footsteps.

What ways do you plan to build a solid foundation for your family?

□ Buying expensive things                     □ Practicing a nutritious diet

□ Read the Bible every day                    □ Pray together every day

□ Spend time together often                  □ Attend church regularly

□ Honor and respect your wife/husband             □ School and homework

□ Recreation, sports, athletics                □ Christ

□ Attend recitals and performances        □ Money & fun vacations

4  Consider The Rewards For Now and Future Generations.

Deuteronomy 7:9, Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.

You should be a legend in your family in 100 years because of your commitment to your family and your love for Jesus Christ.  You lead a family for 100 years by following Jesus Christ today with your whole heart.

Assignment:  Ask your family

Ÿ What do you believe about God?

Ÿ Do you believe that absolute truth is essential to life?

Ÿ What is your attitude toward sexuality today?

Ÿ What things are you going to pursue in life and why?

If you are able to be open and honest with your children they will be honest with you.

A solid foundation takes a lifetime to build.  It starts right now with you.  And it is possible to lose it in one moment of weakness.