scripture: Colossians 3:13-14

Title: Family

 

Greetings everybody today. I hope all is well and God is blessing you and your family.

 

 

May is the month of warming temperatures getting ready for summer.

 

 

I hope you had a good spring. God has been so good.

 

 

Today I’m thinking of Diane and our children. I am so thankful for my family. Aren’t we all thankful for our families.

 

Also, we honor those all around us in the family of God.

 

 

Dr. Yang, could we nod to the persons beside us and say Hi brother and sister. It is great to be with you this morning in God’s family!

 

 

Dr. Yang, today I’d like to preach on the topic of FAMILY.

 

 

In a world that is often busy and lonely, God designed the family to be a place of love, support, and happiness.

 

 

The Bible shows us that family is not just people living in the same space, it is a gift from God that reflects His love.

Could we start with a small prayer—"Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of family. Open our hearts today to see the joy You want us to have in our homes and hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

 

The very first family began with God.

 

 

In the beginning, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Gen. 2:18).

 

 

God set forth His plan for a man and woman to leave their parents, join together, and become “one flesh” (Gen. 2:24).

 

Think of it, this is the foundation of the family. God did not want us to be alone.

 

 

He wanted us to have joy in loving and helping each other every day.

 

 

The Bible also says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him” (Ps. 127:3).

 

 

Children are not a burden—they are a blessing! When we raise them in God’s ways, our hearts are full of joy.

 

Real joy in the family does not come from having perfect people. It comes from love and forgiveness.

 

 

Let’s read our text—“Bear with each other and forgive one another…And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Col. 3:13-14)

 

 

And Eph. 4:32 says—“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

 

 

Love holds the family together like glue. When we are patient, kind, and quick to forgive, our homes become places of peace and joy.

I think we all know the famous old story about Hungbu and Nolbu? May I share it fresh this morning?

 

 

You remember that Hungbu was a poor but kind younger brother. Nolbu was rich and selfish. Nolbu treated Hungbu badly and would not even share food with him.

 

 

One day, Hungbu helped a wounded swallow. The swallow gave him special seeds that grew into gourds full of treasure.

 

 

Hungbu became rich, but he did not keep it for himself. He forgave his older brother Nolbu, invited him into his home, and shared everything.

Because of Hungbu’s kindness and forgiveness, even the selfish Nolbu changed his heart. The whole family was blessed.

 

 

This old story reminds us: When we choose forgiveness and love like Jesus, joy returns to the family

 

 

I’m sure we can all agree that the greatest joy comes when the whole family walks with God.

 

 

Joshua said, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Josh. 24:15)

 

When parents teach children about Jesus, when families take time to pray together, eat together, and worship together, their hearts are happy.

 

 

Ps. 133:1 says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

 

 

Another beautiful tale that I have been introduced to here in Korea is about a mother and her two children. I’m sure you remember it.

 

 

A dangerous tiger came to their house, the brave sister and brother worked together with love and cleverness to protect their mother and each other.

 

Their strong family love helped them overcome great danger.

 

 

Even today in Korea we see this: Families that pray together, stay together.

 

 

We want to stay close and help each other through hard times find deep joy.

 

 

When we face problems together with love and redemption, God turns our struggles into strength.

 

 

May I share one more? In America there’s a beloved story about a man named Johnny Appleseed.

 

 

He walked across the wild frontier and had many dangers and toils and all he had was a sack of apple seeds and a Bible.

 

 

Johnny lived simply, helped everyone he met, and shared God’s love with settlers, Native Americans, and strangers alike.

 

 

He treated the whole land like one big family.

 

 

And he planted orchards everywhere he went so future families would always have sweet fruit to eat.

 

 

Because of his generous heart, many families years later could sit under apple trees, enjoy the harvest together, and thank God for His provision.

 

 

Johnny’s life shows us that when we serve God with open hands, joy spreads to many families.

 

 

That’s the way we are in God’s church.

 

 

Even if we think we have so little to give, keep our hands open.

Even if we just show up, work together and keep a positive mind, we can see problems solved and the abundance of God will appear.

 

 

Dear friends, God wants your family to have joy.

Husbands and wives: Love and respect each other as Christ loves the church.

Parents: Teach your children about Jesus with patience and joy.

Children: Honor your parents and obey them.

All of us: Forgive quickly and love deeply.

 

 

If your family feels broken today or on any day, bring your loved ones to Jesus. He can heal and restore.

 

 

Start small – pray together tonight, speak kind words, and choose forgiveness.

 

 

Let’s all remember: The joy of family is a picture of God’s love for us.

 

 

In closing, I am so thankful for the family of Sungnam Church—the awesome orchestra, magnificent choir, the lively praise team, and each brother, sister and child!

 

 

I want to say I love our family of elders, deacons and all the staff pastors I work with.

 

I love You, God, for the families of every office worker, the Rhoden Café team, all the Sunday School teachers who do such an outstanding job for our youth.

 

 

I love our family of nursery workers who care for the young children who come to church with their parents.

 

 

I love You God for allowing Diane & myself to be in the family of God here in Sungnam Church…who have made us feel like family from the first day we arrived.

 

 

I love it that even Jesus had younger brothers and sisters (Matt. 12:38) and He loved them—there are no rejects or irregulars in the family of God.

 

 

In the Father’s family He gives us a secure place with Him and we can sit by Him and be accepted in the beloved. (Eph. 2:6)

 

 

Thank God that in the family of God we receive God’s forgiveness for our sin through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and He makes us all clean.

 

 

In God’s family when we have broken relationships, He brings healing and restoration.

 

When our younger members get married that’s just a joyous celebration and we join in the fun and joy.

 

 

And when they have children, we are so thankful. And when grand-children come along, we really rejoice—we love our families, Lord.

 

 

And friends, do you use Kakao-talk? We love communicating all around the world with our families. How often do you call your families?

 

 

Thank God that God chose us as His children in the family of God.

 

What a privilege to be part of the family of God and be able to worship Him and give Him the glory every day.

 

 

Satan does not like families who cherish each other and worship God together and give God all the glory.

 

 

And what a joy it is that we are part of Jesus’ own family—the greatest family on earth and in heaven, who never bow to fear.

 

 

And may God be with you, your plans for the future summer of 2026, your family, your business and your purpose with Him every day!

 

 

Let us pray—Heavenly Father, fill our hearts and homes with Your joy.

 

 

Help us love like Jesus, forgive like Jesus, and serve You together.

 

 

Make our families lights in the darkness that show the world how good You are. Amen.