Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJabez Burns Sermons: 858. Jer 10:25. Family Worship
Subjects in this Topic:
Jer_10:25. Family Worship
"And upon the families that call not on thy name."—Jer_10:25.
The text contains a divinely inspired imprecation on those who are involved in the sin of neglecting to call upon God in their families. And though we cannot seek the wrath of God on any class of sinners, yet the subject shows, in most forcible words, the awful condition of all such. We may look at the text as a prediction that God will pour out his fury on prayerless families; and as such it surely claims our solemn consideration. There can be no doubt that the social character of a people will be the best index to their true moral condition. Where the people are ignorant, the families will be so many circles of darkness and evil. Where irreligion prevails, the families will be without any recognition of God, or regard to the exercises of piety. And where sin and profligacy abound, there the families will be so many centres of vice, pollution, and blasphemy. On the other hand, where there is Christian intelligence, and moral order, and religious power, there the families of the people will be peaceful, and be the abodes of the Christian virtues, where all the social graces will be seen in all their genial influence, and transcendent loveliness. O yes! it is piety that gives home its loftiest charms, and its sweetest blessedness!
But where piety abides, will there not be the acknowledgment and worship of the living God? Will not the altar of prayer be reared? And will not holy praise and thanksgiving ascend from thence to the great Source of all our blessing?
Let us then consider,
I. The grounds of family worship.
II. The nature of acceptable family worship
III. The advantages of family worship. And,
IV. Reply to some objections. Notice then,
I. The grounds of family worship.
And here we would observe,
1. The moral exigencies of families.
All the members of every family are fallen, depraved, guilty, and therefore stand in need of divine mercy. The state of one family is the state of each and all. Each, therefore, requires the divine knowledge, the divine favor, and the divine image; and their mutual moral exigencies should lead to mutual prayer. Much diversity of moral condition will be seen in the family groups of the land; but as every family—the most educated, the most moral, and the most orderly—is composed of fallen, sinful beings, then each family requires to be brought into direct contact with God's great remedy for our depravity and sin. Here, then, is seen most clearly one essential ground for the family worship of the living God.
2. Family necessities and dependency should be a reason for family worship.
No man is independent of God for any blessing; so truly, the families of mankind are dependent on him. Daily existence, food, health, and every comfort, proceed from God, and he must give them, or we must be miserable and perish. And if God is the author of all our good gifts, especially is he so of the more elevated or perfect blessings which relate to the mind, and the soul's present and immortal welfare. Every peaceful enjoyment, every joyful emotion, every spiritual desire, every holy longing, every heavenly aspiration, must he bestow, or we must remain strangers to them. Now this entire dependency on God should be acknowledged and honored in the exercise of family worship.
3. The conduct of pagans should excite us to this.
They have their household gods, and their family offerings. Laban had his family gods. How the heathen shame thousands of professedly Christian families! The recognition of God, and providence, religiously, seems to be taught, even by nature. For it is observable that almost all classes of idolaters regard social religious acts as essential to their domestic well-being and security. But how much more should the rearing of our offspring amid the light of divine religion, ever be regarded in connection with the daily worship of the true Jehovah. If home is to be the sanctuary of every thing most lovely and precious, especially should it, be so of those invaluable things which are immortal and divine.
We may well ground it,
4. On the examples of the godly families of all ages.
Abraham, wherever he went, reared his family altar to the Lord; and hear God's testimony of him: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that thing which he hath spoken of him."—Gen_18:19.
Joshua resolved to make this, one special object of his life: "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt: and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."—Jos_24:14, Jos_24:15.
So of David. Amidst all the heavy duties and magnificent attractions of a palace and a court, it is said, "Then David returned to bless his household."—2Sa_6:20.
How delightful is the account given of Cornelius: "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band. A devout man, and one that feared God, with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."—Act_10:1, Act_10:2.
Now let these instances suffice as brief examples of social piety; and there can be no doubt that the truly religious heads of families, in all ages and all countries, have delighted to honor God around the family altar,
Observe,
II. The nature of acceptable family worship.
Our text refers,
1. To prayer.
The solemn and comprehensive duty of prayer must ever be one essential of all true worship. Prayer for divine pardon—for divine grace—for spiritual wisdom and understanding. Prayer for providential direction, and all daily temporal blessings. Prayer for all needful aid—for protection from enemies, deliverance from evil, and guidance into all truth. Prayer for the sanctification of all sorrows and afflictions. Prayer, in one word, for our present and everlasting well-being. Prayer for others; for connections, and kindred, and friends; for the church of Christ, and for a perishing world. With the exercise of prayer, we should cherish the spirit and grace of prayer, and also labor to improve the gift of prayer. We should also aim at earnestness; and remember that without faith no kind of prayer can be acceptable to God; and that Jesus the Mediator, must be the way of our approach, at all times, to the throne of grace. For this is an essential condition of successful prayer—"That we ask the Father in Christ's name." With prayer should be united,
2. Thanksgiving.
All prayer should be united to this. The apostle unites them—"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."—Php_4:6. "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."—1Th_5:16-18. "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."—Eph_5:19, Eph_5:20. If this holy thank-offering can be embodied in the sacred hymn or psalm, it will enliven family worship, and also teach holy melody to the young persons of our household. How sweet to hear the united voice of praise arising to God from the domestic hearth!—when, with one voice, parents and children, masters and servants, and often visitors of the household, all glorify God together.
