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Text: Malachi 4:6 (NKJV) –
"And he will turn
the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to
their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse."
Introduction
Dear friends, we are
living in a world where families are falling apart, hearts are getting broken,
and children are under the bondage of separation. The scenario before us is a
reflection of what happens when love gets lost, marriages fall apart, and the
innocent—our children—are left to suffer the aftermath of a broken home.
Today, I come to you
with a message of hope. Although the heart in the photo is broken, although the
chains of disunity bind the family hostage, we have a God who specializes in
repairing broken hearts and mending families. No situation is too large for His
capability. If you experience family brokenness, if you've been wounded by
divorce or estrangement, or if you are seeking healing, this message is for
you!
I. The Reality of Family Brokenness
1. The Scenario of a Broken Home
- On the photo, we have a father turning back, mother and child, and a broken heart between them.
- The chains symbolize the bond that remains intact but is not together.
- The child sits in the middle, evidently traumatized, symbolizing the relationship of the innocent who are harmed when love is broken.
2. Biblical Examples of Family Brokenness
- Adam and Eve (Genesis 3) – Sin entered the world, causing pain and alienation.
- Abraham and Hagar (Genesis 21:14) – A dysfunctional home due to choices outside of God's plan.
- David and Absalom (2 Samuel 15) – A father-son relationship shattered by betrayal and hurt.
3. The Emotional and Spiritual Impact
- Divorce, separation, and family strife leave scars deep inside.
- Children are raised without the security of both parents.
- Bitterness, unforgiveness, and resentment take hold.
Application:
Did you ever have a
broken relationship? Did you see your family torn apart? Maybe you are still
carrying wounds from the past. But I want you to know—God sees your hurt, and
He has a plan to heal and restore!
II. God's Desire for Family Restoration
1. God is the Author of
Family
- In Genesis 2:24, God instituted marriage for oneness: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
- Family is His holy institution to demonstrate His love.
2. God's Promise of Restoration
- Psalm 147:3 – "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their
wounds."
- Joel 2:25 – "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming
locust has eaten."
3. Turning the Hearts Back
- God, according to Malachi 4:6, will turn the hearts of children to fathers and the hearts of fathers to children.
- When hearts turn back to God, reconciliation can take place.
Illustration:
A father and son had not
spoken for years since a fight. The son, bitter, would not call. But then the
father sent him a message: "Son, if you can forgive me, meet me at the old
oak tree." The son did not go but went to see if the father was there. To
his surprise, his father was standing there with open arms.
God is such a great
father—waiting to mend the broken. Will you allow Him to mend your broken
relationships today?
Application:
Maybe your family is
torn asunder, but God can mend it. Maybe you are struggling with bitterness,
but God can mend that. It starts with an open heart.
III. Steps to Healing and Reconciliation
1. Seek God's Healing First
- Psalm 34:18 – "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart."
- Before relationships can mend, our hearts must heal.
- Turn your pain over to God and allow Him to work in your life.
2. Choose Forgiveness Instead of Bitterness
- Ephesians 4:31-32 – "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger,
clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you… And be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."
- Forgiveness is the key to healing. Understanding bitterness simply makes the wound deeper.
Example:
Corrie ten Boom, a
Holocaust survivor, once met a Nazi guard who had abused her family. He
apologized and asked forgiveness of her, which was hard for her to give. She
forgave him, however, and in forgiving him, she shattered years of bitterness.
Application:
Who do you have to
forgive today? Is there a relative you must reconcile with?
3. Pray for Your Family
- James 5:16 – "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails
much."
- Prayer softens hearts and opens doors for healing.
4. Take a Step Toward Reconciliation
- Reach out with humility.
- Show love and a desire to restore what has been lost.
- Even if the other does not respond, God blesses your obedience.
Conclusion:
- The Power of God's Love to Heal Families
- Beloved, even though the heart in the photograph is broken, even though alienation chains look strong, God's love is stronger. He can mend what is broken, restore what is lost, and heal what is broken.
- Will you allow Him to work in your life today?
Final Call:
- If you need healing, bring that shattered heart before God.
- If you need forgiving, forgive them today.
- If you need coming back together, initiate reconciliation by taking the first step in faith.
Closing Prayer
"Heavenly Father,
You are the God of Restoration. You see the disintegration of families, the
pain in hearts, and the hurt in relationships. We give it all to You today.
Restore the brokenhearted, recover the lost, and bring reconciliation to where
there is division. Let Your love restore every wound and bring peace. In Jesus' name, Amen."
