Prioritizing God Over Family: True Freedom in Christ
Summary
Today, I began by welcoming everyone to Impact Church, emphasizing our mission to be centered on the gospel and sent out with a kingdom purpose. I introduced our sermon series "Living Free," which explores what freedom means for believers, particularly how family and our relationships with God intersect.
I addressed the common misconception that being born into a Christian family automatically makes one a Christian. I clarified that Christianity requires a personal decision to follow Jesus, emphasizing that family heritage does not guarantee a relationship with God. This led to a discussion on how the idolatry of family can distract from our primary allegiance to Christ. I pointed out that while family is important, it should not supersede our commitment to doing God's will.
I shared insights on how Jesus modeled the right priorities, particularly in Mark 3, where He redefined family as those who do the will of God. This scripture challenges us to evaluate our own priorities and ensure that our familial relationships do not hinder our spiritual commitments.
I also touched on the practical implications of these teachings, especially for parents. I encouraged parents to model a genuine faith to their children, warning against the dangers of prioritizing children's happiness over their spiritual growth. This part of the sermon was aimed at helping parents understand that their ultimate responsibility is to lead their children towards Christ, not merely to seek their temporary happiness.
As we moved towards the conclusion, I invited the congregation to reflect on their own family dynamics and consider how they might be inadvertently placing family above God. I called everyone to a deeper commitment to Christ, which might sometimes mean making choices that are countercultural or even difficult within one's family.
Finally, I closed with a time of prayer and reflection, asking God to help us prioritize Him above all else, including our families. I emphasized that while we honor and love our families, our first loyalty must always be to God.
### Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding True Freedom in Christ - True freedom is found not in adhering to cultural or familial expectations but in living according to God's will. As we navigate through the "Living Free" series, it's crucial to discern areas in our lives where we might be enslaved by cultural norms or unhealthy family dynamics. [48:21]
2. The Misconception of Christian Heritage - Growing up in a Christian family is a blessing but it is not a substitute for a personal and authentic relationship with Christ. Each individual must make a personal decision to follow Jesus, which is not inherited or automatically bestowed through family ties. [01:01:50]
3. The Idolatry of Family - While family is a significant aspect of our lives, it should never replace God as the ultimate authority and object of our worship. This idolatry can manifest subtly through prioritizing family happiness over spiritual obedience and growth. [01:10:27]
4. Parental Influence on Spiritual Formation - Parents have a profound impact on their children's spiritual lives. By living out a genuine faith, parents can lead by example, showing their children the importance of prioritizing God over all else, including family pleasures or achievements. [01:28:42]
5. The Inclusive Family of God - The family of God transcends biological ties and includes all who do His will. This spiritual family is inclusive and offers a place for everyone, regardless of their earthly family situation, emphasizing the universal and welcoming nature of God’s kingdom. [01:26:43]
### Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [07:10] - Introduction to Impact Church
- [11:24] - Prayer and Worship
- [23:28] - Mother's Day Reflections
- [37:21] - Go Time and Community Announcements
- [48:21] - Sermon Introduction: Living Free Series
- [01:01:50] - Misconceptions About Christian Heritage
- [01:10:27] - The Idolatry of Family
- [01:26:43] - God's Inclusive Family
- [01:36:58] - Closing Worship and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 3:31-35 (ESV)
> "And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, 'Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.' And he answered them, 'Who are my mother and my brothers?' And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.'"
2. Matthew 10:37 (ESV)
> "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
3. Luke 14:26 (ESV)
> "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple."
### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 3:31-35, how does Jesus redefine the concept of family? What criteria does He use to identify His true family?
2. According to Matthew 10:37, what does Jesus say about the priority of familial love compared to love for Him?
3. In Luke 14:26, what does Jesus mean when He says that one must "hate" their family to be His disciple? How does this align with the broader teachings of Jesus about love and family?
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how family can become an idol, potentially hindering one's spiritual commitments? [01:10:27]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes the importance of doing the will of God over biological family ties in Mark 3:31-35? How might this teaching challenge cultural or familial expectations? [01:01:02]
2. How can the teachings in Matthew 10:37 and Luke 14:26 be reconciled with the commandment to honor one's father and mother? What is Jesus trying to convey about the nature of discipleship and priorities?
3. The sermon mentioned that family idolatry is a subtle but significant issue in the church. How can prioritizing family over God manifest in everyday life, and what are the potential spiritual consequences? [01:10:27]
4. How does the concept of the "inclusive family of God" in Mark 3:35 provide comfort or challenge to those who may feel isolated or unsupported by their biological families? [01:26:43]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own family dynamics. Are there ways in which you might be placing family above God? How can you realign your priorities to ensure that your commitment to Christ comes first? [01:10:27]
2. For parents: How can you model a genuine faith to your children, ensuring that they see your commitment to God above all else? What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate this? [01:28:42]
3. Have you ever felt constrained by cultural or familial expectations in your spiritual journey? How can you seek freedom in Christ while still honoring your family? [52:41]
4. How can you support and include those in your church community who may not have strong biological family ties, helping them feel part of the inclusive family of God? [01:26:43]
5. Think about a time when you prioritized your family's happiness over spiritual growth. What was the outcome, and how might you approach a similar situation differently in the future? [01:16:00]
6. If you have family members who are opposed to your faith, how can you continue to follow Jesus faithfully while also showing love and respect to your family? What specific actions can you take to balance these relationships? [01:24:49]
7. Identify one area in your life where you might be allowing family expectations to dictate your decisions more than God's will. What steps can you take this week to seek God's guidance and align your actions with His will? [01:12:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing True Freedom in Christ
True freedom is found not in adhering to cultural or familial expectations but in living according to God's will. This freedom involves a deep discernment of the areas in our lives where we might be enslaved by cultural norms or unhealthy family dynamics. It challenges us to break free from the chains of expectation and to live a life that truly honors God. This freedom is not about isolation but about aligning our lives with the divine purpose and finding joy and peace in that alignment. [48:21]
Galatians 5:1, 13-14 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery... For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: What cultural or familial expectations are you finding hard to align with God's will for your life? How can you start to break free from these to embrace true freedom in Christ?
