WHOEVER OWNS THE FAMILY OWNS THE FUTURE: Thats why there is a contest for the family: there

is a raging battle for peoples allegiance and obedience. Whoever wins will determine whether there is a blessing or a curse on earth. The destiny of generations hinges on who is in control. Whoever is in control determines resource allocation or re-allocation; whoever is in control determines influence. Whoever owns the future does so NOT BY FORCE but by the obedience of the human race. One promises to do so by TRUTH the other uses LIES to achieve the same purpose. Whose side are you on? TEXT: GENESIS 18
16-19

Then the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." THEME: A DISTINGUISHED FAMILY IS A NATION DIGNIFIED The word Distinguished has several meanings: as a verb it means to: recognise as distinct or different: to perceive clearly by sight or other sense; discern;

But this is not the sense in which this word is utilised in this message. In this context distinguished means to: be made conspicuous by excellence; noted; eminent; famous: having an air of distinction, dignity, or eminence: conspicuous; marked. DIGNIFY: to confer honour or dignity; upon; ennoble. 1. DISTINGUISHING THE FAMILY: Family cant be distinguished if it exists in spiritual darkness (ignorance): the first recorded words of God were let there be light; Jesus is the Light of the World; each believer is a light. Darkness is the ABSENCE of light: Shall I hide from Abraham...? A distinguished family has its foundation in DIVINE REVELATION: shall I hide.... Unless the Lord builds the house...unless the Lord watches over the city... It is DIVINE REVELATION (which is a more sure word of prophesy) and NOT EDUCATION that creates distinguished families. A distinguished family is a repository of DIVINE SECRETS shall I hide...what I am about to do? The secret of the Lord is with those that fear him, (Ps. 25:14; Prov. 3:32).

CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISTINGUISHED FAMILY.

Gods sovereign choice makes us distinguished: for I have chosen him... the doctrine of ELECTION.

The distinguished family has a better insight into the present than others (Hos. 14:9 ; Ps. 107:43 )

They also have a better foresight into the future. They can utilise hindsight to better effect than the others too. A distinguished family knows HOW TO PRAY (Abraham knew precisely what to intercede to God about).Sodom and Gomorrah were part of Abrahams inheritance. If things dont go well for distinguished families, the world is in TROUBLE The distinguished family stewards its most precious earthly possession...children.

BOTH PARENTS ARE CRUCIAL IN THE DIVINE PLAN

Children must enjoy the TENDERNESS of the mother [1thess 27] AND the LEADERSHIP of the father [1 thess 211,12]. The word care in 27 describing the mothers role means to warm and cherish. The woman is the emotional anchor of the family The children also need the fathers cognitive role [1 Thess balanced. With both parents in the home the children learn from early that to succeed in life one needs to employ ones HEART (emotion) and ones HEAD (cognition). THREE KEY ROLES OF THE FATHER {1 Thess 211,12}
211,12

] role to make them

 (they are a heritage of the Lord); and the extended family household: Children are high up the chain of priorities in distinguished families. The distinguished family gives direction (command) to keep the way of the Lord thus preserving justice and judgment; Abraham, as a man of knowledge, taught them and as a man in authority, commanded them. Doing what is right and just (justice and judgment) secures DIVINE BLESSINGS. To do judgment and justice, that is, to be serious and devout in the worship of God and to be honest in their dealings with all men. The distinguished family is the repository of the trans-generational DIVINE BLESSING: The blessing is so abundant that from it all nations on earth will be blessed. Global blessings are hidden in distinguished families If distinguished families become careless a global curse emerges As children of Abraham we must be spiritually sensitive to understand that the blessings we receive Are NOT ONLY FOR US. Blessings have trans-generational seed in them Blessings have RESPONSIBILITY inhering in them