I’m convinced we’ve all got some crazy family. You know, that uncle who’s certain that UFO’s are coming to take over the earth this November, that grandma who needs absolute control over everyone–or something even darker.
This message is about how to think about family in the light of scriptural principles. Check out notes and video of the message here that so many people come to me about since I delivered the message.
WHAT DO I DO WITH MY CRAZY FAMILY?
John 7:1-5 “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brothers therefore said to Him, ‘Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.’ 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.”
Big Q: What do I do with my crazy family?
4 Correctives for Seeing Family
- Families are broken because sin has broken the world.
Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…”
2 Corinthians 4:4 “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”
- You’re not them; they’re not you.
Exodus 20:5 “You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me…”
Ezekiel 18:2-4 “What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? 3 ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘You shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. 4 “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine;
The soul who sins shall die.”’”
- Forgive like you’ve been forgiven.
Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Exodus 20:6 “…but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
Only God can straighten what is crooked, but we can choose to love and forgive.
- Don’t stop believing for a miracle.
James 2:1 “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”