In CHRIST i am FAMILY

Introduction

What does it mean to be family?

Last week we talked about loneliness and that you can be in a group - or family - and still feel very alone. And that, in CHRIST, I am NOT ALONE.

This week, I want us to focus on the last gift Jesus gave us so that we would not be alone - and that is HIS church.

The Bible refers to God’s people as being in the “family of God”.

Let’s take a look at a movie clip on family...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P23bmzUAfXU

[Movie Reference]

Lilo and her sister Nani are bringing their new pet home from the animal shelter. Stitch, the pet, begins acting bizarre immediately...tearing up pillows, hissing, and even pushing Lilo. (The sisters think Stitch is a dog, but really he's an alien.) After watching his behavior, Nani tells Lilo they'll have to take him back to the shelter. Lilo immediately protests the loss of her pet and begins making excuses for him. But after Stitch has a run-in with the blender, Nani begins to carry him toward the door. Lilo thinks of Stitch as one of the family: "He was an orphan and we adopted him! What about O'hana?" Nani: "He hasn't been here that long." Lilo: "Neither have I. Dad said O'hana means family." Nani hesitates, her hand on the door. Lilo: "O'hana means family. Family means..." Nani finishes her sentence: "Nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten." Nani gives Stitch back to Lilo.

Family Scriptures

John 1:12–13 NKJV

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:12–13 RVR60

12 Mas a todos los que le recibieron, a los que creen en su nombre, les dio potestad de ser hechos hijos de Dios; 13 los cuales no son engendrados de sangre, ni de voluntad de carne, ni de voluntad de varón, sino de Dios.

Romans 8:15 NKJV

15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Ephesians 5:1 NKJV

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

Ephesians 1:5 NKJV

5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

The Heart of the Father El corazón de El Padre

Luke 15:11 NKJV

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons.

Jesus is speaking about family. This is a parable of a family showcasing the dad and his two sons.

Luke 15:12 NKJV

12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.

The younger son chooses to engage in the rebellion of his heart, wish his father were dead, and fulfill his own lusts and desires.

Notice the older son is not mentioned now.

Vs 13-14 - the Son packs up, leaves, and engages in all the things he was not “allowed” to do under his Father’s roof. His friends leave him when the money ran out and a famine broke out.

He gets a job feeding pigs - once never having to stoop so low, now he is like one of the hired help his father had.

Notice the older son is still not mentioned yet.

Luke 15:17 NKJV

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

He came to his senses. It clicked. All the conversations dad had with him finally aligned. In this and the following verses, he considers that his rebellion lost him everything and that the consequence should be complete rejection (let alone servanthood).

The younger son figures out his plan for repentance. Identifying his sin and pleading for a life better than eating with pigs.

Verse 20 lets us see the response of the father

Luke 15:20–21 NKJV

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

The Father came running

The son tells his dad of his sin and its consequence.

Luke 15:22–24 NKJV

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

This is the response of our Heavenly father for those who come to Him and repent.

Now we see the older son come in:

Luke 15:25–28 NKJV

25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ 28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

The father went after his rebellious - hurtful - younger son...

Now we see him going after his older - hurt - maybe a bit prideful son.

Let’s see the son’s response:

Luke 15:29–32 NKJV

29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ 31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

There are two kinds of sons listed here:

The one who rebelled and repented

and the one was faithful, jealous, and did not adopt the heart of the father.

John 13:35 NKJV

35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Notice something:

All - Everyone

will know that you belong to me (Jesus)

if you have love for who?

One another.

There are a lot of prodigal sons and daughters that God is bringing home and He wants us to understand His heart for them and make it our own.

If you are not family - JOIN THE FAMILY

If you are the younger son, COME HOME

If you are the older son, ADOPT THE FATHER’S HEART

No one gets left behind or forgotten.

In CHRIST, I am Accepted

In CHRIST, I am Encouraged

In CHRIST, I am Loved

In CHRIST, I am Wanted

In CHRIST, I am Valuable