We are Family
Notes
Transcript
What do I want them to know? We are a family that believes the Gospel, restores, bears each others burdens, works, provides for the teacher, sows good especially to the family of God; not giving up.
Why? It leads to life
What do I want them to do? believe the Gospel, not glory hungry, restore, bear, work, provide, do good to the family and don’t give up.
Why? it leads to life
What do I want them to feel? They belong
What we talk last week was
Direction not intention that determines your destination (your path)
The people who are closest to you will greatly influence your path
God is in it all
Paul heart was to for the church of Galatia to stay on the Gospel path, they had drifted.
Today I want to follow this up like Paul does in Gal 6 about how we the church be the people who help each other stay on the Gospel path, Jesus path,
ME/WE
HOW DO WE HELP EACH STAY ON THE GOSPEL PATH
We start with Singing the Song by Sister Sledge
WE ARE FAMILY
I GOT ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS WITH ME
Why do I try to sing this song?
This is the message God has for the ekklessia, the church to be.
When God speaks about the ekklessia he thinks of family
Not a business, where we come to consume things from the ekklessia
Not a gathering of like minded people like a club
BUT GOD SEES THE EKKLESSIA, the priests to be a family
1. And for some of us when we hear this we think yes and amen! We think family, we think love, laughter, safety, goodness, home, warmth
2. Others of us this is not the case: we think family and church we think not good thoughts for two reasons.
a. Is because Our own family was not good…family is the thing you tried to avoid, run from, get less of in your life....it was the place that abused you, used you, and torn you down....we transfer how our family is onto God’s family
b. Some of us have dove in to the church being a family and it was great for a season but eventually our church family has condemning, hurtful, legalistic, absent, not loving....I HAVE BEEN THERE
3. Others are scared…I have been here too
The reason we are scared is because we doubt that people will really love us and like us if they know us
If people would truly know who we are would they LOVE us or LIKE us
Knows our struggles, habits, hang ups, past, problems, or I am not as mature of a Christian as I think I should be.
Anybody there?
Why is important that the church is a family?
What’s the big deal?
Created to a part of a family, we are wired for family, it’s in our DNA, it’s the foundation of relationship with God. We are adopted into a family.
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
God address the church as family
not a group of people, but a family
A majority of you’s in the Bible are YOU’ALL
Not only that when we become a believer what does scripture say happens to us? We are adopted into the corporation of God, like a business member.
Where we need to keep earning our keep???
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
YOU HAVE BEEN ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD, HE CHOSE YOU, all of you, not just the “good” parts of you.
This is so much in our DNA, our creation story that to not live into community the family will experience devastating impacts.
-
Anxiety
Depression
Health issues
Confidence
Faith
To the point hat studies have show that you will be healthier (emotionally, spiritually, physically) and live significantly longer if you have strong community family. verses those who eat are in isolation who are healthy and workout.
Even to the point that those in community fight of illness 4 times better.
We are created for this folks.
2. To become all God has called us to be happens with the help of the family, to become fully transformed, does not just happen through preaching of the Word, podcast, youtube videos, Christian books ALONE
Sermons, christian books, Christian youtube videos, have been and can be very impactful, life changing, but they can only take you so far
They are can be impactful and power and transforming.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
We help each other on a personal level become more like Christ.
We help people edge off the blind spots
We help people in their marriages and relationships
It is a place where we are fully known
I know this is can be scary (we are afraid if they really knew our struggle they would not like us or think less of us), but that fear is from the enemy and our flesh.
Paul calls out and encourages believers in Hebrews who were forsaking the family of God.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Living into the family, being known in the family will lead to a fuller transformation.
I know this first hand I would not be who I am today without being fully known in the family God....it changed my life.....I was scared for so long if people knew my struggles with addictions to pornography as teenager that they would reject me and so I listened to sermon after sermon after sermon but no real victory. It wasn’t until I shared with some brothers in Christ my struggles that victory came and fuller transformation.
3. Being a loving family is a witness to the world
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Our love for another will be a witness to the world, especially in a world that is about ME, this was true then and it is true NOW witness to the world we are different, we are His children.
Many people in ancient times and present times are led to the Lord by the church’s love
This is the place I can go to with people who will love me no matter what.
NOT A LOT OF PLACES EXHIBIT TRUE LOVE and TRUE LOVE IS ATTRACTIONAL
These people love me
God says to be a family is of utmost importance.
We are created for it
It brings the fuller transformation
It is a witness to the world
HOW
How do we become the family God has called us to be?
NEED NOT BE GLORY HUNGRY
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
What does it mean to be conceited?
The Greek word is
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 88.222 κενόδοξος, ον
κενόδοξος
kenodoxa: means to be GLORY HUNGRY, someone who seeking their own fame, ambition, status,....some who is PRIDEFUL and SELFISH.
These was a word that was prized by the Romans and Greeks, you wanted to be kenodoxa
The goal was to be rich and famous
A time when it is to about ME, PRIDE, MAKE a name for yourself is popular.
THAT DOES NOT SOUND MUCH DIFFERENT THAN TODAY? HUH
Why?
Couple reasons
What glory hungry people do is divide…they are going to do whatever it takes to be a person of GLORY!…it is a a dog-eat-dog world! They are problem that needs to go away, elimaniated!
Those in higher status PROVOKE those in lower status....look at me!
Those in lower status ENVIOUS and JEALOUS of those in higher status and tear them done....oh ERIC he’s not so great! Did you hear what he did!
