Despise Not Prophesyings

Temple Baptist Church - 6-5-2016

1 Thessalonians 5:20

Introduction:

A.  In the First Century churches, the gift of “prophesying” or foretelling, was still a viable gift as the canon of Scripture was not yet finished and people did not have Bibles in their hands.  The gift of prophecy, foretelling the future, was one of the partial or passing gifts that aided the children of God in their understanding of what would take place in the future, especially these last days.  With the completion of the Word of God, these partial or passing gifts diminished and then vanished.  The gift of prophecy was such a passing gift.

1 Corinthians 13:8-10  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  (9)  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  (10)  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

B.  Today, the only thing that I can predict concerning the future is that which is predicted in the Bible.  The Bible is and has always been right and its predictions have come true in our day.  One again, let me say that you can read the headlines in today’s newspapers within the predictions of the Bible.

C.  I want to make an application tonight.  There is another aspect of prophecy that is viable today: forth telling.  The commission of preaching has been given to God’s men.  I do not know what lies on tomorrow and neither do you so I cannot foretell but I am commanded to forth tell the Word of God.

D.  Today, we are experiencing an old problem.  A newfangled look at an old fashioned problem if you would.  I want to use a few verses that will adequately describe what we are experiencing.

Isaiah 30:8-12  Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:  (9)  That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:  (10)  Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:  (11)  Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.  (12)  Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:  (By “smooth things” and “deceits,” it means to make the sermon palatable or, in our day, a “Smoothie!”  Do not make a bump in the road that will wake us up or a burr under the saddle that will make us uncomfortable.  We want to come to church and be comfortable in our sinfulness.  We are not going to change.)

Jeremiah 5:30-31  A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;  (31)  The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?  (There is an abundance of religious charlatans to choose from who will make sure that you are neither uncomfortable nor offended.  Men of polish who know how to say and what not to say; men with neither call nor conviction; Satan’s best!  Now the question is asked: “And what will ye do in the end thereof?”  A personal question; a probing question; a plausible question as we are God’s children.)

Ezekiel 33:30-33  Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.  (31)  And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.  (32)  And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.  (33)  And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.  (People talking about God’s men while inviting others to come hear him and, yet not heeding what he is preaching all at the same time.) 

2 Timothy 3:1-8  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  (6)  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  (7)  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  (8)  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  (Modern day religion at its best is well noted in this passage.  A people whose lips do not reflect their lives.  They know the right words and have all of the right answers but their hearts are worldly and wicked.  They never come to the knowledge of the truth because they resist it.)

2 Timothy 4:1-5  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  (5)  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

E.  Now, that crowd does not come to Temple Baptist Church and, if they do come, will not stay for long!  The message is to us, not them!  Our text commanded God’s children to not despise (to set at naught, to look down upon, to find despicable) the setting forth of God’s Word to the people of the churches.  We live in days of teachers with little preaching.  Churches that still preach the Word of God straight have lost their popularity as the churches with compromised pulpits have grown by leaps and bounds.  A good example of this is the New Spring Church.  This “virtual church” that stands for nothing (just look at the worldliness of the services and those who attend them) is bringing in thousands.

F.  The reason for this mass exodus from fundamental, Bible preaching churches is that the masses despise prophesyings or preaching.  Preaching is of vital importance in the churches and should never be despised by the children of God.  Is old fashioned bible preaching relevant in our day?”  Of course you and I know that it is but most people will not stand for straight preaching or sound doctrine. 

G.  Preaching is important to both lost and saved!

1 Corinthians 1:17-21  For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  (18)  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  (19)  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.  (20)  Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?  (21)  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.  (The lost despise the preaching of the cross though it is the only way of salvation!  To the unsaved, our preaching is foolishness.  To the saved, we glory in the cross of Christ as it is the power of God to not only convert but also to change lives!  Preaching pleases God!)

1.  Preaching Keeps The Saint Pure - 2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (Reprove means to “bring to light” or to convict.  Rebuke means to “censure” or to “pass sentence.”)

a)  It Is To Be Done Sharply - Titus 1:13  This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

b) It Is To Be Done Authoritatively - Titus 2:15   These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Revelation 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

c) It Is To Be Done Lovingly - 2 Timothy 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

2.  Preaching Encourages The Saint - 2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3.  Preaching Brings Joy To The Saint - Luke 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor (Joy because it saves); he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted (Joy because it comforts), to preach deliverance to the captives (Joy because it delivers), and recovering of sight to the blind (Joy because it restores sight) , to set at liberty them that are bruised (Joy because it sets free)

4.  Preaching Gives Understanding To The Saint - 1 Corinthians 1:22-24  For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;   But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. (Preaching helps us to handle problems right in the light of God’s Word!)

