Family Heroes | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, August 23
You may never be a hero in the eyes of man, but if all you do is save your family, you are a hero in the eyes of God.
Key scriptures:
Hebrews 11:31-34; Joshua 2:13-18; Matthew 1:5; John 10:10; Exodus 2:3-9;
Introducción
Today, we will explore the message “Family Heroes” by Pastor Jentezen Franklin.
When we think of a hero, we often picture someone who has accomplished great things, conquered enemies, or achieved extraordinary success. Yet, Hebrews 11 gives us a different picture of what makes someone a hero in God’s eyes. Among the great men and women of faith are people whose greatest accomplishment was not winning battles or conquering kingdoms, but helping lead their families toward safety and faith in God.
Through the examples of Rahab, Noah, and Jochebed, we are reminded that one of the greatest responsibilities and privileges we have is to influence our families for Christ. Rahab brought her family into the house of safety, Noah involved his family in the work of God, and Jochebed protected and prepared her children for God's purpose.
As we study this message, let us ask ourselves:
- Am I being a spiritual hero in my family?
- Am I intentionally leading my children, grandchildren, spouse, and loved ones toward Jesus?
God may measure success differently from the world. What matters most is not what we gain for ourselves, but whether we help those entrusted to us find their way to Him.
Rahab – Get Them in the House
Rahab was a harlot living in a house on the wall of Jericho—the red-light district of a cursed city. When the spies came, she made one condition: “I want to be saved… and my whole family.” They told her to bind a scarlet cord in the window. Anyone she could get inside that house and keep under the blood would be saved when judgment fell.
She went and gathered her mother, her father, her brothers, her sisters—every relative she could find. The house was crowded, inconvenient, full of attitudes. Yet when the walls of Jericho fell flat, only one section remained standing: the house with the scarlet cord flying. Everyone under that covering lived.
Hebrews 11:31 “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”
Joshua 2:18-19 “Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window… And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head… but whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.”
Rahab became a hero in God’s eyes for one reason: she got her family in the house. Today that scarlet cord is the blood of Jesus, and the house is the house of God. Bringing your children and grandchildren to church, exposing them to worship and the Word week after week, is not optional—it is the priority that places them under the covering. Online is a blessing, but nothing replaces being in the house when the walls of this world begin to fall.
- What practical steps can you take this week to make gathering your family under the “scarlet cord” of the house of God a higher priority?
- Who in your family still needs to be brought under the covering, and how can you begin gathering them?
Noah – Get them involved in the work
Hebrews 11:7 (KJV) says that Noah was “moved with fear” when God warned him of coming judgment and that he “prepared an ark to the saving of his house.” This hero in God’s “Hall of Faith” understood that something was coming and that he needed to prepare an ark to save his family. What about you? In Matthew 24:37 (KJV) Jesus said, “But as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Are you recognizing the signs of the times, and if so, what are you doing about it?
Pastor Jentezen pointed out that God could have plopped that huge ark right in front of Noah, but he wanted Noah and his family to join in the building; and he wants us to do the same. Nothing matters more than building God’s Kingdom, and we must lead our families into that work. What a beautiful sight to see Etienne’s son Jet, at the age of seven, up on stage playing the guitar and worshipping just like his father. Pastor Jentezen also mentioned that it is no accident that he is on a stage preaching as both his mother and father also modeled this for him from an early age.
Education, sports, and other life endeavors are important but Mark 8:36 (KJV) warns us, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” What is it worth knowing that our children are going to heaven and not to hell? It’s true that we need common sense and some balance in our lives, but, again, nothing is more important than getting our families to take part in the Kingdom’s work. Like Noah, let’s move with faith and begin building an ark for our families’ salvation.
Preguntas para el debate:
- Noah was “moved with fear” and prepared an ark to save his family. What does it look like for you and me today to be “moved with faith” in response to God’s warnings or direction?
- Pastor Jentezen emphasized that God wanted Noah’s family involved in the work. How can we intentionally involve our families in building the Kingdom of God rather than letting faith be a solo effort?
- Mark 8:36 asks, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” How can we guard against letting worldly pursuits—education, sports, success—overshadow the spiritual work God calls us to?
CONCLUSION
The message of “Family Heroes” reminds us that true success in God's eyes is not measured by wealth, position, achievements, or recognition. It is measured by faithfulness—and one of the greatest expressions of that faithfulness is doing everything we can to lead our families toward Jesus. As Pastor Franklin emphasizes, if your family makes it to heaven, you are a success.
Rahab made her family a priority. Noah involved his family in God's work. Jochebed protected, nurtured, and prepared Moses for the purpose God had placed upon his life. Their stories remind us that the spiritual influence we have in our homes can reach far beyond our own generation. Today, let us make a deliberate decision to become family heroes—not seeking recognition from people, but seeking God's approval. Let us dedicate our homes, marriages, children, and grandchildren to the Lord and commit ourselves to leading our families in His ways.
May our prayer be structured on: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
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