Victory Christian Centre, Hutt City, New Zealand

Psalm 11:3 (NKJV)If the foundations are destroyed,what can the righteous do?

• Foundation of moral decency
• Foundation of the sanctity of life
• (NZ’s foundations were built on Judeo-Christian values & principles)

There has been a gradual eroding of the moral foundations of our nation. Successive ungodly politicians have passed ungodly laws in our nation. 

The bedrock of our Judeo-Christian values & principles has been attacked, and is being replaced with atheistic & socialistic beliefs and practices.

• (Socialism is the doctrine of secular humanism)
• (Secular humanism is the religion of atheists)

Romans 8:26 (NKJV)Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

• The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses (limitations)
• We do not (always) know what, or how we should pray as we should
• The Holy Spirit makes intercession (prayers) for us with groanings
• These groanings include praying in tongues
• He (the Holy Spirit) makes intercession for us (in tongues - through us)

Our General Elections are now behind us!

But we continue to pray towards the formation of a coalition government from yesterday’s election results. We pray for a “best-case scenario” that the elections results can deliver, instead of a worse-case scenario.

1. Praying & interceding with “stammering lips” and “another tongue”

Isaiah 28:9–11 (NKJV)Whom will he teach knowledge?And whom will he make to understand the message?Those just weaned from milk?Those just drawn from the breasts?10For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept,line upon line, line upon line,here a little, there a little.”11For with stammering lips and another tongueHe will speak to this people.

The context of this passage: 

• The Israelites were backslidden and had slipped into a lifestyle of drunkenness (Ephraim – Northern kingdom)
• The priests and prophets also had lost their way through intoxicating drink and begun to err in visions and in judgments 
• God sent Isaiah the prophet to deliver a message of repentance to them, but they would not listen
• Then God warned them that because of their unwillingness to listen or receive His word, the Assyrian army would invade their land
• He told them that the invading army were people that spoke with “stammering lips” and with “another tongue”

1 Corinthians 14:18–21 (TNIV) I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.20Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21In the Law it is written:“With other tonguesand through the lips of foreignersI will speak to this people,but even then they will not listen to me,says the Lord.”

• Apostle Paul corrected the Corinthian believers concerning their wrong use of the gift of speaking in tongues
• They were giving public messages in tongues in their church meetings without anyone bringing the interpretation of tongues
• So he told them that (privately - for personal edification), he spoke in tongues more than any of them, but publicly, he would rather speak in a language they would understand so he could teach them something 
• Then he quoted the passage of Scripture from Isaiah 28:11 about stammering lips and another tongue, and applied it to the gift of speaking in tongues

What’s interesting is: 

• The “stammering lips” and “foreign tongue” in Isaiah 28:11was reference to the Assyrian invasion that would take place
• The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was also an invasion – an invasion of the Holy Spirit
• And this invasion of the Holy Spirit resulted in God’s people speaking with “stammering lips” and with “another tongue”

Matthew 3:1-2, 8 (BCJ) ... John the Baptizer, by his own witness in the deserts of Judea, announced the beginning of Jesus' ministry. 2 He said to everyone who would listen, "Change your attitudes and your actions. Prepare yourself for an invasion of the Spirit dimension which is imminent." ...8 If you intend to participate in the imminent spiritual invasion, demonstrate a change in your attitude and actions.

Matthew 4:17 (BCJ) ... Jesus began His ministry saying to all the people, "Change your attitude and actions because an invasion of the Spirit is imminent...."

The fulness of this Holy Spirit invasion took place some 3 years later, on the Day of Pentecost. 

1. Praying for another invasion of the Holy Spirit 

When we pray in tongues and intercede for our nation, we are preparing the way for God to bring a fresh Outpouring of His Spirit in New Zealand. 

• We are preparing our own hearts so we ourselves can participate in the next spiritual invasion
• We also pray for the hearts of others to be softened and prepared so they can participate in the next spiritual invasion

God wants to invade every home in our nation, and captivate the heart of every man, every woman and every child.

God wants to invade our Parliament, and arrest the hearts of our politicians and all of their advisors and policy writers.

God wants to invade every factory, every board room, every hospital, every prison, and every sports field and grip the hearts of the people there and turn them toward Himself. 

