OceanSide church of Christ

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GOD’S SPIRITUAL FAMILY

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     The title of our lesson is:  “God’s Spiritual Family.”

 

B.      Every word in this title is important.

1.       God’s

a.       We are talking about the supreme Being of the Universe.

b.      The word is possessive, meaning the family belongs to Him.

2.       Spiritual

a.       The word “spiritual” stands in contrast to the word “physical.”

b.      The word “spiritual” also indicates something that is on a much higher plain than that which is physical.

c.       The word “spiritual,” however, does not refer to something that is mystical and mysterious.

3.       Family

a.       The word “family” involves a social unit that consists of parents and children.

b.      The word “family involves roles and rules for those who are in the family.

c.       Notice that the word is singular.  God does not have many families.  He has only one family.

 

C.     It is important for everyone to understand that the church is God’s spiritual family.

1.       1 Timothy 3:15

 

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou ought to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

 

2.       This concept of the church being described as a family is given so we can understand various components of the church that are not readily understood in the word church.

 

I.                    GOD’S SPIRITUAL FAMILY HAS A FATHER

 

A.     God is the Father over this spiritual family.

1.       2 Corinthians 6:17-18

 

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 

2.       Galatians 4:6

 

And because ye are sons, God hath sent for the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

 

B.      God does many things that Fathers in homes do today.

1.       He leads the home (Psa. 23:1-3).

2.       He provides for the home (Matt. 6:31-32).

3.       He teaches in the home (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

4.       He sets the example in the home (Eph. 5:1).

5.       He comforts those in the home (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

6.       He protects the home (Psa. 147:13)

7.       He disciplines the home (Heb. 12:6).

 

II.                 GOD’S SPIRITUAL FAMILY HAS CHILDREN

 

A.     Jesus occupies a unique place in the family of God.

1.       This second member of the Godhead took on Him flesh and was made like unto man (Phil. 2:7).

 

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

 

2.       Paul tells us that Jesus was “made of a woman” (Gal. 4:4).

3.       However, His father was not a physical father.  His Father was the heavenly Father (Luke 1:31-32).

 

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the highest…

 

4.       The Father has no other children like unto Jesus.  Thus, Jesus is often described as “the only begotten” Son of God (John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:19).

5.       Jesus did not hesitate to refer to God as His Father.

a.       As early as 12 years of age, He called God His Father (Luke 2:49).

b.      In the gospel of Mathew alone, Jesus refers to God as “my Father” seventeen times.

6.       As the firstborn, Jesus occupies the position of “elder brother” to all other children in the family of God (Rom. 8:17).

 

B.      God has a provided a way for all men to become His children.

1.       In order to do this, we must be “born again.”

a.       This is not a physical birth, but a spiritual birth.

b.      It is the birth about which Jesus taught to Nicodemus (John 3:3, 5).

 

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 

1)      Born of water involves the act of being baptized (Rom. 6:3-4).  The individual rises to walk in newness of life.

2)      Born of the Spirit involves adhering to the teachings of the Holy Spirit regarding salvation.  “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creature” (Jam. 1:18).

2.       The Bible also speaks of the fact that we have been adopted into God’s family (Eph. 1:5).

 

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will.

 

a.       This manner of becoming a child of God distinguishes Jesus from us.

b.      Adoption does not involve second rate children.  When parents adopt a child, they love that child as if he were their own because he is.

 

 

III.              GOD’S SPIRITUAL FAMILY HAS RULES AND ROLES

 

A.     In families, there are both rules and roles that must be adhered to in order for the family to function successfully.

 

B.      What is interesting is that the entire church throughout the world is the family of God.  However, God has also established the local congregation as a microcosm of the church universal.  Thus, each congregation can see itself as “the family of God.”

 

C.     The rules are two-fold:  love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37-40).

 

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

 

1.       First, the family of God must love God first and foremost.

a.       This love involves obedience to His will (John 14:15; I John 5:3).

b.      This love is supposed to involve “the all” of every member of the family:  heart, soul, and mind.

c.       NOTE:  Some churches have gotten so wrapped up in their love for self that they have moved away from the love of God.

1)      They do what they want and desire instead of what God has authorized.

2)      If the family of God does not love God supremely, it is destined to failure.

2.       Second, we are to love our neighbor as ourself.

a.       Question:  Do you want others treating you the way you treat them?

b.      NOTE:  We are going to address this subject in another lesson.

 

D.     The roles of the members of the family:

1.       Are diverse (Rom. 12:6-8).

 

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth on teaching; or he that exhorteth on exhortation:  he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

 

a.       It is the diversity that enables the family of God to be successful.

b.      We must all appreciate the roles each of us play in God’s family.

2.       Should be practiced with all diligence (Rom. 12:11).

 

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

 

a.       Each member of God’s family needs to take his/her role seriously.

b.      When we do not, the entire family suffers.

 

IV.              GOD’S SPIRITUAL FAMILY AWAITS AN INHERITANCE

 

A.     One of the blessings of being a child is that parents often leave an inheritance to their children.

 

B.      The Bible tells us that we are heirs of God (Rom. 8:17).

 

And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ…

C.     Ten times in the New Testament, we read the word “inheritance” wherein it applies to us.

1.       Acts 20:32

 

And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

 

2.       Colossians 1:12

 

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints of light.

 

3.       1 Peter 1:4

 

To an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

 

D.     We cannot image the magnitude or the riches of the inheritance that awaits us.  When we receive it, we will be glad that we are faithful children of God.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     God has a spiritual family that is His.

 

B.      Questions:

1.       Are you a member of that family?

a.       If not, you need to be born again.

b.      If so, we have other questions for you.

2.       As a child of God are you fulfilling your role in the family of God?

3.       Have you rejected your family as the prodigal child did? 

a.       If so, you need to repent has he did and return.

b.      If you do, the Father will run to welcome you back into His home as, not a servant, but as a child.

 

C.     I John 3:1a

 

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…