Embracing Our Identity: Church as Family

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our Covenant Family Identity

As a church, we are called to embrace our identity as a covenant family of sons and daughters, living in community. This identity is foundational to experiencing God's glory and fruitfulness. Our relationships are the branches that bear fruit, and we must steward them well. The recent Family Camp was a beautiful illustration of this concept, where the tangible expression of doing life together was witnessed. Baptisms were celebrated, and the joy of being a family was shared, aligning with the seventh kingdom culture value: church as family. This is not merely a name change but a prophetic shift towards understanding our role as a family in God's kingdom. [01:13:50]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the sense of family within your church community this week? What specific actions can you take to strengthen your relationships with fellow believers?

Day 2: Creating the Right Habitat for God's Presence

God's design for us is to be a family, the right habitat for His presence. This environment nurtures our growth into mature sonship, reflecting His image and likeness. As a family, we are called to be the right habitat for His presence, where we relate to God as our Father and to each other as brothers and sisters. This vision of abundant fruitfulness is symbolized by baskets of fruit ready to be distributed, tied to our stewardship of testimonies and the repair of broken relationships. God's glory and fruitfulness rest in family, and we are called to be the right habitat for His presence. [01:15:30]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: What steps can you take to create an environment in your life that welcomes and nurtures God's presence? How can you foster a sense of family and unity in your interactions with others?

Day 3: Overcoming the Isolation of Shame

Shame attacks our identity, while guilt focuses on behavior. Shame isolates us, but God provides a remedy through Christ, who covers our shame with righteousness. The story of the first family in Genesis highlights the introduction of shame and its isolating effects. Shame distorts our identity and disconnects us from God and each other. It is a toxin that attacks our created identity and prevents us from experiencing the fullness of family. However, God provides a remedy through His love and the work of Christ, who covers our shame with righteousness. [01:19:24]

Isaiah 61:7 (ESV): "Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where shame has taken root. How can you invite God's love and truth to cover that shame and restore your identity in Him?

Day 4: Restoring Honor Through Christ

Jesus consistently restored honor to those burdened by shame, demonstrating that our worth is not defined by our failures. We are called to embrace the truth of our worth in Christ. Through His interactions with those considered shameful in society, Jesus showed that our worth is not defined by our failures. We are called to drop the stones of shame we throw at ourselves and embrace the truth of our worth in Christ. This restoration of honor is a powerful testament to the transformative love of Jesus. [01:34:22]

Zephaniah 3:19-20 (ESV): "Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord."

Reflection: Reflect on a past failure that still affects your sense of worth. How can you allow Jesus to restore your honor and redefine your identity in Him today?

Day 5: Healing Through Vulnerability and Connection

Overcoming shame requires vulnerability and connection. By sharing our struggles and failures with one another, we break the grip of shame and find healing in community. Church is a radical commitment to accept one another, and it is within this community that the healing of shame is found. Participating in communion is a symbolic act of overcoming shame through vulnerability and connection. By sharing our struggles and failures with one another, we break the grip of shame and find healing in community. [01:48:45]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Consider a struggle or failure you have been keeping to yourself. Who in your community can you trust to share this with, and how might this act of vulnerability lead to healing and support?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of church as a family, emphasizing our identity as a covenant family of sons and daughters who live in community. This notion was beautifully illustrated by the recent Family Camp, where we witnessed the tangible expression of doing life together. We celebrated baptisms and shared in the joy of being a family, which aligns with our seventh kingdom culture value: church as family. This is not just a name change but a prophetic shift towards understanding our role as a family in God's kingdom.

Matt Lansdowne shared a vision of abundant fruitfulness, symbolized by baskets of fruit ready to be distributed. This abundance is tied to our stewardship of testimonies and the repair of broken relationships, which are the branches that bear fruit. God's glory and fruitfulness rest in family, and we are called to be the right habitat for His presence. This habitat is family, where we relate to God as our Father and to each other as brothers and sisters.

We delved into the story of the first family in Genesis, highlighting the introduction of shame and its isolating effects. Shame distorts our identity and disconnects us from God and each other. It is a toxin that attacks our created identity and prevents us from experiencing the fullness of family. However, God provides a remedy through His love and the work of Christ, who covers our shame with righteousness.

The narrative of shame was further explored through the lens of Jesus' interactions with those considered shameful in society. Jesus consistently restored honor to those burdened by shame, demonstrating that our worth is not defined by our failures. We are called to drop the stones of shame we throw at ourselves and embrace the truth of our worth in Christ.

In closing, we were invited to participate in communion, a symbolic act of overcoming shame through vulnerability and connection. By sharing our struggles and failures with one another, we break the grip of shame and find healing in community. Church is a radical commitment to accept one another, and it is within this community that the healing of shame is found.

