Get in the Family! God’s Family!

2000036

Subject: the church

Introduction:

A. Spent great deal of time talking about the family as of late.

1. Please w/how last wknd’s conference went.

2. Let us all strive to have godly families.

B. What to preach today? Wanted a lesson that would seek to build up/edify & seek to continue the good things discussed last week.

1. Today we will be talking about God’s family – the church.

2. Christians have b/c part of the household or family of God.

C. Text from Scripture reading: Eph. 2:11-22

1. focus upon v. 18-22.

2. Paul says we were once:

a) 2:11 – aliens; 2:12 – w/no hope & w/o God

b) 2:13 – far off

c) 2:19 – strangers & foreigners.

3. But through Christ the Christian is able:

a) 2:14 – to have peace.

b) 2:16 – to be reconciled in His body through the cross.

c) 2:19 – to be a citizen w/the saints & to be a member of God’s household (family)

4. Eph. 1:3 – those who are members of God’s family are entitled to all spiritual blessings.

5. How wonderful it is to be in Christ Jesus!

a) To have salvation from sin!

b) To serve the Lord!

D. What a blessing it is to be a part of the family of God at Southside!

1. We’re a family of believers in this one place – seeking to serve God.

2. Let us strive to look at ourselves in this light – a spiritual family.

3. Let us seek to form bonds w/each other that will stand the test of time.

4. Bonds where we can be honest w/each other (feel comfortable around) each other & share in the joyous expectation of a home in heaven.

E. In our lesson today we’ll talk in depth a/b God’s family.

1. What are some blessings in being a part of God’s family?

2. What are some obligations I have in being a part of His family?

3. If I’m not already – how can I become a part of God’s family?

4. Hope that today’s lesson will be of benefit to you.

I. Blessings of being in God’s family (Eph. 1:3) what are they?

A. The Christian is an heir of God’s promise.

1. Rom. 8:16-17 – heirs w/Christ so that we may be glorified together.

2. 1 Pet. 1:3-4 – Heir to what?

a) To an incorruptible inheritance.

b) A living hope of heaven.

3. Those outside Christ are not heirs. Christ has not yet adopted them.

a) b/f our adoption we have no right to the promised inheritance.

b) 2:12 – no hope – strangers.

4. Gal. 3:26-27 – how is one adopted?

a) 3:29 – my obedience to the gospel allows me to be adopted by Christ & to receive the right to be an heir.

b) See also 4:4-7

5. Are you an heir of God’s promise?

B. The Christian will always be protected & looked after by God.

1. Phil. 4:5-7

a) What a comfort it is to know that God is always there – watching, waiting to sustain us in our needs!

b) God will Take Care of You.

1) Lyrics - # 39 – SOTC 21^st Cent Ed.

2) Must learn to trust in Him. This demonstrated – I b/l – in the parent/child relationship.

2. 1 Cor. 10:12-13 – will guild us through temptation. Provide a way of escape.

a) God wants you to serve Him Remain faithful – not be taken in by devil.

b) Wants you to be an heir to the promise.

C. Christ is our advocate when we fall into sin/temptation.

1. Jesus described as our great high priest & advocate to plead our cause.

a) Heb. 4:14-16.

b) Through Christ – being part of God’s family – we have someone on our side. We have hope of mercy!

c) CONTRAST: person in world who does not have anyone on his side – must fend for himself. Alone. Hopeless

2. 1 Jhn. 2:1-2 – Christ is our advocate. A supporter. A friend. A Savior. He is the propitiation for our sins. He’s satisfied the debt we owe!

D. 1 Jhn. 3:1 – we have the ever-present love of the Father.

1. ASV – and such we are. We are His children.

2. Again – the parent/child relationship comes to mind.

3. Rom. 8:38-39 – nothing can separate us from the love of God!

a) Don’t mean that we can’t lose salvation after obey gospel.

b) But we can have confidence in Him that he will:

1) Love us

2) Protect us

3) Sanctify us

4. Have you taken advantage of God’s love?

II. What Are My Responsibilities to God’s Family?

A. I have a responsibility to separate myself from the world.

1. 2 Cor. 6:17-7:1 – perfect holiness in the fear of God.

a) We have no more allegiance to the world! Our allegiance must be to Christ!

b) Involves a conscious effort to change for the better.

1) To learn how to be God’s kind of person.

2) To grow in the grace/knowledge of the Lord

3) Mt. 6:24 – must open our heart to the Lord & seek to serve Him!

2. 1 Jhn. 2:15-17 – don’t love the world.

3. Means a total commitment to do our best to abstain from sin.

a) Involves a willingness to not worry a/b what the world thinks of us – but what God thinks of us!

b) Don’t go over the line that God has drawn!

c) Eph. 4:22-24 – not the word holiness in this passage.

