An Unlikely Family
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Good morning! When you think of the family of God, who do you think of? Who is the family of God? I think that often we think too small when we think of the family of God. Especially as Baptists. Why do I say that? There are two main things that make a Baptist Church a Baptist Church. The first is that we believe that someone should only be baptized after they choose to follow Jesus and are saved from their sin, and that baptism is by immersion, being put under the water completely. The second distinctive is that because we believe the the priesthood of all believers, in other words all followers of Jesus can pray to God and hear from God, we believe that each local church is autonomous, able to make it’s own decisions without being told by someone outside that church what God wants them to do. I think these are good and correct interpretations of the Bible, but sometimes we forget that we are a part of the larger family. Revelation 7:9 gives us a beautiful picture of the family in heaven.
After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.
This is such a beautiful picture of the church and so it makes me wonder why we rarely see such a picture hear on earth. We are here in California where the world has come to us. Over 200 languages are spoken in the state.
heart
So how does this actually work?
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
What does it mean to be a living sacrifice?
We are to be transformed, not conformed.
How do you renew your mind?
For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.
Humbly take stock of who you are
Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function,
in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.
According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith;
if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching;
if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.
Members of each other
Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.
Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
φιλοστοργος -philostorgos
Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.
What does it look like to love all your brothers and sisters in Christ?
What heart, or attitude changes is God prompting you to make?
What is one practical thing you can do this week to love others in the church?