Family Love
1. How Families Show Their Love
2. The Family Of God
3. A Big Sister Who Watched Over Her Little Brother
4. A Daughter-In-Law Chose To Take Care Of Her Mother-In-Law
5. Brothers With Forgiving Hearts
6. A King That Came From A Small Family
7. A Faithful Grandmother And Mother
8. People Who Worked Together To Protect Their Families
9. A Son Who Learned His Father’s Business
10. A Father Who Worked To Save His Family
11. A Father Who Looked For His Son
12. A Father Who Made The Right Choice
13. Teaching Our Children
14. Two Sisters Who Grieved For Their Brother
15. Brotherly Love
1. How Families Show Their Love
My Mother’s birthday is Tuesday. My youngest son was born on her birthday. And my oldest granddaughter’s birthday is a couple days after that. Having these three birthdays, just two days apart, reminds me of how much I love my family. We are celebrating Mom’s birthday today and I will see several of my family members. I won’t get to see my son and granddaughter on their birthdays, but they are still close to my heart. This week I think we will look at some of the families in the Bible and how they showed their love.
2. The Family Of God
You may have a large family, or you may be part of a small family. You may have an important family of great wealth, or your family may be financially poor. Whatever the state of your family, it is most important that you are in the family of God. The word, “family”, is only used once in the New Testament. “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,” (Ephesians 3:14-15) The Apostle Paul goes on in his prayer about the love of Christ. The size, standing, or status of your family does not save you. Everyone has to bow their will, and their heart to Jesus and trust in Him to be saved. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) When we believe in our heart that Jesus is the only way of salvation, and confess our sin to Him, and ask Him to save us, we are born into the family of God. Are you a child of God?
“4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:4-7)
3. A Big Sister Who Watched Over Her Little Brother
I’m a big sister. I was the oldest of four sisters. There were times when I watched over my siblings. Our family story today is about a big sister who watched over her baby brother. Can you guess? The Children of Israel were slaves in Egypt. When they multiplied, Pharaoh was fearful of them and commanded that the baby boys be killed when they were born. Amram and Jochebed had a son and hid him for three months. When they could no longer hide him, his mother put him in a small ark and set it in the river. Miriam watched over her baby brother. The rest of the story is found in the verses below, but it is really only the beginning of the life of Moses. We need to watch over the little ones. There are so many dangers in the world today for our children and grandchildren. It’s a good idea to put your phone away while watching little ones. Not only can problems arise so quickly, but you might also miss some very special moments with them. Watching over little ones is an important work of love.
“3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.
4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.
7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother.
9 And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.
10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.” (Exodus 2:3-10)
4. A Daughter-In-Law Chose To Take Care Of Her Mother-In-Law
A lot is said and joked about mothers-in-law which often gives them a bad name. But, Michael and I both have loving, Christian mothers and get along well with our mothers-in-law. When two people get married the Bible tells us that they become one, and that makes them family. As each of my children got married, I felt that my love grew, as our family grew. And my love has continued to multiply with each grandchild. I enjoy lining up 23 stockings on the built in bookshelf for our family each Christmas. I am thankful that God has given me a wonderful family to love. The book of Ruth in the Old Testament tells about a daughter-in-law who chose to stay with her mother-in-law instead of going back home after the death of her husband. As you read the opening of the little book of Ruth, you can feel the love she has for Naomi. So much love, that her words are often read in wedding ceremonies.
“1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.
2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.
3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.
4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.
5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.
6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.
7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.
8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.
9 The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.
10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.
11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;
13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.
