Message Outline

Into the Family

Pastor Jonathan Stockstill
Sunday, Apr 22, 2018

Bethany is ... bringing all people into the life, family, and purpose of God.

CHRISTIANITY IS AS MUCH ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS AS IT IS ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

1 John 4:20 NLT - If someone says, "I love God," but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

The two greatest commandments are first, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and second, to love your neighbor as yourself.

God's family

Jesus started a new family.

Mark 3:31-35 NLT - 31 Then Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, "Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you." 33 Jesus replied, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."

His family is not based on PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES.

Ephesians 2:14-16, 19 NLT - 14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death....19 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.

He is the CORNERSTONE of this new family.

We have A LOT in common.

  • Common Savior
  • Common relationship
  • Common values
  • Common mission
  • Common hope
  • Common forever

Ways to engage the family of God:

1. PURSUE the family.

  • Start a conversation.
  • Open your home.
  • Do something together.

2. ACCEPT the family.

  • Look for the solitary.
  • Address the boundaries.

3. BE the family.

  • Carry one another's burdens.
  • Share with those in need.
  • Pray for and with one another.

Copyright © 2024, Bethany Church, All Rights Reserved.

Contact Us • (225) 774-1700