I.    Introduction
      A.  We looked last week at God’s commands addressed to specific roles in the family.
           1.  Husband-Wife (Ephesians 5:22-33)
           2.  Father-Child (Ephesians 6:1-4)
      B.  Is this the sum total of the message that God’s word gives families?
      C.  God’s word offers more to us than these role-specific mandates.
           1.  It sets the groundwork for all relationships.
           2.  It calls us to be like Him, the Creator of relationships.
      D.  We will have better families when we are growing as part of God’s family.
           1.  God has ordained relationships for His creation.
           2.  He gave us commands in His word concerning these relationships.
           3.  Like all of these, the family relationship works best when His commands are observed.
II.   We can have better families because “better” qualities flow from God.
      A.  Relationships are influenced by the traits, qualities of those in them.
           1.  What our relationships are depends largely on what we are.
           2.  Our traits as husband, wife, parent, or child will follow our spiritual qualities.
      B.  The qualities of “better” families come from God’s Spirit.
           1.  What are the qualities of good families?
           2.  Are these not characteristics that derive from God? (Galatians 5:22-23)
      C.  The conditions which plague families are those qualities not found in God, but in the flesh.
           1.  What are the hallmarks of poor qualities, harmful traits in families?
           2.  None of these derive from God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
      D.  If we want better families, we must pursue the things of the Spirit.
           1.  To be a part of a quality family relationship, we must have Godly qualities.
           2.  We crucify the flesh and its desires in Christ (Galatians 5:24)
III.  We can have better families in Christ because He is the standard of perfection in relationships.
      A.  Christ commands us to honor two relationships (Matthew 22:37-40)
           1.  Upon these, every other command is based
           2.  Everything else flows from the motivation these provide.
      B.  Jesus demonstrated the standard of perfection for these two relationships.
           1.  Standards help us to measure ourselves, see where we need to grow.
           2.  Jesus provides the standard we need to be able to evaluate, measure love
               a.  In love for God (John 14:15; Hebrews 5:8; John 3:35; John 5:19-20)
               b.  In love for man (John 3:16; John 15:13)
      C.  By following Jesus’ teachings and commands concerning others, we will benefit our relationships.
           1.  Absorbing insults, forgiving (Matthew 5:39)
           2.  Doing more than asked (Matthew 5:40, 41)
           3.  Doing unto others (Matthew 7:12)
      D.  By loving the way Christ showed love, we make stronger relationships.
           1.  Love, the secret to all relationships, is described in I Corinthians 13:4-8 in detail.
           2.  This kind of love makes for better relationships.
IV.  Conclusion
      A.  If you want a better family, be a strong, growing part of God’s family.
      B.  Is God’s Spirit producing fruit in your relationships?

June 7, 2009
Glenn Record