POSITIONING YOUR FAMILY TO SUPPORT YOU IN MINISTRY.

 POSITIONING YOUR FAMILY TO SUPPORT YOU IN MINISTRY.

Text: 1Cor 16:13-18.

“And do everything with love. You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece, and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion. I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren’t here to give me. They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Stephanas and his family 

• spent their lives in service to God’s people.
• Worthy of emulation 
• Served the saints with such devotion.
• Willing to go wherever the Lord leads
• Provided the help others were not able to give…. Filled in the gap
• Provided Wonderful encouragement to saints 
• Refreshed the spirit of saints.
• Acknowledged by the saints.

This family served faithfully, in sincerity and in unity. The same thing was said about them all.

The KEY factor: ALIGNMENT WITH THE TRUTH.

Knowledge of the truth - There will be division if there is lack of the knowledge and alignment of the Truth…

In  Lk 12:49-53.

Jesus said..

I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against. ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’ ””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭49‬-‭53‬ ‭NLT‬‬

• He came to send fire 🔥 on the earth.. As confirmed by John in Lk 3: 16-17.

The Bible says..

“John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Secondly, Jesus said..

• He had a baptism…. ( of sorrow, self denial) To be baptized with…. This was His driving force to press on… He told us to take up our cross to follow Him.
• He expects us to experience the same AND do the same… those who are not aligned with Him will resist it, INCLUDING family members.
• All these centers around the Receiving, believing and obedience of the TRUTH.
• This is where the division will come. 

Jesus also said..

• A house divided against itself CANNOT stand 

• Looking at Lk 11:14-17, 21-23.

The Bible says…

“Now He was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon came out, the man who had been mute, spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 

15 But some of them said, “He drives out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons! ” 

16 And others, as a test, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven. 

17 Knowing their thoughts, He told them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls. 

21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his estate, his possessions are secure. 

22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he takes from him all his weapons he trusted in, and divides up his plunder. 

23 Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭14‬-‭17‬, ‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

This division can be PHYSICAL (this can be seen vividly) or SPIRITUAL (this can only be spiritually discerned (1Cor 2:14)

In Lk 11:14-15 : The critics were.. Questioning the kingdom…. 

Those around us may the doing the same without talking or saying it out.

However, as explained in Vs 21-22 : when we disarm them of the ungodly armor that they trust in through the Word of God…. The Kingdom of God within them will be established.

Solution to Family Spiritual Disunity  is:

DISCIPLESHIP of the family. 

Songs of Solomon 1:5-6.. states:

“Daughters of Jerusalem, I am dark like the tents of Kedar, yet lovely like the curtains of Solomon. 

Do not stare at me because I am dark, for the sun has gazed on me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me a keeper of the vineyards. I have not kept my own vineyard.”

‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

I am dark….

Implies that:

• my vision may or is still gloomy and not clear 
• I may still be SEEKING… looking into the dim light of the morning in search for God’s purpose for my life. Or
• I may also be at my DAWN… the place of a rising sun.. still young in purpose.
• However, I am lovely, meaning that I am positioned in a place of beauty and comfort…possessing what is to be desired.

However, the writer says in vs 6c…

They made me keeper of vineyards ( note plural)

BUT my own VINEYARD I have not kept. ( A picture of NEGLECT)

• this could be NEGLECT of: vision 
• Or business, 
• Or Family.

Your family should know what you believe. Share your thoughts and hearts with them.

Allow them to tell you how they understand what you have said… correct where necessary.

This goes beyond daily devotion or posts on social media.

We have take care of:

• Effective spiritual mentoring of our family members 
• Conscious mentoring, training and teaching of family members.
• Create time for each of them. They are different… so will their spiritual needs be.
• I mean…. One on one mentorship.
• For those outside the home…. Create a time (30mins/wk) NOT just to greet them to find out how they are fairing in school BUT STRICTLY for the word and prayer…. 
• ( this will cost you data.. for both you and them too)
• As they get older, don’t ignore them…
• Befriend them, don’t only correct…. Encouraging, comfort ing and strengthening them
• Give them prayer points concerning the family needs and your spiritual needs.
• Let them share what the Lord is saying to them concerning you or what you shared…. They may have Visions, revelations, dreams. ( ask God for grace to discern accurately).

Let us emulate the Stephanas family….

More importantly, let us be like Jesus. 

He also carried His family along..

Initially, it was not easy, but when they saw what God was doing through Him. They aligned with the Truth He preached.

They were also available to join others to carry on the work He left behind.

You can count on them… your family as a support. Don’t ignore them.

Prayers:

Let’s us pray for family support.

Let us ask God for the right strategy to do this in our various family.