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THE FAMILY OF GOD

INTRODUCTION: Christ's church is described in many different ways in the new testament. Christ's church is like an army, marching to war with the forces of darkness. It is a body, each part dependent on the other. It is a kingdom, with Christ as its king. But one of the most vivid descriptions of the church is that of the "family of god". It is a beautiful picture of Gods relationship with his people. Paul speaks of the church when he tells us, "For this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." (Ephesians 3:14-15)

1. WE ARE BORN INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD.
   1. The first step into God's family is belief.

      John 1:11,12 - "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave him power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

   2. There must be a "rebirth" into the family of God.
      1. John 3:3-5
         1. Galatians 3:26,27 - When Paul says that we are children of God "by faith", it is more accurately translated "by the faith", meaning the Gospel system of faith.
      2. This is not referring to a physical birth but to a spiritual birth.
      3. When we undergo this "rebirth" we die to sin. Romans 6:1-6
   3. Besides using the figure of a "rebirth" the New Testament uses the figure of a "spiritual adoption".
      1. Romans 8:15- "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
      2. We are not slaves in God's family, we have the full rights of adoptive sonship. Galatians 4:4-7
   4. We continue in God's family by continued obedience to His will.
      1. 1 John 3:10- "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."
      2. How we are brethren with Christ, Matthew 12:48-50
      3. Just as our children must obey their parents, so too must we obey our Heavenly Father.
   5. When we are born again into the family of God we become brothers and sisters to every Christian in the world.
      1. 1 Corinthians 12:13- "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or-Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
      2. That family-relationship should bind us closer together than with our earthly families.
2. THE HEAVENLY FATHER PROVIDES FOR HIS CHILDREN.
   1. He loves his children.

      I John 3:1 - "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."

   2. He has lovingly provided every spiritual blessing for His children.
      1. John 6:50 - "This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
      2. 2 Peter 1:3- "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"
   3. He provides loving chastisement to help his children grow.
      1. Hebrews 12:6-11
      2. It seems from this passage that Paul is speaking of those problems that Christians will suffer that will either help us become stronger or will destroy us. It depends on how they are received.
   4. He provides spiritual protection against the temptations and troubles of life.
      1. Hebrews 13:5-7
      2. 1 Corinthians 10:13- "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
      3. 2 Timothy 4:18 - "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
3. THE HEAVENLY FATHER'S CHILDREN HAVE THE PROMISE OF AN INHERITANCE.
   1. It is a marvelous inheritance.

      Romans 8:17-"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

   2. It is an eternal inheritance.
      1. 1 Peter 1:4-"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you"
      2. Romans 8:18-"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
   3. But we can depart from God's family and lose our inheritance.
      1. We can go back into the world. 2 Peter 2:20-22
      2. We can, just as the prodigal son, waste our inheritance on the things of the world. Luke 15:11-22
      3. When we depart from the family of God we must come back and humble ourselves.

CONCLUSION: the song "will the circle be unbroken" deals with physical families that have been separated by death. But of the great joy we will have when the family of God, the great spiritual "circle" is reunited in heaven. What a day that will be!