Rev. Kenneth Fellenbaum

My photo
Milford, Connecticut, United States

Bible Verse of the Day

Monday, January 31, 2011

Model Families

Model families, like model parents, are not perfect; none are. The question is not whether we have a model family made up of really fine members but what kind of person are we? What would your family be like if everyone were like you? Would you want relatives like yourself? The reason that this is the proper question to consider is because the only person we have direct control over is ourselves. We cannot change other people. We can change ourselves (with God's help) and as a result have indirect effect on others.

With these thoughts in mind, let us shift from thinking about our physical families to the spiritual family--the Church. All who have God as their Father have each other as brothers and sisters. Together we belong to God's household or the family of God (see John 1:12, 1 Timothy 3:15). The Church is to be a model family for all who are entering it, for those who are part of it, and as a witness to outsiders. We are supposed to be different. We are to represent the new reality of being "in Christ." As with your physical family, what would your spiritual family be like if everyone in it were just like you? Would it be a better church if everyone were like you?

Families consist of a variety of people; young and old and in between, male and female, mature and immature. Larger extended families often include people of different ethnic backgrounds and races. The Church consists of a wide variety of people in a range of ages, personalities, and diverse backgrounds. This is a good sign that we are inclusive and reaching out; but it is also a challenge. Dealing with similarities is easier; differences can be more difficult--even a stretch. The world needs to see and have modeled for it family life. This is definitely a need today and where else will they see it if not in the church? Forget the media--they generally fail to show functioning families and what they do portray (individuals, singles, couples) is often negative. Like a physical family, God has provided people who are mature or grownup and who have the responsibility of providing support and direction. The leadership of the Church (pastors, elders and deacons) function like parents (see 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Hebrews 13:7,17). Along with church officers there are also the older and more mature members who have the responsibility of training the younger ones (see Titus 2:1-15). This should occur in our various groups as well as through personal relationships.

Lastly, everyone is to be considerate of each other (see Philippians 2:1-4). We are to model Christ's attitude and conduct. We are to work for the good of the whole family and seek unity (see Ephesians 2:1-4). Are we doing this? Jesus' great concern in Gethsemane was that the Church would be united as he and the Father were "one" (John 17:11,22). This should be our top priority, since it was His. Does your life reflect this?

Monday, January 3, 2011

Model Parents

Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph, were in every way the ideal or model parents. From the material in the Gospels about Jesus' birth and early childhood, we can glean the following points: First of all, we will begin with their character. Mary was a young woman who was truly "highly favored" (Luke 1:28) by the Lord. Of all the women who ever lived and certainly of all the young women in her time, she alone was given the opportunity to be the mother of the Lord Jesus. Joseph, her betrothed, was a "righteous man" (Matthew 1:19). His intentions and his actions following the visit by the angel illustrate that he was a man who wanted to do things "right." The character of these two individuals before they actually became parents is why the Lord God selected them for this awesome responsibility.

Second, consider the actual birth of Jesus Christ. Mary carried him for nine months and delivered him in the same way that children normally enter the world. Joseph was there to provide and support her during their long trip from Nazareth to his birth in Bethlehem. Their having to travel and be away from home during this time made things extra difficult but they managed as young people to do the best that they could. Third, in his infancy, Mary provided his needs of food, clothing and love. No doubt Joseph did what he could to provide for Jesus and his mother's needs. On the eighth day, they took him to the temple in Jerusalem to be dedicated to the Lord (see Luke 2:22-24,27). Fourth, Jesus' parents went out of their way to protect the child from the evil King Herod. They journeyed to Egypt where they stayed until it was safe to return to their home in Nazareth. The reason they went to Egypt was because there was a large Jewish community there where they could find assistance. No doubt the gifts the wise men brought, especially the gold, helped them have the means to live and travel during this time. Parents today also need to protect their children from things that would be harmful such as violent video games, TV and movies that communicate wrong things, strangers and other things like pornography on the Internet along with gangs and drugs at school. Carroll O'Connor, an actor who lost a son to drugs, advises parents to "Do whatever it takes to get between your child and drugs. It is the parent's responsibility to protect their children as well as provide for them."

Last, Jesus' parents gave him an example to follow when they did the things that were "the custom of the Law" (Luke 2:27,42) and when they were careful to do "everything required by the Law" (Luke 2:39). By taking him to the synagogue for weekly worship, Jesus developed a pattern that would become a habit (Luke 4:16). They also took him to Jerusalem for the important feasts such as the Passover (see Luke 2:41). In addition to taking him to the synagogue and the temple, no doubt Jesus' parents consistently followed the teaching of the Word of God in their daily lives. In all of these things, Jesus' parents not only provided for him, but they gave an example for all parents to follow.