GODLY Family Principles

By Apostle Aje Pelser

Preached Sunday Evening, 23 May 2010, at Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town

Principles that help us serve God as Families.

Preserve the Unity of the Spirit

Ephesians4:1

¹ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

² With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,forbearing one another in love; ³ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Apostle Andre often preaches on the unity of the Spirit and the unity of faith, because, although many speak about creating unity, it can only be preserved. There was unity with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit from the beginning, and we have entered into that unity by faith in Jesus name. From there it needs to be preserved.

Similarly, in marriage, there is a union between man and wife from the start, and as children are added, family friends, son in laws, daughter in laws, that unity needs to be preserved through Christ.  Let's teach our children to value the unity of spirit in our families and in our churches, and those whom God adds will value it too and preserve the unity as well!

Observe Boundaries

Deut 19:14“You shall not remove your neighbor’s landmark, which the men of old have set, in your inheritance which you will inherit in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess.

Deut 27:17 ‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’

Job 24:2“Some remove landmarks; They seize flocks violently and feed on them;

Prov 23:10Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;

Hos 5:10 “The princes of Judah are like those who remove a landmark; I will pour out my wrath on them like water.

Itis fine to set boundaries, daughters become mothers, sons become fathers with their own households. Gen 2:24  Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Prophet Nola Prophesied about a word God gave her for the overcomers conference: "SHIFT".

There is a shift in boundaries during the growth of a family, church and business, and regular family meetings can help to redefine boundaries that will ensure each member is valued and appreciated. If this is done prayerfully and the Priest of the home, or the patriarch of a family recognizes members by the Spirit, it ensures that the kingdom values of righteousness, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit are established in relationships. Solid families mean solid communities and churches, and this will lift nations to fulfill their redemptive purposes for God. 

Measure of Faithequals Area of Authority

Rom 12:3  For I say,through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

 You discover your measure through trial and error and it is revealed through a body of believers. Everyone will know what your gift is because your gift makes room for you. What value do I add to this church? This move of God? My family? This household?

Responsibility givesauthority

You can only speak into someone’s life if you love them and take spiritual care ofthem.

Understand Functions

Romans 12, I Corinthians 1. See Household leaders training manual, Gifts and Functions Manual, Five Fold Ministry Manaul available from MBC.

Enjoy Serving God asa Family

Joshua said:

Jos 24:15  And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the otherside of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

  Gen 18:17  And the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doi