B. I have a responsibility to adhere/obey His will.

1. Just as we expect our children to obey us – God expects us to obey Him!

a) 1 Jhn. 3:10 – must practice righteousness.

b) 1 Jhn 3:22-23 – must keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.

c) Not at liberty to pick/choose as to what we want to/not want to obey.

2. 1 Jhn. 1:6-7 – cease walking in darkness! Walk in the light.

a) Not obeying God to earn our salvation – could never earn salvation on our own merit.

b) But walk in light b/c I love the Lord & want to please Him b/c what He has done for me.

3. 1 Pet. 1:13-15 – must be HOLY in all our conduct!

C. I have a responsibility to love my brethren.

1. 1 Pet. 3:8-9 – we to “love as brothers.” We must seek to heed words of Peter! Please note the following scriptures:

a) Rom. 12:10

b) 1 Thess. 4:9

c) Heb. 13:1

2. Bro love = a sign, a badge of a disciple.

a) Don’t have bro love? Not a disciple!

b) 1 Jhn. 3:10-11; 4:7; 4:20-5:1

3. John Baker has said:

a) Brotherly love in the context of 1 Pet. 3 is an attitude or state of mind that produces feelings of respect, concern, compassion, & loyalty to those who are fellow servants of God.

b) Jesus has said in John 13:34-35:

4. Praise atmosphere in this congregation.

D. Brethren – are you living up to your responsibility as part of God’s family?

III. How Can You Become a Part of God’s Family?

A. Perhaps you here today – knowing that you outside Christ’s body - & you want to know what to do to get inside.

1. Jhn. 3:3-5 – you must be born again.

a) The old man of sin must be done way with

b) Born again through Christ

c) Fresh Start! Through Him.

2. Gal. 3:26-27 – By faith/baptism

a) Do you believe that Jesus the Christ?

b) Are you willing to repent of your sins?

c) Are you willing to confess that Christ is the Son of God?

d) Are you willing to be baptized so you can put on Christ? So you can put off the old man of sin?

3. Doing these things will put you in God’s family.

B. What must I do to remain a part of God’s family?

1. Remain faithful – Rev. 2:10

2. 1 Pet. 1:22-2:2 – Continue to obey His word.

Conclusion:

