Embracing Our Spiritual Family: The Church's Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: The Church as a Spiritual Family

As believers, we are not just individuals on a solitary journey; we are part of a spiritual family that transcends biological ties. This family is bound by the blood of Jesus Christ, making it a reality that surpasses earthly connections. Being part of a church family is essential for living out the Christian faith, as it provides a community where we can grow, support one another, and fulfill the commands of the New Testament. Just as in a biological family, there are diverse members, but all are loved and valued. This spiritual family will outlast our earthly families, offering a sense of belonging and purpose that is eternal. [02:43]

Ephesians 2:19-20 (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."

Reflection: Who in your church family can you reach out to this week to strengthen your bond and offer support or encouragement?

Day 2: Commitment and Community

Being a member of a church family requires a deep commitment to one another. The Bible's "one another" commands—such as love, care, and encourage—can only be fulfilled in the context of a committed community. This commitment fosters deep relationships that go beyond rules, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and accountability. In a world that often values individualism, the church stands as a testament to the power of community and the strength found in unity. By committing to one another, we create a space where love and grace can flourish, allowing us to grow together in faith. [10:12]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can demonstrate commitment to your church community this week?

Day 3: The Church as a Body

The church is described as a body, with each member having a unique role to play. Just as different parts of a body work together to function effectively, each member of the church is crucial for its spiritual growth and vitality. Staying connected to the local church allows individuals to thrive spiritually, as they use their spiritual gifts and talents to serve others. The church operates as an organism, relying on the diverse contributions of its members to fulfill its mission. By embracing our unique roles, we contribute to the overall health and effectiveness of the church body. [13:51]

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: What unique gift or talent can you offer to your church community, and how can you begin to use it more effectively?

Day 4: Five Purposes of the Church

The church exists to fulfill five key purposes: worship, evangelism, connection, discipleship, and ministry. Worship is our primary purpose, as we were created to have a relationship with God. Evangelism involves sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, while connection emphasizes the importance of building relationships within the church. Discipleship is about growing spiritually and becoming mature in Christ, and ministry is meeting needs with love, both within the church and in the wider community. By embracing these purposes, the church becomes a place of hope, healing, and transformation, empowering believers to make a difference in the world. [16:51]

Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: Which of the five purposes of the church do you feel most drawn to, and how can you actively participate in it this week?

Day 5: Healing and Ministry

The church is a place where brokenness can be transformed into a testimony of God's strength and grace. God never wastes a hurt or pain, and through the church, individuals can find healing and purpose. Ministry involves meeting needs with love, both within the church and in the wider community, demonstrating God's love in action. By serving others and sharing our stories of transformation, we become vessels of God's grace, offering hope and healing to those around us. The church family supports us in our spiritual journey, helping us to grow and serve others with compassion and love. [35:59]

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's healing in your life. How can you use that experience to minister to someone else in need?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound significance of belonging to a church family. Drawing from Ephesians 2:19-20, we delved into the idea that as believers, we are no longer strangers but members of God's family, forming a spiritual house where God dwells. This spiritual family is not just a metaphor; it is a reality that surpasses even our biological ties, as it is bound by the blood of Jesus Christ. Being part of a church family is essential for every Christian, akin to being part of a team in sports or a platoon in the army. It is through this community that we can truly live out the commands of the New Testament, which are impossible to fulfill in isolation.

The church is not just a family but also a body, as described in Ephesians 1:23. Each member has a unique role, much like different parts of a body, and it is crucial for each one to be connected to the local church to thrive spiritually. The church operates on relationships rather than rules, emphasizing the importance of commitment and mutual support. This commitment is reflected in the "one another" commands of the Bible, which call us to love, care, and serve each other.

We also discussed the five purposes of the church family: worship, evangelism, connection, discipleship, and ministry. Worship is our primary purpose, as we were created to have a relationship with God. Evangelism involves sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, while connection emphasizes the importance of building relationships within the church. Discipleship is about growing spiritually and becoming mature in Christ, and ministry is meeting needs with love, both within the church and in the wider community.

Ultimately, the church family is a place where we can find hope, healing, and purpose. It is a community that supports us in our spiritual journey, helping us to grow and serve others. As we commit to being part of this family, we experience the fullness of God's love and grace, and we are empowered to make a difference in the world.

