Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, May 13, 2001, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999 and 2000 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

WHAT MAKES A HOME A HOME, SWEET HOME

By Michael D. O'Neal                  Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church                  Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 17:1-14

Text: Proverbs 17:1

Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

Introduction: My two favorite places in this world are the church house and my house. I enjoy going to the house. The home should be the sweetest place in the world.

Some homes have a plaque on their door or on their wall that says, "Home, Sweet Home," but their home isn't sweet. The kids don't like to go home. The daddy doesn't like to go home. The mother doesn't like to go home. Home should be a little bit of heaven on earth, but it many cases it is like a little bit of hell on earth. I want to bring you a message this morning called, "What Makes A Home A Home, Sweet Home."

Perhaps the message will bring together both themes for our special day: Homecoming Day and Mother's Day. No one wants to come home if home isn't sweet. Also, what is usually the sweetest part of a home is the mother. I encourage all of you, husbands and children, to treat mother right not only today, but every day. As the saying goes, "If MAMA's not happy, NOBODY'S happy."

Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

I. A SWEET HOME IS ONE WHERE SOLUTIONS ARE REACHED

Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

One man and woman just couldn't seem to solve their problems. They decided to end their union after a short time together. After a most brief attempt to reconcile, the couple goes to court to finalize their break-up.

The judge asks the husband, "What has brought you to the point that you are now at, where you are not able to keep this marriage together?"

The husband says, "In the six weeks we've been together, we haven't been able to agree on one thing.

The wife interjects, "Seven weeks, your honor!"

The right way to solve problems is for the husband and wife to be:

A. Struggling through problems together

B. Seeking God's help in the problems

II. A SWEET HOME IS ONE WHERE SLEEP IS RESTFUL

Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Sleep can be restful in a home

A. When the family really WORKS

B. When faith replaces worry

III. A SWEET HOME IS ONE WHERE SINGING IS RIGHTEOUS

2 Samuel 23:1 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,

In your home,

A. Music should emphasize the Savior

B. Music should enrich the soul

C. Music should encourage soul-winning

IV. A SWEET HOME IS ONE WHERE THE SPEECH IS RIGHT

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

He didn't like my pudding
And he didn't like my cake.
My biscuits were too hard.
Not like his mother use to bake.

I didn't perk the coffee
And I didn't make the stew,
I didn't mend his socks
Like his mother use to do.

As I pondered for an answer
I was looking for a clue.
So, I turned around and boxed his ears,
Like his Mother used to do!

A. Speech should be gracious

B. Silence is golden

V. A SWEET HOME IS ONE WHERE THE SCRIPTURES RULE

Psalms 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

When a couple follows the Bible, they will recognize that:

A. Sacrificial love is the role of the husband

B. Submissive loyalty is the role of the wife

VI. A SWEET HOME IS ONE WHERE THE SAVIOR RESIDES

Psalms 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

A. Through salvation

B. Through service

A Marriage Takes Three

I once thought marriage took
Just two to make a go
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.
And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter
As lovers come together
With Jesus at the center.
But marriage seldom thrives
And homes are incomplete
Till He is welcomed there
To help avoid defeat.
In homes where God is first
It's obvious to see
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three.
     -- Perry Tanksley


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