2. We as Christian’s, God’s child do not need to be GLORY hungry, seek fame, status.....
WHY?? WHY DON’T WE NEED TO SEEK GLORY???!!!
because the God of the universe, King of Kings calls you His own, there is not great glory than that, every thing pales in comparison.
We can win the Super Bowl,
be the richest person in the world and the
glory that comes from that pales into comparsion to the king of of kings and Lord or lords calling you his own.
THEREFORE, IF WE are seeking GLORY we are seeking something less than we already have.
You do not need to be in competition church FOR GLORY!
AND THIS ALSO MEANS WE DO not need to be in competition in the church because you brother and sister in Christ have the same thing.
for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
AND WE UNDERSTAND THIS KNOW THIS BELIEVE THIS…
- We can opt of the race for glory and significance in this world because we are have received the greatest GLORY that we are His children
We are freed then to live like Jesus, be like Jesus, be selfless not selfish and love others
THIS IS WHAT JESUS DID....THE PERSON WHO COULD HAVE SAID LOOK AT ME, HONOR ME, GLORY IN ME, instead said what do you need
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
More significant than yourselves (who doesn’t want to be in a family that does this???)
God emptied himself…not filled himself
After opting out of being glory-hungry. because you know who you are ....Paul wants to move a couple things the church is to do...and it is going hard to be able to do this with right motives if we do not believe and understand the Gospel…so of us can do these next two things out of a glory hungry heart.
AFTER NOT BEING GLORY AND SELFISH
PAUL SAYS THE FAMILY OF GOD IS TO BE ONE THAT RESTORES THERE BROTHER OR SISTER
2. Restore our fellow brother and sister in Christ
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
transgression: sin
Spiritual: stronger in your faith
Gentleness not harhness
Paul says how we operate as a family, how we live into family is place a high value on restoration of people who are caught in sin.
We do not what the world does and say see you later! I am moving ahead
But stop
We are like the Good Samaritian
What is the story of the Good Samaritian?
Jesus showing how is your neighbor and how to love them
It is a parable on love, the 2nd greatest commandment, this commandment revolves around restoration. This is what restoration looks.
And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.
Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.
So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.
He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’
Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”
He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
I have not TIME FOR THAT
TWO MONTHS WAGES
We do not just pass people up but help people get back on their feet.
WE THE FAMILY OF GOD HELP THE OTHER MEMEBERS OF THE FAMILY OF GOD
- We are the people who have been restored who are then to go and help other people be restored.
In GENTLESSNESS NOT IN CONDEMNATION
Who do you know that needs to be restored? Maybe they here maybe they are not here.
Or maybe you are the one who needs to be restored....We may never know you are struggling unless you open your mouth.
Also, be careful that you too do not fall into the same sin, that’s why Jesus often sent people out 2 by 2 and not individually..
I have seen people trying to help people who they themselves fall into the same hole.
GOD SAYS MY PEOPLE ARE NOT GLORY HUNGRY and because they are not glory hungry they can live like me and be the family that restores.
SINCE WE HAVE BEEN RELEASED and FREED from being glory hungry, carrying that burden we can BEAR someone esles burdens
3. BEAR EACH OTHER BURDENS
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
PAUL says real family is where others burdens are beared.
The church is not where we throw our burdens out the door when we walk into to the church and then pick them back up on the way out.
- Nor is it the place that says we don’t deal with those emotoinal issues, we have an agenda that we need to accomplish.
THE FAMILY OF GOD BEARS BURDENS
EMOTIONAL BURDENS: I am really struggling with fear, anxiety, doubt
RELATIONAL BURDENS: my natural family has been abusive to me or they did this hard thing to me....Brian and marriages
SPIRITUAL BURDENS: I AM DOUBTING GOD, I DESIRE FOR MY MOM TO KNOW JESUS
FINANCIAL BURDENS: I DO NOT KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO PAY FOR MY CAR
This is the place where we come to cast our cares not put on our masks
Some of us need to share our burdens for us to help carry them
what is going to happen is healing
We are going to see people healed
BURDENS LIFTED
EACH FAMILY MEMBER BEARS THEIR OWN LOAD, WORKS.
4. Bare our own load
there is danger and error we can slide into and it is the error of
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
For each will have to bear his own load.
You have a job in the kingdom of God....let us not swing the pengelum so far that we think we do need to work....
Paul is says there is danger we can fall into....because I am a part of a family that bears burdens and restores....I am going to constantly let them bear my burdens and restore me while I do not work....Paul says you are missing the point!
This is not the way it is suppose to go....God doesn’t say be lazy.
My roommate from college, one of his greatest frustrations is that his family members choose not to work because they can live off the government....that is supposed to be supplemental help not permanent help
We have a job in the family of God…none of us our fear loaders
God has given you a job
I love what my son Ben said a couple weeks ago, he caught this talking about his grandpa Robyn’s dad
DAD DID YOU KNOW THAT GOD HAS GIVEN GRANPA THE JOB TO BE GENEROUS
How does he do?
Caleb says, “what’s my job?” Creativity and laughter
Ben says “what’s my job?” compassion, kindness
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
You have role to play....we need you...
One of things God is doing in the church is dismantling what church is to be
You have a vital role
5. Provide for your teachers.
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
This one is a little awkward for me. Because it is talking about me and you all providing for me.
Paul said this because at the time teachers were being neglected. People were not providing for them.
It is not just the teacher and worship leader but we all serve a vital role
GOD IS CALLING THE CHURCH TO BE, A FAMILY
A place that is not glory hungry
Restore
Carry burdens
Bear our own load
Provides for their teachers
This is what a family looks like.
I believe God is moving church to be a family, and the great
