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Back to Sermons Index Back to Home Page 20th May 2007 AMA FAMILY OF BELIEVERS Pastor Linton Smith You have had a look at the building, heard of the blessings and the challenges. It is easy to get excited about buildings. We need to remember that the church is people, people who have come to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith and have been born again. The Bible teaches that when we believe in Jesus Christ – believe He is the Christ the Son of God, that He died for us on the cross and rose again, that He ascended to heaven and is Lord of all.. and entrust ourselves to Him.. we are put right with God.. receive the Spirit of God into our lives.. and become members of God’s family – the church. In a number of places in the New Testament the church is pictured as a family.. In Galatians 6:10 the Apostle Paul writes, As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. The words, ‘family of believers’ can be translated, ‘household of faith.’ Then in Ephesians 2:19.. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.. In 1 Timothy 3:14,15 he writes, Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God.. And then Peter says.. 1 Peter 4:17.. It is time for judgment to begin with the family of God.. The words, ‘family of God’ an also be translated, ‘the house of God.’ In all of these statements the church is described as a household.. of faith.. of God. Households at the time Peter and Paul wrote consisted of the master, his wife, children and slaves and various dependants, such as servants, employees - and others who voluntarily joined themselves to his household. Today we would call it an extended family. The church is God’s extended family! Today I invite you to consider some key Bible passages that fill out this picture. In these passages we are encouraged us to see ourselves as.. V GOD’S CHILDREN. John writes.. 1 John 3:1.. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! In his letter to the believers in Galatia, Paul reminds them how they were put right with God.. found forgiveness and peace.. and received the Holy Spirit. It was by faith.. and faith alone.. as they heard the message that Jesus was the Messiah.. the Son of God.. risen.. in heaven.. returning. They believed.. and put their lives in His hands.. surrendered to Him. Then in Galatians 3:26-28.. He reminds them.. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. You are all sons of God through faith.. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. It is clear that when he says, You are all sons of God through faith, he includes people of all races, all social standings, and both male and female. We can put it like this.. God the Father calls believers.. all of them.. sons and daughters. Of whatever race.. of whatever social status.. and both male and female.. He calls them sons and daughters! Believe it.. and see yourself like that. Look in the mirror and say.. because of Jesus.. I am a son of God.. I am a daughter of God! V BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF JESUS. Jesus was speaking to a crowd gathered in a private home. His mother and brothers came to the house wanting to speak to Him. Someone came in and told Him that His mother and brothers were outside wanting to speak to Him. He replied.. Matthew 12:49-50.. “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 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 is my family.. these are my brothers and sisters.. these people who do the will of my Father in heaven. And what is His will? It is first of all that believe in Jesus.. believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God.. and put our lives at His feet. The message of Jesus was.. repent.. and believe! That is what these disciples had done. When we repent.. and believe.. and lay our lives at His feet.. He calls us His brothers and sisters! The Book of Hebrews also speaks of Jesus as our brother. In Hebrews 2:11 we read.. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. And then in Hebrews 2:16,17.. It is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God. Jesus became of us. Now He is in heaven.. at the right hand of the Father. He has sat where we sit.. has walked in our shoes.. and is now.. our BIG brother at the right hand of the Father. Believe it. See yourself like that. Look in the mirror and say.. Jesus is my Brother.. I am His brother.. or sister! V PEOPLE UNITED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. In Galatians 4:6 Paul writes.. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Remember.. in the previous chapter he has made the point that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male of female. When he says, ‘sons’ he means all of us.. whatever race.. social standing.. and both male and female. The Holy Spirit indwells all believers.. and from their hearts, cries, ‘Abba, Father.’ In Romans 8:16 Paul puts it like this.. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. The Holy Spirit works like this in each believer and by doing that unites them! In Ephesians 2:18 Paul says.. Through him [Jesus] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Then in Ephesians 4:3 he speaks of the unity the Spirit gives.. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.. There is One Spirit.. and He indwells every believer.. uniting them as members of one family! When we meet another believer.. of whatever race.. whatever social standing.. male or female.. we have something in common. No.. not something.. but Someone! The Spirit of God lives in us.. and unites us! Believe it.. and see yourself like this. One of God’s children.. Spirit of God living in you.. and in your fellow believers.. uniting you! V PEOPLE WITH AN AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY. When we see ourselves this way.. we will see how blessed we are.. how privileged.. and see that with this privilege comes an awesome responsibility.. to live in a way worthy of who we are! It is not surprising that the New Testament often uses the words, ‘one another.’ We are exhorted to accept one another as Christ has accepted us.. to love one another as Christ loves us.. to honour one another.. submit to one another.. encourage one another.. and more. In Ephesians 4:1-3 Paul writes.. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Be completely humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love. How down to earth is that! Then he says in Ephesians 4:32.. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. That is some challenge.. but then he says in.. Ephesians 5:1,2.. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Live as the dearly loved children you are.. be imitators of God! That is a huge challenge. God wants us to be a God-like family.. not only the family of God.. but a family like God! He wants us to be a small sample of heaven on earth! That is our calling. Will you take up the challenge? Is it possible? Yes. When we are ‘born again’ people the Holy Spirit indwells us and makes it possible! You can be ‘born again’ today by putting your faith in Jesus!
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