Embracing Our Identity in God's Eternal Family
Summary
As we embark on a new year and decade, it's crucial to pause and reflect on the purpose and essence of the Church. The Church is not merely a building or an event; it is the family of God, a community of believers united in faith and purpose. From the beginning, God's unchanging plan has been to create a family, a Church, through Jesus Christ, to share His glory and love. This family, the Church, is the most enduring and significant movement on earth, transcending nations and organizations.
The Church is composed of saved and baptized believers who are committed to Jesus and each other. It is a community where we find our true identity, support, and purpose. In God's family, we learn who we are, not through superficial identifiers but through our relationships with God and each other. The Church is also a temple, a body, a flock, and a garden, each metaphor illustrating the interconnectedness and mutual support that believers provide one another.
Being part of the Church means being part of something eternal, a movement that will outlast all earthly institutions. It is a place where we are defended, cared for, and where our lives become productive. The Church offers a sense of belonging, stability, and purpose that cannot be found elsewhere. As we look to the future, we are called to invest in this eternal family, to be pioneers in faith, and to make a lasting impact for God's kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- The Church as God's Family: The Church is God's family, created to share His glory and love. It is not a building or event but a community of believers committed to Jesus and each other. Our true identity is found in this spiritual family, which is eternal and more significant than any earthly family. [01:31:16]
- The Church as a Temple: As a temple, the Church is a place where believers support and hold each other up. Just as a building's parts must fit together to be strong, we must be connected to one another to find stability and support in our spiritual lives. [01:02:01]
- The Church as a Body: The Church is the Body of Christ, where each member is unique and essential. We cannot fulfill our purpose alone; we need each other to complete the Body and accomplish God's work. This interconnectedness is vital for spiritual growth and effectiveness. [01:07:35]
- The Church as a Flock: In God's flock, we are defended and cared for. This metaphor emphasizes the safety and security found in the Church, where pastors and small groups provide support and guidance through life's challenges. [01:13:41]
- The Church as a Garden: As a garden, the Church is a place where our lives become productive and fruitful. Connected to the Church, we can make meaningful contributions and fulfill our God-given potential. This productivity is rooted in our connection to Christ and His community. [01:21:38]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - The Importance of Asking "Why?"
[00:42] - Understanding the Church's Purpose
[01:15] - God's Plan for a Family
[02:17] - The Enduring Nature of the Church
[03:25] - Loving Jesus and His Church
[04:25] - What is the Church?
[05:36] - The Church as God's Family
[06:58] - Saved and Baptized Believers
[11:09] - Commitment to Jesus and Each Other
[13:22] - The Concept of Membership
[16:07] - The Body of Christ
[19:24] - Preparing for Heaven
[21:31] - The Benefits of Belonging
[29:03] - The Church as a Family
[35:38] - The Church as a Temple
[42:34] - The Church as a Body
[51:51] - The Church as a Flock
[01:20:07] - The Church as a Garden
[01:28:37] - The Call to Invest in the Church
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 2:10 - "God is the one who made everything, and all things are for his glory. But he wanted to have children to share his glory."
2. Ephesians 1:5 - "God's unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ."
3. Matthew 16:18 - "I will build my Church, and all the powers of hell will not defeat it."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the primary purpose of the Church as described in Hebrews 2:10? ([00:56])
2. How does Ephesians 1:5 describe God's plan for humanity, and what role does the Church play in this plan? ([01:33])
3. What does Jesus promise about the Church in Matthew 16:18, and how does this relate to the Church's enduring nature? ([02:17])
4. In the sermon, what are the different metaphors used to describe the Church, and what do they signify about the Church's role and function? ([29:03])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of the Church as God's family in Ephesians 1:5 influence a believer's understanding of their identity and purpose? ([01:33])
2. What implications does Jesus' promise in Matthew 16:18 have for the Church's mission and resilience in the face of challenges? ([02:17])
3. How do the metaphors of the Church as a temple, body, flock, and garden illustrate the interconnectedness and mutual support among believers? ([29:03])
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that being part of the Church provides stability and support that cannot be found elsewhere? ([01:02:01])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current involvement in the Church. How can you deepen your commitment to both Jesus and your church community? ([11:09])
2. Consider the metaphor of the Church as a body. What unique role or gift do you bring to your church community, and how can you use it more effectively? ([01:07:35])
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being connected to the Church. What steps can you take to strengthen your connections within your church family? ([01:02:01])
4. How can you contribute to the safety and security of others in your church, as described in the metaphor of the Church as a flock? ([01:13:41])
5. Reflect on the idea of the Church as a garden. What specific actions can you take to ensure your life is productive and fruitful within your church community? ([01:21:38])
6. The sermon calls for investing in the eternal family of God. What practical steps can you take to invest in your church's future and make a lasting impact? ([01:28:37])
7. How can you encourage others in your church to discover and use their gifts for the benefit of the entire community? ([01:21:38])
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as God's Eternal Family
The Church is not just a physical structure or a scheduled event; it is the family of God, a community of believers united in faith and purpose. From the beginning, God's unchanging plan has been to create a family through Jesus Christ, to share His glory and love. This family, the Church, is the most enduring and significant movement on earth, transcending nations and organizations. Being part of the Church means being part of something eternal, a movement that will outlast all earthly institutions. It is a place where we find our true identity, support, and purpose. Our true identity is found in this spiritual family, which is eternal and more significant than any earthly family. [01:31:16]
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: Consider how you view your role in God's family. What steps can you take this week to deepen your connection with your spiritual family and embrace your identity as a member of God's household?
