The Bloodline

Galatians 1:13-17

" For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.”

In reference to the writers point about the call of Christ isn't this where we usually get it wrong?

Receiving consultation, or taking advice from the flesh concerning the things of God. This will only produce excuses, hesitation, and little to no ministry movement at all.

The former Pharisee, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said-"Immediately I did not consult with flesh and blood.." or in laymen’s terms "since I already know what the flesh is about, I choose to oppose it” Our Lord left us with an earth-shaking truth stating that the “spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak” We would be wise to continuously examine who is at the helm concerning the decision making in our lives? Who’s really in charge? Who are you taking orders from?

Our feelings, likes and dislikes, opinions, preferences and so forth will never add any value to the Kingdom of God.

Do I have anybody in here that is truly fed up with the consequences of our decisions. Has anybody in here come to terms with the fact that our ways and thoughts really are not God's ways and will be honest enough to say that they are truly glad about it?

Well, then we are here for the same reason family...You are in the right place.

Let us pray

The Message for today is titled “The Bloodline”

At the end of our church services we usually raise our right hand and state "I am what God says I am, I can do what God says I can do, I am more than a conquerer, through Christ who strengthens me."

Some of us look forward to this part of service because it means that its almost over. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes thats warranted, sometimes its time to go. But what really concerns me at times is our failure to rebuke and respond to the flesh by increasing discipline. This is one symptom of many that we allow to go unaddressed as christians. More times than not, we tend to misdiagnose our tolerances because we use the flesh to measure or gauge what the spirit should be doing.

Think about it, how many times do we allow inconvenience to govern our dedication to church servitude. Understand this, that hard-working brother, sister, pastor, deacon has nothing more special about them than you. Its literally all about the consultation that we make when faced with a decision.

Let’s talk more about those statements we make at the close of service. Since we know that "we are who God says that we are”, then we should be greatly concerned about what He actually calls us right?, or how does He view the relationship?

Don’t you really want to know? It is no different with our earthly relationships. Many of us know of people who are in unhealthy relationships were sadly the other person doesn’t see an issue.

Don’t we do this with God? We shout His name, we bible-thump people, we say the religious phrases that we all like to hear but at the end of the day the relationship is seemingly superficial.

How do we change this? What are some changes that need to be made? One of the greatest things to start with is facing the fact that its never God…its always you.

Everything in this life has a name and comes from something, literally everything...

Case in point, there’s a saying out in the world that "we are all God's children" and although that makes us feel safe, warm and fuzzy inside that statement is not necessarily true...at least not according to the plan of salvation.

So why do we insist on broad stroking who is a part of the Kingdom bloodline? Why do we not communicate what the Bible really teaches about the family of faith, or God’s literal children?

Part of our answer is found in one of the most recited passages of our religion

Scripture teaches us that for God so loved the world that He gave His "only" begotten son Jesus(meaning that He has one child right?) Stay with me...

God's Word also shows us in the book of Acts 4:12 that "there is salvation in no one else for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given to man by which you might be saved".

I know that some of you are thinking, well, God created us all so doesn't that make us His children by reason of being made by Him? Nope, it doesn't. That makes you His creation. Yes indeed, we are all God’s creation yet not all of humanity are His children. I’m not suggesting that we condemn people to hell, I’m simply urging us to preach the ramifications of not choosing Heaven.

What if I told you that God chooses to father you or call you a son or daughter based upon your faith, acceptance, and devotion to Him through Christ...not merely because you existed. God doesn’t owe us a connection or relationship…He does desire it though.

Even before Jesus came to provide salvation in His earthly ministry during the Old Testament times God the Father still didn't just call any and everybody His children. This is not to say that all cannot be His children but until acceptance is granted by way of blood, a stranger He will remain too many.

How do I know this? Its all throughout the text! God always deals with those that He has a dialog and relationship in a totally different manner then how He interacts with other created beings.

By our very nature we want to believe in the best outcome and that everyone will be forgiven and allowed to dwell with the Lord. We must be careful to not mishandle or mislead with the message of the Gospel. Of course God wills that none should perish but the mere existence of Hell is proof that He will not stand in the way of ones decision.

The bloodline...

God doesn’t just claim kids that aren’t His, and I’m glad most certainly glad about it. I know for a fact that pre-conversion what I was, and still am, can only be of value to Him in relation to His Son.