16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” (Ruth 1:1-17)
5. Brothers With Forgiving Hearts
Has your brother ever done something to you that you just can’t forgive? You may say, “But, you don’t know what he did!” There are two examples in the Bible of brothers who were very mean to their brother, but the one that was wronged, gave forgiveness. The first is the story of twin boys, Jacob and Esau. Esau came from the field and was faint, and asked Jacob for something to eat. Jacob made him promise to trade him his birthright for the lentils. The birthright went to the oldest son and gave him the greatest inheritance. (Genesis 25) Then, in Genesis 27 Jacob cheated Esau out of the father’s blessing. Esau decided to kill his brother after their father, Isaac, died. So, Jacob left home where he was cheated into marrying the elder sister of the woman he loved. He was also cheated of his wages. When he finally decided to return home, he was afraid of what Esau might do. But, he found out that Esau had a forgiving love. “And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.” (Genesis 33:3-4) God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, and gave him 12 sons and a daughter. Israel loved his son Joseph most of all and made him a coat of many colors. (Genesis 37) In their jealousy, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, and dipped his precious coat in the blood of a goat and gave it to their father. The next chapters tell of the suffering of Joseph in Egypt, and also how God helped him rise in power. When famine came, and his brothers went to Egypt to buy food, Joseph knew them. Finally, he told his brothers who he was. “Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast: And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.” (Genesis 45:9-11) After Israel died they were afraid that Joseph would remember the evil they had caused against him. But, Joseph had nothing but love and forgiveness for his brothers.
“18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.” (Genesis 50:18-21)
Sometimes it may be hard to forgive, but Jesus tells us to forgive. “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22)
6. A King That Came From A Small Family
Kish was of the tribe of Benjamin (which was almost wiped out in war, except for 600 men, in Judges 20). When his donkeys were lost he sent Saul, his son, to go find them. After searching and not being able to find them, Saul and his servant went to ask the Prophet Samuel. When he arrived, Samuel knew that this was the man God had told him would be the first king of Israel. He told Saul that the donkeys had been found. “… And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house? And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?” (I Samuel 9:20-21) Saul was head and shoulders taller than any man in Israel, but he was humble at this time. Samuel called the people to Mizpeh to anoint the new king, but they could not find Saul. He was hiding “among the stuff.” You may be from a small family, but God can still use you to do big things for Him, if you don’t stay hidden among all the stuff.
“22 Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.
23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
24 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.” (I Samuel 10:22-24)
7. A Faithful Grandmother And Mother
Lois and Eunice are mentioned only once in the Bible, in Paul’s letter to young Timothy. Paul commends Timothy for his “unfeigned faith” which was also found in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. If someone was writing a letter and described me, I wonder what would be the one thing said about me. I hope that it would be something positive about my life as a Christian. What will my children remember about the way I brought them up? How will my grandchildren remember me after I am gone? I haven’t had any great accomplishments, or fame, or fortune. But, I have Jesus, and I pray that my family will all know and serve Jesus. I want to be faithful. I want to live a life that my family and others can see Jesus in me.
“1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” (II Timothy 1:1-5)
8. People Who Worked Together To Protect Their Families
I always enjoy reading the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was the king’s cup bearer in Shushan the palace. When his brethren told him of the reproach of the people in Jerusalem, and the destruction of the wall round about the city, it brought him great sadness. The king gave him leave to go and repair the wall. As the men of Judah began to repair the wall, their enemies used various attacks against them. Nehemiah prayed to God and encouraged the people to work for their families. “Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” (Nehemiah 4:13-14) God helped the Jews and the wall was finished. When opposition arises, it is important for us to work together, and to protect our families. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up… And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
“4 Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
5 And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
8 And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
10 And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
11 And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
12 And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.
13 Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
19 And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
21 So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.” (Nehemiah 4:4-21)
9. A Son Who Learned His Father’s Business
Luke gives us the only story we have of Jesus during His childhood.
“40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” (Luke 2:40-52)
Jesus was 12 years old and He was found in the temple learning His Heavenly Father’s business. He went back home with Mary and Joseph and also learned Joseph’s business. We see in Mark 6:3, the people asked, “Is not this the carpenter…” Jesus worked as a carpenter until the time came for Him to begin His ministry. Jesus had a family, and He listened and learned from them. We may, or may not choose to follow in the footsteps of our parents. But, it is very important that we follow God’s leading.
“2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” (Mark 6:2-4)
10. A Father Who Worked To Save His Family
Today we are reading about Noah. The world was wicked and the Lord said that He would destroy man by a flood. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
“3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:3, 5-9)
God was longsuffering with man 120 years while Noah worked to build the ark. He worked hard those many years building the ark to save his family and the animal kingdom. Noah also worked to try to save others, by preaching the truth to them. “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;” (II Peter 2:5) Can you imagine his sorrow when only his wife, his three sons, and their wives, believed and found safety in the ark? He had lived for 600 years. He probably had brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and many, many cousins. He had neighbors and friends. He worked to provide a way, and he told them how to be saved from the flood, but they would not listen. Are we telling our family and friends the way to be saved? Jesus is the only way of salvation. Noah did all that he could to try to save his family. Are we doing all we can to tell our family and friends about Jesus so they can be saved?
