THE FAMILY OF GOD
INTRO
1. One of the most important parts of the church is its family-like aspect
1 Tim. 3:15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
A. Family is possibly the most attractive simile describing the church.
B. Being a part of the family of God is a great blessing.
2. We all realize how important a family is.
A. We marry, have children, rear them, & cry when they leave.
Why, because of the importance of family.
3. What are some of the elements of the family that make the family really work?
I. IN A FAMILY WE FIND EXPECTATIONS.
A. Jesus has given different talents to different people, & He expects those talents to be used.
Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, ’Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
1. He wants us to grow.
2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
2. He wants us to mature.
Col. 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
B. God wants us to realize our potential.
1. He expects us to do our best.
II. IN A FAMILY WE HAVE FORGIVENESS.
A. Jesus is willing to forgive everyone in the family who repents (turns away from what they were doing).
Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" [22] Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
B. Jesus expects us to forgive one another.
1. If we harbour unforgiveness then God can not and will not forgive us.
Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
III. IN A FAMILY THERE IS ENCOURAGEMENT.
A. Jesus wants us to encourage one another.
1 Thes. 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1. How can we encourage one another?
a. By properly spoken words.
Ephes. 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
b. Togetherness.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
c. Cooperation [working together].
1 Cor. 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
d. Manifested love.
John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
1 John 2:9-11 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. [10] He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. [11] But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
IV. IN A FAMILY THERE IS DISCIPLINE.
A. God’s family must be a disciplined family.
Hebrews 12:7-8 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? [8] But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
1. If we are not disciplined, we are not God’s children.
2. Discipline helps us to become Christ-like people equipped for kingdom works
2 Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
B. God expects us to live a certain way in His family.
1. The way we live will bring either glory or dishonour upon God.
Romans 13:7-10 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. [8] Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." [10] Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.
Sadly some Christians think it is ok to cheat on taxes or gain benefits by deception or borrow and never return. They don’t realise that all they are doing is putting the Name of Jesus into disrepute.
We need to be the best workers, best payers, up front with our dealing with people, be that government or private.
Don’t expect to be blessed by God if you are not doing what is right yourself.
V. IN A FAMILY WE HAVE A SUPPORT GROUP.
A. God wants His family to be sensitive.
1 Cor. 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
2. We need to get together as a group there is no place for lone Christians.
Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
VI. IN A FAMILY PROBLEMS ARE WORKED OUT.
A. Since the church is made up of people, problems are going to arise from time to time.
1. In Acts ch 6, there was a problem in the church.
2. In Acts ch 15, there was another problem in the church.
B. God wants us to deal with the problems & find the biblical solutions.
Matthew 12:25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
Galatians 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
1 Cor. 6:6-8 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! [7] Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? [8] No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!
1 Thes. 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
VII. IN A FAMILY THERE IS A PLACE OF IDENTITY.
A. God wants us to know who we are.
1. If you were asked, "Who are you?" what would you write down?
2. What makes you different?
a. The family you belong to.
b. The name you wear.
c. The talents you have.
d. The principles you live by.
1 Peter 4:15-16 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. [16] Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
B. God wants us to realize that we are His children; we are Christians.
Galatians 3:26-27 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ.
VIII. IN A FAMILY WE FIND SECURITY.
A. God wants us to feel secure in His family.
B. A lot of the problems that are in the world are there because homes are not providing security.
I find my self counselling many a young person who’s problems all come about because of broken homes or dysfunctional families.
As Christians we need to be setting the standard not going along with the world.
Sadly many supposed Christian homes are far from what God intends for them to be.
1 Tim. 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Family relationships are so important in God’s eyes, Paul says, that a person who neglects his or her family responsibilities has denied the faith. Are you doing your part to meet the needs of those included in your family circle?
Matthew 16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
I might add or those of his own family.
IX. IN A FAMILY THERE IS ACCEPTANCE.
A. We are to accept one another.
1. That doesn’t mean we accept what people do that is wrong.
2. But we accept people in matters of judgment, in weakness of faith, & in immaturity.
B. We must have the attitude of acceptance.
John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
FINALLY
X. IN A FAMILY WE FIND COMFORT.
A. God is a comforting Father.
2 Cor. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
1. Therefore, God’s family should be a place where we find comfort.
a. The world is often an uncomfortable place.
B. In God’s family there is comforting care.
1. God want us to take care of His children.
1 Thes. 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
In Conclusion
I. God’s family is a place of:
A. Expectations, forgiveness,
Encouragement, discipline,
Support, resolution, identity,
Security, acceptance, & comfort.
II. As the family of God,
A. Let us be steadfast. Just like the Apostles.
Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
B. Let us be responsible.
C. Let us be aware of the family needs.
1 Tim. 3:4-5 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence [5] (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
Christian workers and volunteers sometimes make the mistake of thinking their work is so important that they are justified in ignoring their families. Spiritual leadership, however, must begin at home. If a man is not willing to care for, discipline, and teach his children, he is not qualified to lead the church.
D. Let us be encouragers.
Hebrews 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
III. The church works well when the family aspect is working well and we have the promise of God’s blessing!
Psalm 133:1-3
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
[2] It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
[3] It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing--
Life forevermore.
God’s family is the greatest family.