The penetrating question everyone should ask themselves is 'am I a child of the most high God?' and am I absolutely certain?” Not, am I finishing this ride labeled as a christian?

So, how do we know? There is no better way to find out than by examining the Bloodline...

Turn in your Bibles to-

Romans 8:1–17 CSB

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you. So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

So right, so rich, is the clear communication of God’s expectations...

I’m so grateful that in this address to the church in Rome we are granted evidence of freedom from accusations, yet we are also endowed with the full responsibility for how we represent the Father.

“free from the law of sin and death..”(v.2)

We will not live out the true potential of our faith until we come to grips with what sin has done to us and the environment in which we live. I’m not talking about what you use to do or even what you did last night. I’m talking about what this thing that we all struggle with did to the relationship between God and His creation. Sin is an interruptor, sin is a hinderance, sin is a complicator...

(v.7) “For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh”

That part right there!

What’s really on our minds? In all actuality, how much time do we really spend thinking about Kingdom business? Really, I don’t mean local church service or other christian-related activities. I mean literally, think about how many decisions, ideas, and thoughts that you have in a days time that do not involve ministry. What in the world is really on our minds saints?

Does it even concern us that most times we only think about God is if we are in need, fear, or church services? How crazy would it be to get before God and He didn’t even address the things you did for the local church or christianity but instead addressed the other parts of how you used your time? Our response can’t be “but Lord, I just had so much on my mind”. To counter that He could simply say “I instructed you to let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”. There will never be a sufficient enough excuse to give in the day of judgement…and we can come up with some good ones too!

Verses 9 and 10 read...

“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.”

“But if indeed”

These have to be some of the most overlooked and ignored words in the scriptures. Why do I say this?, because the majority of our struggles and failures come from the omission of the 'if' part, which in fact is our part or the responsibility of fulfilling God’s expectation. We act as though there aren’t any requirements made by God towards His children. The crazy part of it all is that while we should conduct ourselves in a godly manner we equate that alone with completely satisfying His requests. This makes no sense! Jesus didn’t die on the cross for you to be a good person, He died and rose so that you can do the same.

I would also like to point out that what Paul is describing here is the understanding of being a new creation. Along with that should come a heightened awareness that the greatest of change has occured in us yet the tendencies and temptations remain.

Think about the sheer magnitude of God’s provision given to those that are identified as His.

He sent a sacrifice, raised an offering, provided an advocate, and sent a comforter…what more do we want?, what more do we need to get going?

let's us finish the passage.

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

Let’s talk about Redemption and Responsibility...

The Apostle implores the church in Rome to remember the obligation to the spirit.

Many times we fail in our faith because we simply ignore this obligation. What wasn’t Salvation enough? Let’s be honest for a second, we are most likely willing to fulfill our obligations when it is something that we know can or will potentially benefit us. And thats a big part of the problem, we lose sight of the immeasurable and infinite benefit of the work on the cross. We just gotta feel or have something new. Why are we so obsessed with the prospect of new revelation if God’s saving us and word is so sufficient? Why do we routinely turn a conversation with God into an opportunity to make a request? We’ve even told people that we know “the only time that you speak to me is if you want something”, yet we fail to understand that ourselves.

Who’s concerned about God?

Because of sin, our flesh literally knows that the pinnacle of its experience is in this life and nothing beyond that. This is exactly why those that are lead by the dictates of the sin nature find so much comfort in saying things like “you only live once”.

Something that I’ve always said since coming to faith in Christ is that...”you spend way more time physically dead or non-existent than you do physically alive”. Since this is a fact, why aren’t we more concerned about what happens after this side of the grave?That may sound somewhat depressing to some, but to those of us that are in Christ it is of utmost joy and importance.

Don’t you find it ironic that the same people, or types of people, that try and convince you to live it up now only give self-seeking remedies to life’s problems ? That should be a red flag but often times it isn’t.

Think about how backwards our natural responses or default mode of thinking is towards better choices: Example, to the kids that liked to learn we call them names-”nerd”, “bookworm”, “lame”. All because they took learning seriously. When people try an eat right we often criticize their new dietary choices. Then we openly complain about having poor health attributing the cause to everything but a lack of discipline. When you refrain from certain behaviors you get ridiculed and your loyalty questioned, When you disagree with the thought of the culture your ostracized from the very same ones that consider themselves to be open-minded and not clone-ish. The list is never ending. How blind, unhealthy, and contradictory is the human mind when not being led by the spirit.

