"Christ In The
Home: God’s Plan For His Family” Series
#2 God and Creation
The home is the very foundation of all God's eternal scheme. The home is the oldest institution on earth. It was neither an accident nor an invention of man...it was planned and ordained by God. God saw in the dawn of time that "It is not good that man should be alone"
Genesis 2:18, 23-24: "The LORD God said, "It
is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." The
man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be
called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave
his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one
flesh."
Since God ordained the home, this places a halo of sacredness and holiness
around every fireside relationship. Before there was ever a human government,
school, church or business organization, there was the home. It is the
foundation unit in orderly society.
In fact, God's first religion, the Patriarchial system, was built squarely upon
the home. Religious ceremony and acts of worship were tied directly to the home
itself.
With the Mosaical dispensation God broadened his base to include the entire
nation of Israel. Even then families and tribes were intimately involved.
Finally, the Godhead itself became involved as Paul records for us in
Galatians 4:4-5: "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a
woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full
rights of sons."
God Made Man And Woman
It's vital that each man and woman understand their place in this massive
universe. What was God's 'idea' when He created us? What was our place? How are
we similar? How are men and women alike?
All of mankind has both an outward man and inward man.
2 Corinthians 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose
heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed
day by day."
It possesses body, soul, and spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 "May God himself, the
God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and
body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ."
We are all made in the image of God.
Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own
image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
Genesis 5:1 "This is the written account of Adam's line. When God created man,
he made him in the likeness of God."
We are all made a little lower than angels.
Psalms 8:4-5: "...what is man that you are
mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little
lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor."
We are above the animal creation.
Genesis 1:26-28: "Then God said, "Let us make
man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea
and the birds of the air, over the livestock, overall the earth, and over all
the creatures that move along the ground. So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed
them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and
subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every
living creature that moves on the ground.""
(Take a moment and reflect on these things. Has
God done what He could to give us place and authority upon earth? Do we feel a
'kinship' with the creator? Has man accepted these roles in our most recent
history to care for the earth, etc., and accept the authority given?)
Woman, a help-meet and a 'special creation' of God
Man, the living, breathing masterpiece of the Creator was not complete
himself, and woman was made for him.
Genesis 2:18: "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I
will make a helper suitable for him.""
Genesis 2:21-23: "So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep;
and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place
with flesh. {22} Then the LORD God made a woman from
the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. {23} The man
said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called
'woman, ' for she was taken out of man.""
1 Corinthians 11:8-9: "For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;
neither was man created for woman, but woman for man."
The word "help-meet" means "according to himself"--a complement to his life.
Paul said in 1 Cor. 11:7 that "the woman is
the glory of man." In the very beginning, God provided for the togetherness
of man and woman. They were incomplete within themselves.
Woman is called the weaker vessel
1 Peter 3:7: "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with
your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with
you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder
your prayers."
She is more delicate, not inferior. She is smaller in physique, with finer
features, finer sensibilities, and more delicately poised in emotional nature.
Woman is the glory of man as man is the glory of God
1 Corinthians 11:7: "A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the
image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man."
Divine Origin and Plan for Marriage?
Companionship Fellowship Sharing Togetherness
God’s design for Eve is clear from scripture:
she was created to fill man’s needs and was given to man as a precious gift:
Genesis 2:18-22: "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I
will make
a helper suitable for him." {19} Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground
all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the
man to see what he would name them; and whatever the
man called each living creature, that was its name. {20} So the man gave names
to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But
for Adam no suitable helper was found. {21} So the LORD God caused the man to
fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs
and closed up the place with flesh. {22} Then the LORD God made a woman from the
rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man."
In the very beginning, God provided for the togetherness of man and woman.
They were incomplete within themselves. They were together in the following:
- together they sinned
-
together they were punished and driven from the garden
together they worked
- together they brought forth children
- together they could have obeyed God
Neither was complete without the other! Three
principles are at work when a man and woman unite in marriage:
1. LEAVE: "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother..." (Gen.
2:24). It is done with a good attitude with parental blessing. It implies
maturity and independence.
2. CLEAVE: "...and cleaves to his wife." (Gen. 2:24). Marriage is
a covenant between two people. The word carries the idea of “weld” together,
“glue” together, permanence, commitment.
3. ONENESS: "...to become one flesh." (Gen. 2:24). The sexual union
is a very important part of the foundation of the growing relationship.
4. The future?
(Matthew 19:6) "So they are no longer two, but
one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.""
God has joined two and they are not to seek “a way out.”
Though the home was created with a great spiritual purpose, its importance has
been attested even by mortal man, who recognizes it as a basic social unit in
all the world. It is no coincidence that in America, sound, solid, pioneer
homes, high moral standards and freedom, have walked hand in hand.
In fact, the morality and freedom of any nation will rise and fall in proportion
to the standards and success of her home life. The increase in crime, juvenile
delinquency and immortality in general, is in direct
proportion to the increase in divorce, broken homes, and irresponsible
parenthood.
Freedom itself can be maintained only in proportion to responsible home life.
Freedom is lost when responsibilities are shirked, and the principal
responsibility itself can be learned only through proper home
training and example.
Put God first. You are not a healthy center for your life.
Become and be best friends. It is the key to romance.
Build on a foundation of trust. Never violate trust.
Love each other unconditionally. It will keep you from selfishness.
What is a friend?
“A friend is someone you are comfortable with, someone whose company you prefer. A friend is someone you can count on, not only for support but for honesty.
“A friend is one who believes in you – someone with whom you can share your dreams. In fact, a real friend is a person you want to share all of life with – and the sharing doubles the fun.
“When you are hurting, and you can share your struggle with a friend, it eases the pain. A friend offers you safety and trust – whatever you say will never be used against you.
“A friend with laugh with you, but not at you – a friend is fun. A friend will pray with you – and for you.
“My friend is one who hears my cry of pain, who senses my struggles, who shares my vows as well as my highs.
“When I am troubled, my friend stands not only by my side, but also stands apart, looking at me with some objectivity. My friend does not always say I am right, because sometimes I am not.
“My lover, my friend – that is what a married partner should be.”
Who gives more in your marriage?
There are three chief barriers that have been identified that continually resurface in many marriages: 1. selfishness. 2. Pride. 3. Low self-esteem.