"The Family Of God"

The Family of God

Object: Anyone know what this is? This? This? This? Hold up different objects like credit cards or pictures from your wallet.

Scripture: For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

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. 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. You can check out books and videos -- even music on a CD. You can go to the library and read magazines and newspapers. You can even use the computer. Oh, by the way, do you know how much it costs to join the library? Nothing! Membership is 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. It doesn't matter what color your skin is. When we become a part of the family of God, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. The Bible tells us that we are members of the Family of God and when someone becomes a member of the church they show that they care about the church and the people and you know what? It is free. I have heard of churches that have membership fees and one church here locally charges about 1000 dollars to baptize someone.

Oh, by the way, do you know how much it costs to become a part of the family of God? Nothing! It is a gift of God!

Dear Father, we are thankful that we can become your children through faith in Jesus Christ. We are thankful that it doesn't matter whether we are girl or boy -- black or white. We are thankful that in Christ we all become one. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.