family relationships marriage changes relationships. (genesis 2:24) – retain love and memories of...

Family Relationships

• Marriage changes relationships. (Genesis 2:24)

–Retain love and memories of home, but focus on new home and new duties.

–Focus on mate—not old relationships.

–Parents, grandparents, and others retain love and memories but recognize relationship changes.

• Children change relationships. (Psalm 127:3)

– Treat each child as a treasure; give time, attention, discipline, and affection. (Ephesians 6:4)

–Make spiritual training the #1 priority. (Genesis 18:19)

– Embrace parental duty as a gift, not a burden; sacrificing for children enhances character.


–Parents are no longer children.

–We’re not reliving our childhood; we’re helping them live theirs (find talents and interests, etc.).

–Parents cannot train children if they behave like the children (selfish, bad-tempered, impatient, pouty, etc.)

–Do not reverse roles; lead and serve.


• Address failures in family life. (Proverbs 28:13)– Admit failures, do not ignore or

excuse. God and family will see honesty or hypocrisy.

– Apologize; ask for forgiveness.

– Change conduct; repair relationships.

• You cannot change the past; move forward.


SEEKING AND OFFERING FORGIVENESS

• God is ready and willing to forgive all who ask. He has promise to forgive.

“Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall

be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as

wool. ”Isaiah 1:18


• Christ offers forgiveness.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will

give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in

heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. ”

Matthew 11:28-30


• New birth for sinners.

“Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the

kingdom of God. ”

John 3:3


• New birth for sinners.

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not

believe will be condemned. ”

Mark 16:16


• God forgives his children who fall back into sin.

“Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and

pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. ”

Acts 8:22

• Accept God’s gracious forgiveness.

• Do not dwell on past sins; release them.– “…forgetting those things which are

behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13,14)


• Do not return to past sins!

• Don’t be deceived!– “Do you not know that the unrighteous

will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Seeking and Offering Forgiveness


• A saint in sin is LOST!

“For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and

bound by iniquity. Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things

which you have spoken may come upon me. ”

Acts 8:23,24


• Sin hardens the conscience!

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one

another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you

be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ”

Hebrews 3:12,13

• Face consequences of past sins by trusting and believing in God!

–David had painful memories, but he focused on God’s mercy and pardon.

–He had committed adultery and murder. His son died, his family relationships were devastated, and the nation’s confidence was shaken (2 Samuel 11,12)



Our Lord’s Loving Mercy

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and

abounding in mercy.He will not always strive with

us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our

iniquities. Psalm 103:8-11



“For as the heavens are high above the earth, So

great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far

as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our

transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:11,12



“As a father pities his children, So the LORD

pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:13,14

• Paul had painful memories, but he focused on God’s mercy and pardon.

• He had been an accomplice in Stephen’s murder and imprisoned and scattered saints.– “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all

acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.”(1 Timothy 1:15,16)



Seek forgiveness from those you have wronged

“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there

remember that your brother has something against you, leave

your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be

reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 5:23,24


Resist Satan if memories haunt and temptations return

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks

about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by

your brotherhood in the world.

1 Peter 5:8,9

• Seek reconciliation with people who have wronged you.– Be ready to forgive as God forgave

you.

–Do what you can, then put it to rest.

– “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.” (Matthew 18:15)


Putting the Past in the Past

• Learn to leave past sins IN THE PAST.

• On life’s journey, we CANNOT return to the past. Trust God for the present and the future

• It’s possible to HINDER what you can do in the PRESENT by dwelling too much on the past!

family relationships marriage changes relationships. (genesis 2:24) – retain love and memories of...

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