{s5_mp3}http://ebccdelhi.org/sermon/kaithang.MP3{/s5_mp3}
By Upa Kaithang
Topic: A Family Well- Pleasing to the Lord/ A Family in whom the Lord Delights
(Importance of Christian Family and its structure)
Speaker's sermon is based on the scripture of Genesis 12: 1-3:
With the absence of the Pastors, Pastor V. Nenglian and Assistant Pastor Biakson, both of whom went to Kolkata to attend C-3 (city church consultation) which is a congregation of all EBCC city based workers.
Sermon began with a prayer, question that touches the mind of the speaker 'am I from a family in whom the Lord Delights?', if so, he won't be standing there preaching the word of the Lord. He Urges that each and every one of the members ponder to the Theme of the year carefully selected by the Head quarter of EBCC.
Culture of a Family well-pleasing to the Lord
Abraham was called to God's service in the fallen world to amend Adam's fallen nature.
If Culture is an integrated system of learned behaviour patterns which are characteristic of the members of a society, then what should the pattern of the culture of the family be in whom the Lord delights? Look Genesis 12:1-3, 26:4, 28:14. Individual and the family (society) have all the responsibility to produce a great nation.
God chose Abraham whose trust to God is beyond comprehension. Going deep into the details of Abraham's story it doesn't seem that he is worthy to be trusted and chosen by God, because-
~ In Gen 16 Abraham gave birth to Ishmael according to human plan;
~ In Gen 26 Abraham called his wife Rebecca "my sister";
~ In Gen 25 the twin brothers, Esau and Jacob wrestled in their mother's womb;
~ In Gen 25:29 Jacob bought his brother's position of being the firstborn son ship with a spoon of stew;
~ In Gen 26 Esau married two Hittites without consulting parents;
~ In Gen 27 Rebecca administered injustice to his sons;
~ In Gen 29 Jacob was betrayed/deceived too;
~ In Gen 29-30 there was competition between Lea and Rachel over the number of off springs produced by them;
~Jacob and his father in law Laban competed over possessions of herbs;
~Rachel had stolen the idols of his father;
~ In Gen 31 Jacob secretly left his father in law and brother in law;
~ In gen 32-33, Jacob was compelled to meet Esau with fear in his mind; and
~ In Gen 35 Reuben slept with his father's concubine Bilha.
From Gen 37 the story of Joseph begins to appear...and thus presence of jealousy and rivalry between siblings.
Israelites stayed at Egypt for 400 years and multiplied in great number and were made captives. Moses with the help of God delivered the Israelites from their slavery to the Promised Land. God gave the 10 commandments to show their limitations. The new generations entered the Promise Land without the old generation.
Same Culture:
~ Israel went in captivity of Egypt
~ Living in Egypt they followed the same culture
~The Israelites were given the 10 commandments to show their limitations and to show God as a fair and just God.
~They entered the Promise Land with the same culture.
~A nation which was supposed to have a King and be blessed came under the power of other Kings and were scattered all around the world.
The crucial questions:
~Is the new culture a law imposed from outside?
~Is it a law that should spring from within?
~Romans 3: 20-25 talks about the new culture that arose from God.
In the scripture from Ephesians 5:1-5, 7-11, 16-21. the desire to live with God springs from within. Today, the media plays a vital role in influencing us to be liberal and secular in our thoughts. World view influences principalities, authorities, powers of this dark world. But the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms all can be subdued with the fruit of the spirit.
He referred to a book published on the life and times of Rev.G. Khamkam and quoted three important points that influences his life-
1) The reverend looked after his family with softness and principle;
2) was not materialistic; and
3) was humble.
No individual or family can ever be a God pleasing family unless one bases oneself by the new culture received from God.
