The Key Issue Facing Society? Family

My message for yesterday was taken from Jeremiah 29:1-7. In this passage, God sends an encouraging message to His children who are in exile in Babylon. In it He gives them needed instruction on how to live in a foreign world. He places a strong emphasis on their families. He tells them to "build houses and live in them" He then tells them this: "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 increase there, and not decrease."

In this message, God reminds His people that they increase through the structure of the family. Even in a foreign land where they have been sent under judgment for their sin, God tells them they will increase by raising Godly families. This means making Godly marriages and raising children to have Godly marriages and raise Godly children.

There are two significant debates going on right now in our society which are seemingly separate, but actually have the same answer. The direction of our country and the role of government is being hotly debated because of the radical agenda of our current President and his party. The other debate is occurring within the world of evangelical thinkers as the causes for the decline in baptisms and church growth being seen across the evangelical landscape in America. This debate is hotly contested within our own Southern Baptist Convention as seen from the reports coming out of our most recent National Convention a short time ago.

The answer to both is found in God's message to His children. Build Godly homes and teach your children to do the same. The societal issues are all - without exception - the fruit of the breakdown of the family. The effects of this breakdown are well-documented and there is no reason to do so again here. Even the economic crisis we face now is the result of the breakdown of family structures. Living within your means and managing your finances are all the result of healthy family structures. Instead of trying to build a "state" to bailout, provide, and control our decisions, we should be focused with laser-like intensity on re-building a proper family structure in America.

The answer to reaching people for Jesus will also be found in churches building their ministries on the foundation of teaching people how to build Godly marriages. God has built the gospel itself into the structure of marriage. People reach out because their homes have needs. Church are still arguing over music styles after 25 years of debate, but the people in our nation are searching for answers to their failing homes - not concert venues.

Our seminaries have also missed the point of their existence completely. They are training young men theologically and yet missing the most important aspect of their training - family ministry. They graduate with lofty thoughts regarding systematic theology and soteriology. They enter their churches with deeply ingrained beliefs regarding eschatology and expository preaching. Yet people come to their churches asking these questions: Why can't my wife and I get along? Why has my husband lost interest in me? Why are my children choosing that?

These pastors have no clue how to answer these questions while God Himself has woven the answers throughout every book of His Holy Word. Moreover, many of them need to be saved. The answer is right there in their marital problems. The gospel is right there for them to share. They are not equipped to do it.

A ridiculous, sinful majority of SBC churches are not baptizing, and haven not baptized for 5 years or more. Yet leaders continue to argue over programs and musical styles. Small churches criticize mega churches, the real reason for this is their jealousy. Contemporary churches criticize churches that will not change their music or shed their coats and ties. The real reason that churches fail to baptize is not because they refuse to change their music, but because they have lost a zeal for mentoring families. They shed their children's programs and jettison VBS. The older women do not mentor the younger woman regarding how to love their husbands and children as directly commanded by scripture.

The failures in evangelism for us as a Convention are caused by the same failures in our society - the failure to focus on the family structure. We must do what God intended - Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for our sons and give our daughters to husbands. We must focus on what God wants us to focus upon - ministering to families. Everyone who is a follower of Christ knows the Great Commission commands us to go and take the gospel. The question is how? God has given us more than the command, He has also given us the best tool for sharing the gospel: the family!

Similarly oto the children of Israel in Babylon, we are not citizens of here but of heaven. Similarly, we are living in a land of ungodly influences and ungodly philosophies. I cannot control what our Senators, Representatives, President, or Governor does. I cannot control Seminary Presidents or Convention executives. I can read the Bible and teach my children about family. I can read my bible and continue to try to teach First Baptist Church of Cabot, Arkansas about family. Regardless of others, I can follow God's instructions and continue to have a real influence on real people and help them see a real saving gospel through their families and homes. I can increase and help others increase as well. Join me regardless of what others do.