Welcome to the Family

Always a privilege to be with so many new brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ… What is happening here, under the leadership of Pastor Siamak, is very special as many of your families are right at the beginning. You are the first generation of building a family heritage of Faith in Jesus.

I’ve been a pastor at Don Valley Bible Chapel for over 15 years now together with my wife Sue. And being part of a local church is a big part of the family heritage we are building. My background is very different from yours --- I have the unique privileged of growing up in a Christian home and having a Christian heritage - Last week my Dad’s 80th - where my father shared his testimony of faith in the Lord - reminding us of the faith of our grandfathers and great grandfathers…

my prayer for my Persian brothers and Sisters here today - is that one day your grandchildren will be able to look back on the heritage that started here with you and - know all the blessings and benefits of believing in Jesus as savior and lord!

my prayer is that one day your grandchildren will be able to look back on the heritage that started here with you and - know all the blessings and benefits of knowing Jesus as savior and lord!

You might be thinking to your self, hey this guy is not Persian - why is this little white Canadian guy - calling people here his brother -or his sister… ?

I was not a true Christian until the day that I humbly came to Jesus, lay down at his feat and said, I will follow you the rest of my life

Jesus will forgive all your sins if you come to him humbly and lay down at his feat and say, “you are the Lord and I will follow you the rest of my life on earth so that I can be with you forever!”

I was told that it is common in Persian culture to to call each other brother or sister - is it true? I’m not Persian - I am a white man - from a different culture a different people group so why would I call a number of you here today - My brother - My sister…?

Mark 1:16–18 ESV

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 1:16–20 ESV

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

Let me show you something Jesus did near the beginning of his ministry… Mark 3:31

Jesus was preaching and teaching in Galilee. He was calling disciples to follow him and join him in his ministry. Together with his disciples, he went around healing and announcing the kingdom of God is here!

So imagine the disciples gathered around Jesus as he is teaching them.... MARK 3:31

English Standard Version Chapter 3

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

31 And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

How shocking - this would be very offensive!

The strongest most intimate bond in the culture of Jesus day was between blood relatives - The bond between family was considered even stronger and more important than the relationship between a husband and wife! ---

Jesus is teaching us something about his new Community the Church — Jesus had told his disciples before his death ‘I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell will not stand against it’ () but at that time no one was sure of what Jesus was talking about.

But Jesus knows what he is saying here is shocking and offensive to some. It is supposed to be - because he is making a point here. Jesus is teaching something about this new community of disciples he has gathered around himself. - the bond he has with them is the strongest possible bond of love, loyalty and affection - they are his family.

- the bond he has with them is the strongest possible bond of love, loyalty and affection - they are his family.

You see Jesus is building a real family!

I was told that it is common in Persian culture to to call each other brother or sister - is it true? I’m not Persian - I am a white man - from a different culture a different people group so why would I call a number of you here today - My brother - My sister…?

The Spirit open’s the hearts and minds of three thousand people who believe, and when they believe they respond by being baptized and becoming part of a new community birthed by God’s Spirit. We get a glimpse of this new community in

Jesus said I will build my church - and the gates of hell will not stand against it

Later in his ministry Jesus would tell his disciples ‘I will build my Church and the Gates of Hell will not stand against it’ () - At that time his disciples didn’t really understand. What was Jesus was talking about. All they knew it was really really important to JESUS! Over time they discovered that Jesus was talking about A New Community - The New Family he was starting!

When the Spirit came, the disciples were given a golden opportunity to proclaim the good news, and with the Spirit’s help they do. The Spirit open’s the hearts and minds of three thousand people who believe, and when they believe they respond by being baptized and becoming part of a new community birthed by God’s Spirit. We get a glimpse of this new community in

) but at that time no one was sure of what Jesus was talking about. It was all a mystery, until Jesus gave the Apostles further instructions by his Spirit.

Jesus promised his disciples in (), that after his death and resurrection he would give them further instructions by his Spirit. Which he does, especially through his servant Paul and his letters to the churches… Listen to what the Spirit reveals in Ephesians chapter 2…

AfBut as Jesus promised, he would give further instructions by his Spirit, which he gives primarily through Paul and his letters to the churches.

