Sermon Notes
Main Idea:
Every family in the world is imperfect. But our imperfection should not keep us from pursuing God’s best.
Important Insight:
The biblical idea that God gave all humans His image was obnoxious and offensive to the other people groups of the Ancient Near East.
Past Principles:
- You are not a cosmic accident but a valuable individual (Genesis 1:26)
- You have a purpose and authority within the creation to:
- Work inside creation (Genesis 1:27-31, 2:2)
- Rest alongside of creation (Genesis 2:2, Ex. 20:8-11)
- You will encounter pain, suffering and loss when you misuse your authority in creation (Gen. 3:1-19)
- Final note: God expressed these ideals in the context of Family.
Our Current Mission
Our Mission is to:
- Communicate value and dignity of every person in your home in every circumstance.
- Phil. 2:3-4, I will communicate value and dignity the persons in my home, rather than the performances outside of my home
Person(s): Action(s):
- Recognize that everyone in your family has a purpose while helping them discover and achieve that purpose.
- Exodus 31:1-9, God equips people in unique ways
- Eph 5:21, Part of honor God is honoring others in our home
Person(s): Action(s):
- Love beyond 3-M’s and the 3-D’s by explaining God’s larger plan of mercy.
- Consequences are based upon behavior but God’s love is not. (Titus 3:3-6)
Person(s): Action(s):
Discussion Questions
TALK IT OUT:
- Pastor Rusty points out that every family is imperfect, but wisely says our imperfections should not keep us from pursuing God’s best. How can we keep our failures from becoming an excuse not to seek God’s best for us and our families?
- None of us is a cosmic accident according to Genesis 1:26 which makes the point that God has created us in His image. How does the fact that you were created in the image of God encourage you?
- According to Genesis 1-2, each of us has a purpose and authority within creation. What is your God-given purpose in life?
- Pastor Rusty acknowledges that we encounter pain, suffering and loss when we misuse the authority God has given us His world. Consider the pain, suffering and loss you’ve experienced in your life. How frequently were your difficult times the result of living outside of your God-given purpose?
- According to Philippians 2:3-4 we’re to communicate value and dignity to everyone in our home in every circumstance. How can you better do that?
- Exodus 31:1-9 demonstrates that God equips everyone differently. This means we need to recognize each member of our family has a purpose. Why should understanding this help you treasure each person in your family?
- Pastor Rusty makes the point that, “consequences are based upon behavior, but God’s love is not.” What is the point of realizing you don’t have to earn God’s love?
LIVE IT OUT
- Make a list of each person in your immediate or close family. Then write out two ways you can help them understand they have value and dignity in God’s eyes.
- Go back to your list of family members and now write two practical ways you will help each of them discover God’s purpose.
- Write out two ways you will commit today to help each member of your family better understand God’s unique purposes for them?
- How are you going to help yourself and your family better grasp the reality that God loves each of us in despite our sinfulness?
- Take a few moments and personally thank God for: 1) Creating you and each person in your family with value and dignity. 2) Giving you and each family member a unique purpose. 3) Loving you and each member of your family despite the ways we all let Him down.