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Genesis 1:27-2827 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth." |
Building...
...God-centered families that stay together, enjoy one another, and change the world together.Why?
Let's not forget - the fundamental fabric of society is the family. Notice that God did not bless Adam alone with power to fill the earth. Although he was made first, and was called on to lead the family, the authority of God to fill the earth flowed from a blessing given NOT just to him, but to he and his wife! It was as they walked in unity that the blessing flowed to their seed. God meant generation after generation after generation after generation to be overflowing with God-saturated blessing!Sin seemingly shattered this vision. God's very image in man was deeply marred, beyond recognition. Man lost much of his authority over the animals and the earth, as both turned against him. Even Adam's authority over Eve became an ugly thing. In the aftermath of this tragedy, God made a promise. He promised that a seed of the women would come! The blessing again would be awakened! The Old Testament itself ends with a promise the Elijah would come "to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers"!
Jesus is the promised seed, and He came to restore us! He is the very image of the invisible God, and He is restoring the image in us. There simply could be nothing more exciting that this. Marriage and family are not external themes to the Gospel, and they cannot be neglected in the church! Family first, Family second, Family third. THEN (and only then); ministry to others. May God restore such a thing in our generation, and may it be here!