), he would give his apostles further instructions through the Spirit. Jesus was talking about the new community - the new family of God!

Jesus said to his disciples in (), that after his death and resurrection he would give his Apostles further instructions by his Spirit. Which he does, especially through his servant Paul and his letters to the churches… Listen to what the Spirit reveals in Ephesians chapter 2…

), he would give his apostles further instructions through the Spirit.In John Jesus promised that after his death and resurrection he would give them further instructions by his Spirit. Which he does, especially through his servant Paul and his letters to the churches… Ephesians chapter 2 Paul writes this…

Ephesians 2:17–18 ESV

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:19 ESV

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

ESV And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Notice it is through interacting with this community that the Lord adds people who are being saved. This new community is devoted to four simple things

But as Jesus promised, he would give further instructions by his Spirit, which he gives primarily through Paul and his letters to the churches.

ESVAnd they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

The Apostles Teaching (which started with the gospel rooting it in the Story of the OT, and then Christ’s principles for living as his kingdom people), The fellowship (shared experience in the Spirit as brothers and sisters in Christ), the breaking of bread (eating meals together in their homes following the new commandment to love one another as family and celebrating Jesus - communion), Prayers (this new community was taking shape in homes but they also continued to meet in the temple every day to pray). These four things were embedded like DNA in all the early churches.At first the apostles did not fully understand what was happening all they knew was that this was new community – the church – that Jesus said he would build. At first they probably see it as a renewal movement within Israel - But as Jesus promised, he would give further instructions by his Spirit, which he gives primarily through Paul and his letters to the churches.

Back up a bit to the end of Chapter 2 v 17

ESVAnd he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Ephesians 2:20–21 ESV

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Ephesians 2:22 ESV

In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

ESV built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

What this is saying is that the good news about Jesus is being preached to everyone Jews, Gentiles, Persians, Canadians -everyone! Each person who believes in Jesus is born into the same family - we have the same Father - we are members of his household.

Believers are born into a real family

But this is a different kind of family - - Jesus is building a family where cultural, ethnic, and social divisions no longer separate people. The bond between people in this family is stronger than all other cultural or social relationships! (it overrides all divisions)

Relationships in this new family are stronger than cultural, ethnic, or social divisions.

Why because this new family is built on a whole new foundation! A foundation that is greater and stronger than any other cultural heritage or tradition!

What is this foundation? It is the teaching of Jesus that is being passed down to us by his Apostles and prophets AND Jesus himself, his love, is holding this new family all together.

Why because this new family is built on a whole new foundation that is greater and stronger than any cultural heritage or social group! This foundation is being taught by Christ’s Apostles and prophets - AND Jesus himself is holding this new family all together - He is the corner stone....

This new family is held together by Jesus, His LOVE and his teachings

ESV built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

So the Spirit reveals to us through the word that believers in Jesus are born into a new family. The Church is not something you go to. It’s not a program or a building. The church is a family you belong to.

This new family is God’s household - he lives with

The Church is not something you go to. It’s not a program or a building. The church is a family you belong to.

SO whether you grew up with Islam, or Buddhism, or Secular humanism, or Baha'i or have a Christian heritage like mine --- not one of us is truly a Christian until we in faith receive Jesus as our Lord for the forgiveness of our sin - and when we do we are adopted into God’s family!

I was not a true Christian, or a member of God’s family until The day that I humbly came to Jesus, In my heart, I lay down at his feet and said, “I have sinned but you died for my sin and rose from the dead! So if you will have me I will follow you the rest of my life.”

In my heart, I lay down at his feet and said, I have sinned but you died for my sin - So if you will have me I will follow you the rest of my life. - that was the day my sins were forgiven and became a true Christian, - it was deeply personal - God by his Spirit gave me a new heart of love for him - now I know God personally - - But it wasn’t just personal! It also deeply connected to those who believe in Jesus — I was born into a whole new family - the church. A new heart and a new home - a member of God’s Household!

That was the day my sins were forgiven and I became a true Christian, it was real. It was deeply personal - God by his Spirit gave me a new heart of love for him - now I know God personally - - But it wasn’t just personal! It also deeply connected me to my brothers and sister in Christ — I was born into a whole new family - the church.

