Family Matters

Notes from a sermon presented by Dr. Greg Sloop at the Kannapolis Church of God on Sunday, April 8, 2018 in the 10:30 am service.  For video of service, go to the church website, http://www.kcog.org, and click on the livestream link for a replay of the service.  For audio of the service, go the the website and click on the media page.

Jeremiah 29:4–7 (NKJV)

• 4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 
• 5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit.
• 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished.
• 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

The Lord sent Judah to Babylon

They had neglected God and the worship of Him

They were being judged

They were taken to a strange land

He sent them there to live, inhabit, increase, and bring peace

He promised to bring them back to the promised land eventually

Thus Says the Lord

• “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel…”
  • Judah got into trouble when they ignored the Word of the Lord
  • They were judged, punished, for their rebellion
  • We need to listen when the Lord speaks
  • This word to Judah has application to us today as well

Living in Babylon

• “…to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon…”
  • Why would God ask us to live in Babylon?
  • It could be because of our sin, but it could also be to commission us for ministry.
  • Either way, we need to understand and transform our culture

Inhabit the Land

• “Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit.”
  • God wants us to be productive (fruitful), normal members of society
  • Yet He wants us to be distinctive:
  • Holy, yet Excellent
  • Engaged, yet Separate
  • Loving, yet Culture-Shaping

Increase Your Family

• “Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished.”
  • Have children
  • Help them find good spouses
  • Enjoy grandchildren
  • Increase, not Diminish

Bring Peace to the City

• “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”
  • Seek for peace
  • Pray for peace
  • Peace in your City means peace for you
  • Promote peace with God and others, your family will be blessed

Takeaway Thoughts

•The Lord sent Judah to Babylon to live, inhabit, increase, and bring peace.  He promised to bring them back to the promised land eventually.

•Let your family follow the command of God to inhabit, increase, and bring peace.  Transform your culture; Change your world! 

•Your Family Matters; Your Family Can Make a Difference!