When the Spirit invades the lives of people, we can expect the following to happen:

John 16:8 (NKJV)And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

• Conviction of sin in the lives of the spiritually lost people is the sole function of the Holy Spirit
• Conviction of sin in the lives of believers is also the sole function of the Holy Spirit

We need more Holy Spirit!

Acts 2:17 (NKJV)And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh … 

When we pray in tongues, God pours out of his Spirit on all humanity.

Psalm 11:3 (NKJV)If the foundations are destroyed,what can the righteous do?

• Foundation of moral decency
• Foundation of the sanctity of life
• (NZ’s foundations were built on Judeo-Christian values & principles)

Our (outgoing!) Labour-led government has passed a law to decriminalise the killing of unborn babies in abortions, right up to birth.

This ungodly law further contributes towards eroding our nation’s foundations.

Our 2020 General Elections include 2 Referendums that, if voted “yes” by a majority of people, will further destroy the moral foundations of our nation:

1. Cannabis legalisation and control referendum
2. End of Life Choice referendum     (Euthanasia) [binding referendum]

Evil can only flourish when good people do nothing, or worse, when good people vote incorrectly and unbiblically. 

Romans 8:26 (NKJV)Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

• The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses (limitations)
• We do not (always) know what, or how we should pray as we should
• The Holy Spirit makes intercession (prayers) for us with groanings
• This groaning is reference to praying in tongues
• He (the Holy Spirit) makes intercession for us (in tongues - through us)

1. WHEN I PRAY IN TONGUES, MY SPIRIT PRAYS

1 Corinthians 14:14 (NKJV)For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

• The gift of tongues is a hugely under-rated and under-used ‘facility’ given to us by the Holy Spirit
• Many ‘tongue-talking believers’ do not talk in tongues much, because mostly, they do not understand the benefits of this powerful gift
• Many Christians do not speak in tongues at all because of a mis-understanding of one verse of Scripture (1 Corinthians 12:30)

There are two basic and distinct applications of tongues:

1. The gift of tongues for personal edification 

(personal prayer language)

1. The gift of tongues for public utterance 

(a public message given in tongues, together with it’s interpretation)

• One is private and for personal edification (a.)
• The other is public and for other people’s edification (b.)
• One is a believer speaking to God (a.)

(man to God)

• The other is God speaking through a believer to a group of people (b.)        (God to men)

1 Corinthians 14:4 (AMP)He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself …(a.)

Jude 20 (NKJV)But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. (a.)

1 Corinthians 14:5 (ESV)Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.(b.)

1. Every believer can & should speak in tongues for personal edification (a.)
2. Not every believer will operate in the public gift of tongues for the church’s edification (b.)

Acts 2:4 (NKJV)And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.(a.)

1 Corinthians 12:30 (NASB95) All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?(b.)

When Paul said: “…All do not speak with tongues, do they?..”, he was:

• specifically referring to the gift of tongues for public utterance (b.)
• and definitely not referring to the gift of tongues for personal edification (a.)

1 Corinthians 14:18 (AMP)I thank God that I speak in [strange] tongues (languages) more than any of you or all of you put together;

1 Corinthians 14:18 (LB)I thank God that I “speak in tongues” privately more than any of the rest of you.

1. WE ARE A THREE-PART BEING – SPIRIT, SOUL & BODY 

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJV)Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our complete being is made up of:

1. Our spirit
2. Our soul
3. Our body 

1 Corinthians 14:14 (NKJV)For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Unfruitful – non-productive & disengaged

• When we pray in tongues, our spirit prays, but our understanding is non-productive and largely disengaged
• Our “understanding” has to do with the mind which is part of our soul

In other words, when we pray:

• we can either pray out of our understanding (English)
• Or we can pray out of our spirit (tongues)

1 Corinthians 14:15 (NKJV)What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit (tongues), and I will also pray with the understanding (English). I will sing with the spirit (tongues),, and I will also sing with the understanding (English).

• Our understanding (soul) is subject to human interference
• Our spirit is not subject to human interference 
• Our born again human spirit is occupied by the Holy Spirit
• When we speak in tongues, the Holy Spirit gives us the words

1. WE ARE IN SUPERNATURAL TERRITORY

We have never been here before. We are not only in the last day before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, but we are also in the days where we could easily loose our freedom of speech and our legal right to preach the gospel freely in our nation.