The day that I humbly came to Jesus, lay down at his feet and said, I have sinned but you died for my sin - So if you will have me I will follow you the rest of my life. - that was the day my sins were forgiven and became a true Christian, - it was deeply personal - God by his Spirit gave me a new heart of love for him - now I know God personally - - But it wasn’t just personal! It also deeply connected to those who believe in Jesus — I was born into a whole new family - the church. A new heart and a new home - a member of God’s Household!

Jesus gave me a new heart and a new family - I am a member of God’s Household!

Now I have a wife and I have two children - and I’ve discovered something about being part of a real family! A real family requires real participation!

What happens if I go off doing things on my own all the time? My family falls apart! Love fades. My wife and I fight more! My kids don’t know me don’t respect me!

What happens if one person - like my wife - does all the housework - no one helps her out the kids don’t do anything - I never help her out. The love in the home fades away. Wife tired, grumpy, depressed. Kid’s selfish, spoiled, rude.

What happens when parents don’t put any effort into caring and teaching and playing with their children? Problems and dysfunction - the family is weak…

What happens when the kids ignore the parents and just do their own thing - division, fighting, chaos!

A real family requires real participation - It involves accepting your role and position in the family. It involves serving one another and making a real contribution. It is the same with the new family Jesus is building! Belonging to God’s family involves real participation in a local church FAMILY.

Jesus by his Spirit gives Paul instructions for how to live as part of God’s household (1Tim) his family which he wrote down in his letters:

Believers are to love one another like brothers! He uses the strongest family language possible! We are told to bear one another’s burdens! We are to encourage and speak truth to one another in love. There specific instructions for different roles in the church family: Older men, Younger Men, Older Women, Younger women, Singles and widows. Church Elders are to be men who manage their own homes well because they are given the responsibility of caring for the church family! Pastors and Teachers are instructed to train people for ministry so they can contribute to the life and mission of the church family!

You can not, really, obey any of these teachings without participating in a real local church family!

This is a big deal!!!

Ephesians 2:22 ESV

In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

(ESV)

22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. because we are told that THE Spirit dwells with people who are fitted together in this new family!

THE Spirit dwells with people who are fitted together in this new family!

Why does the NT have so many one another instructions? ? BECAUSE The power and the presence of God’s spirit is at work in and through the new family that Jesus is building - his Church!

We are ‘born again’ through faith in Jesus - and when we are born again - we are born into a new family...

In fact all of Paul's letters us strong family language! Paul guided by the Spirit Jesus by his Spirit gives Paul instructions for how to live as part of God’s household (1Tim) his family. These instructions are addressed to the natural groupings of a family - older men, younger men, older women, younger women.

It is through the local-church family that the Spirit renews our minds in God’s Word as we speak the truth to one another in love.

It is through the local-church-family that the Spirit reveals more and more of God's love for us as we serve one another.

For this new family to function well we need a new foundation - and that foundation - principles to live by - is being laid out by Christ’s apostles and prophets, Jesus himself is holding it all together - He is the corner stone ().

It is through the local-church family that the Holy Spirit transforms our lives as we encourage, pray, and help one another to obey God’s word.

It is thorugh our participation in the Family of God that the Spirit reveals more and more of GOd’s love for us as we serve one another.

It is through the local-church-family that we become a powerful witness to the world around us as we work together as one unified family .

John 17:20–21 NLT

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

In his letters Paul consistently uses family language in reference to the church, encouraging the believers to love one another like brothers! He uses the strongest family language possible! And he also gives many instructions for how to live as part of God’s household – His instructions are addressed to - older men, younger men, older women, younger women. Elders are to be able to manage their own homes because they are family leaders - helping keep the church family healthy. Paul even refers to his ministry being like the work of a Father or Mother in 1Thess. Paul treats every local christian church like a true household - a family of families.

You are becoming a witness! You are the first generation of building a family heritage of Faith in Jesus. When you put your faith in Jesus, he forgives your sin and adopts you into his family! This is all part of God's plan to bring his blessing to all the nations of the world.

