Family from the beginning: Genesis 1:27-28 (NLT) 27 God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Genesis 2:18 (NLT) Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”
“Kingdom government is expanded through the reproduction of family.”
Jesus re-establishes family Matthew 12:46–50 (NLT) 46 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 47 Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you.” 48 Jesus asked, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”
John 6:28–29 (NIV) 28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
John 1:12 (NLT) To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
God’s Family “The Church is the only family God has.”
Ephesians 2:19 (NIV) You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.
Acts 2:42–43 (NLT) 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
“We are building a family, not a crowd, which takes time.”
Family: We follow Jesus together. Galatians 6:6–10 (NIV) 1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Following Jesus together. 1. Accountability. Galatians 6:1 (NIV) “If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. “Restoration requires confrontation.”- Accountability. “Confrontation of sin only works in the context of relationship.” “The point of accountability is restoration.”
Galatians 6:1 (NIV)... “But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
2. Carry Burdens Ephesians 6:2 (NIV)Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
If you are burdened, ask for help!
Romans 12:15 (NIV) Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
3. Personal responsibility Ephesians 6:5 (NIV) for each one should carry their own load.
4. Stay Faithful & Be fruitful Galatians 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Deep connections take time.
5. Prioritize the family of faith Galatian 6:10 (NLT) Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone especially to those in the family of faith.
