Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

God Loves Families!
Mark A. Copeland
INTRODUCTION
1. In another study we noted that God hates divorce (cf. “God Hates Divorce!”)...
a. For it covers one’s garment with violence - Mal 2:16a
b. For it treats one’s spouse with treachery - Mal 2:16b
2. How does God feel about families...?
a. Does He love families as strong as He hates divorce?
b. What ideal family is one that He loves to see?
[We can confidently affirm that God loves families! How do we know this...?]
I. HOW WE KNOW GOD LOVES FAMILIES
A. GOD CREATED THE PHYSICAL FAMILY...
1. He instituted marriage between man and woman - Mt 19:4-6; Ro 7:2-3; Mt 19:9
a. Designing it to be for life
b. Allowing divorce only for the cause of fornication
2. He thus provided the ideal arrangement for children
a. In which they are to be born (from the union of two sexes who have become one)
b. In which they are to grow (benefiting from what both sexes have to offer)
3. His love for family extends to when families are broken
a. He is a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows - Psa 68:5
b. He relieves the fatherless and widow - Psa 146:9
c. He charges that families provide for their widows - 1 Ti 5:4
d. He describes such care as pure and undefiled religion - Ja 1:27
B. GOD CREATED A SPIRITUAL FAMILY...
1. He offers Himself as a loving Father - 1 Jn 3:1-2
2. He provides a wonderful Elder Brother for our salvation - He 2:9-13
3. He sent His Spirit so we could be born into this family - Ti 3:4-7; Ro 8:15-17
4. He revealed His Word so we can be born again - Ja 1:18; 1 Pe 1:22-25
5. He designed the church to be an extended family with many mothers, fathers, brothers,
sisters - Mk 10:29-30; 1 Ti 3:15
[Indeed, God loves families! The concept of family is important in both the physical and spiritual realm.
Focusing our attention on the physical family, let’s review...]
II. THE IDEAL FAMILY THAT GOD LOVES
A. WHERE HUSBANDS TREAT THEIR WIVES...
1. With love and without bitterness, as Christ loved the church - Co 3:19; Ep 5:25-29
2. With understanding, honor, tenderness, and as fellow heirs - 1 Pe 3:7
B. WHERE WIVES RESPOND TO THEIR HUSBANDS...
1. With love and obedience - Ti 2:4-5
Topical Sermons 140