THE CHRISTIAN HOME (1)

1. Psalm 127:1. Could apply to building of a temple (as in days of Solomon or Zerubbabel) or building of a dwelling for a family, or the establishment of a family consisting of a husband and wife and then later children. In all of these efforts, men labor in vain if God is not the center of their efforts.

2. What are some of the characteristics of a house that is built by God?

I. The design.

A. Can be compared to a construction blueprint. In order for finished product to be what architect had in mind, workers must adhere to blueprint.

B. God’s design for the family can be seen in the first family (Genesis 2:18-24; 4:1-2).

C. Men have foolishly attempted to alter God’s design for the home (i.e. man/woman living together without being married, same-sex marriages, singles choosing to be parents, etc.).

II. The materials (necessary ingredients).

A. Built on the foundation of God’s truth (Matthew 24:35; John 6:68; John 17:17; II Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; I Peter 1:25; Jude 3).

B. Surrounded by walls of love (I Corinthians 13:4-7). Love is patient, kind, not proud, unselfish, rejoices in the truth.

C. Discipline (training). Consists of instructive, corrective, and self-discipline.

D. Atmosphere of respect (high regard). Consider Psalm 127:3 along with Ephesians 6:1-2.

E. Insulated from outside threats by commitment.

III. The workers (those responsible for building Christian homes).

A. Statistics from the 2000 U.S. Census (reflecting living patterns and trends during previous ten years) indicate many are failing to work at building Christian homes. Households headed by unmarried persons grew by almost 72 percent during the past decade. Households headed by single mothers increased by more than 25 percent. Those led by single fathers grew by almost 62 percent. Nuclear families dropped to below 25 percent of households. A third (33 percent) of all babies born were born to unmarried women compared to only 3.8 percent in 1940. Same sex homes are soaring. The Census Bureau said they are "skyrocketing" in Vermont and Delaware. Other sources indicate cohabitation increased by close to 1,000 percent from 1960 to 1998. A growing number of women in their 20’s and 30’s are choosing to bear and raise children alone.

B. Those persons who are responsible for building a Christian home are us! The church can encourage its members, but the responsibility ultimately falls upon the family members (and more specifically the husband/father in each family).

1. Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.

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