The Family Matters series has taken us on a profound journey through God’s heart for relationships, family, and individual growth. Each sermon has given us powerful tools to navigate our relationships with love, wisdom, and grace according to God’s vision for relationships.
Every message has been a building block in a greater structure, with the foundation being love. As 1 Peter 1:22 says, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.”
This verse has anchored us through this series. It reminds us that love must be at the centre of every family, every relationship, and every act of obedience to God.
Let’s walk through these pivotal messages and see how they shape the way we live as a family of faith, committed to God’s design.
1. What is God’s Vision for Family?
Pastor Larry opened the series by helping us understand the foundation of family. Family, as he taught, is God’s idea from the very beginning. Rooted in love and unity, our families are meant to reflect God’s nature.
Psalm 68:6 tells us, “God places the lonely in families…” Family is His answer to isolation and loneliness. God desires us to live in close-knit communities where love and support are abundant. Whether our biological family, our church, or our friends.
Ps Larry reminded us that, just as our heavenly Father cares for us, we are called to care deeply for each other. We need to show love, patience, and understanding in every interaction.
Ephesians 2:19 says, “Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” Our family in Christ is vast, inclusive, and full of grace.
2. Maturing in Love Through Obedience
In this sermon, Pastor Larry focused on how maturity is essential in our relationships. Maturity in love doesn’t come overnight; it requires growth through obedience. Just as children learn through guidance and correction, we mature by obeying God’s word. 1 Peter 1:22 says, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth… love one another deeply, from the heart.”
When we choose to live in obedience to God, we set ourselves on a path of growth that impacts everyone around us. Obedience fosters maturity, and maturity deepens love. Ps Larry reminded us that as we mature, our families benefit from a love that is steady, committed, and deeply rooted in Christ.
3. Your Kingdom Come: Building God’s Vision for Relationships
This sermon brought our focus to the phrase “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” from the Lord’s Prayer. It teaches us to invite God’s values into our lives and relationships. Pastor Larry encouraged us to let God’s kingdom shape our homes, our decisions, and our actions, promoting peace and unity.
When we make Christ the centre of our lives, His values—humility, kindness, forgiveness—become the foundation of our relationships. In Matthew 6:10, Jesus taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In our families, we are called to bring heaven’s peace, love, and righteousness into each day. This allows God’s rule to guide how we love and support each other.
4. Conquering Relationships DAILY
Building strong relationships requires daily commitment. This point was emphasised in this sermon by Pastor Larry. Just as God provides daily grace and mercies, we are to invest daily in our relationships. He encouraged us to focus on “today”—loving, forgiving, and supporting one another without waiting for tomorrow.
He drew from Matthew 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread.” As we rely on God for our daily needs, we need His guidance and strength each day to nurture our relationships. By being intentional in our actions and words, we create a home that reflects God’s love, one day at a time.
5. Key Elements for Living Your Life as a Believer
In this sermon, Pastor Tony highlighted the “key elements” for a believer’s life. These include love, faith, and humility. He taught us that these qualities, when applied to our relationships, become the building blocks for a strong family life. Each of these elements helps us build resilience against life’s challenges. Furthermore, they deepen our connections with others.
2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” We were encouraged to live with purpose, to love sacrificially, and to stand firm in our faith. By embodying these qualities, we live a life that honours God and strengthens the bond we share as a family of believers.
6. Covenant vs Contract: What Does God Want for Your Marriage?
In this powerful message, Pastor Mandy reminded us that marriage is a covenant, not a contract. In a covenant, love is unconditional, reflecting God’s covenant with us. Pastor Mandy emphasised that marriage requires sacrifice, commitment, and forgiveness. These qualities mirror Christ’s love for the church.
Ephesians 5:25 instructs, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” This verse captures the essence of sacrificial love, the kind that sustains marriage. As believers, we are called to honour the covenant of marriage. We do this by prioritising love and commitment over convenience.
7. Forgiveness: The Key to Healing Relationships
Forgiveness is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and Pastor Larry’s message on forgiveness was a reminder of its importance. Forgiveness, as Ps Larry shared, allows us to let go of bitterness and make room for healing. When we forgive, we reflect Christ’s own forgiveness towards us.
Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:12, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Forgiveness is a choice, one that releases us from the chains of resentment. By practising forgiveness, we keep our hearts open to God’s grace. This allows it to flow into our families and beyond.
8. Lead Us Not | Overcoming Temptation in Relationships with God’s Help
Pastor Larry emphasised the need for God’s guidance as we navigate temptation. Temptation can strain or even break relationships! This is why Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). Pastor Larry reminded us that by seeking God’s help, we can overcome the challenges that test our relationships.
With God’s strength, we can resist temptations that may harm our families. We must ground ourselves in prayer and stay close to God. This empowers us to make choices that honour Him and protect our loved ones.
9. Lead Us: Embracing the Sovereignity of God’s Vision for Relationships
In the final message of the series, Pastor Larry reminded us that God is in control! His sovereignty is the anchor in every relationship. When we surrender to God’s will, trusting that He leads our lives, we find peace and assurance. Pastor Larry encouraged us to acknowledge God’s power and glory. Know that He is the foundation of our faith and the guide for our family.
Matthew 6:13 reminds us, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” Embracing God’s sovereignty means living in surrender. We trust that His plans for our families are good and purposeful.
Applying the Family Matters Series to Your Life
As we wrap up the Family Matters series, here are some practical ways to apply these teachings:
- Commit to Daily Love and Forgiveness – Make it a priority to forgive and love every day.
- Stay Rooted in the Word: Make reading and meditating on scripture a daily habit.
- Trust God’s Guidance – Pray for God to lead you and your family in His wisdom.
- Live in Obedience and Maturity – Grow in maturity, showing patience, humility, and grace in all relationships.
- Honour Marriage as a Covenant – Love and serve your spouse as Christ loves the church.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for Your design for family and relationships. Help us to apply these truths, to love deeply, forgive freely, and to live in obedience. Lead us daily, Lord, that our lives may reflect Your love and grace in our homes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Thoughts
As we conclude Rhema South Coast Family Matters, let’s carry these teachings into our daily lives. If you missed any sermon in the series, you can catch up here. Let’s commit to growing in love, faith, and unity as we follow Christ’s example in our homes and relationships.
