The Healthy Family
“The Healthy Family” – Pastor Gary Jones
May 5, 2024
Proverbs 24:3,4 (GNT)
Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding. Where there is knowledge, the rooms are furnished with valuable, beautiful things.
What does a healthy family look like?
A HEALTHY family is…
- The healthy family is committed to one another.
- A healthy family spends time together.
- A healthy family enjoys open, frequent communication.
- The healthy family turns inward during times of crisis.
- The healthy family expresses affirmation and encouragement often.
- The members of a healthy family share a spiritual commitment.
- The healthy family trusts the others and values trust.
- The healthy family enjoys freedom and grace.
HABITS, develop good ones!
Luke 2:41 (NLT)
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.
Daniel 6:4,5 (NLT)
Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”
Daniel 6:10,13 (NLT)
When Daniel learned that the order had been signed, he went home. In an upstairs room of his house there were windows that faced toward Jerusalem. There, just as he had always done, he knelt down at the open windows and prayed to God three times a day…Then they said to the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, does not respect Your Majesty or obey the order you issued. He prays regularly three times a day.”
Your HABITS will determine your FUTURE!
EMBODY Godly character!
Matthew 1:19 (GNT)
Joseph was a man who always did what was right, but he did not want to disgrace Mary publicly; so he made plans to break the engagement privately.
Luke 1:28 (NIV)
The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character in who you are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are!
John Wooden
1 Timothy 4:12-15 (Msg.)
And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity…Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.
Titus 2:7 (CEV)
Always set a good example for others.
ATTENTIVE to family priorities!
PRACTICAL!
Matthew 2:13-15 (NIV)
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod.
SPIRITUAL!
Luke 2:21-24 (NIV)
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”.
The spiritual far outweighs the practical in importance! A healthy family will attend to spiritual matters first!
LOYAL families rally, support and care!
James 5:19,20 (NIV)
If one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
John 19:25-27 (NIV)
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
TRAINING in righteousness!
Luke 2:41-49 (NIV)
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual. After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first, because they assumed he was among the other travelers. But when he didn’t show up that evening, they started looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they couldn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic,searching for you everywhere.” “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Proverbs 22:6 (GNT)
Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.
1 Timothy 4:7,8 (NLT)
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
HARMONY – create a home that is peaceful!
Luke 2:51,52 (NIV)
Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Romans 12:18 (NIV)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
YIELDED to the sovereignty of God!
Matthew 1:24 (NIV)
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
Luke 1:38 (NIV)
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
If we want healthy families, it will require surrender to the leadership and sovereignty of God in our lives! There is no other way!
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
If you didn’t come from a healthy family, make sure a healthy family comes from you!