• We need less human-inspired prayers
• We need more Holy Spirit-inspired prayers

Acts 2:4 (NKJV)And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Psalm 11:3 (NKJV)If the foundations are destroyed,_ what can the righteous do? _

Earlier this year, our current (outgoing!) Labour-led government has passed a law to decriminalise the killing of unborn babies in abortions, right up to birth.

This ungodly law, passed by ungodly & nasty people (liberal MPs), has further contributed towards the destruction of the foundations of our nation:

• Foundation of moral decency
• Foundation of the sanctity of life
• Etc.

Our upcoming General Elections will include 2 Referendums that, if voted "yes" by a majority of people, will further destroy the foundations of our nation:

1. Cannabis legalisation and control referendum
2. End of Life Choice referendum (Euthanasia) [binding referendum]

Psalm 10:4 (D-R)For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made: _ but __ what has the just man done? _

Evil can only flourish when good men do nothing.

Quotes by Edmund Burke:

• All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing

• When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptable struggle

Question:

What are we doing, the good, the just and the righteous, to stop the destruction of our nation's foundations.

When pastor David Yonggi Cho was asked about the secret to the success of the Christian church in South Korea, he said:

1. We pray (and)
2. We obey

We too adopt this same strategy, especially with view of the upcoming Elections and Referendums.

1. We pray defeat over the liberal left and the mad far right
2. We pray defeat over both (Government-initiated) referendums
3. We obey God's instructions by voting for God-fearing candidates & conservative parties (Electoral Vote and party Vote)

Psalm 75:6–7** , ** 9–10 ** (LB) For promotion and power come from nowhere on earth, but only from God. _ He promotes one and deposes another. _ … _ 9 ** But as for me, I shall forever declare the praises of the God of Jacob._ _** 10 ** "I will cut off the strength of evil men," **_ says the Lord, "and _ increase the power of good men in their place."**_

Based on this Scripture, we can (and should) pray for evil people to be removed from Parliament, and for good people to be raised up in their place.

1. Praying in the Spirit

Romans 8:26 (NKJV)Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but _ the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. _

• The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses (limitations)
• We do not (always) know what, or how we should pray as we should
• The Holy Spirit makes intercession (prayers) for us with groanings

Groanings: Gr. stenazo - to express grief by inarticulate or semi-articulate sounds

The Holy Spirit doesn't make these groanings without us or outside of us.

He lives in us and He prays & groans through us.

J.B Phillips N.T. … but his (__God's) Spirit _ within us _ is actually praying for us in those agonising longings which never find words.

(Douay-Rheims) … the Spirit himself asketh for us with _ unspeakable groanings. _

This groaning in Romans 8:26 is reference to praying in tongues.

Praying in tongues is a heavenly prayer language that we receive when we are baptised with the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:27 (NKJV)Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because _ He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. _

• He (the Holy Spirit) makes intercession for us (in tongues - through us)
• … according to the will of God.

Praying in tongues is praying Holy Spirit-inspired words that are always in line with God's perfect will.

Acts 2:4 (NKJV)And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and _ began to speak with other tongues _, _ as the Spirit gave them utterance. _

When we pray in tongues, we do the speaking, but it is the Holy Spirit who gives us the words.

Therefore, praying in tongues (also called "praying in the spirit") is a co-operation between us and the Holy Spirit within us.

• We pray verbally and out aloud
• The Holy Spirit supplies us with the words to pray

1. " Prayer Walk the Nation 2020" – Saturday 3 October

When you go out into your neighbourhood next Saturday during "Prayer Walk the Nation 2020", pray strongly in tongues as you go:

• For the families who live in the streets around you
• For God to pour out His Spirit in your neighbourhood
  • For spiritual blindness to be removed from the people's eyes
  • To give them ears to hear the gospel and an open heart to received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour
• Pray against the Coronavirus and its effect the people and on the nation
• Pray for God to give the population discernment in the upcoming election & referendums
• Also pray for God to take down ungodly politicians in the upcoming election, and to replace them with God-fearing people

Jude 20 (NKJV)But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, _ praying in the Holy Spirit. _

Praying in tongues has numerous functions and multiple benefits:

1. It is a supernatural prayer language
2. It is a "pre-approved" form of prayer that changes things
3. It is praying the perfect will of God for every person and every situation
4. It is an effective form of intercession for cities, regions and nations
5. Its "flow-back" effect is that:

• It lifts you out of the natural realm into the realm of the Spirit
• It is the doorway into the supernatural
• It builds you up spiritually
• It positions you to receive revelation knowledge

Colossians 4:12 (NKJV)Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, _ always laboring fervently for you in prayers _, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

If our prayers lack passion, they also lack power!

