THE TROUBLED FAMILY
INTRODUCTION:
1. My subject, THE TROUBLED FAMILY is no easy task. Not
because of an absence of material, but because of the
serious problems that are bombarding us. The family
structure about us is in deep trouble. And the actions of
the world are infiltrating the body of Christ in far too
many instances.
2. As our beginning place, I carry us back to the beginning -
Genesis 1:27, 28.
I. WHAT WAS AND IS THE PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE?
A. Procreation (Gen 1:27,28). Defined: "Creation for or on
behalf of another." God created man and woman. He then gave
the responsibility of both man and woman, not separately,
but together, to continue His creative Work.
Helen Keller once said: "There has been no greater
blessing bestowed upon man than the realization that God
allows a mother and a father to work together with God's
law to reproduce and bring forth a child -- there is the
divine element; there is the human element -- working
together with God to produce in harmony with God's divine
law."
And, it is within the marriage relationship that the
little bundle of joy has been placed to be nurtured, loved,
and developed. A human child cannot reach his/her full
development without the co-operation and care of two caring
parents.
The married pair will have to unclasp one hand each to
bring another into the circle, willing to sacrifice and
suffer, yea even die for the sake of their little ones.
Marriage is not an end in itself. It is a united ministry
to others. We have been created to serve.
B. Sexual Fulfillment (Gen. 2:23-25).
There is placed within each of us certain desires that
need fulfillment. One of these is the sexual desire. It is
this desire that enhances God's command to be fruitful,
multiply and replenish the earth.
Yet, Jehovah, from the very beginning, regulated and
restricted this great blessing within the family bond. Note
1 Cor. 7:2-5; Heb. 13:4. There is perhaps no more grievous
sin than fornication. Knowing this, Jehovah placed the
satisfaction and attainment of this desire within the
marriage relationship. This desire, like all other
blessings bestowed upon us by a loving Father, is beautiful
and wholesome; but if misused or abused, becomes a sin
damning act that will cause souls to be lost.
C. Companionship (Gen. 2:18, 21-23).
All marriages are not blessed with children. Even if
they are, children come and then they go, leaving the
couple alone together again. Parenthood, therefore, may
enrich marriage, but it will not sustain it. Neither will
the sexual attainments. There is much more to marriage than
physical love-making.
It is the daily living together, the close bond of
husband and wife that develops into true and trusted
friends. Loneliness is one of the most dreaded experiences
that men and women can undergo. God said it was not good
for man to be alone. (Gen. 2:18). We have that great need
to love and to be loved. In marriage there is that sense of
never being alone, whether the two are near, or far apart.
In no other relationship can this need be attained than
through marriage. The close and intimate life together of
husband and wife, sharing their resources, their plans,
their hopes, the married couple grow into a fellowship of
warm affection and mutual trust which continues to grow and
develop as the years move on. At lease, that is what
marriage should be. In Gen. 1:31, Jehovah God said, "And
behold, it was VERY good." But, things go awry. Troubles
step in. Difficulties arise. The honeymoon is soon over and
the daily task of living together becomes a reality.
Consequently, in far too many families, troubles, deep
troubles begin to shake this relationship and far, far, too
many develop problems that are almost, if not completely
impossible to solve.
Thus, MY SUBJECT:
II. THE TROUBLED FAMILY:
1. I do not propose to solve all of the problems or troubles
that may arise in a family relationship. In fact, we may
not even touch upon the particular problem about which
you may be thinking.
2. But, one thing I do know. We do have a perfect manual to
turn to that has the complete answer to every difficulty
you will ever face -- whether in the family, as a husband
or wife, mother or father, or any other relationship.
3. That manual or standard is the WORD OF GOD. Paul stated it
very ably. 2 Tim. 3:16-17. "Every scripture is inspired...
4. Reminds me of the person who purchases an item that must be
assembled. Desk, bookcase, bicycle, whatever. He opens the
box and scatters the pieces all over the floor. He begins
to assemble, then realizes that he has it all wrong. So, he
takes it apart and starts over, but to no avail. What is
the solution? Go to the instruction manual that came with
the item. Man's problem with marriage is that he has the
difficulties scattered all over the floor, but he does not
want to look at the instruction book. He has his own
solutions and ideas, and more often than not--they result
in failure. When will we learn to open the book, return to
the standard, and accept God's arrangements. You see, when
God made man, he gave us a perfect manual. He has given us
a perfect guide; one that has all of the needed solutions
and answers. If we but had the wisdom and the will to look
therein.
III. DIVORCE IS NOT AN OPTION:
1. There are various and sundry solutions to the many problems
that arise in a marriage, but divorce has never been a
solution that is pleasing to Jehovah. DIVORCE IS SIMPLY NOT
AN OPTION.
2. Matt. 19:6-- Jesus made it very clear. "What God hath
joined together, let not man put asunder." I realize and
understand that there is one exception as stated by our
Lord. But, even in this exception, sin has been committed
by at least one party in the marriage.
3. The modern concept is similar to the scientist in the lab.
He tries one solution and if it does not work, he throws it
out and tries another. Not so in marriage.
4. There are no exchange windows in the marriage relationship.
We purchase a garment and take it home. Upon further
examination we decide it is not the right color, does not
fit right, or just doesn't suit our fancy. So, we return it
for another, or perhaps a refund. NOT SO WITH MARRIAGE.
5. We hear today of TRIAL MARRIAGES; or "living together."
Such is a flagrant denial of God's will and purposes. SIN
cannot be put on a trial basis. Fornication is fornication
no matter what one calls it or labels it.
6. You may ask, "Why discuss divorce at the beginning of a
lesson on solving marital problems?" The answer lies in the
fact that one's attitude toward divorce will, in a large
measure, determine our attitude toward marriage; one's
attitude toward solving the problems in marriage. If
divorce is not an option, then couples will work harder to
solve their problems. In fact, they WILL SOLVE THEM.
This material, along with Parts 2, 3,
and 4, is available in tract form. For
information, see Part 4.
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