A. Do you need to improve your relationship w/God?

B. Do you need to get your life right?

C. 2 Cor. 6:1-2 – today = the day of salvation.

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Get in the Family! God’s Family! 2000036 Subject: the church Introduction: A. Spent great deal of time talking about the family as of late. 1. Please w/how last wknd’s conference went. 2. Let us all strive to have godly families. B. What to preach today? Wanted a lesson that would seek to build up/edify & seek to continue the good things discussed last week. 1. Today we will be talking about God’s family – the church. 2. Christians have b/c part of the household or family of God. C. Text from Scripture reading: Eph. 2:11-22 1. focus upon v. 18-22. 2. Paul says we were once: a) 2:11 – aliens; 2:12 – w/no hope & w/o God b) 2:13 – far off c) 2:19 – strangers & foreigners. 3. But through Christ the Christian is able: a) 2:14 – to have peace. b) 2:16 – to be reconciled in His body through the cross. c) 2:19 – to be a citizen w/the saints & to be a member of God’s household (family) 4. Eph. 1:3 – those who are members of God’s family are entitled to all spiritual blessings. 5. How wonderful it is to be in Christ Jesus! a) To have salvation from sin! b) To serve the Lord! D. What a blessing it is to be a part of the family of God at Southside! 1. We’re a family of believers in this one place – seeking to serve God. 2. Let us strive to look at ourselves in this light – a spiritual family. 3. Let us seek to form bonds w/each other that will stand the test of time. 4. Bonds where we can be honest w/each other (feel comfortable around) each other & share in the joyous expectation of a home in heaven. E. In our lesson today we’ll talk in depth a/b God’s family. 1. What are some blessings in being a part of God’s family? 2. What are some obligations I have in being a part of His family? 3. If I’m not already – how can I become a part of God’s family? 4. Hope that today’s lesson will be of benefit to you. I. Blessings of being in God’s family (Eph. 1:3) what are they? A. The Christian is an heir of God’s promise. 1. Rom. 8:16-17 – heirs w/Christ so that we may be glorified together. 2. 1 Pet. 1:3-4 – Heir to what? a) To an incorruptible inheritance. b) A living hope of heaven. 3. Those outside Christ are not heirs. Christ has not yet adopted them. a) b/f our adoption we have no right to the promised inheritance. b) 2:12 – no hope – strangers. 4. Gal. 3:26-27 – how is one adopted? a) 3:29 – my obedience to the gospel allows me to be adopted by Christ & to receive the right to be an heir. b) See also 4:4-7 5. Are you an heir of God’s promise? B. The Christian will always be protected & looked after by God. 1. Phil. 4:5-7 a) What a comfort it is to know that God is always there – watching, waiting to sustain us in our needs! b) God will Take Care of You. 1) Lyrics - # 39 – SOTC 21^st Cent Ed. 2) Must learn to trust in Him. This demonstrated – I b/l – in the parent/child relationship. 2. 1 Cor. 10:12-13 – will guild us through temptation. Provide a way of escape. a) God wants you to serve Him Remain faithful – not be taken in by devil. b) Wants you to be an heir to the promise. C. Christ is our advocate when we fall into sin/temptation. 1. Jesus described as our great high priest & advocate to plead our cause. a) Heb. 4:14-16. b) Through Christ – being part of God’s family – we have someone on our side. We have hope of mercy! c) CONTRAST: person in world who does not have anyone on his side – must fend for himself. Alone. Hopeless 2. 1 Jhn. 2:1-2 – Christ is our advocate. A supporter. A friend. A Savior. He is the propitiation for our sins. He’s satisfied the debt we owe! D. 1 Jhn. 3:1 – we have the ever-present love of the Father. 1. ASV – and such we are. We are His children. 2. Again – the parent/child relationship comes to mind. 3. Rom. 8:38-39 – nothing can separate us from the love of God! a) Don’t mean that we can’t lose salvation after obey gospel. b) But we can have confidence in Him that he will: 1) Love us 2) Protect us 3) Sanctify us 4. Have you taken advantage of God’s love? II. What Are My Responsibilities to God’s Family? A. I have a responsibility to separate myself from the world. 1. 2 Cor. 6:17-7:1 – perfect holiness in the fear of God. a) We have no more allegiance to the world! Our allegiance must be to Christ! b) Involves a conscious effort to change for the better. 1) To learn how to be God’s kind of person. 2) To grow in the grace/knowledge of the Lord 3) Mt. 6:24 – must open our heart to the Lord & seek to serve Him! 2. 1 Jhn. 2:15-17 – don’t love the world. 3. Means a total commitment to do our best to abstain from sin. a) Involves a willingness to not worry a/b what the world thinks of us – but what God thinks of us! b) Don’t go over the line that God has drawn! c) Eph. 4:22-24 – not the word holiness in this passage. B. I have a responsibility to adhere/obey His will. 1. Just as we expect our children to obey us – God expects us to obey Him! a) 1 Jhn. 3:10 – must practice righteousness. b) 1 Jhn 3:22-23 – must keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. c) Not at liberty to pick/choose as to what we want to/not want to obey. 2. 1 Jhn. 1:6-7 – cease walking in darkness! Walk in the light. a) Not obeying God to earn our salvation – could never earn salvation on our own merit. b) But walk in light b/c I love the Lord & want to please Him b/c what He has done for me. 3. 1 Pet. 1:13-15 – must be HOLY in all our conduct! C. I have a responsibility to love my brethren. 1. 1 Pet. 3:8-9 – we to “love as brothers.” We must seek to heed words of Peter! Please note the following scriptures: a) Rom. 12:10 b) 1 Thess. 4:9 c) Heb. 13:1 2. Bro love = a sign, a badge of a disciple. a) Don’t have bro love? Not a disciple! b) 1 Jhn. 3:10-11; 4:7; 4:20-5:1 3. John Baker has said: a) Brotherly love in the context of 1 Pet. 3 is an attitude or state of mind that produces feelings of respect, concern, compassion, & loyalty to those who are fellow servants of God. b) Jesus has said in John 13:34-35: 4. Praise atmosphere in this congregation. D. Brethren – are you living up to your responsibility as part of God’s family? III. How Can You Become a Part of God’s Family? A. Perhaps you here today – knowing that you outside Christ’s body - & you want to know what to do to get inside. 1. Jhn. 3:3-5 – you must be born again. a) The old man of sin must be done way with b) Born again through Christ c) Fresh Start! Through Him. 2. Gal. 3:26-27 – By faith/baptism a) Do you believe that Jesus the Christ? b) Are you willing to repent of your sins? c) Are you willing to confess that Christ is the Son of God? d) Are you willing to be baptized so you can put on Christ? So you can put off the old man of sin? 3. Doing these things will put you in God’s family. B. What must I do to remain a part of God’s family? 1. Remain faithful – Rev. 2:10 2. 1 Pet. 1:22-2:2 – Continue to obey His word. Conclusion: A. Do you need to improve your relationship w/God? B. Do you need to get your life right? C. 2 Cor. 6:1-2 – today = the day of salvation. D. I N V I T A T I O N