Last Sunday evening I started a sermon on The Blessings and Responsibilities of God’s Family that went long, so I said I'd pick up the rest of the sermon tonight. Open your Bibles in Romans 8, this passage talks about God's family and that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for those who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.
- Romans 8:14-17
We are part of the family of God and many blessings come from being part of God's family, just as there are blessings in being part of a physical family.
Blessings of a Physical Family
- The love and care of parents
- The daily necessities of life
- Protection from dangers and problems
- The blessing of a good name
Great blessings come from having a physical family.
Responsibilities to a Physical Family
When you are in a family there are some responsibilities that are part of being in that family.
- Obedience
- Provision - 1 Timothy 5:8
- Respect
- Training and Admonition
A Christian is A Part of God’s Family
- Romans 8:14-17
We are a child of God, which brings great blessings and it also brings responsibilities. When you think of the blessings and responsibilities of being part of a physical family, there are greater blessings and responsibilities of being part of the spiritual family of God.
We are the children of God.
God is Our Father
- 1 John 3:1-2
We Wear the Greatest Name
- Acts 4:12
- Acts 11:26
We Enjoy the Protection of God
- Matthew 10:28
We Receive the Proper Spiritual Provisions
- John 6:51
We Enjoy the Promises of God
- 2 Peter 3:9
- Titus 1:1-2
The Responsibilities of God’s Family
With great blessings come great responsibilities. Let's look for a few minutes at responsibilities. Just as in the home we have to have respect for one another.
In the family of God, we must have respect for the authority of God.
We are to Respect the Authority of God
Consider the command God gave to the children of Israel under the Old Law.
- Exodus 20:3-4
Similar principles and commands to honor the authority of God are given to the children of God today. We are to worship and serve God alone.
- Matthew 4:10
- Matthew 28:18
Since Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth then everything we do should be done in His name.
- Colossians 3:17
To do things in the name of is by the authority of. Everything we do in worship, and the implication here is everything that we do in life, we should do it with the authority of God. We should not do things that go against the teachings of the New Testament, and the teachings of God. We're talking about religiously, morally, ethically, and in every aspect of our lives, we should do it by the authority, respecting, the authority of God. Whatsoever, in word or deed, do it all in the name of God.
Defending the Cause of God
The Christian must be set for “the defense of the gospel.”
- Philippians 1:17
- Ephesians 6:10-17
Notice where the might comes from, it comes from God, His might. We put on His armor.
We have the responsibility to defend the gospel.
- Romans 1:16-17
Paul was not ashamed of the Word of God, the gospel. Christians must not be afraid to get involved in discussions pertaining to spiritual warfare.
- 2 Corinthians 10:1-6
We've got to be involved in spiritual warfare. It's not physical warfare, it is spiritual. We've got to be involved in defending the cause of Christ.
Learning the will of God
God’s child must put forth diligent effort to be approved before Him.
- 2 Timothy 2:15
One must be filling himself with the Word of God.
- Colossians 3:16
We're to let the Word of Christ dwell in us. How does that take place? We've got to read it and study it.
- 1 Peter 2:1-2
- Matthew 5:6
We've got to learn the will of God. It takes study, and we've got to let it dwell in us. We have to dwell upon it, think upon it, and meditate on it, Colossians 3:16.
Obeying the commands of God
- 1 John 5:1-3
- John 14:15
- James 2:18
Keeping God’s commandments expresses one’s love for God and Christ.
- John 14:15
One’s faith in the word and promises of God.
- James 2:18
As children of God, we should not expect to enjoy the blessings of being in the family of God without recognizing the need of shouldering the responsibilities. We're to walk in such a way that brings glory to God. We're not to walk in a way that discredits God.
- Matthew 5:16
When you think of God as a Father, what does He think when He looks down on us and sees us doing His commandments? May each of us determine to be a responsible member of the family of God.
To be pleasing to God, we've got to first become a child of God. There is no salvation outside of Christ we've got to be in Christ in order to be saved. We've got to be in Christ in order to be saved.
When we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that is the first step. When we believe that He died for our sins, absolutely that is the cornerstone of salvation, without that we can't be saved. We believe but we also must act on that belief, confess the name of Christ, and be baptized for the remission of sins.
If we can assist you in becoming part of the family of God, or if you have more questions or would like to study with us, please contact us.
