HoHum:
Take library card out of wallet. This is a membership card to the Public Library. Do you have a library card? If you don't already have one, you should get one. One of the great things about a library card is that it is available to everyone. It doesn't matter if you are young or old. It doesn't matter if you are a boy or a girl. It doesn't matter if your skin is red, brown, yellow, black, or white. It doesn't matter where you were born or who your parents are. Everyone is welcome.
Another great thing about the library is that once you become a member, you are entitled to all the benefits and services that the library provides.
Oh, by the way, do you know how much it costs to join the library? Nothing! It’s free
You know, that is a pretty good picture of what it is like to be a member of the family of God. The Bible tells us that when we trust in Jesus and are united with him in baptism, we all become the children of God. It doesn't matter if you are a boy or a girl. When we become a part of the family of God, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
The Bible also tells us that when you belong to the family through Christ Jesus, you are entitled to all the benefits of being a child of God. All of the promises that God has made in His Word belong to you! Isn't that great?
How do we get a library card? Just fill out some forms and it is yours.
Repent, confess and be baptized and abide in the family. (Seedthought from Sermons 4 Kids: http://www.sermons4kids.com/family_of_god.htm)
WBTU:
Been talking about the family of God lately. God is our Father, Jesus is our elder brother, and we have brothers and sisters in the family of God, the church. How is all of this possible? “it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:5, NIV. By grace- what is grace? I like Dr. Cottrell’s definition: getting the opposite of what we deserve. We deserve condemnation but through grace we get forgiveness, and we are taken into the family of God.
Thesis: 3 common misconceptions about grace
For instances:
1. We are basically good people who need a little help from God
In the late nineteenth century, Darwin’s theory of evolution was all the rage. Gradually people began to apply it to human development and relationships. They were convinced that because animals and plants were evolving into higher forms (according to the theory of evolution), surely man is getting better and better, too. Many began to teach that man is basically good; sin and evil are illusions. The horrific events of the past two centuries like WW1, WW2, the holocaust, 9-11 and others should close the book on any belief that man is naturally good, but it hasn’t. Our culture, especially our schools, still contain the germ of this idea that blinds people from seeing this powerful truth about humanity. Especially in counseling and psychology courses, a common belief is that human beings are basically good. The concept is that if people are presented with a choice between good or evil, they will choose the good. Interestingly, most of the people who believe this are probably the same ones who keep their doors locked at night.
From Scripture we know that we are made in God’s image. Because of this people will occasionally chose the good. However, the fall of mankind has seriously warped that image. We aren’t “good people who make mistakes from time to time.” We have set ourselves up as our own gods, living for our own success and pleasure, and not caring about what God wants for us. Listen to the Apostle Paul’s summary on the condition of humanity: “As it is written: “There is no-one righteous, not even one; there is no-one who understands, no-one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no-one who does good, not even one.” “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”” Romans 3:10-18, NIV.
In essence the Apostle Paul says that we are helpless, hopeless, enemies of God, desperately in need of a savior. And that is what God provides. Jesus didn’t come just to be a good example for nice people to follow. He came to ransom us from our cells of sinfulness, and to find those who are lost and restore them to the family. God’s grace teaches us that God doesn’t love us because we are good, but in spite of the fact that we are not. That’s grace.
2. I can do enough to earn God's acceptance
People are full of pride and they feel like they have to earn everything they get, no handouts and no favors for me, thank you please. They don’t want to admit that they need a savior. Instead, some try to be their own saviors, giving until it hurts, attending church all day every day, praying for hours on end, and sacrificing time, energy, and resources to prove that they are “good and acceptable to God.” However, all of their good actions become barriers to a living relationship with God. Their hard work only feeds their pride and pushes them further from God’s heart. Sooner or later, we have to realize that we can never measure up to God’s standard of perfect holiness. God is holy and we are not. Impossible for us to be holy 100% of the time.
God’s grace is a gift, not something to be earned. We may do better than others and that measure of comparison makes us feel good about ourselves- but that’s not the way of grace. Humility flowing from our realization of how impossible it is for man to earn his way to God is the first step in grasping God’s grace. To illustrate this Jesus tells us this parable: ““Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”” Luke 18:10-14, NIV.
This reminds me of another parable Luke 15, the parable of the prodigal son. The younger brother’s selfishness and sin are obvious. He wasted all he had on “wild living.” The elder brother did everything right. He worked hard, sweated in the fields, and “never disobeyed” his father. At the end of the story, however, the younger brother is enjoying his father’s love and acceptance at a feast, while the elder brother remains outside, refusing to be with his family.
3. My sins are so enormous, God couldn't possibly forgive me
From the NT, we find a man named Saul, later Paul, who persecuted Christians to their death. On the Damascus road, the Lord appeared to Saul, and 3 days later, Saul was baptized and became a Christian. The Lord used Paul in a mighty way. Why would the Lord call a man like Saul to be such a dynamic missionary for him? Even though people are not, God is forgiving.
We probably haven't killed anyone so too extreme an example. Lets take one that is more applicable to us. Peter, on the night when Jesus was betrayed, denied knowing Jesus 3 times. Luke recounts the last time: “Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:60-62, NIV. We find after this that Peter is not with the other disciples probably because he was so ashamed. When the angel gives instructions after Jesus’ resurrection we find this: “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”” Mark 16:7, NIV.
After the resurrection and Jesus had appeared to all of the disciples, we find an interesting fishing trip by Peter and some of his companions. Jesus appears on the beach and tells them to throw their nets on the other side of the boat. They do and there is a miraculous catch of fish. Peter and the others know this is the Lord. When they all get to the shore, Jesus has prepared a meal for them to eat. Then we have this exchange between Jesus and Peter. “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17, NIV. This conversation restored Peter and got him back on track. He experienced the Lord’s forgiveness but the Lord gave him a challenge. It is a challenge I believe he gives to all of us who are His children. “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15. How does the Lord want to live for Him? One way is by feeding his sheep. God’s grace is free but it is not cheap.
So what?
Because times were hard, some in Isaiah’s day said that God forgot them. Here is the response of God: ““Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” Isaiah 49:15, 16, NIV. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Some object and say that in crucifixion the nails would have gone through Jesus’ wrists and not his palms. Even so, our names are written on the palms of his hands as a constant reminder of God’s love and our needs. The grace of God isn’t just a nice feeling. It’s based on Jesus, the Son of God, making the ultimate sacrifice for us.
