FAMILY
                               Luke 15:11-32


I.   Introduction:  Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.  Humpty 
     Dumpty had a great fall.  All the King's horses and all the
     King's men couldn't put Humpty together again.  But God
     could!!  Sometimes families do like Humpty Dumpty, they
     take a great fall and it seems that they cannot be repaired,
     but God has repaired many broken families and He continues
     to do so.  

     A.   The first family, Adam and Eve was severely broken.
          Because of their sin of disobedience and rebellion:

          1.   They lost their home,

          2.   Adam lost his position as keeper of the garden, and

          3.   Their son killed his brother.

          4.   Even with all these problems, God helped them 
               survive as a family.

     B.    Naomi and Ruth survived great problems and became
          great in Bible history.

     C.   The list could continue to include:  David's family, Job's
          family, Abraham's family, even Joseph was ready to put
          Mary away.

     D.   The story of the Prodigal Son's family gives some great
          examples in how to survive family problems.


II.  First of all this was a family with trust and faith in God.

     A.   Many think that a duplex in the country, two children,
          a stationwagon, a dog, and a big yard will make a happy
          family.  Some who have these things live in misery.  It
          takes more than things to have a happy family. 

     B.   But, the single most important factor in making a 
          family happy is to have God among them, for "God is
          love."  (1 Jn. 4:8)

     C.   There is no greater gift that a father and mother can 
          give their children than to show them a faith in God.

     D.   Prov. 22:6  "Train up a child in the way he should go:
          and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  (This is
          a job that needs to be done by both parents.)


III. Secondly, this father and mother were in agreement.

     A.   There is no mention of the mother giving opposing 
          advice to the father:

          1.   As Job's wife did.

          2.   She did not try to stop the father from letting the
               prodigal son leave, nor did she stop him from 
               coming back home.

          3.   It can be concluded that she was in agreement
               with the father.

     B.   Amos 3:3  "Can two walk together, except they be
          agreed?"

          1.   Husbands and wives living in harmony is a great
               blessing to the family.  It's joy to all.  

          2.   Continual fussing and arguing will destroy the
               home, and make the children never want to be
               married.

          3.   If you have to fuss, do it in private.

     C.   Eph. 4:6  "Be ye angry, and sin not:"

     D.   Eph. 4:6  " let not the sun go down upon your wrath:"


IV.  Thirdly, the father showed no partiality to his sons.

     A.   V. 12  "And he divided unto them his living."

     B.   He never said to his younger son, why aren't you more
          like your brother.

     
V.   Fourth, the father allowed his son to make mistakes.

     A.   Though his son was about to make the biggest mistake
          of his life, the father never showed a lack of love for 
          him.

     B.   Prov. 17:17  "A friend loveth at all times,"

     C.   Even in this big mistake the father continued to love his
          son.

          
VI.  Fifth, the father had faith that his son would come home.

     A.   He sees him coming from a long way off.

     B.   With love the father goes out to meet him, and greets
          the son with a kiss.

     C.   The son repents, but the father never says, 

          1.   "I knew this would happen."

          2.   "Where is your wealth?"

          3.   "How are you doing, big spender."

     D.   He just loved his son, and gave a celebration.

     E.   When the older son, became angry and would not join
          the celebration, the father:

          1.   Did not ignore him,

          2.   But, went out to him and took time to show him
               love also.

     F.   This is how a family keeps from falling apart in difficult
          times.


VII. Conclusion:  If it feels like your family is falling apart, go to
     God and seek His love and help.  He can restore  your 
     family.  Then remember the story of the Prodigal Son's
     family and how with God's help they worked through their
     problems.  A study of the Bible shows that no family is
     perfect, so don't expect perfection, but you can be happy.



Submitted by:
Michael Collins
Pastor, Church of God, Dublin, VA
revmac@usit.net