The Family of God

Intro:

I have mentioned my joy in singing the hymn The Family of God but it wasn’t until this week that I learned the story behind the writing of that beloved hymn.

As Gloria Gaither tells it, in the spring of 1970, the Gaither family was preparing for Easter festivities having already decorated the eggs and placed them in a basket of shredded paper grass. The phone rang and the voice on the other end explained that an explosion had occurred and a member of their church, Ron Garner, had been badly hurt. He was not expected to make it through the night.

Calls went out and some gathered at the church to pray. As pieces of news arrived it was clear doctors had determined Ron’s injuries so severe that no treatment would be given. Ron had been working OT to earn extra money because his daughter needed heart surgery. Now, there seemed to be no hope.

Ron, Darlene (his wife) and their two girls were at the center of the church’s prayers, but despite the desperate prayers everyone braced for the predicted news.

Easter morning arrived, but no one had the energy to celebrate. The pastor was absent, having spent the night supporting the family, so with as much spirit as the congregation could muster they began to sing. Resurrection? it seemed a million miles away.

The pastor had spent the night supporting the family

As they were making an effort to sing the pastor entered from the back and made his way to the front. “Ron is alive. They said he wouldn’t make it through the night and are amazed. They don’t understand how he’s hanging on, but we know. He’s alive, and they are starting treatment.”

“Today we are going to thank the Lord. And then,” pastor affirmed, “we are going to see this thing through. There will be many needs. The family will need food brought in. Darlene will need help with the kids. They will need transportation back and forth to Indianapolis. Ron will need gallons of blood for transfusions. And they all - the doctors too - need prayer. Let’s think of how each of us can help. We are, after all, the family of God. Now, let’s pray.”

We had a joyous service. Up from the Grave He Arose (Lowry) and He Lives (Ackley) took on new meaning. Bill and I talked on the way home and we realized, “the amazing thing is… they (the church) would do that for us too.” Bill and I were not frequent attendees with our concert schedule taking us on the road. We contributed little to the bake sales, retreats, or teaching SS. We didn’t “pull our share” but the family wouldn’t have left us out.

When we got home Bill went to the piano and out of the ashes of Ron’s tragedy came these words,

Now you’ll notice we say “brother” and “sister” ’round here; It’s because we’re a family and these folks are so near. When one has a heartache we all share the tears, And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear. I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. . .

What does it mean to be a part of the Family of God?

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ and the Father are One (), and that He is also the only begotten Son of God (). This familial term indicates God regards Jesus as a family member.

Join the Family // Belief

Born-again believers are told that we, too, are members of this family ( - “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household...”). How do we become a part of this family of God? We must believe. - “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name...” Believing can be difficult. We are trained to be skeptics. We are told to question everything, to not talk to strangers and to only trust what can be proven through the scientific method.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. Believing can be difficult. We are trained to be skeptics. We are told to question everything, to not talk to strangers and to only trust what can be proven through the scientific method.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation). How do we become a part of this family of God? We must believe. Believing can be difficult. We are trained to be skeptics. We are told to question everything, to not talk to strangers and to only trust what can be proven through the scientific method.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God.

3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

Things haven’t really changed. tells us that everything was made through Jesus. Everything, everyone is covered with His fingerprints. You and I are created in His image. When we hear the gospel, confess our sins, and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we are at that moment born into God’s kingdom as His children and become heirs with Him for eternity ().

Things haven’t really changed. tells us that everything was made through Jesus. Everything, everyone is covered with His fingerprints. You and I are created in His image. When we hear the gospel, confess our sins, and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we are at that moment born into God’s kingdom as His children and become heirs with Him for eternity ().

However, the world did not (nor does it yet) recognize Jesus as its Creator.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.

25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

However, the world did not (nor does it yet) recognize Jesus as its Creator.

What does it mean to be a part of the Family of God?

It means that God has revealed Himself to you and you (by means of the Holy Spirit) have acknowledged His revelation. We have seen through eyes opened by the Spirit His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature. Through what has been made we believe.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Psalm 19

1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

2 Day to day pours forth speech,

And night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words;

Their voice is not heard.

Speaking without words, all of creation acknowledges Jesus Christ as the Creator. And while Jesus Christ is referred to as the only begotten Son of God, those who believe in Him are referred to as children born into God’s family who need to grow and mature in our faith.

While Jesus Christ is referred to as the only begotten Son of God, believers are referred to as children born into God’s family who need to grow and mature in our faith (), and as sons and heirs adopted into His family (). God’s infinite grace and mercy are revealed in , which says He redeems sinners, whom He has “adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 3

See ahow great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

What does it mean to be a part of the Family of God?

Join the Family // Right & Power

As sons and heirs adopted into His family ().

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

and as sons and heirs adopted into His family (). God’s infinite grace and mercy are revealed in , which says He redeems sinners, whom He has “adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”

When we are able to believe, we receive the right to become children of God. To often we give this right away. Have you ever heard the idea that “we are all God’s children”? We are certainly all God’s creation, but we are NOT all God’s children.

We ARE all made in the image of God, but Scripture is very clear that we must be adopted into His family. This adoption occurs when we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that He is Lord!

Our identity changes. And that identity comes with rights and power.

We join the Family of God

We call Him “Abba, Father!” (Daddy)

He calls us His sons and daughters.

Heirs and joint-heirs.

Last week we saw that He is Immanuel, God with us.

Last week we saw that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, the Son of God. He sits at the right hand of the Father. Jesus declared, “I and the Father are ONE!” All that is the Father’s belongs to the Son. But my friends, you and I have rights and powers that extend to us as His children.

God’s infinite grace and mercy are revealed in , which says He redeems sinners, whom He has “adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”

As children of God, what do we inherit? Nothing less than the kingdom of God (; ; )!

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ

tells us that believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. These spiritual blessings are infinite, eternal, and reside in Christ, and by God’s grace we are given these blessings as His children. As earthly children we eventually inherit what our parents leave behind for us after their death.

tells us that believers are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. These spiritual blessings are infinite, eternal, and reside in Christ, and by God’s grace we are given these blessings as His children. As earthly children we eventually inherit what our parents leave behind for us after their death. But in God’s case believers are already reaping the rewards of our inheritance by having peace with Him through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. Other rewards of our inheritance include the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the moment we believe in Christ (), which empowers us to live for Him in the present, and the knowledge that our salvation is secure for eternity ().

But in God’s case believers are already reaping the rewards of our inheritance by having peace with Him through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross.

Other rewards of our inheritance include the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the moment we believe in Christ (), which empowers us to live for Him in the present.

Being a part of the family of God is the greatest blessing bestowed upon believers and one that should drive us to our knees in humble adoration. We can never do anything to deserve it for it is His gift of love, mercy, and grace to us, yet, we are called to become sons and daughters of the Living God (). May we all respond in faith to His invitation!

Conclusion:

Conclusion:

Being a part of the family of God is the greatest blessing bestowed upon believers and one that should drive us to our knees in humble adoration. We can never do anything to deserve it for it is His gift of love, mercy, and grace to us, yet, we are called to become sons and daughters of the Living God. May we all respond in faith to His invitation!