One Big Happy Filamily

INTRO

Give a round of applause to everyone who led us to throne of grace through song.

It feels like one big family reunion.

PRAAY

When we worship and praise together like this, we are part of one big happy filamily.

But some of us may have walked in here with other feelings…

Is this even real? Or is this just what we do on easter?

Listen to this. As of the end of 2024, a record 83 million people had been displaced from their homes — forced out by conflict, violence, or disaster. 83 million people who don't know where home is anymore.

The Global Burden of Disease study — published in The Lancet — found that while global mortality rates are falling overall, they are NOT falling for young people. Our generation is dying faster than the data expected.

Women worldwide still earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn. But for women of color — that number is even lower. Some earning barely more than half. Over a lifetime that adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars lost. And the gap isn't closing — it's actually getting wider. And at the current rate of progress? Experts say it will take 134 years to close that gap. 134 years.

And the U.S. Surgeon General — the nation's top doctor — officially declared loneliness a public health epidemic. 1 in 3 Americans feels lonely every single week.

CULTURAL DIAGNOSIS: Our bodies are dying and we are lonely.

But the easter story gives us an alternative…

BODY

READER 1: Romans 8:10 — The Thesis. (Angel)

you see, here, Paul acknowledges that are bodies are dying.

But he realizes that there is power!!

Paul expands…

READER 2: Romans 8:11 — The Expansion (Christian)

Wait, wait, wait. What did Paul just say?

That Spirit that lives in us is the SAME Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead!

Notice, that the pronoun “He” is used to describe the SPirit.

The Spirit is not a force, an energy, or a feeling. He’s a Person.

Well, the Spirit dwells in us. How do we respond?

READER 3: Romans 8:12-13 — The Response. (Darryl)

Being in debt. Not fun.

You know what it feels like to be in debt. Maybe it's a credit card. Maybe it's a student loan. Maybe it's a medical bill that showed up when you weren't ready for it. When you're in debt — you're obligated. You owe something. And that thing you owe has a claim on your life. It follows you. It shows up in your mailbox. It keeps you up at night. It shapes every financial decision you make.

We are not in debt or obligated to satisfy sin. WE DON’T HAVE TO KEEP PAYING A BILL THAT’S BEEN PAID.

Paul showed us how to live. But now he’s going to show us why.

READER 4: Romans 8:14-16 — The Identity. (Ate Diana)

You don’t live by the Spirit because you’re trying to earn your place. You’re not trying to earn your way to God’s heart. You’re not a slave. You’re a child.

YOU ARE A CHILD!

Kingdom illustration.

Picture of you, liezel, and marleigh at disney world.

The only person in the entire kingdom that could wake up the king at 3am for something so small like a glass of water is the child. This is our access.

You did NOT receive the spirit of bondage again to fear.

YOU BELONG TO HIS FAMILY.

"Family isn't just a feeling. It comes with something."

CONGREGATIONAL READING: Romans 8:17 — The Reward.

"Heirs. Not guests. Not servants. Not visitors on their best behavior. Heirs."

“What is true of Christ is now true of you.”

"Yes the road has suffering on it. But look where the road goes. It goes where Jesus went. And Jesus went through the grave and came out the other side."

"That's the Filamily you belong to."

CONCLUSION

RESURRECTION REALITY: Our Father gives us life and calls us heirs in His family.

Marleigh story…

Is it true, Father? If this is how I feel about her, how much more do you feel about me?

APPEAL