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A weekly Fit For Marriage message from Russell Yates, a man with a compelling message—
straight from the Bible—that challenges the disintegration of the Christian family.
ARTICLESRebuilding the Nuclear FamilyTen years ago when I published my book Restoring the Father to the Family, John Piper, member of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, wrote the following to me: “You will offend even your friends.”
Biblical teaching on submission is dreadfully unpopular. A perfectly good word, “submission” has been perverted, and that explains some of the hostility. But Christians should still do the right thing—even if it offends others. Many believers understand submission, but still take the path of least resistance. Regarding Jesus, it is written: Many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12:42-43 Many Christians have adopted the marital norms of our society. They are determined to make the unworkable work, and refuse what the Bible says about marriage. The quickest way to split a church is to preach from Ephesians 5. So how does Joe Preacher cope? and still be true to Scripture?
Many Christians believe in doing what is right as long as it has a chance of success. If it doesn't, then, apparently, anything goes. Family Foundation Ministry requires that their members not be opposed to basic foundational truth. Basic precepts as taught in the Bible are accepted by evangelical, charismatic, and fundamentalist churches; they include: Original Sin, Virgin Birth, Blood Atonement, Salvation, Inspiration of Scripture, Second Coming, and Resurrection. But we also require that members not be opposed to biblical marriage as taught in Ephesians 5:22-32, 1 Peter 3:1, Titus 2:5, etc.
As revealed graphically in "The Passion of the Christ," Jesus surrendered every last vestige of dignity, and He did so because it pleased His Father—never mind that His disciples were offended. I'm telling anyone who will listen: If we're to rebuild the nuclear family we, like Jesus, must willingly surrender the dignity we think we have. … How much longer until we, in desperation, decide to do marriage God's way? The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. Matthew 10:24
Here's another way to look at it: Marriage as an institution is on the verge on expiring. The only dignified corpse is one that has been resurrected. With Fit For Marriage, there is nothing to lose (but your pride) and everything to gain. Biblical marriage is foundational to both life and godliness. In short we will rebuild the nuclear family when we follow God's plan for marriage and reject the notions of the culture. That's the purpose of the Fit For Marriage initiative. My wife and I have a unique testimony and a persuasive word. Our program will provide the following:
We're not the only ones who have addressed the marriage issue. How do we compare with the others? Many programs can take a good marriage and make it better. There's no end to the dating programs that can help you meet someone. But when that someone does not have marital skills—when that someone has unrealistic expectations—what can you expect? Failed relationships! Fit For Marriage will train, and then bring people together. Our association is unique. We teach God's Word, which can take a bad marriage and make it good. Here's the bottom line: The only marriage that works is one that has the Bible for its foundation.
Fit For Marriage is affordable. It is your program—I'm just the director. We offer a twelve lesson study course on CD or cassette tape as part of the membership package. It is available only to those who enroll in the program. My book, Restoring the Father to the Family, is for sale to the general public, but the study course is for members only.
To learn more about the Fit For Marriage fellowship, visit our website. We have provided two ways to enter the site:
We invite you to join our association! Russell & Theresa Yates Related articles: To participate in the Fit For Marriage program will take some time. But it will change your life—you'll never be the same again! |
C. Russell YatesHusband of Theresa C. Yates Father of Deborah Ruth Yates Author of Restoring the Father to the Family Founder of Family Foundation Ministry Director of the Fit For Marriage Program Servant of the Most High God |
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So
what would it take to rebuild the nuclear family? We've got to be willing
to offend our Christian friends. Ephesians 5:24-25 e.g. says a woman should
submit to her husband and a man should love his wife.
It's okay to preach this word as long as you don't really mean it—an occasional reference, even an entire sermon, is acceptable as long as the preacher quickly moves on to another subject. But there is never any marital correction, and marriages continue to crater.
My narrow focus on biblical marriage offended my friends and my preacher. They were offended by the way I saved my marriage, but I did it anyway. The Fit For Marriage program is diametrically opposed to the culture. To be biblical in this matter is to be undignified.
Modern
marriage is built on a non-existent foundation. That's why it doesn't work.
Laying foundations is dirty work; that's why Family Foundation Ministry is
unique.
If
you're not willing to settle for superficial religion, shallow relationships,
or a counterfeit marriage—if you want genuine friendship, marital intimacy,
and wholesome, well-adjusted children—we invite you to join our association.
The Fit For Marriage fellowship is for humble men and women who will settle
for nothing less than God's best.
