God’s Forever Family
Introduction
Erma Bombeck is one of my favorite authors. Her newspaper column called At Wit’s End was full of humor and wisdom. She wrote books like “If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What am I doing in the Pits?” and “The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank”. In one of her books she described what a family is.
“The family. We are a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms. . . and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together.”
Her words are funny — and surprisingly true. Families are quirky, complicated, and connected. And the same is true for the family of God.
Today is Family Day for Forsythe Church … worship, class, cookout, baseball - and we have a great number of people planning to participate! One of the greatest gifts God gives us is ?the invitation to belong — not just to Him, but to a family — His family.
John Stott wrote, “The church lies at the very center of the eternal purpose of God. It is not a divine afterthought. It is not an accident of history. The church is God’s new community.”
?1. The New Testament Presents the Church as a Family
The Church is “God’s Household” (1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 4: 17). This reflects a change of status - out of the world, and into God’s Family.
Ephesians 2:19 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household"
This reflects a transformation in how we relate to one another — not as strangers, but as siblings.
Galatians 6:10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
God is our Father!
-We are his children when we are born again. John 1:12-13 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
-We are his children through the Spirit. Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
-We are his children, deeply loved and claimed! 1 John 3:1 “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
Jesus, as the Son of God, is our brother.
Hebrews 2:11 “Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.”
Matthew 12:49-50 “Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’”
This makes us brothers and sisters in the same spiritual family.
2. The Danger of Division
Like all families, there are times of struggle. Every Church in the New Testament has its struggles and hardships. Much of the content in the epistles is to correct and encourage when there has been division, judgment, legalism. Aside from the Gospel, the most pressing message of the New Testament is how we ought to live with one another. The words "one another" appear together 58 times in the New Testament. It is crucial that we know how the body is to operate, treat each other, and cooperate in the work of the kingdom.
As Paul wrote to that congregation in Rome, there were some who did not have that family feeling! Some of the Jews felt that to be in the family of God, one had to be a Jew! Some of the Gentiles were from such corrupt backgrounds, they didn't know what to do with God's blessing! Unkindness, non-acceptance, judgmentalism, and legalism abounded!“Paul knew that church families can fracture, and so he gives practical steps to preserve unity — especially when it’s hard.” Romans 12 has several terse statements that encourage unity and strength when there are challenges to getting along. We will look at a few from verses 17-21:
-When there is trouble, Treat your brother well, even when He doesn't return the favor (17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.)
-If there is a peaceful route, take it. (18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.)
-Overcome evil with good (19-21 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.)
Always look for ways in which you can treat others better than you've been treated.
3. Nine Functions of Family! (Acts 2:42-47)
-Grow in Study Together! (Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…)
-Grow in Community Together (Acts 2:42 … and to fellowship…)
-Grow in Spirit Together (Acts 2:42 … to the breaking of bread and to prayer.)
-Grow in Faith Together (Acts 2:43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.)
-Grow in Support Together (Acts 2:44-45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.)
-Grow in Life Together (Acts 2:46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, )
-Grow in Praise together (Acts 2:47a praising God )
-Grow in Influence Together (Acts 2:47 enjoying the favor of all the people.)
-Grow in Gospel Together! (Acts 2:47b And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.)
Conclusion
It is impossible to be the Family of God without coming to the table together.
I am a believer in 100% attendance - never miss if you can help it. (Even Wednesdays!). Too often we forget the benefit of being together to worship our Father. Too often we allow the devil to have a foothold in our lives because we have not gathered with the family. Too often the fire goes out because we are not around others who are strong in spirit. Too often we forget that others need us - we are not the blessing we could be and others do not have what we can offer.
Tim Keller ““The church is not a club, it’s not a place you go for programs. It’s a family. That means we’re in each other’s lives in a way that’s messy, committed, and loving — just like a real family should be.”
Where do you need to lean into the family more? Who needs your encouragement, your presence, your love this week?
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Questions For Discussion
1. What makes the idea of church as “God’s Forever Family” different from a social club or organization?
2. John Stott said the church is “God’s new community.” What do you think he meant by that?
3. Read Ephesians 2:19. What stands out to you about being “members of God’s household”? In what ways does your relationship with fellow believers feel like a family?
4. Read Hebrews 2:11 — Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters. What does that say about your worth and place in God’s family?
5. Why do you think division and relational tension were so common in the early church — and why are they still
common today?
6. Read Romans 12:17–21. Which part of Paul’s advice do you find most difficult to practice — and why?
7. Read Acts 2:42–47. Which of the “functions of family” do you feel your group/church does well? Which of those functions (like fellowship, worship, mutual care, outreach) do you personally need to grow in?
8. How does sharing meals or time together deepen your spiritual connection with others?
9. In verse 47, we read that “the Lord added to their number daily.” How might church-as-family become a more powerful witness to the world?
10. What do you think happens to our faith when we’re disconnected from the church family?