So when you pray (in tongues), pray fervently and passionately!

James 5:16 (NKJV) Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. _ The effective, _ _ fervent _ _ prayer of a righteous man avails much. _

Ampl. … The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

Lets continue to pray boldly & fervently - we are changing the nation!

Our current focus is on “God in the Family”, or “God-Empowered Families”.

• The family unit is the basic building block of any society or nation
• If the family unit is strong then the nation will be strong
• If the family unit is broken down, the nation will be broken down also
• The seeds of family breakdown are many times sown in people’s lives during their childhood, through:
• Observing & adopting dysfunctional family dynamics 
• Lack of proper child training & wrong child training

Today is Father’s Day. In today’s message we will toggle between:

• Acknowledging & honouring God as our heavenly Father
• Acknowledging & honouring our earthly fathers 

1. A son honours his father 

Malachi 1:6 (NASB95) “ ‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name… 

In the Bible, it is understood and expected that a father is honoured & respected. Honouring father (and mother) is enshrined as the 5th of the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:12)

God says to the priests:   … if I am a father, where is My honor?

… if I am a master, where is My respect?

Then He tells them that they actually despise His name.

In practice, a lack of honour towards somebody manifests either as indifference, or descends into outright contempt and distain for that person. 

Malachi 1:6–7 (Msg) “Isn’t it true that a son honors his father and a worker his master? So if I’m your Father, where’s the honor? If I’m your Master, where’s the respect?” God-of-the-Angel-Armies is calling you on the carpet: “You priests despise me!“You say, ‘Not so! How do we despise you?’“By your shoddy, sloppy, defiling worship.“You ask, ‘What do you mean, “defiling”? What’s defiling about it?’7“When you say, ‘The altar of God is not important anymore; worship of God is no longer a priority,’ that’s defiling.

God interpreted their shoddy and sloppy worship as dishonour and disrespect.

Their attitude of relegating worship as something unimportant, and their contemptuous words of demeaning worship of God as a low priority demonstrated their contempt and distain for God. 

Interestingly, in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the most famous of its 107 questions and answers states: 

Q. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

1. Elijah’s preaching turns the hearts of fathers and children towards each other 

Malachi 4:5–6 (NLT) Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 6His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.

It appears that Israel’s culture during the time of Malachi had descended into dishonour and disrespect, which had even crept into families, affecting the relationship between fathers and their children. 

There is something about honour (or lack of) in the relationship between fathers and their children that God’s feels sufficiently strongly about, to warn His people about striking the land with a curse if honour is missing. 

The message is: Do not be flippant about things that God’s feels strongly about.

In Malachi 4:5-6, God speaks about the prophet Elijah who would come before the Lord Jesus arrives, and his preaching would “… turn the heart of fathers towards their children, and the hearts of children towards their fathers”.

Actually, from everything we see in God’s Word, all preaching should turn the heart of fathers towards their children, and the hearts of children towards their father. 

To do that, all preaching should:

1. Include a strong “honour ethos”
2. Affirm the position & role of the father in the home and in society
3. Honour fatherhood as “sacred” and not as “common” or “optional”

The enemy of our souls knows that “honuorlessness” weakens families and nations. So he tempts people and societies away from any honour ethos, and deceives them into despising authority, beginning in the home.

Luke 1:13,16-17 (NKJV)But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John … 16And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

John’s main message was: Repent. 

If you haven’t honoured your father in the past: Repent.

Ask God to forgive you, and start to honour your father from today onwards. 

1. Fatherlessness lies at the base of family & societal breakdown

Broken homes typically are fatherless homes. 

Multiple studies have shown that the outcome of children growing up in fatherless homes isn’t nearly as good as the outcome of children where the father is present, and actively involved in their day-to-day lives. 

Many mothers are doing a splendid job in raising their children without the presence or help of the children’s father. 

However, a mother can never be a father, in the same way as a father could never be a mother. 

