GOD’S FAMILY
God’s Family • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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INTRODUCTION
The Song – “God’s Family”
The Song – “God’s Family”
We’re part of a family that’s been born again;
Part of a family who love knows no end;
For Jesus has saved us, and made us His own,
Now we’re part of a family that’s on its way home
When a brother meets sorrow we all feel his grief;
When he’s passed thru the valley we all feel relief;
Together in sunshine, together in rain,
Together in victory thru His precious name
And tho’ some go before us, we’ll meet again;
Just inside the city as we enter in;
There’ll be no more parting, with Jesus we’ll be
Together forever, God’s family.
Family is important to us
Family is important to us
We treasure family relationships, memories, gatherings …
I suppose that is why God chose the concept of “family,” as one of the ways He refers to His church
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
Paul speaks of the family in heaven and on earth
We often speak of our church family and how precious it is to us - and the joy of being a part of the family of God
Let us spend a little time discussing “The Joy of Being in God’s Family”
Let us spend a little time discussing “The Joy of Being in God’s Family”
DISCUSSION
DESIGNATIONS USED TO DESCRIBE THIS FAMILY
DESIGNATIONS USED TO DESCRIBE THIS FAMILY
“Brotherhood”
“Brotherhood”
17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
… we are to love the brethren
“Brother” (or brethren) is found 319 times in the New Testament, where “sister (s)” is used 22 times
By and large, these terms define a physical relationship
These words are sometimes used in a spiritual sense
9 whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.
10 Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he doeth, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.
These verses stress a relationship between Christians – a relationship that places them as one concerning a standing in Christ.
26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. 28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.
By no means does this remove the distinction between the genders or their unique, God-given responsibilities,
but it strengthens our understanding of the close relationship that should exist between siblings in the spiritual family –
we are a family!
1 Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren: 2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
… a family relationship is here clearly described
“Child”
“Child”
Child or children is used 168 times in the New Testament
About 80% of the time, the terms (child/children) are referring to a physical family
However, we are call the “children of God”
16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God:
Therefore, when applied to Christians, the sense of the term reflects a paternal relationship with the Father
We are the “children of God”!
“Household of God” (or, house of God)
“Household of God” (or, house of God)
19 So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 20 being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; 21 in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly; 15 but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
21 and having a great priest over the house of God;
17 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?
God as “Father”
God as “Father”
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many; 6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.
Since God is our Father – we are His children
A family relationship is clearly seen
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
There are only two spiritual families
We are members of one or the other
God is our Father!
Jesus as “Son” - thus, our elder brother
Jesus as “Son” - thus, our elder brother
3 For he hath been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by so much as he that built the house hath more honor than the house. 4 For every house is builded by some one; but he that built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterward to be spoken; 6 but Christ as a son, over his house; whose house are we, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end.
25 Wherefore also he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
… as our elder brother, Jesus intercedes…
Jesus is our elder Brother!
TO ENTER GOD’S FAMILY THERE MUST BE A BIRTH
TO ENTER GOD’S FAMILY THERE MUST BE A BIRTH
It is noteworthy that Jesus compares our entrance into salvation, and thus into the family of God, as a birth
It is noteworthy that Jesus compares our entrance into salvation, and thus into the family of God, as a birth
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
As one is born into a physical family, so must we be a partaker of the spiritual birth to be a part of the family of God
As one is born into a physical family, so must we be a partaker of the spiritual birth to be a part of the family of God
THE FAMILY CONCEPT IS A PERFECT PARALLEL TO THE CHURCH
THE FAMILY CONCEPT IS A PERFECT PARALLEL TO THE CHURCH
It denotes a sense of belonging
It denotes a sense of belonging
Isn’t wonderful to know that we have a place in the family of God?
That we can belong to the greatest family in the world
Belonging to a family bond provides:
Comfort …
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 4 who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ. 6 But whether we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which worketh in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: 7 and our hope for you is stedfast; knowing that, as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so also are ye of the comfort.
Strength …
11 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: 13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15 but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ; 16 from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplieth, according to the working in due measure of each several part, maketh the increase of the body unto the building up of itself in love.
It signifies relationships
It signifies relationships
We have a unique relationship with the Father and with each other
1 Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren: 2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
Good family relationships demand appropriate conduct
23 And in that day ye shall ask me no question. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name.
We can approach God – as our Father – in prayer!
12 giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;
We have an inheritance from the Father
It draws a line
It draws a line
Everyone is not in the family of God
Our Heavenly Father designated certain entry requirements, and if these criteria are not met, one is not a member of the family
Merely running with the family does not make you a part of the family.
Along this line it is important for us to remember that Satan is subtle (Gen. 3:1) and his sole intention is to separate us from the Father.
One of his most effective attacks upon Christianity has been the blurring of lines concerning just who is and is not in the family.
If you were to ask various people in the community how one becomes a part of the family of God – you would get many different answers
Again, notice how the Bible says we are born into the family of God
23 having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
ALL OF GOD’S FAMILY IS IMPORTANT
ALL OF GOD’S FAMILY IS IMPORTANT
In our physical families we all have different abilities and appearances – but all are important and loved
The same holds true in the family of God
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. 13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now they are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: 23 and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness; 24 whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked; 25 that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD’S FAMILY
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD’S FAMILY
17 Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, 18 And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Be separate from the world
1 Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.
8 for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light
As God’s children we must be like our Father
and be children our Father would be proud of
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
We love each other so that others will want to be a part of God’s family
1 Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Bear each other’s burdens – lean on each other
18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Try to bring others into the family
CONCLUSION
THE FUTURE OF GOD’S FAMILY
THE FUTURE OF GOD’S FAMILY
16 The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: 17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
2 Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is.
Are you a member of God’s Family?
Are you a member of God’s Family?