5.  Preaching Gives Hope To The Saint - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.    For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

H.  What kind of preaching does the church need?

1.  The Church Needs Need Bold Preaching - Ephesians 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,  (Men of God who are not afraid to preach the Word of God to the people of God!)

Isaiah 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Jeremiah 1:6-8  Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.  But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.  Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

2.  The Church Needs Broad Preaching - Acts 20:26-27  Therefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  (Reproving, rebuking, and exhorting!  Most churches leave the first two out in order to produce a “positive” reaction among their people.  Thus the churches become worldlier and spiritually anemic.)

3.  The Church Needs Spirit Filled, Powerful Preaching - 1 Corinthians 2:4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:  (By powerful preaching, the bible is not referring to loud preaching or a demonstration of some sort but preaching in such a way as to give the Word of God its power to convict, convince, and convert the sinner.)

4.  The Church Needs Biblical Preaching - 2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (Preach the word!  We are not politicians nor are we a political party; we are a church.  Our work is the work of the gospel.)

5.  The Church Needs Compassionate Preaching - Jude 22-23  And of some have compassion, making a difference:  And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.  (Preaching is to be straight, not mean spirited.  Men of God are not to be “brawlers” nor are they to “strive” with the people.)

2 Timothy 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

I.  Now, what is the individual’s Biblical responsibility to the pulpit?

1.  Allow Biblical Preaching – 2 Thessalonians 3:1  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:  (Allow the preacher to preach and let the Word of God go where it needs to go!  Everyone in this congregation has some pet peeve or besetting sin that they had rather not be preached on and, if the preacher let up on all of the in order to not make someone feel uncomfortable or mad, he would become like these ear tickling charlatans that we so often preach against.)

Hebrews 13:22  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.  (To allow or to put up with!  Appreciate God’s man preaching all of the bible instead of just what applies to others.)

2.  Pray for Biblical Preaching - Ephesians 6:18-19  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  (19)  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

1 Thessalonians 5:25  Brethren, pray for us.

3.  Receive Biblical Preaching - 1 Thessalonians 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

John 15:2-3  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  (3)  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4.  Apply Biblical Preaching - 2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (Make a personal application to the message of the pulpit.  Know this: God’s men love you and they are not perfect but they desire the best for both you and the church.  If the “shoe fits,” wear it!

Marriage Counseling 101

Temple Baptist Church - 6-5-2016

Proverbs 5:15-19

Introduction:

A.  If you got this sermon by email, don’t let it worry you because it will take more than one Sunday morning to preach.  I will get you home in time for lunch or dinner.  I have been preaching on the home over the past few Sundays and the preaching has taken the form of marriage counseling.  This is as it should be.  I do not marry young couples until I have counseled with them because:

1.  They are new at it.  Young couples know very little of what we older married people know.  They will learn through experience what makes a good marriage work and, hopefully, will listen when I counsel with them before they take “the leap!!  Deer will not jump over a solid board fence because they cannot see where they will land.

2.  I am good at it.  Married 47 years to the same woman and love her more today than the day we got married.  Barbara and I have been through about everything together and it has made our marriage strong.

3.  Since we have established that God owns marriage (the world may try to tell you different but it does not change the fact that God established it in Genesis 2:20-25) we need to understand that the Bible sets forth the parameters in which the home is to operate.  One man, one woman, one lifetime.

B.  I did not have the privilege to sit down with most of you as you were married before I became your pastor but, after being around you all for 29 years, I see that you need some! J   Many of you have been married longer than I but it is still a good thing to make sure that your marriage is operating within the criteria set forth in the Bible.

Psalms 26:2  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.  (God examines us through the Bible!  As we try the “spirits” in the Book of James, we try our marriages by making sure that they are all that God intended for them to be and the Bible is the final authority on the subject.)

C.  I have seen people married for a long time either split up or become strangers within their own homes.  Marriage is to be progressive in nature.  The longer that you are married, the closer and more in love you should become if both parties are right with the Lord within the marital home.

D.  Let us look at some things that make a marriage work.

1.  God must be the head of the home!  He instituted the marriage in wisdom because man was lonely and needed a help meet.  God made the woman for the man to complete what was lacking.  God set the parameters of the home.  I re-emphasize this because people have a tendency to get a little perturbed at the pastor when he preaches on the subject.  Your marriage is not only your business, but it is also God’s business.  Keep your home in line with the Bible!

2.  Remember that marriage is made by God to last!  Mark 10:9  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Romans 7:2  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.  (Do not go into marriage with the idea that, if it does not work out the way you wanted, you can end the marriage.  You are not trying on a new pair of shoes to see if the fit and are comfortable, you are getting married which requires the taking of vows before both God and man.  It becomes our solemn duty to faithfully fulfill such vows.)