11. A Father Who Looked For His Son
In the Parable Of The Lost Son we see the love of the Father. As you read the scriptures, notice verse 20. “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20) His son had gone away, but the father looked for him to return. There are many lessons we could learn from this parable, but in our topic of “Family Love” I want us to see the father’s love. There may be someone reading this today who has gone away from God, The Father. There may be someone who has drifted out of church. It could be that someone has wasted his or her life. Hear the lesson of this parable. The son finally “came to himself”. God loves you so much and He is waiting for you to come to Him.
“11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:11-32)
12. A Father Who Made The Right Choice
When Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel he told the people they had a choice. “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” (I Kings 18:21) They didn’t want to choose between God, and the false god. In the New Testament, when Paul talked to Felix, he didn’t want to make the decision to follow Christ.
“24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.” (Acts 24:24-27)
Paul also witnessed to King Agrippa, but he also didn’t want to make the decision to follow Jesus. “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (Acts 26:27-28) I wonder how many people in hell “almost” decided to follow Jesus. In these three examples, they were not ready to make the choice… but, by not making the choice to follow God, they were making the choice not to follow God. You may know John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” But, do you know John 3:18? “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” There is no middle ground. If, in your heart, you choose to believe that Jesus is God’s Son who came and died for you, to pay for your sin, and you put your trust in Him and ask Him to save you, He will! But, if you don’t believe in Jesus, then you are making the choice not to accept His salvation. Moses told the Israelites, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” (Deuteronomy 30:19) Joshua led the Children of Israel into the Promised Land after the death of Moses and he also gave the people a choice. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15) Joshua made the choice that he and his house would serve the Lord, and the people also chose to serve the Lord. Today, you have a choice. You can choose Jesus and life. But, if you don’t choose to put your trust in Jesus, then you are choosing death and hell.
“16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;
17 For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:
18 And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.” (Joshua 24:16-18)
13. Teaching Our Children
As parents and grandparents, we want the best for our children. We can provide the best home, and food, and clothing that we can afford. We can give them the best schooling, and put them on the best teams. But, are we teaching them about the Lord? It is great if we are taking them to the right church, but God’s plan encompasses so much more. Teaching them about God is more than taking them to Sunday school. Teaching our children to love and serve the Lord is a continual, day by day, way of life. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Read the Bible with your children. Pray with your children. Let them see you read your Bible and pray. Talk about the things of God. You can begin teaching them about God by singing, “Jesus Loves Me”, when they are just babies. It’s never too early to teach them about Jesus!
“4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
14. Two Sisters Who Grieved For Their Brother
My Pastor in my younger days said that when he was in school they had to stand and say a Bible verse and he always said, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) This verse took place after the death of Lazarus. I don’t think He was weeping for Lazarus, because He knew that He was going to resurrect him from the dead. Let’s look at the previous verses.
“32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!” (John 11:32-36)
I believe Jesus was weeping for those who were grieving. If I am around others who are crying, I will surely start crying. It is natural to grieve. Mary and Martha grieved over their brother. Friends around them were also weeping with them. In Romans 12:15 Paul tells us to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” This is a way that we show love to one another. This story has a happy ending, because Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. When our Christian loved ones die, we know that they will also be resurrected to live with Jesus. But, we still have a time of sorrow that shows our love.
“17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:17-44)
15. Brotherly Love
When we first meet Simon Peter and Andrew, we see that these two brothers were fishermen. It is also true of James and John. These brothers worked together. They also served the Lord and worshiped together. When the disciples are listed, these four men are listed first. “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;” (Matthew 10:2) When we think about being saved and becoming a child of God, that makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. I have three sisters and we were raised up together in the same family with Christian values taught by our parents. Michael and I have children and we have other family members. I love them dearly. But, I also have many, many, brothers and sisters in Christ that I have met over the years. We have worked together, worshiped together, and sometimes even wept together. In talking about “Family Love”, I could not finish without talking about Christian love. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (I John 4:7-8)
“18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.” (Matthew 4:18-22)