Day 2: The Church as a Temple of Support
The Church is likened to a temple, a place where believers support and hold each other up. Just as a building's parts must fit together to be strong, we must be connected to one another to find stability and support in our spiritual lives. This interconnectedness is vital for spiritual growth and effectiveness. In the Church, we are defended, cared for, and where our lives become productive. The Church offers a sense of belonging, stability, and purpose that cannot be found elsewhere. As a temple, the Church is a place where believers support and hold each other up. [01:02:01]
1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV): "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on your role as a "living stone" in the Church. How can you actively contribute to the strength and support of your spiritual community this week?
Day 3: The Church as the Body of Christ
The Church is the Body of Christ, where each member is unique and essential. We cannot fulfill our purpose alone; we need each other to complete the Body and accomplish God's work. This interconnectedness is vital for spiritual growth and effectiveness. Each member of the Church has a unique role and purpose, and together, we form the Body of Christ. This metaphor emphasizes the importance of unity and collaboration among believers. [01:07:35]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Reflection: Identify a unique gift or talent you possess. How can you use this gift to serve and strengthen the Body of Christ in your local church community?
Day 4: The Church as a Flock of Care
In God's flock, we are defended and cared for. This metaphor emphasizes the safety and security found in the Church, where pastors and small groups provide support and guidance through life's challenges. Being part of the Church means being part of something eternal, a movement that will outlast all earthly institutions. It is a place where we are defended, cared for, and where our lives become productive. [01:13:41]
John 10:14-16 (ESV): "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt cared for by your church community. How can you extend that same care and support to someone else in your church this week?
Day 5: The Church as a Garden of Growth
As a garden, the Church is a place where our lives become productive and fruitful. Connected to the Church, we can make meaningful contributions and fulfill our God-given potential. This productivity is rooted in our connection to Christ and His community. The Church offers a sense of belonging, stability, and purpose that cannot be found elsewhere. As we look to the future, we are called to invest in this eternal family, to be pioneers in faith, and to make a lasting impact for God's kingdom. [01:21:38]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: Consider the areas of your life where you desire to see growth and fruitfulness. What specific steps can you take to cultivate these areas within the context of your church community?
Quotes
"God's unchanging plan, remember, from the very beginning of time, has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. So the whole reason everything exists is God wanted family, and he wants that family to be with him forever and ever and ever." [00:01:37]
"The Church is God's family on earth and in heaven, God's family on earth and in heaven. The Church isn't just on earth. Many people are already in heaven. So some of the Church, that's God's family, is already in heaven. Some of the Church is still here on earth." [00:06:02]
"The Church is composed of saved and baptized believers. Now you might have your name on a roll as a child in some church, but that doesn't make you a part of the Church. It just means you're on somebody's roll. You have to be saved and you have to be baptized to be a part of the Church of God." [00:06:47]
"To be a part of the Church means I'm not just committed to Jesus, I'm committed to the other people in my church family. A church means I am committed to Jesus and to each other. Now let me show ya a few verses about this. II Corinthians chapter eight, verse five." [00:11:09]
"In Christ's body, each member belongs to all the others. Do you realize this, that in this church family, I belong to you, you belong to me, we belong to each other. That's what it means to be a member of a family. Now, notice it has the word member there." [00:12:59]
"The Church is a body, it's called the Body of Christ. Up here on the screen, I Corinthians 12 says, 'Together, you are the Body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.' So the Church is a family, the Church is a temple, the Church is a body." [00:42:34]
"Like a strong structure of a building, we each hold each other up. Okay, this is an important thing. We each hold each other up. You know, I remember when we were building all these buildings on the Lake Forest campus, and how fascinating it was that it took thousands and thousands and thousands of parts to erect a building." [00:31:11]
"In God's flock, when I'm in the family of God, I'm in the Church of God, in God's flock, I'm defended and cared for. I am defended and cared for. I'm not on my own. I have other people lookin' out for me, I enjoy the safety and the security and the protection." [01:13:41]
"In God's garden, my life becomes productive. In God, when I'm connected in God's garden, now all of a sudden, I start becoming fruitful. The Bible calls it being fruitful, being productive, it's called bearing fruit. I'm able to make a contribution. Everybody I've ever met wants their life to count." [01:20:07]
"You're not just part of an organization, you're part of a movement, and that movement is gonna go on for eternity in heaven. Jesus said, 'I will build my Church, and no dictator and no -ism can stop it.' Now, sometimes you hear people say, 'Well, I love Jesus, but I don't need the church.'" [00:03:25]
"Your spiritual family is far more important even than your physical family. God used your physical family to bring you into the world so you could become a part of his spiritual family. You should be grateful that your physical family got together. Whatever the circumstances are, it doesn't matter, God wanted you alive." [00:21:31]
"You're defined by relationships. Now, if my connections are bad or my connections are broken, then my identity suffers. If I just got fired or I just got divorced, or my spouse dies, if something changes in my relationships, it causes me to pause and go, who am I? Who am I?" [00:29:03]
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