Pastor Larry Writes:

Special Meetings
Camden Baptist Church

Thursday night was family night at our special meetings. Pastor Dark preached a message entitled “What Makes A Family Strong” to the 137 in attendance. The passage he spoke on was Deuteronomy 6:4-13. Below is a summary of his message. People have made decisions for Christ each night of the meetings. Tonight’s invitation was directed specifically toward the men to take the spiritual leadership in their homes. Eric Hempel led us in some great worship songs including “Standing On The Promises” and “The Solid Rock”. We ended the service with the song “We Are An Offering”. Eric also provided the special music for the evening singing the song entitled “Your Grace Still Amazes Me”.
Andrew Nocella preached his Talents For Christ sermon on the topic, “God Is Love”. He shared how many people quote that phrase but there are many different interpretations of the phrase, most of them not Biblical. Some teach that it means that God approves of us no matter what we do and that everyone will get into heaven. Others teach that it means that God gives us religion so that we can earn His approval and work our way to heaven. The Bible teaches, however what “God is love’ really means and that is that He sent His Son to do what we could not do for ourselves. He lived a perfect life and died to pay for our sins. Only those who put their trust in Him will gain His approval in the here and now and be welcomed into heaven some day.

Introduction:
· Quote from Max Lucado – “God is more than happy to meet us right where we are but He has no intention of leaving us there.”
· Israelites were getting ready to enter the Promised Land. This land was a very hostile environment, much like the world we live in today.

The Israelites were to…
1) Hear the truth continually (vs. 4).
· Church settings are not enough. This must happen in the home as well.
· We should not have more exposure to television than the Bible.
· We should hear the Word of God over and over again so we know it like we know a commercial jingle or an old song.
· Men, how much does your family hear the Word of God in your home?
2) Love the LORD fervently (vv. 5-6).
· The word “all” repeated in this passage emphasizes totality.
· It is impossible to transfer to our children what we ourselves do not embrace. We must love God ourselves.
· Truth needs to be transferred by our lives more than our lips. Show it, don’t just say it.
o Illustration: Dan grew up in Africa where he learned to love eating peanut butter and rice for breakfast and putting jelly on his grilled cheese sandwiches. His kids like these foods today because he introduced them to them.
3) Teach the young diligently (vv. 7-9).
· It is the parent’s responsibility to teach the Word of God.
· The word “teach” means to sharpen in Hebrew.
· Word “taught” means to talk informally. That is, it is part of our everyday lives.
4) Fear the LORD greatly (vv. 10-13).
· Fear – not terror or fright but reverence for His holy name.
· We respect Him too much to disregard His ways or disregard His will.
o Illustration: Mrs. Patton was an elderly woman Dan knew when he was a young man. He had so much respect for her that he didn’t want to do anything that would cause her to be disappointed in him.

Conclusion: Satan is attacking the family. We need to seek God’s help.