(Nowadays, when many politicians and sociologist would have us believe that any configuration of family is as good as any other, and that any family configuration will produce equal results, we should to go back to the Word of God and study God’s original plan and intend for families.)

1. Story of young juvenile elephants running amok

According to a story in the Los Angeles Times in the late 90’s, a social experiment in Africa with young elephants went all wrong after some older elephant bulls were culled during the 1970s, ‘80s and early ‘90s in the Kruger National Park. 

The younger orphaned male elephants were translocated to the Pilanesburg National Park where they went out of control without the presence and mentoring influence of the older elephant bulls. 

In the end, the park authorities realised that the single biggest cause for these juvenile male elephants running amok was the absence of the older male elephants, so they brought in some older elephant bulls to sort out the younger ones.

5. God-Empowered Families

Our current focus is on "God in the Family", or "God-Empowered Families".

The family unit is the basic building block of any society or nation

If the family unit is strong then the nation will be strong

If the family unit is broken down, the nation will be broken down also

The seeds of family breakdown are many times sown in people's lives during their childhood, through:

• Observing & adopting dysfunctional family dynamics
• Lack of proper child training & wrong child training

         1. The Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:10–31 (NLT)Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. _ 11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. _ 12_ She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life._ _ 13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. _ 14_ She is like a merchant's ship, bringing her food from afar._ _ 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for her servant girls. _ 16_ She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard._ _ 17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. _ 18_ She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night._ _ 19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. _ 20_ She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy._ _ 21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. _ 22_ She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns._ _ 23 Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. _ 24_ She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants._ _ 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. _ 26_ When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness._ _ 27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. _ 28_ Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:_ _ 29 "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" _ 30_ Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised._ _ 31 _Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

• The book of Proverbs is filled with God's practical wisdom for our lives
• It covers virtually every facet of daily living
• It focusses strongly on good character & wise decision-making
• It speaks about the roles & functions of husbands, wives and children within the family unit

Proverbs 31:10-31 is an acrostic poem from the 22 Hebrew letters, that highlights numerous noble character qualities of the virtuous wife and mother.

• Every Christian woman should seek to become a virtuous woman
• All parents should endeavour to train their children to become virtuous adults

         2. The Virtuous Man in Scripture

There isn't a "block" of Scriptures like Proverbs 31 that speaks about the virtuous husband, but there are numerous passages scattered throughout the Scriptures that paint a clear picture of the godly husband and father.

Ezekiel 18:5,9 (NAB) … _ a man is virtuous — if he does what is right and just _ … 9 if he lives by my statutes and is careful to observe my ordinances, that man is virtuous …

Ephesians 5:25–33 (NIV)_ Husbands, love your wives, _ just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her _ 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, _ 27_ and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless._ _ 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. _ 29_ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body._ _ 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." _ 32_ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church._ _ 33 _However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Colossians 3:19 (NIV)_ Husbands, love your wives _ and do not be harsh with them.

1 Peter 3:7 (NLT) In the same way, _ you husbands _ must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

• Every Christian man should seek to become a virtuous man as described in God's Word.

        3. Becoming who God made us to be

When we receive Christ as our Lord and Saviour and become born again, God makes us a new creation and places His love in our spirits.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)This means that _ anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. _ The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (Ampl) … the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

Romans 5:5 (NIV) … _ God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit _, who has been given to us.

• Through the new birth and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit within us, we are now a new person
• God's virtue now lives within our spirit
• We can all be virtuous men and women

Romans 12:2 (NASB95)And do not be conformed to this world, but _ be transformed by the renewing of your mind, _ so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

• Transformation from the "old" to the "new" takes place through renewing our minds with the Word of God
• God's Word not only tells us who God made us to be
• It also has the power to transform us to become who God already made us to be
• In our recreated spirit, we already are who God intends for us to be
• But our minds need to be re-programmed so that this new life can spring forth
• When our mind is being renewed to God's Word through meditating in it, we change into who God made us to be

Joshua 1:8 (Msg)And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. _ Ponder and meditate on it day and night _, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.

Subtitle: God created them male and female

Our current focus is on “God in the Family”, or “God-Empowered Families”. 

