 |
38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“Strength In God's Family ” |
  |
I. Introduction.
A. God’s people are identified in a variety of ways in the New
Testament.
1. Collectively they are called “saints” – as Paul
addressed Christian brethren in letters he wrote, or
dictated.
2. They are referred to simply as the (Ecclesia)
“church”, or the “body of Christ” - of which Christ
is the head, the one with authority, pre-eminent in
all things. (Col. 1:18: “And, He is, the head of the
body, the church who is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead that in all things He may have
preeminence”).
3. God’s people are also represented as the “Army of
the Lord” – a militant band equipped and ready to
engage in spiritual warfare with enemies of God.
(Ephesians 6).
4. And, they are “citizens of the kingdom” – a term
used interchangeably with church in New
Testament; they are one and the same. Christ is the
“King of kings” in a spiritual kingdom that now
exists.
B. There is yet another way to identify what Peter called
God’s special people: God has a family. All in that family
are one.
1. Ephesians 3:14-15 (RE-READ).
-2-
2. How many people are there in your family?
a. If you’re talking about only the physical,
earthly family, varies from person-to-
person.
b. But, if we are a Christian, part of the Body
of Christ, our “family”, spiritually, includes
all who share salvation by the grace of God
through obedient faith.
c. As part of the church, we have “family”
everywhere. Have one Father, Jehovah
God, and one Lord – Jesus Christ.
C. The unity of that family is stressed by such N.T. terms as
“One another,” “fellowship”, and nouns prefixed by
“fellow.”
1. For example, Christians are to “exhort one
another . . .” (Hebrews 3:13).
(To teach; admonish; encourage).
2. (I Corinthians 12:25): “Have care one for
another . . .”
3. (James 5:16): “Pray for one another”; and,
(Galatians 6:2): “Bear one another’s burdens.”
(Support one another in times of grief, or
difficulty).
D. Then, there’s term “fellowship”: which has both social
and spiritual connotations.
-3-
1. (Acts 2:42): Early Christians “continued
steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellow-
ship” (they were together and shared much).
2. Look at I John 1:6-7 (READ). We have dual
fellowship: with one another, and with God,
through His Son.
E. Third, we see an emphasis on unity in such terms as
“fellow-citizens” (Ephesians 2:19; READ 2:19-22).
1. Here, Paul gives us two pictures.
a. First, he says the Gentiles are no longer
“. . . strangers and foreigners,” but full
citizens of God’s kingdom; full members
of God’s family, through Christ, where
everyone can be at home with God.
b. Then, second, Paul says God’s family is
like a building. Every family member is a
stone in that structure, and the structure
itself, again, rests upon Christ “. . . the
chief cornerstone.”
2. The unity, and strength, of God’s family doesn’t
come from its organization; not from ritual; not
even from its worship. It comes from its
connection with Christ.
F. As the church, we are God’s family. Live together with
equality in a spiritual relationship to God. That’s what
it means to be “brethren.”
-4-
G. But, what makes for a strong, successful, happy family?
Here are some principles that work in earthly families,
and can, and should, work in God’s family. Are those
things which build up, promote unity and harmony.
Opposite of these things destroy such unity – and can
destroy a family.
II. Principles For Strong Successful Families.
(Look at four of them)
A. #1 – Strong, successful families have rules. These are
based on recognized authority. Each member fills his or
her place, with a respect for that authority.
1. Parents set limits, and establish guidelines, for
children, and themselves.
2. So, it is in the church. As God’s family, we must
respect authority. (Means, first respecting the one
in whom authority resides.)
a. I Thessalonians 2:13: “. . . when you
received the word of God . . . you
received it not as the word of men, but as
it is in truth, the word of God.”
b. Who set the “rules” in the church? Who
established the pattern for New Testament
worship? Do we have the right to change,
or ignore these rules, and this pattern?
c. In the church, respect for God’s order, and
the authority He delegates, is of great
importance.
-5-
3. Hebrews 13:7 (READ). We look to some
individuals, in particular, to whom authority has been given,
for teaching and example.
4. Hebrews 13:17 (READ). Yes, occasionally, there
may be abusive elders (just as can be abusive
parents); but abuse does not overrule the continuing
principle that younger are to respect older
(Exodus 20:12). In earthly families, and, in church,
we are to respect elders who “rule well”, and
consistently, with God’s plans and purposes. Not
only respect them, but also obey them.
B. Second principle: strong, successful families have much
patience with each other.
1. What would happen if a baby was constantly
scolded, or punished, for stumbling when taking
first steps, or spilling food when learning to eat?
2. In a strong successful, happy family, loving parents
and older brothers and sisters patiently correct and
guide – with much repetition – that young one, as
he or she grows.
3. How are family members to act in church?
a. (Ephesians 4:2 – Paul says: “. . . with all
lowliness and gentleness, with patience,
longsuffering, bearing one another in love.”
b. Colossians 3:12-13 (READ). (Our
forgiveness is dependent upon our
willingness to be forgiving).
-6-
C. Three: Strong, successful families are loyal and care for
each other.
1. Great when brothers and sisters share. Something
that requires maturity. Great when older brother or
sister shows concern for younger.
2. Same care and concern should characterize family
of God.
a. In Romans 12:10 Paul tells us to be devoted
to one another in brotherly love.
b. Word translated “love” here is
“philostorgos”, meaning “family affection.”
3. The greatest loyalty in the church must always be to
Christ. In all things, He is preeminent. When this
is practiced, is seldom any problem with other
relationships. We imitate One whom we follow.
D. Fourth: Strong, successful families do have much love for
each other. (“Wraps up” patience; loyalty; care).
1. Too often, Christians draw back from others who
have burdens to bear at a time when they most need
love.
2. I Peter 4:8: “. . . above all things have fervent love
for one another for love will cover a multitude of
sins.”
-7-
III. Conclusion.
A. We become part of an earthly family by a birth process. No
prior choice here. (Where we’re born. When we’re born.
Family into which we’re born.)
B. God uses same principle for us to be added to His family –
a spiritual “new birth” (John 3). Here we do have a choice.
(Galatians 3:26-27: “For you are all sons of God through
faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”).
C. Right now, you are invited to become part of God’s
family.
D. Those who are already part of family – let’s work to make
that family as strong, successful, happy as possible.