3.  Be aware that God has set forth the “chain of command” in marriage along with the individual responsibilities of both husband and wife!  I will not and cannot finish this message this morning so, if I pick on the men first, don’t get mad at me.  And you ladies had better not take the Sunday off when it is your turn!  I have an old saying: “God gonna get you for dat!”

a.  The responsibility of the husband.

1)  To love his wife.  Don’t be like one lady who told me, “Preacher, I love you but I don’t like you!”  The woman that you married needs to know and be told that you love her.  It takes little effort on the man’s part to repeat 3 little words, I love you, that mean so much to the wife. 

Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

2)  To provide for his wife.  I do not think that a man needs to be bragged upon because he works a job and “brings home the bacon.”  Paul dealt with the issue of a lazy man when writing to Timothy.  I knew a man who wouldn’t work a job of tasting pies in a pie factory.  My dad used to call men who had a problem with working as “trifling lazy.”  Hard work never killed anyone. 

1 Timothy 5:8  But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

3)  To protect his wife.  I am not making this a commandment to own a gun or weapon of some sort to protect your family and home with but, at the same time, I am dispelling a wrong notion that gun ownership is wrong.  People use the “turn the cheek” verse in order to teach pacifism.  God’s men were never and should never be pacifists!  David, a man after God’s own heart, was a man of war.  Peter cut off a man’s ear with a sword and God commanded his disciples to sell their garment and buy one!  God has given both right and obligation to self-protection as well as the protection of one’s home and family! 

Luke 22:36  Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

4)  To understand his wife.  I know that this is impossible for most of us as women are totally confusing to us men but, we need to understand the needs of our wives and meet those needs.  Women are tough!  God made them that way but they are also very fragile in areas.  We men need to provide strength and gentleness at the same time.  As a pastor and as a man, I shelter my wife as much as I can from this man’s world that she lives in. 

1 Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

5)  To be faithful.  Trust is one of the most important aspects of a marriage.  Trust is something that is to be given with no background experience required.  When I was trying to get a job in the mines many years ago, the superintendent of Fies #9, a Coal Company owned by Island Creek Coal Company, would tell me each day that they were only hiring experienced miners.  One day I asked him where I could purchase such experience so that I could get a job there.  Marriage trust is something to be given at the wedding but, once breached, is hard to regain.  Jealousy has no place in a marriage but neither does unfaithfulness. 

Proverbs 5:15-19  Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.  (16)  Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.  (17)  Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.  (18)  Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.  (19)  Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.

b.  The responsibility of the wife.

1)  To desire her husband. A woman’s desire should be to be all that she can be for God and to do all that she can to please and take care of her husband.  I know!  The modern women of our day who have spent several decades under the influence of the Women’s Liberation and WOW will cringe at that statement but what I just said is the Biblical reason for woman’s existence.  A helpmeet whose desire is “to thy husband.”  Ladies, your husband is to be your life. 

Genesis 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

2)  To be submissive to her husband.  I do not apologize for this point as I am not trying to be politically correct.  I am trying to be Biblically correct!  “Do you so promise?”  I’ll guarantee that all of you ladies said either “I do” or “I will.”  I teach this to every young woman who is getting married so she can opt out if she desires.  Husbands, for this to work, you have to be the loving spiritual leader of your homes!  Do not lead your wife contrary to the Bible and expect her to stop following the Lord.  I ask you to follow me AS I follow Christ.

Genesis 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Ephesians 5:22-24  Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  (23)  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  (24)  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

1 Peter 3:1  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

3)  To love her husband.  The verse that I will give to you for this point is an interesting one.  The husband is COMMANDED to love his wife but the elder women are to TEACH the younger women to love their husbands.  The First Mention of “he loved her” is found in Genesis 24 when Isaac took Rebecca as his wife.  Women learn to love their husbands while men are commanded to love their wives.  I believe that, according to the Bible, women—through obedience and desire—grow to love.  Women are creatures of emotion and emotions change into a true bonding love over the years as the husband cares for, loves, provides, and protects.

Genesis 24:67  And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

Titus 2:4  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

4)  To teach her children.  First, to teach their children about God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and how to be saved.  Timothy had both a godly grandmother and a godly mother who passed their faith on to him.  His father was a Greek and nothing is said concerning his faith or lack thereof.  Second, to teach their children godly character and behavior through example.  The public school system is trying to get children at an earlier age because they are moldable.  Child training begins in the crib.

