Blended, Mended and Extended Families Matthew 1:18-25 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. 1 John 3:1 1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1. Joseph’s to his BLENDED Family a. He had honor and respect for his family b. He had deep faith in following God’s ways c. He makes great sacrifices d. He has patience e. He shows great outcomes are possible 2. tips to a MENDED Family Matthew 12:25 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. God first: establish a foundation b. Love permeates: let children love both parents, be positive Put order in first place: discuss rules and consequences as a family Value unity: honor first, obey second Be consistent: follow through every time f. Give grace: strive to live in and point family members to God’s best Romans 12:10 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Children should bring . Proverbs 10:1 1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. Most children want more than they are ready for. How do I handle a Sibling ? Give honor and respect b. Set agreeable boundaries c. Learn to listen well d. Be honest and share respect e. Know that no relationship is perfect f. Ask forgiveness g. Give forgiveness h. Offer unconditional love 1John 4:15-16 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. Are you more concerned with your child or spouse’s , or their ? Matthew 15:17-19 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Behavior from the heart. Codependency: excessive emotional reliance. Someone looking to you to take responsibility for how they're thinking or feeling. Codependency: Plugging into people, places, or things as source of life. Codependency: Pouring all of yourself into others, sitting around with an empty tank, waiting for them to pour back into you. People are limited. When you plug into someone who is limited, you become more desperate. The of EXTENDED Family Proverb 25:17 17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house — too much of you, and they will hate you. a. Gives History: tells a story bigger than me b. Models unconditional Love: Love your family, set the example c. Gives the family Better Perspective: right now vs. long game d. Helps manage busy lives: with money, time and resources God’s call in the . a. Every title you step into kills selfishness b. Grow into your title or you could lose it c. We are called to serve, train and build the spiritual and vocational d. Don’t defraud, deprive or withhold what your title demands of you e. Fatherlessness is a detriment to culture Celebrate your family. Honor them in and in . 4. God is still His family opportunity 1 John 3:1 1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Accept salvation and be adopted into His family Family Matters