“The Home – A Holy Institution!” Genesis 1:26-31; 2:18-25

“The evidence is convincing that the better our relationships are at home, the more effective we are in our careers. If we’re having difficulty with a loved one, that difficulty will be translated into Zig Ziglar

reduced performance on the job reduced performance on the job. In studying the millionaires in America (US News and World Report), a picture of the “typical” millionaire is an individual who has worked eight to ten hours a day for Zig Ziglar

thirty years and is still married to his or her high school or college sweetheart. A New York executive search firm, in a study of 1,365 corporate vice presidents, discovered that 87% were still married to Zig Ziglar

their one and only spouse and that 92% were raised in two-parent families. The evidence is overwhelming that the family is the strength and foundation of society. Strengthen your family ties…” Zig Ziglar

Family and Civilization 1. Marriage loses its sacredness… It is frequently broken by divorce… 2. Traditional meaning of marriage and marriage ceremony is lost… 3. Feminist movements abound… 4. Increased public disrespect for parents and authority in general… 5. Acceleration of juvenile delinquency, promiscuity, and rebellion…

Family and Civilization 6. Refusal of people to accept family responsibilities… 7. Growing desire for and acceptance of unfaithfulness (adultery)… 8. Increased interest and spread of sexual perversions…

“I read with trepidation that the Church of England is omitting the word ‘obey’ from the marriage service in their new prayer book. May I ask if this new church law is retroactive?”

“Marriage is like twirling a baton, turning handsprings or eating with chopsticks. It looks easy until you try it.”

to better see the home as a holy institution Purpose: to better see the home as a holy institution

I A HOLY BEGINNING

I A HOLY BEGINNING A. Creation of Man B. Creation of Woman

I A HOLY BEGINNING A. Creation of Man B. Creation of Woman C. Creation as a Whole

Hebrews 2:5-8 “…You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet. In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet as present we do not see everything subject to him.”

II A HOLY PLAN (2:24)

On the left = world’s perversion of marriage… On the right = God’s divine plan of marriage…

II A HOLY PLAN (2:24) A. Leave B. Cleave

Hebrew word means “joining together by glue”… Nothing comes between…

II A HOLY PLAN (2:24) A. Leave B. Cleave C. Become One Flesh

In marriage the man and woman become one – i. e In marriage the man and woman become one – i.e. they become one in purpose and goal… working as a team…

III A HOLY PURPOSE A. Companionship (2:18) B. Continuation

It is through the family/home that man is to find the richest fulfillment and blessing from God!

The Home is Under Attack by 3 Main Foes: 1. Materialism

Money and things become the object of one’s allegiance…

The Home is Under Attack by 3 Main Foes: 1. Materialism 2. Lack of Commitment

International symbol of marriage The lack of commitment to Christ and His Church flows over into the family…

The Home is Under Attack by 3 Main Foes: 1. Materialism 2. Lack of Commitment 3. Worldly Pleasures

Worldly pleasures and decadence are eroding the very foundation of the family…

Edward Gibbon Primary cause of the Roman Empire’s fall was “the desire for worldly pleasure to the neglect of the home…”

Summary and Conclusion: Man is unstable without the influence of God’s divine institution – the Home. How can a society be secure if it’s homes are not? The home/family is absolutely essential. Without it there is no hope!