• The basic building block of any society or nation is the family unit
• If the family unit is strong then the nation will be strong
• If the family unit is broken down, the nation will be broken down also
• The seeds of family breakdown are many times sown in people’s lives during their childhood, through:
• Observing & adopting dysfunctional family dynamics 
• Lack of proper child training & wrong child training

1. God created 2 uniquely different and distinct genders – male and female

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Mark 10:5–9 (NKJV)And Jesus answered and said to them …. 6… from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’7‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 8and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

• In the beginning, God created human beings as “male” and “female”
• In Mark 10:2 Jesus was asked about the legality of a man divorcing his wife
• Jesus referred His inquirers back to creation in Genesis where God stated His original plan and intention concerning mankind

Law of First Mention:

• God set His intention and plan regarding humankind in place in Genesis
• If He had intended to change His plan and intention at any stage, He would have told us about it in His Word
• Jesus affirmed God’s original plan and intention concerning “male and female” in the New Testament
• We have no Bible reference where God ever revoked or changed His original plan and intention concerning “male” and “female”

Biblical Basics: 

• God created human beings as “male” and “female” (men & women)
• God intended that they (male and female) become one through marriage for the purpose of: 
• Procreation                      (Genesis 1:28)
• Companionship               (Malachi 2:14)
• Demonstrating the covenant relationship between Christ and the church                             (Ephesians 5:32)

The Present Reality:

• God’s established genders are under attack from various interest groups
• There is an underlying attempt to “feminise” men and “masculinise” women
• The current Gender Identity Ideology is not based in science but in “liberal” and “progressive” political ideology
• It gives rise to sexually confused people to deny their biological sex and claim the right to be, or become another sex, or a variation of sexes
• The catch-cry is: It’s not about the sex you were born with - its all about how you “feel”
• The liberal left wants to invade our schools and kindergardens with sex education curriculum, and re-educate our children regarding their options of sexual identity or preferences

1. God’s created order of “male” and “female” must not be blurred or confused

Deuteronomy 22:5 (NASB95) A woman shall not wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.

• God explicitly forbids transvestism (cross dressing)
• Gender Identity other than identifying with one’s God-given sex at birth is completely against God’s will and design
• In Bible days, cross-dressing had to do with:
• homosexuality 
• It was connected with the worship of pagan deities

Leviticus 20:13 (NLT)If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense.

The Message is: 

• Do not tamper with God’s original plan & intention for mankind
• Do not blur the line between the sexes 
• Some actions are forbidden simply because they bring confusion about God’s created order
• Each of us are stewards of the sex assigned to us by birth
• Man are created to be men for life, and women are created to be women for life
• It is not our prerogative to change who God made us to be

1. God intended that “male and female” understand each other, rather than emulate each other

1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV)Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Weaker vessel – weaker body

There are numerous physiological and psychological differences between men and women, that should be understood, appreciated, and honoured. 

God has not intended for us to compete against each other, but to complete each other. 

Boys/men are:                                                        Girls/women are: 

Physically stronger                                      relationally stronger

Logic oriented                                              feeling oriented

Conquering competitor                                relational competitor 

Seek Adventurers                                        seek security 

Risk-takers                                                  safety seekers

Etc. 

1. Certain practices hinder people from entry into heaven 

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (ESV)Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Paul lists nine categories of unrighteous people who will not get to heaven unless they repent of their sinful lifestyle and practices: 

• Sexually immoral (fornicators engaging in sex before marriage)
• Idolators 
• Adulterers (engaging in sex with other that their married spouse)
• Homosexuals (same sex 
• Thieves
• Greedy people
• Drunkards
• Revilers (Slanderers & Abusers)
• Swindlers 

1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV)And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Paul said that some of the Corinthian believers were previously part of these 9 categories of unrighteous people. 

1. God commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to Him 

Acts 17:30-31 (NLT) God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him.31For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”

Everyone who repents of their sins and turns to God will be saved, washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Outline: https://bit.ly/3kQXMS2
Subtitle: The Christian home – Keys to a happy Family life

Our current focus is on "God in the Family", or "God-Empowered Families".

• The basic building block of any society or nation is the family unit

• If the family unit is strong then the nation will be strong

• If the family unit is broken down, the nation will be broken down also

• The seeds of family breakdown are many times sown in people's lives during their childhood, through:

  • Observing & adopting dysfunctional family dynamics
  • Lack of proper child training & wrong child training

1. Jesus came to bring Grace & Truth to Individuals and to Families

John 1:14,17 (NKJV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father , full of grace and truth. 17 __For the law was given through Moses, but _ grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. _

The Bible is divided into two major parts or time periods.