To touch on Paul’s point again we see in those very same verses the specificity used by Paul basically saying “remember, you don’t owe the flesh anything”.

He goes on to say in verse 15

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “ Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

“Did not receive the spirit of slavery!” So thankful that the Apostle called it what it is and didn’t over-spiritualize it.

Many times when I think about the dangers of sin and bondage I immediately think about Stockholm syndrome-feelings of trust or affection felt in many cases of kidnapping or hostage-taking by a victim toward a captor. Is that not how sin ensnares us or has the potential to? How spiritually and psychologically dangerous are it effects? Can you imagine developing affection and trust for the very thing that separated humanity from God? Just like the syndrome described one who never think that its possible but it indeed is. We also see a similar scenario with people that remain in an abusive relationship. While things aren’t always at there worse the potential for reoccurrence is highly likely. If we ever need a reminder of just how dangerous sin is we need look no further than Calvary. For if the consequences of sin were not indicative of our utter demise then the servant would have certainly suffered in vain.

"....but if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him"

Breaking news: Just merely saying that you are a christian or claiming that you believe in God does not validate or prove that you belong to God. We cannot just say that we have the spirit of God simply by posting scripture and going to church. Something literally happens…literally!

Many times my fear isn’t for the perishing of the non-believer it is for the professed christian who doesn’t really know God.

Whether we want to face the facts or not, we all belong to a god…

But the question is, what god do you belong to?

According to what the Apostle shows us here in the scriptures we see that in order for us to belong to the Triune God we must actually possess the Spirit of Christ. By a show of hands how many will be truthful enough to say that they at one point and time tried to go around Jesus in the past to get through to God?

Didn't work did it?

Think about how much our experience in the world has shaped our views about who and how God is.

Here goes some extra credit for those new to the truth - If your reading God's Word merely to find out what you cannot do then your approach to the Gospel is totally wrong and it will make your way extremely hard. The natural mind always identifies what it perceives to be limitations and potential obstacles for its agenda. Because of original sin, the flesh is hard-wired to seek a work around…we must always be conscious of this. Singing that we will trust Jesus will never magically give us any power to resist temptation.

The most beneficial way to search the scriptures is the full on acceptance that His way is better for me, period. Another nugget I want you to take with you is this:

Stop waiting on the world to tell you about God and how to obey Him, because they don't know who He is anyway. Liking somebody’s perspective, style, or interpretation should never replace what the word teaches.

Back to the text

The question that arises now is, how do I receive the Spirit of Christ so that I may know ,with confidence, that I belong to Him?

Simply put, by being born again. Receiving the Gift of Salvation in Christ Jesus.

Why? Because you were born into sin and sin has no place before or with God. Also, you came into this situation as a child of disobedience so being born again enables you to not only start over, it gives you the opportunity to live...

The problem with most of us is that since we don’t usually experience any kickback or consequences from our sins we operate as though is doesn’t bother God.

Before those of us that believe came into the knowledge of truth we found it hard to agree with the fact that original sin really caused all of this chaos, tragedy, and wrongdoing in the world. Truth be told, it really is hard to believe that one moment of disobedience or poor judgement put us in this state as a human race. It’s totally okay to say that, but the fact that something is difficult to believe never keeps us from following our other pursuits. Funny how the flesh is so philosophically convenient when it comes to things that it doesn’t really want to put effort into.

God challenges that logic by saying things like “seek me with your whole heart, and there you will find me”.

Many say in their heart and mind, 'what Adam & Eve did ain't have nothing to do with me'. This thinking is only a result of a blinded mind concerning the accountability of sin. You see, for as much as we attempt to protect, water-down, ignore, and make levels of sin it's still all related. However, while God does considers some sins abominations any and all sin is still displeasing to Him.

Lets look back in your bibles at Romans 8:11

"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."

Whether we believe it or not, One of the greatest things to happen to believers is actually the concept of dying.

Outside of the knowledge of God we really don't understand death, and as we should we fear it greatly. The problem is, is that we tend to hesitate or procrastinate when Christ beckons us to die so that we might be raised. We continually inquire about being like Jesus but tend to skip over His teachings on death, how to view it and what it has to do with His name.