2 Timothy 1:5  When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Titus 2:3-5  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  (4)  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  (5)  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

5)  To guide her home.  Guide means to be the leader.  There is no contradiction here as the role of the wife and the role of the husband to not clash.  Women have a God given ability to know when the direction of the home is not right and, as heirs together of the grace of life, she is vital in the proper decision making of the home!  My wife is sharp as a tack and adds to, becomes the “checks and balances,” and my greatest advisor.

1 Timothy 5:14  I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Proverbs 14:1  Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Proverbs 31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

c.  Due benevolence.  I realize that we have a mixture of young and older people in the service so I will keep this on a level that the adults understand and the children will not.  I will not belabor this point and will use Bible terms.  We are to teach every aspect of the Bible and these epistles were read to the entire church, children included, so God knows what He is doing and says what He needs to say on the subject.  A man once told me that I should not teach and preach through the Song of Solomon in mixed company.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable. 

1)  One, touch not.  We live in days of public displays of what God intended for private display.  My dad, many years ago, cautioned me as a young man to not being too much “hands on.”  He certainly did not want me to be “hands on” in private either.  As dating replaced courtship, young people are being left more and more to their own devices without proper chaperoning.  I know that you are married and love one another but some things are better left at home.

Ecclesiastes 3:5b “a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing”

2)  A natural desire to be met.  “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband”  God knew what He was doing when He both made and sanctioned the “boy-girl” thing.  I sure am glad that I love a woman!  She still continues to amaze and attract me, even in my older years.  It is natural for men and women to desire each other because God made it that way.  BUT, the physical relationship of men and women is sanctioned ONLY within the bond of matrimony!

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

3)  Rendering due benevolence.  In the Song of Solomon, we find the words “My beloved is mine, and I am his.”  When speaking to the child of God, the Bible says, “Ye are not your own.”  When a couple get married, the body of the man belongs to the wife and the body of the wife belongs to the husband.  That is why the Holy Spirit uses the words “Defraud ye not” when speaking of the physical relationship of the marital bed.  You defraud by withholding that or taking that which belongs to another. Any withholding needs to be with the consent of the other only in times of fasting and prayer.  I think each one of us also know that there are other times such as sickness, etc. when we respect each other.  Enough said on the subject as God thought it was enough said.

Corinthians 7:3-5  Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.  (4)  The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.  (5)  Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

4) A “safeguard” against lust.  “and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency”  A good relationship between a man and a women within marriage as “marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled.”

d.  Maintaining a spiritual atmosphere within the home.

1)  The family’s altar.  The Bible and prayer should be welcome within the walls of the Christian home.  Someone once said that the best kind of Bible is a read one and praying should be a family affair.  The love of the Lord thy God should be preeminent in the home.  We are to have God’s Word in our hearts, teach it to our children, talk about it, and let its principles be the rule and guide of the marriage.  We need to read the Bible and pray as a family.  Bible reading is not just for church days and neither is prayer.  God should not be a stranger in our homes.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  (6)  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  (7)  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  (8)  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  (9)  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

2)  The family’s faithfulness.  It is imperative that families be faithful to the house of the Lord!  I know that there are times when the “ox is in the ditch” but, as much as lies within you, be faithful!  It is easy to make excuses for staying out of church.  I have noticed over the years that some families always have some reason for not coming to church while other families are always there.  Faithful and unfaithful families both have the same problems but, what keeps one out does not hinder the other one.  Faithful people are faithful!  I thank God for a wife that took my children to church when I had to work.  She was there for every service and every revival service.  I was there for every service unless I was at work.  The mines would swing shifts, a month on first shift and a month on second shift.  That meant that I could not be in church on Wednesday nights when on second shift.  But, as a family, we were and are faithful to church.  Church services are not optional!

Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

3)  The family’s finances.  I want to deal with two areas of finances: tithing and spending.  Every child of God is commanded to be a tither.  I know that there are some who do not tithe but they are both disobedient to the Scriptures and missing a blessing.  Since Barbara remained home to take care of the family and did not work, we operated upon one income while raising a family.  We did not have a lot of things that others had but Barbara chose to stay at home and be there with and for the children.  Since December or 1976 (I was saved in November of 1976), we have NEVER missed our tithe going into the church offering plate.  It still thrills our hearts to both tithe and give to missions!  Two, live within your ability to earn!  Credit Cards, gotta have its, etc., have been the end of many homes.  I had rather have less in the eyes of this world and be right with the LORD than to have all that this world has to offer and rob God of that which is rightfully His.  I can tell you by experience that you can live better on 90% than you can on 100%!

2 Corinthians 9:15  Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.  (Many preach this out of context and say that the unspeakable gift is Jesus Christ but, within the context, the unspeakable gift is the grace of giving!)