• The Old Testament (O.T.)
• The New Testament (N.T.)

A broad summary of the main theme of each of these two periods:

• O.T. – The Law (an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth)
• N.T. – Grace and truth (loving forgiveness)

John 1:14,17 (LB) And _ Christ _ became a human being and lived here on earth among us and _ was full of loving forgiveness and truth . … 17 _For Moses gave us only _ the Law with its rigid demands and merciless justice, _ while _ Jesus Christ brought us loving forgiveness as well. _

• If we claim "Christian home status" for our homes, we have to be like Christ who was full of grace & loving forgiveness and truth
• Any home that is operated on the basis of loving forgiveness and truth will be a happy home
• Any home that is operated on the basis of "the Law with its rigid demands and merciless justice" will be an unhappy home

Colossians 1:27 (NET) God wanted to make known to them the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is _ Christ in you _, the hope of glory.

Once we are born again, Christ is in us, and we have the grace and ability to operate like Christ did, with loving forgiveness.

Matthew 5:38–39 (NKJV) You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' _ 39 _ But I tell you _ _not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

• The message here is: Do not retaliate!
• Retaliation is based on a "merciless justice" premise and belongs to the pre-Christ era
• In the N.T., the emphasis has moved from judging others to judging ourselves

Luke 6:37 (NLT)_ Do not judge others , and you will not be judged._ _ Do not condemn others , or it will all come back against you . Forgive others , and you will be forgiven._

1 Corinthians 11:31 (NKJV)For if we would _ judge ourselves _, we would not be judged.

Colossians 4:6 (NKJV) _ Let your speech always be with grace _, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Do not operate out of resentment, rejection or unforgiveness.

1. The Biblical Family

Our aim as Christian families is not to be "modern families", but "biblical families".

Sometimes people think that any version or any variation of family philosophy will do … but in reality, only Bible Methods can produce Bible Results.

To claim "Biblical Family Status" for our families, we need to build and pattern our families after the truth of God's Word.

• Jesus came to bring not only grace, but also truth (John 1:17)
• Grace along will not produce a biblical family
• We need both "Grace" and "Truth" to build a Biblical Family

1. The Biblical Husband

Ephesians 5:25 (NKJV)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.

Colossians 3:19 (NLT)Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.

• The biblical husband is a praying man
• He lives by the Word of God and models a godly lifestyle to his family
• He is a servant leader who lays down his life for his wife & his family
• He honours his wife as a co-heir of the grace of life so that His prayers aren't hindered
• He seeks God's will for his life and for his family
• He fosters the presence of God in his home

1 Chronicles 13:14 (NET) The ark of God remained in Obed-Edom's house for three months; _ the Lord blessed Obed-Edom's family and everything that belonged to him. _

The ark of God primarily represents the presence of God. Specifically, it contained:

• Two tablets with the 10 Commandments (the Word of God) Deut.10:2
• A pot of manna (supernatural sustenance ) Deut. 8:3
• Aaron's rod that budded (confirming Aarons priesthood & leadership)

1. The Biblical Wife

Ephesians 5:22–24 (NKJV)Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. _ 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body._ _ 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything._

The sequence of submission to God & His ordained authority is as follows:

• Christ submits to Father God (1 Corinthians 15:24,28)

• The church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:24)

• The husband submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:25)

• The wife submits to her husband & to Christ (Ephesians 5:22–24)

• The children submit to their father and mother (Colossians 3:20)

The more the whole family is submitted to God and His ordained authority structure, the happier and fulfilled each member of the family will be.

1. Biblical Children

Colossians 3:20 (NKJV)Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

1. God sets the Solitary in Families
   Outline: https://bit.ly/3kQXMS2

Psalm 68:6 (NKJV)_ God sets the solitary in families ; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity …_

Many people are quite solitary (alone) as far as their natural family is concerned.

In that case, their church family becomes more than just a spiritual family – the church becomes like an adopted family to them so they can experience the blessing of having fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters etc.

Mark 10:29–30 (NKJV)So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, _ 30 _ who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children _ _and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.