I remember being of the world talking crazy about how I wasn't afraid to die and I was ready if need be and truly didn't understand that standing before God in that state I was already dead. I pray that you believe me when I tell you that you have not experienced life until you become born again.

Saints, and sinners alike, I am coming to understand some things about Christ that aren't so glamorized, popular, and warmly depicted that deal with relationship and knowing the Father. These are the very things that God responded to when His Son was obedient to them. I mean like why do we want to say we know our Father, but really don't.

Let's take a look a the coolest DNA test ever performed, turn to:

John 8:39-44

Out of all the profound things that Jesus says here to put the Pharisees in check I want to draw your attention to something about it that had me going. In verse 44 Jesus states Satan was a "murderer from the beginning". Now we all know just how awful deceitful and scandalous Satan really is and the scriptures speak of him making suggestions and recommendations to mislead us. The Word doesn't state that satan physically killed anyone so how is he a “murderer?”

Murder by definition is the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another.

The Bible says that satan goes around as a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. So since we know that satan isn’t a physical being what mode or methods would he use to murder?

Influence. Every decision in life good or bad involves some level of influence. Influences by need, internal, external, people, demographic, cultural, etc. We often downplay its significance and effect on our lives but it indeed is the weapon of choice for the fallen one.

Since we know that the wrath of God is already on the unbeliever all satan has to do is negatively influence your decision to accept salvation and live in accordance with God’s word. Unfortunately, many of us are ignorant to just how vulnerable we really are.

Does anybody remember the impact or influence of family names when they were coming up? Like, there go them Jones boys that were known for fighting, or the James sisters that was always stealing stuff. Now those were random names I made up to make a point but someone came to mind right?

Believe it or not, many of the names and tags families get stuck with aren't necessarily all true..at least 100% anyway. I'm sure that if we knew personally some of the people we ourselves or others labeled as hostile, crazy, and just down right weird we would come to a different conclusion.

The Bloodline- who’s your Father? What type of stock do you come from?

You see, God is so awesome that although you and I are prone to sin and we are descendants of that disobedient Adamite family He decided not to wipe us out because of disobedience but to provided us with an opportunity of restoration. However, he chooses to not look at the charges against you and get to know you personally...no matter how true the talk of the town is about you.

When you talk about what's in a name and what God Himself calls us then we of course have to examine His expectation of us. One of the many great quotes or sayings I've ever heard came from a pastor that said simply "Jesus eliminated the excuse". This has everything to do with Christ showing us that is very much possible to do what pleases God and know Him... if you really want to.

By Jesus doing God's Will before us we see that He shows us how to get to know our Father.

What if I told you that Christ is so serious about having a relationship with God that He said in Matthew 23:9 "call no one on earth your father for one is your Father with is Heaven."

To those who are not currently in the family of faith I ask this of you. If you can't bring yourself to understand much of the bible yet or the discussions of our faith I ask you to seek God by this simple fact concerning the name Jesus. God allowed death to take place yet overruled death’s ability to bring His Son back to Himself.

Death stings, it hurts, and rocks our world when it visits us and those around us. Nothing on earth affects us more than death.

Turn in your bibles to John 17:6-12 (Jesus communicating the the Father for you and I)

“ I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word..

Hold up right there, Jesus is talking to God about belonging, responsibility, and expectation. Let’s continue on...

“Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are. While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.”

If I told you that this prayer confirms what I said earlier about everyone not being a child of God, simply by being born, would you believe me?

Make no mistake about it, God loves His creation and wills that none should perish, but He(or she) that comes to God must first believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.

When we look at the interactions that Christ had with the Father what do we really see? The bloodline

Let’s look again at Romans 8:7

“The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so.”

Sometimes its difficult to for us to see that having a reluctance to study about God, pray to God, and live for God are in fact different forms of hostility towards Him. Think about how slighted you feel when someone you helped takes you for granted, now multiply that times a million or more.

We have to allow the convictions of the spirit to be absolute. If we refuse to do that we allow our sin nature to create safe spaces to dwell in.

We cannot attempt to adjust our lives to our faith, our faith must adjust our lives. Most christians simply have priority issues that masquerade as sinful struggles. I say this because many of the things that we try to pray away can be changed simply by reorganizing our devotions.

The bloodline is full of data that God utilizes to review and monitor the state of His children..case in point, the account of Cain and Able.