The Family of God

Michael E. Grooms

Introduction:

         We all love our families, but we are part of a family that is greater and dearer than

         our earthly families. We are the family of God.

  I. The Family

      A. Children of our Father

         1.Jn 1:12,13 We have been given the power to become the children of God

         2. Rom. 8:15,16

      B. Brothers and Sisters

         1. We are the spiritual family of Christ

         2. This is more important than the physical family

            a. Mary, brothers came to Jesus (Matt.12:47-50)

            b. Jesus said “whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the

                same is my brother, and sister, and mother”

         3. We have a responsibility to our family

            1. To bear each other’s burdens Gal. 6:1,2

            2. “We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength”

                 (Rom. 15:1)

            3. “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”

 II. The Family Name

      A. The name we bear

            1. Christians (Acts 11:26)

            2. Churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16)

            3. Church of God (1 Cor. 1:2)

            4. Children of God (John 1:12)

      B. Holding up the family name

         1.Walk in the Light 1 John 1:5-7

         2.  Be separate from the world 2 Cor. 6:16-18

III. The Family Inheritance

       A. Heirs of God

            1. Heirs to God’s glory Romans 8:17,18      

            2. Tpdays sorrows cannot compare with the glory ahead

      B. The family heirloom - Salvation        

           1. Heirs to the hope of eternal life Titus 3:4-7

            2.He will feely give us all things Romans 8:31-39

Conclusion:

      It makes me happy to be in this family, the family of God. If you are in this family, I hope you share with me that joy. If you do not please reconsider your standing with God’s family. If you are not in this family, you can be. God wants to adopt you into His family.