Key Takeaways

1. The Church as a Family: The church is not merely like a family; it is a family, bound by the blood of Jesus Christ. This spiritual family will outlast our earthly families, and being part of it is essential for living out the Christian faith. Just as in a biological family, there are diverse members, but all are loved and valued. [02:43]
2. Commitment and Community: Being a member of a church family requires commitment to one another. The Bible's "one another" commands—such as love, care, and encourage—can only be fulfilled in the context of a committed community. This commitment fosters deep relationships that go beyond rules. [10:12]
3. The Church as a Body: Each member of the church has a unique role, much like different parts of a body. Staying connected to the local church is crucial for spiritual growth and vitality. The church operates as an organism, relying on the spiritual gifts and talents of its members. [13:51]
4. Five Purposes of the Church: The church exists to worship God, evangelize, connect believers, disciple members, and minister to needs. Worship is our primary purpose, as we were created for a relationship with God. Evangelism and connection are vital for sharing the gospel and building community. [16:51]
5. Healing and Ministry: God never wastes a hurt or pain. The church is a place where brokenness can be transformed into a testimony of God's strength and grace. Ministry involves meeting needs with love, both within the church and in the wider community, demonstrating God's love in action. [35:59]
** [35:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:43] - The Church as a Family
[06:37] - The Need for Community
[09:01] - Commitment to One Another
[10:12] - Relationships Over Rules
[11:52] - Treating Each Other as Family
[13:05] - The Church as a Body
[14:40] - Using Your Gifts
[15:20] - Equipping the Saints
[16:51] - Five Purposes of the Church
[20:21] - Worship and Inspiration
[30:09] - Discipleship and Growth
[32:30] - Ministry and Love
[34:10] - Recap of Church Purposes
[35:59] - Healing and Transformation
[37:23] - Invitation to the Altar

Sermon Clips

Today, we want to talk about one of the most important things in your life after you have become a believer, and that is the importance of a church family. Our text today can be found in Ephesians chapter two, beginning at verse 19 and 20. That is my title for today, the church family, and it can be read from verse 19. We'll start. It says, so now, you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Together, we are his house. Everybody say, together, we are his house. [00:00:45] (36 seconds)

Built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets and the cornerstone is Christ Jesus. Jesus himself. Members of God's family. Together, we are his house. The Bible says he dwells within the praises of his people. When we praise him together, we create a dwelling place for God, a house, not made of bricks and stone, not a place like what you see above you and around you, but the people of God gathered together, offering up praises to him, create a place in which he dwells. Together. [00:01:21] (36 seconds)

The church is a family. Everybody say the church is a family Ephesians 2 19 says the household of God or that we are members of God's family it doesn't say the church is like a family it says the church is a family it doesn't say the church is like a family it says the church is a family it's a spiritual family in fact your spiritual family is going to outlast your physical family somebody some of you might say hallelujah for that we're all going to be related in heaven together and this family will actually outlast the blood family you have here on earth we're all united by blood after all the blood of Jesus Christ runs through our veins now thanks be to him God expects me to be a member of a family it is God's will it's not optional every Christian needs a church family a Christian without a church family is like someone who says I want to play in the NFL but I don't want to be a part of a team you're not gonna get very far you can have a helmet you can have shoulder pads you can have all the equipment but if you're not part of a team you're not getting on the field or saying I want to be in the army but I don't want to serve in a platoon or I want to be in an orchestra but I don't want to play an instrument it doesn't work that way the fact is we need each other to be a part of a team and that's what we're doing here at Life Church [00:02:43] (74 seconds)

You belong in God's household with every other member of the church. Ephesians 2 .19 says, now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God's very own family, citizens of God's country, and you belong in God's household with every other Christian. What's the difference? Between being a Christian and being, just being a Christian and being a member of a church family. The difference is the word commitment. [00:09:01] (30 seconds)

And because we're a family, we operate on the basis of relationships and not rules. I've noticed that newlyweds, and I deal a lot with newlyweds because I do a lot of premarital counseling, they often have a bunch of rules for each other early in the marriage. But at this stage of my life and my marriage, we've been married now for 30 years, my wife and I have very few rules in our marriage. [00:10:12] (24 seconds)

Ephesians chapter 1 verse 23 says, and the church is his body. It is made full and complete by Christ who fills all things everywhere with himself. The Bible says if you're a Christian, it means you're a part of the body of Christ. You could be the hand, you could be the ear, could be the eyes, the nose, the liver. You can pick your favorite part. That probably is you. [00:13:51] (25 seconds)

The people, the members, the body, they're to do the ministry. A lot of churches get really top heavy and they do it the wrong way. They think the pastors are supposed to do all the work. But really the pastor's job is to equip the saints to go out and do the work of the ministry. That's what we're supposed to do. And so guess what? Guess what gets to happen? You get to get equipped and then you get to get released to go out and make a difference in the world. You don't just get to sit here and be fed. You get to go out into the world and change your world by being equipped to do so. [00:16:11] (32 seconds)

Every Christian is a minister because you have talents and abilities and gifts. You have natural inclinations, interests. Where do you think you got those from? God gave them to you to make a difference and to use them. He didn't give you that talent and ability just to use it on yourself. He gave it to you to make a difference. He meant for you to put it into practice and to make the world a better place. [00:16:51] (20 seconds)

One simple definition of ministry is meeting needs with love. The reality is everybody's needs. Everybody hurts sometimes. Everybody has a struggle. It doesn't matter how nicely put together you look. It doesn't matter whether you got a great house, great car, great job. I thank God that you do. It doesn't really matter if you look like you have it all together because somewhere in your life there is a hurt. There is a struggle. There is a need and part of the reason this church exists is to help meet those needs with love to the best of our ability. [00:32:30] (36 seconds)

But what I've learned about the kingdom of God is this. God never wastes a hurt. He never wastes a pain. He never wastes a hurt. And the very thing that you might would disqualify yourself from. God will take if you'll surrender it to him. And use it to be a blessing to someone else. If you'll let him. [00:35:59] (25 seconds)

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