God said of Abraham…
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him (Genesis 18:19 KJV)
Family worship and attendance in God’s house for corporate worship as a family is very important. Parents who neglect this duty do violence to their children; they rob them of the gospel, deny the faith, and are worse than an infidel (I Timothy 5:8).
In contrast, God knew Abraham well enough to know what he would do with his children. He would command them and teach them in the ways of the Lord. Is it any wonder that God expresses such confidence and favor in the man? Not a bad example for us to follow.
What are the reasons we should practice family worship and to be faithful to church as a family?
1. There are family sins to confess.
2. There are family mercies to thank God for.
3. There are family deliverance's to celebrate.
4. There are family blessings to seek God for.
5. Family worship honors God and strengthens the family.
Here’s what you can expect from family worship:
1. An increase of knowledge of God for the whole family (Deut. 6:6-7).
2. Family harmony will increase (Colossians 2:14-15).
3 Freedom from the fury of God (Jeremiah 10:25).
4. The blessing of God upon your family (Psalm 128).
5. Family safety (Psalm 34:7).
Christians who neglect family worship are shamed by the heathen religions of the world. In almost every heathen religion in the world, family worship has a prominent place in the household. And should not Christian families, who worship Jehovah, the Only True God, worship Him together? We should blush for the people who neglect this. We should also fear for them, because their neglect comes from a heart gone bad, not a lack of knowledge.
The most unprincipled thing a person could ever say is, “I just don’t have the time.” WHAT?!! No time for God? No time for His honor? No time to seek His favor? No time to plead for His mercy? No time to bless your children? No time to acknowledge His Lordship over you?!!
Abraham found the time, and God said of him, “For I KNOW HIM, he will command his children and his household….”
I think I’ll be in church this Sunday… even if it is Christmas.
2 comments:
Ron,
I'd love to have a protracted conversation about this with you. It is something I have been thinking about for a long time. Very encouraged by this post, brother.
Rob
This is a something I think about pretty often myself. I wish more people took this as seriously as I do.
However family worship is defined and/or manifested in the different communities of faith, it is still a matter that should involve the 'whole' family. It bothers me when corporate worship on the Lord's Day is relegated down to the same level of any other activity on one's calendar, such as playing tennis or cleaning out the garage, etc.
BTW, this is how I preach it and teach it, and I'm very thankful for the people in the PCC family who grasp its significance.
Thanks for the encouragement brother!
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