Music from today
-God So Loved
-Build My Life
-Who You Say I Am
-Reckless Love

Title: I Am a Member in God’s Family
Series: Who He Says I Am

1: Followers of Jesus make up the family of God

In other words, the family of God consists solely of those who have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:19-20 ESV

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Mark 3:31-35 ESV

31 And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him.
32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”
33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?”
34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!
35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

[plus all the places in Scripture where Christians address one another as brothers and sisters]


2: We come to be in the family of God by faith

Galatians 3:24-26 NLT

24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.
25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus

John 1:12-13 ESV

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Ephesians 1:4-5 ESV

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,


3: As Members in God’s Family, we have responsibilities

** We need to gather together with the family

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.


** We must maintain our unity

Romans 12:16 ESV

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.


Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Be humble
Be gentle
Be patient
Be understanding
Work hard for peace

** We are to love and care for one another

John 13:34-35 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Galatians 6:10 ESV

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

- Build up one another (Romans 14:19)
- Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
- Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- Pray for one another (James 5:16)
- Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
- Use your spiritual gift(s) to benefit one another (1 Peter 4:10)


[There are other responsibilities we don’t have time to go into today…for example, our responsibility to respect those who lead in the church and to respond to their leadership (Hebrews 13:17); helping others come to know Christ as savior and showing them how to follow Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20)]