Do you want to see the Spirit move in peoples lives? Do you want to see people come out of the darkness of empty religion and know the love of Jesus Christ? Do you want to know the Presence and the Power of God's Spirit in your life? Do you want the next generation to know the freedom and peace that comes from knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior?

Jesus asks him - Why are you persecuting me? To attack the church is to attack Jesus himself! - If Jesus feels this way about his church, then surely neglecting the church is to neglect Jesus himself!

Do you want to see the Spirit move in peoples lives? Do you want to see people come out of the darkness of empty religion and know the love of Jesus Christ? Do you want to know the Presence and the Power of God's Spirit in your life? Do you want the next generation to know the freedom and peace that comes from knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior?

THEN BE A REAL FAMILY BUILT ON JESUS AND HIS TEACHING! A real family requires real participation.

Do you know who Paul was doing before he was a follower of Jesus? He was persecuting the church, and throwing Christians in prison! Until one day he had a dramatic encounter with Jesus, a vision of Jesus, on the road to Damascus (Modern Day - Syria). Do you know what Jesus asked him? Why are you persecuting me? To attack the church is to attack Jesus himself! This is how Jesus feels about his church!

THEN BECOME A REAL FAMILY BUILT ON JESUS AND HIS TEACHING!

Do you know who Paul was doing before he was a follower of Jesus? He was persecuting the church, and throwing Christians in prison! Until one day he had a dramatic encounter with Jesus, a vision of Jesus, on the road to Damascus (Modern Day - Syria). Do you know what Jesus asked him? Why are you persecuting me? To attack the church is to attack Jesus himself! This is how Jesus feels about his church!

You are the first generation of building a family heritage of Faith in Jesus.

Jesus died for his church. He laid down his life for us! So don’t say to him - I’m too busy - or I have other more important things to do? Your job, your family, they are just temporary - but Jesus and his family will be together forever and ever! you can’t build a family heritage of faith in Jesus on your own - you need your brothers and sisters in Christ!

You can’t really follow Jesus and not be helpful in building up his church!

SO whether you grew up with Islam, or Buddhism, or Secular humanism, or Baha'i or a Christian heritage like mine --- we are all adopted into God’s family the same way —

But growing up in a Christian home, or a Christian nation, does not make you a Christian - and whether you grew up with Islam, or Buddhism, or Secular humanism, or Baha'i or a Christian heritage like mine --- we all come to Christ the same way —

Maybe all this talk about Family and Jesus is new to you today…

God’s plan to bring blessing to all the nations is to multiply his church into the world!

Jesus will forgive all your sins if you come to him humbly and lay down at his feat and say, “you are the Lord, and I will follow you the rest of my life on earth so that I can be with you forever!” When you do he gives you a new heart and a new home - placing you in his family - to live a whole new life of true freedom, peace, and love.

Growing up in a Christian home, or a Christian nation, did not make me a Christian - and whether you grew up with Islam, or Buddhism, or Secular humanism, or Baha'i or a Christian heritage like mine --- we all come to Christ the same way —

I was not a true Christian, or a member of God’s family until

If you sense Jesus calling you then don’t leave here without speaking one of the pastors or leaders here today.

The day that I humbly came to Jesus, lay down at his feet and said, I have sinned but you died for my sin - So if you will have me I will follow you the rest of my life. - that was the day my sins were forgiven and became a true Christian, - it was deeply personal - God by his Spirit gave me a new heart of love for him - now I know God personally - - But it wasn’t just personal! It also deeply connected to those who believe in Jesus — I was born into a whole new family - the church. A new heart and a new home - a member of God’s Household!

Jesus will forgive all your sins if you come to him humbly and lay down at his feat and say, “you are the Lord, and I will follow you the rest of my life on earth so that I can be with you forever!” When you do he gives you a new heart and a new home - placing you in his family.

A new heart and a new home.

Jesus will forgive all your sins if you come to him humbly and lay down at his feat and say, “you are the Lord and I will follow you the rest of my life on earth so that I can be with you forever!”

Jesus will forgive all your sins if you come to him humbly and lay down at his feat and say, “you are the Lord, and I will follow you the rest of my life on earth so that I can be with you forever!”