Our society is lost and falling apart. Most people agree on this, but almost everyone has a different opinion regarding how we got there and how to fix things. At the gym recently, I heard a woman say, "We need to fire everybody in Washington and start over". Would that really "fix" the issue? Are politicians really the primary culprit? Others say that we need to be more accepting towards those pushing a variety of immoral lifestyles so that everyone feels included, ignoring the damage done to families by such behaviors. And then there is the ever-popular push for "world peace" by those who believe even a world full of sinners can live at peace with one another. Mother Teresa once said, "What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family". The family unit has been constructed by God and largely ignored or abused by human beings. Yet, it remains the strongest answer to much of what ails our society. Families that submit to Jesus and operate in faith can change whole cultures. This week at Friendship, we will begin a new sermon series called "Family Values" in which we will discover what God's plan is for each role in the family, beginning with the husband/father on Father's Day weekend. We are calling all men to learn and submit to God's design for them, and urging the women in their lives to challenge them, encourage them, and hold them accountable in that design.
The Role of the Husband
June 18, 2023 • Reverend Robert Mattern
The Role of Children
July 30, 2023 • Jen Barshinger
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew 19:14). If Jesus said this, why have we decided that children are an inconvenience, that they prevent us from living life to the fullest, or that they are distracting and rambunctious and therefore should not be allowed in the church service? In that very story in the gospels, it was His own disciples who took these worldly attitudes, even rebuking those who brought their children to Jesus. You can imagine that they probably thought they were saving Jesus from the headache of "dealing with them", but Jesus' response shows us that children aren't a headache at all, and that we must become like them in our faith and trust of Jesus. This week at Friendship, we'll finish up the Family Values series by talking about "The Role of Children". The children will be with us in the service, but adults need to hear this as well. It is our responsibility to train our children to fulfill the role God has given them in the family. We must foster a culture of obedience and trust, while also remembering that part of their role is to observe and learn from us. If that isn't a sobering thought that makes you as an adult want to draw closer to Jesus, I don't know what will! We hope to see you this weekend!
The Role of the Wife
July 23, 2023 • JessicaHarbold
Proverbs 18:22 tells us, "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord". So why do men, even Christian men, use ridiculous phrases like "the old ball & chain"? And why do women, even Christian women, put their husbands down and joke about "training" them to do as they are told? The short answer is "sin", but I think we can all see that there are some wicked ideas we have regarding the opposite sex that have been deeply engrained in our hearts and minds over many generations. In ancient times, women were treated more like property than human beings. They were devalued, abused, and discarded, and the Bible was even used to justify this behavior in many cases. Men, is this still how you see them today? Reflect and ask God to show you any errors. Women, is this how you see yourselves? Reflect and ask God to show you that your true identity is in Him. This week at Friendship, we continue our Family Values series with a look at the Role of the Wife/Woman in God's picture of the family. Join us to learn about God's plan for them in the home, outside the home, in society, in the Church, and as children of God!
The Role of the Church
July 16, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames
This week we'll talk about why the Church has a role in God's picture of the family, and how we are responsible for loving and encouraging the family in both grace AND truth. I am excited for this one and look forward to having you all with us.