Day 2: The Personal Decision to Follow Christ
Growing up in a Christian family is a blessing, but it is not a substitute for a personal and authentic relationship with Christ. Each individual must make a personal decision to follow Jesus, which is not inherited or automatically bestowed through family ties. This decision is a conscious step into a life of faith, marked by personal conviction and a commitment to live according to the teachings of Jesus. It's about forming a direct, personal relationship with Christ, independent of one's family's spiritual status. [01:01:50]
Ezekiel 18:20 (ESV): "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."
Reflection: Reflect on your personal journey with Christ. Is your faith a reflection of your own decision, or are you riding on the spiritual coattails of your family?
Day 3: Recognizing the Idolatry of Family
While family is a significant aspect of our lives, it should never replace God as the ultimate authority and object of our worship. This idolatry can manifest subtly through prioritizing family happiness over spiritual obedience and growth. It's crucial to maintain a balance where family is valued and loved, yet God's will and commandments take precedence in our lives. This ensures that our familial relationships support, rather than hinder, our spiritual commitments. [01:10:27]
Joshua 24:15 (ESV): "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Reflection: Are there ways in which your family life might be hindering your spiritual growth or obedience to God? How can you address this while still honoring and loving your family?
Day 4: The Role of Parents in Spiritual Formation
Parents have a profound impact on their children's spiritual lives. By living out a genuine faith, parents can lead by example, showing their children the importance of prioritizing God over all else, including family pleasures or achievements. This responsibility involves more than just providing for physical and emotional needs; it's about guiding children towards a relationship with Christ and setting a foundation of faith that can sustain them throughout their lives. [01:28:42]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: As a parent or a future parent, how are you modeling genuine faith to your children? What steps can you take to enhance your spiritual leadership in your home?
Day 5: The Inclusive Family of God
The family of God transcends biological ties and includes all who do His will. This spiritual family is inclusive and offers a place for everyone, regardless of their earthly family situation, emphasizing the universal and welcoming nature of God’s kingdom. Being part of this family means embracing others as brothers and sisters in Christ, supporting and loving one another in our journey of faith. [01:26:43]
Ephesians 2:19 (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."
Reflection: How can you better embrace and contribute to the inclusive family of God in your daily interactions and church life?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Sometimes we got to talk about them. All right. And so let me just say this. This is going to probably be one of your least favorite sermon series. All right. Like right now, I think you'll look back on it and we'll really appreciate that God led us through this." [48:21]
2. "And and it's because I'm friends with this person and they're friends with that person and all of this stuff. Guys, sometimes if we're not careful, we'll treat Jesus that way. And we'll say, well, because I hang out with Christians, then I'm a Christian or because my family raised me a certain way, then that's what I am." [01:06:35]
3. "So obey God and love your family as best you can. You don't need to fight with them. You don't need to argue with them. You don't need to be mean to them or be jerks to them. Set the example. Follow Jesus and be as kind as you can." [01:25:46]
4. "Who told you that having a baby prevents you from following Jesus or serving him? Who told you that having a baby means you can't ever do things in the church? Who told you that having a baby means you can't live in biblical community until they turn 16?" [01:21:57]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Family doesn't come first. Even hard to say. But I want you to see in this passage. That right here, Jesus has destroyed. The American idol. Of family. See, when you belong to Jesus. You now have ties spiritually. That go stronger and deeper. Than your ties biologically." [01:07:25]
2. "Family doesn't get you into a relationship with God. Family does not get you into a relationship with God. You see this back in verse thirty one. Where where were Jesus's mother and brothers? Where? Where were they? They were outside." [01:01:50]
3. "God's family is open to everyone. God's family is open to everyone. Guys, this isn't, yes, I know that we talked about some hard things today. But I want you to know that most of the time we idolize God. We idolize family because we are not secure in our position in God's family." [01:26:43]
4. "Let them watch you. Let them watch you on your knees in prayer because you don't know how you're going to pay for something because you're following God's will. Let them watch you cry as you read his word. Let them watch you serve until you are exhausted because the kingdom of God brings you that much joy." [01:28:42]
5. "If the enemy has elevated family to a place in your life that it feels like your emotions rise and fall on it, it may have become an idol in your life. So I want you to have hope. I want you to relish being a part of the family of God." [01:29:37]
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