Key Takeaways

1. Church as Family: We are a covenant family of sons and daughters, called to live in community. This identity is foundational to experiencing God's glory and fruitfulness. Our relationships are the branches that bear fruit, and we must steward them well. [73:50]
2. The Habitat for God's Presence: God's design for us is to be a family, the right habitat for His presence. This environment nurtures our growth into mature sonship, reflecting His image and likeness. [75:30]
3. **Shame vs. Guilt:** Shame attacks our identity, while guilt focuses on behavior. Shame isolates us, but God provides a remedy through Christ, who covers our shame with righteousness. [79:24]
4. Jesus Restores Honor: Jesus consistently restored honor to those burdened by shame, demonstrating that our worth is not defined by our failures. We are called to embrace the truth of our worth in Christ. [94:22]
5. Healing Through Vulnerability: Overcoming shame requires vulnerability and connection. By sharing our struggles and failures with one another, we break the grip of shame and find healing in community. [01:48:45]
** [108:45]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[73:50] - Church as Family
[75:30] - The Right Habitat
[77:07] - Growing into Sonship
[77:46] - The First Family
[78:51] - Guilt and Shame
[79:24] - Identity and Shame
[80:08] - The Lie of Shame
[84:01] - Shame's Isolation
[85:05] - Disarming Shame
[86:44] - Vulnerability and Connection
[87:35] - Awareness of Nakedness
[88:30] - Misinterpretation of the Father
[89:38] - God's Invitation
[90:16] - Guilt vs. Shame
[91:16] - The Power of Shame
[92:47] - Escaping Shame
[93:28] - Honor Restored
[94:22] - Jesus and the Shamed
[95:10] - The Outcast's Cry
[96:08] - Jesus' Compassion
[97:16] - The Burden of Shame
[98:07] - Drop the Stone
[99:00] - Personal Deliverance
[99:52] - The Feeling of Shame
[100:30] - Manifestation of Shame
[101:15] - Shame's Shadow
[102:34] - Jesus' Sacrifice
[103:24] - Pouring Out Shame
[104:41] - Legal Declaration
[105:51] - Jesus' Decision
[106:51] - Communion and Connection
[107:47] - Overcoming Shame
[108:45] - Vulnerability is Key
[110:06] - Radical Acceptance

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does John 14:8-10 reveal about Jesus' relationship with the Father and how does it relate to our understanding of God as a Father? [01:13:50]
In Genesis 2:25, Adam and Eve felt no shame. What changed after they disobeyed God, and how did it affect their relationship with Him? [01:18:51]
How does Hebrews 12:2-3 describe Jesus' approach to shame, and what was the outcome of His actions? [01:41:15]
What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of "church as family"? [01:15:30]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of "church as family" challenge or affirm your current understanding of community within the church? [01:15:30]
In what ways does shame attack our identity, and how does the sermon suggest we combat it through our relationship with God? [01:19:24]
How does Jesus' interaction with those considered shameful in society demonstrate His approach to restoring honor? [01:34:22]
What role does vulnerability play in overcoming shame, according to the sermon? [01:48:45]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own experiences with shame. How can you apply the truth of your worth in Christ to these situations? [01:34:22]
In what ways can you actively participate in creating a "habitat for God's presence" within your church community? [01:15:30]
How can you practice vulnerability in your relationships to foster healing and connection, as suggested in the sermon? [01:48:45]
Identify a broken relationship in your life. What steps can you take to repair it and bear fruit as part of God's family? [01:15:30]
Consider a time when you felt isolated due to shame. How can you use this experience to empathize with and support others in your community? [01:24:01]
How can you incorporate the practice of sharing testimonies into your life to steward the abundance of fruitfulness mentioned in the sermon? [01:13:50]
What specific action can you take this week to drop the "stones of shame" you might be throwing at yourself? [01:38:07]

Sermon Clips

"Here we are what I really loved is that this year we actually shifted the name from Harmony Camp to Family Camp right and that was deliberate I think but it was also prophetic and honestly it was felt as you could hear couple of real proud moments is Jim and Lincoln getting baptized we're going to have another baptism service on the 8th of December if you're thinking about it come and talk to me because it's so fun to celebrate those moments with one another." [01:09:49] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Well it's family it's family that was God's design in the records we have of Jesus he speaks 213 times father the name father father that's double what he says about the kingdom John 14 8 says this is Philip speaking he says Lord show us the father and that will be enough for us Jesus answered don't you know me?" [01:13:20] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"We are therefore brothers and sisters. A father needs a habitat of the environment of family to function rightfully as a father. Not isolation. Not individualism. Not cold and callous independence." [01:15:30] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"See, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed, and after they sinned, they were naked and felt shame. I want to contrast guilt and shame, right? We see in the passage, shame starts as a feeling, not as a fact. Genesis 2 .25 says, they felt no shame." [01:19:24] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Shame is a deeply held belief that our worth as a person is scum. It causes us to feel like we've been rejected and we will be rejected by others. And so we disconnect. It's a crushing burden." [01:37:16] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus was praying, Father, Abba, if it's possible, take this cup from me. I want you to picture that cup, that cup full of the shame of the world. And right now, I want you to, in an act of faith, pour your own shame, your own darkness into that cup." [01:43:24] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Jesus looks in the cup, and then He looks directly at you, and He makes His decision. What does He choose? He chooses you. He chooses you. Jesus says, you are worth this pain. You are worth my life." [01:46:51] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Church is a radical commitment to accept one another. Community is where the healing of shame is found. And if you don't know God for yourself, if you don't know this Father this morning, and you'd like to know Him, if you'd like to be part of the family, why don't you slip up your hand right now, just while everybody's taking communion. I just want to acknowledge it, because I'd love to pray with you." [01:50:06] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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