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Sermon: “Family First: A Divine Design for Today”

The song “Family First” carries a powerful and timeless message about the importance of the family unit as designed by God. It speaks to a world that often challenges the traditional values of family, and it encourages us to remain steadfast in placing God, our spouse, and our children at the center of our lives. This message resonates deeply within Christian Libertarian Ideology, which emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility, freedom to live according to biblical values, and the protection of the family as the cornerstone of society.

The Divine Order of Family

“God above, our guiding star,
Spouse beside, we’ve come so far,
Children next, in our loving arms,
This is the way, free from harm.”

This chorus reminds us of the God-given order for family life. Christian Libertarianism values the importance of family as the fundamental building block of a free and virtuous society. The family is where we learn to love, forgive, serve, and grow in grace. In “Family First,” the hierarchy is clear: God first, spouse second, and children following. This divine order is supported by Scripture, such as Ephesians 5:22-25, which calls for mutual love and submission between husbands and wives as a reflection of Christ’s love for the Church.

In modern society, there is often confusion about the role of family, with external forces pushing individuals to prioritize career, social status, or material success above relationships. However, “Family First” calls us back to the biblical foundation where love and grace guide our hearts, aligned with God’s purpose. When we prioritize family, we align ourselves with God’s perfect design.

Standing Against Cultural Pressures

“Modern ways may try to sway,
But Christ’s path is where we’ll stay.”

The world we live in often promotes values that conflict with the Christian understanding of family. From shifting moral norms to societal pressures that encourage self-centeredness, many people feel the pull away from the foundation of family life. The song acknowledges this tension but offers a strong stance: no matter what cultural trends may come, we are called to remain on Christ’s path.

Romans 12:2 instructs us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This call to resist cultural pressures is at the heart of Christian Libertarian Ideology. As believers, we are encouraged to live freely but within the moral boundaries set by Scripture. We should not let societal trends redefine what God has already defined—whether it’s the structure of the family or the nature of relationships. We have the freedom to live according to God’s design, and this song reinforces that we must be intentional in doing so.

A Modern Challenge: Prioritizing Family in a Fast-Paced World

“In a world that turns away from the light,
Where the truth is questioned, wrong and right,
We stand firm on the rock of His Word,
Keeping family first, in the way we’ve heard.”

Today’s fast-paced world can make it difficult to prioritize family. With the pressures of work, social media, and an increasingly individualistic culture, it’s easy for family relationships to take a back seat. Yet, the song encourages us to “stand firm on the rock of His Word,” which means actively choosing to keep family as a central part of our lives, no matter how much the world around us tries to shift our focus.

In Christian Libertarian Ideology, this idea aligns with the principle of personal responsibility. We have the freedom to make choices, but with that freedom comes the responsibility to choose what is right. Prioritizing family in a society that often pulls us away requires commitment and intentionality. But by doing so, we honor God’s design for life and relationships.

The Biblical Foundation for Family Life

The biblical foundation for putting family first can be found throughout Scripture. Colossians 3:18-21 provides a beautiful outline for family roles, emphasizing love, respect, and nurturing relationships between husbands, wives, and children. This passage echoes the message of “Family First,” where the husband and wife stand beside one another, raising children in the love of God and remaining faithful to their calling.

Additionally, Psalm 127:3-5 reminds us that children are a gift from the Lord and that a healthy family is a blessing. It says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” Family is a gift from God, and as the song emphasizes, we must protect and cherish this gift by keeping the family order as God intended.

The Power of Love and Grace in the Family

“Family first, as God designed,
With love and grace, our hearts aligned.”

The pre-chorus emphasizes that God’s design for family is rooted in love and grace. These are the cornerstones of any healthy family relationship. Love brings people together, while grace allows us to forgive and grow in our relationships. In the same way that God extends grace to us, we are called to extend grace to our spouse, children, and extended family.

Grace is central to Christian Libertarian Ideology as well. It’s through grace that we are freed from the legalism of trying to earn God’s favor. In the same way, grace in the family allows us to overcome conflicts, mistakes, and challenges. We are not perfect, but with grace, we can grow stronger together. Ephesians 4:2-3 instructs us to be “completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” This call to patience and love is essential in keeping family first.

Conclusion: A Call to Put Family First

“Family First” is not just a song; it is a call to action. It reminds us that in a world where the truth is often questioned and where society pulls us in many directions, we must remain anchored in God’s design for family. This design puts God above all, our spouse beside us, and our children in loving arms. By living according to this divine order, we not only honor God but also create strong, healthy families that can stand against the pressures of modern life.

As we go about our daily lives, let us remember the words of Joshua 24:15: “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” In serving the Lord by putting family first, we create a legacy of faith, love, and grace that will carry on for generations.

May we strive to keep God’s design for family at the forefront of our lives, standing firm in love, truth, and grace. Amen.

Key of F Major

8-Chord Progression:

F – C – Dm – Bb

Gm – C – F – Bb

(Verse 1)

F

In a world that turns away from the light,

C

Where the truth is questioned, wrong and right,

Dm

We stand firm on the rock of His Word,

Bb

Keeping family first, in the way we’ve heard.

(Pre-Chorus)

Gm

Family first, as God designed,

C

With love and grace, our hearts aligned.

(Chorus)

F

God above, our guiding star,

C

Spouse beside, we’ve come so far,

Dm

Children next, in our loving arms,

Bb

This is the way, free from harm.

(Pre-Chorus)

Gm

Modern ways may try to sway,

C

But Christ’s path is where we’ll stay.

(Verse Two)

Gm

Family first, as God designed,

C

With love and grace, our hearts aligned.

F

In a culture that pulls us apart,

Bb

We keep the order close to heart.

(Outro)

F

Though the world may push and shove,

C

We’ll stand firm in God’s great love.

Dm

Family first, the truth we know,

Bb

In Christ’s way, we choose to grow.

As Always, God Bless,

James Arthur Ferguson