Last week we introduced the Redemptive Family devotional series to the church and thought about what kind of church we wanted to be. We were also told that members of Greyfriars are united as children of God through Christ. We learned that our God calls his believers his family. As we are the children of God, we all are brothers and sisters in Christ. We have become a godly family in this church of Greyfriars.
Today I would like to talk to you about the fact that, “our church is called to be family”. In this sermon, I will address five points.
1. Our church does not need superstars; it needs everyone.
Romans 12:4 says, “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function.” Our church is the body of Jesus Christ. If we were a school, our headmaster would be Christ. In Christ, we know we are joined into one body made up people. Each person has his or her own function in this church of Christ, but although we all have different roles, we have something in common. As children of God, we are here to help each other and to work to the glory of God in this church.
2. Jesus’ family is unique, because it is supernatural
God’s family comprised of us his children. Our connection as a part of God’s family is through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” God’s family is unique, because God has given his children two great things. The first one is his grace and another is the gifts of God he has given us. God has given his grace and gifts to his children free of charge. These are given specifically only to his children.
3. In this church at Greyfriars, we belong to each other.
Our church family is based on love and members trust and belong to each other in many ways. Our church is also founded through the love of God. Each person is connected through Christ. Love is the key for us to continue in our relationships. Romans 12:9-10 says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Love, devotion, and honor. These are the essential ideals that will strengthen our church. Of those three, love is the most important thing. Love is called Agape(ἀγάπη) in Greek. It is a godly love. It is unconditional. Our God has given us everything, but he did not want us to return it to him whatever it is. Our God wants us to give his love and grace to others.
4.We each have a personal responsibility to walk in the power of the Spirit
Our God has showed his kingdom in two ways on the earth. The first one is family and another is church. The first family started from Adam and Eve. Genesis 2:18 says, “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” God made Eve as a helper of Adam. The helper is ezer (עֵזֶר) in Hebrew. It simply means helper based on equal basis. This requires mutual responsibility for both of man and woman. When Eve had the forbidden fruit, both Adam and Eve took responsibility for their wrong doings. I believe the notion permeates to our family and church. If there is anything particular such as sadness, troubles, and hardships, these would affect all of the church family in Christ and we take responsibility for members of our family
5.Learning to be true family is a powerful witness to those on the outside looking in.
There is a proverb, “Sharing joy increases joy, sharing sorrow decreases sorrow.” As a family of God, we share our happiness and our sadness with our church members, so that we can build a better and stronger family in God. As early believers of the church gathered and shared their belongings with each other, so they also spent their time witnessing the gospel. In that time, many people were saved and became children of God. So today we need to also witness the gospel to our family, friends, neighbors, and other nations, so that more people can come to our Lord Jesus. 2 Tim 4:2 says, “Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season.”
1. Our church does not need superstars; it needs everyone.
Romans 12:4 says, “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function.” Our church is the body of Jesus Christ. If we were a school, our headmaster would be Christ. In Christ, we know we are joined into one body made up people. Each person has his or her own function in this church of Christ, but although we all have different roles, we have something in common. As children of God, we are here to help each other and to work to the glory of God in this church.
2. Jesus’ family is unique, because it is supernatural
God’s family comprised of us his children. Our connection as a part of God’s family is through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” God’s family is unique, because God has given his children two great things. The first one is his grace and another is the gifts of God he has given us. God has given his grace and gifts to his children free of charge. These are given specifically only to his children.
3. In this church at Greyfriars, we belong to each other.
Our church family is based on love and members trust and belong to each other in many ways. Our church is also founded through the love of God. Each person is connected through Christ. Love is the key for us to continue in our relationships. Romans 12:9-10 says, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Love, devotion, and honor. These are the essential ideals that will strengthen our church. Of those three, love is the most important thing. Love is called Agape(ἀγάπη) in Greek. It is a godly love. It is unconditional. Our God has given us everything, but he did not want us to return it to him whatever it is. Our God wants us to give his love and grace to others.
4.We each have a personal responsibility to walk in the power of the Spirit
Our God has showed his kingdom in two ways on the earth. The first one is family and another is church. The first family started from Adam and Eve. Genesis 2:18 says, “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” God made Eve as a helper of Adam. The helper is ezer (עֵזֶר) in Hebrew. It simply means helper based on equal basis. This requires mutual responsibility for both of man and woman. When Eve had the forbidden fruit, both Adam and Eve took responsibility for their wrong doings. I believe the notion permeates to our family and church. If there is anything particular such as sadness, troubles, and hardships, these would affect all of the church family in Christ and we take responsibility for members of our family
5.Learning to be true family is a powerful witness to those on the outside looking in.
There is a proverb, “Sharing joy increases joy, sharing sorrow decreases sorrow.” As a family of God, we share our happiness and our sadness with our church members, so that we can build a better and stronger family in God. As early believers of the church gathered and shared their belongings with each other, so they also spent their time witnessing the gospel. In that time, many people were saved and became children of God. So today we need to also witness the gospel to our family, friends, neighbors, and other nations, so that more people can come to our Lord Jesus. 2 Tim 4:2 says, “Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season.”