3. There should be the reading of the word of God.
Observe the divine command by Moses to the Israelites: "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."—Deu_6:6-9. Now, here is a direction most explicit and clear; and it is manifest that only thus can our families become spiritually and minutely intimate with the holy records of eternal life. Thus, however, they will know the Scriptures, which are able to make them wise unto salvation. And the exhortation of the apostle is most applicable to family worship, where he says—"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."—Col_3:16.
We may refer,
4, To the frequency of. family worship. Some really pious families regard it three times a day—morning, noon, and evening. Most, however, attend to it morning and evening. It seems natural, with the beginning and end of the day, to honor God. With some, it can only be regarded once; the head of the household has to leave early, or other circumstances render twice impossible. If the principle be regarded, and the service loved, then the frequency may be left to the consciences of God's people.
We may refer also,
5. To the persons who should have the privilege of family worship.
To this we reply, the entire family; children, servants, visitors—all. All beneath the family roof should be kindly and cordially invited.
Let a few minor directions on the subject here be added.
(1.) Family worship should not be long and tedious at any time, but especially in the evening; thus it becomes a burden, and an unpleasant task, especially to young persons. It may thus disgust them, and give a distaste for divine things.
(2.) The reading of the word should bo appropriate. All the word of God is precious, but not equally so. Much of the Old Testament, especially its histories, and the Levitical rites, may be omitted with advantage. The book of Job, the Psalms, and some of the Prophets, however, should occupy a chief place. But the new Testament should be read through and through, except the latter chapters of the visions of the Apocalypse—unless the parent possesses wisdom enough to elucidate them. It will be well always, when needful, to add short expository remarks, and explain difficult words.
(3.) It should be varied and lively. Monotony should be carefully avoided. Some families have certain objects of prayer for each day in the week; as, missions, Christian unity, conversion of the Jews, salvation of the world, &c. Whether this method be adopted or not, if the same ideas, in the same stereotyped phrases, be constantly employed, the service will cease to be edifying, if not absolutely oppressive to those attending it.
How needful to seek the quickening grace of God; and thus to keep the fire of true devotion burning on the altar of the heart!
III. The advantages of family worship.
1. It will be profitable to our own souls. By waiting on the Lord, we shall renew our strength; and God will draw nigh to us and bless us. He will answer our prayers, and send us tokens for good. It is not a vain thing; and never can be profitless to worship God.
2. It may be saving to our families.
In the use of the means, may we not expect the special blessing of God? At any rate, our children and dependents expect to see consistency; and whether they are benefited savingly or not, they will be left without excuse.
3. It will certainly secure the Divine approbation.
It will please God; and forget not, his favor is life, his smile is bliss. If we have God's favor may we not hope that he will be the defence of our families?—sanctifying our states of prosperity or adversity, of health and affliction; and thus all that is really best in providence and grace will be secured.
4. It will be honorable to religion.
It will be a family testimony for God—a social manifestation for Bible religion—a rebuke to the families of profligacy, worldliness, and sin around us. It is of great importance to maintain an open and public profession of godliness before the world. And even the ungodly around us will secretly respect the moral consistency of those who are not afraid or ashamed to give religion a place in their family arrangements.
But let us reply,
IV. To some of the usual objections.
Some persons object on the ground of,
1. Personal timidity, and the fear of man.
This, if allowed to prevail, is sinful: seek grace to overcome it; strive against it. This fear of man, indeed, brings a snare.
2. Want of talent.
This is often the excuse of pride. Do it as you have ability; you can do no more; God requires no more. It is not fine prayer that pleases him; and your talents will be increased by using them. "To him that hath shall be given." Begin, and your ability will improve. Better read prayers than neglect the service altogether.
Persons often plead,
3. Want of time.
Perhaps for twice a day; but not for once, surely. Not ten minutes a day for family worship! How deplorable such a plea! Time for every thing but the soul, and for the souls of your families. You may have plenty of time to be pent up in the chamber of affliction; and you will have time to die. Then, surely, you should seek time really to live, and to honor God, and seek his blessing. The real inward reason, however, I fear is, want of disposition—want of love to spiritual things—want of the fear of God—want of a deep concern for eternal realities.
Let God's demands, consistency of piety, and the claims of those around you, decide the question. No one will insult God in the great day, by saying they had no time for his worship and service.
I have just three counsels to give in reference to family worship.
(1.) Arrange for it; and be punctual and constant. Do nothing indifferently that pertains to God and religion. Avoid previous Confusion, and bustle, and unseeming haste.
(2.) A void formality. Labor to be in the spirit, or there will be no profit to any one. There may be the altar, but it will avail nothing without the hallowed fire.
(3.) Expect God's blessing. Do it in humble, simple faith—look to Christ always—avoid self-righteousness.
Finally,
(4.) A word to prayerless families. You cannot, of course, expect God's blessing; but forget not, his curse may rest on your dwellings. He can send blighting influences, and wither every joy, embitter every good, and dissipate every hope. And more, he will demand an account at the last day. Think, then, of your own souls: and also forget not the souls and deathless interests of those committed to your care. Then be persuaded to seek personal religion; give your hearts up to God; and having done so, by faith in Jesus Christ, the only Mediator, then set up the altar of worship in your dwellings, to the honor and glory of his grace.
"Father of all! thy care we bless,
Which crowns our families with peace:
From thee they sprang, and by thy hand
They have been, and are still sustained.
To God, most worthy to be praised,
Be our domestic altars raised;
Who, Lord of heaven, scorns not to dwell
With saints in their obscurest cell.
To thee may each united house,
Morning and night, present its vows;
Our servants there, and rising race,
Be taught thy precepts and thy grace.
Oh, may each future age proclaim
The honors of thy glorious name!
While pleased and thankful we remove
To join the family above."