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<p><strong>IT’S A FAMILY THING</strong></p> <p>Pastor George Black</p> <p>June 18, 2017</p> <p><strong>Confession:</strong> I am a victorious believer, redeemed by the Lord, washed from my sins in the blood of Jesus my Savior, saved by grace through faith, filled with the powerful Holy Spirit, poised for God’s eternal purposes, and boldly sharing the joy of God’s love, with my world. </p> <p>I am a faith walking, Word talking, over-comer in this life. I am a Victor, not a victim. I can do, all things through Christ. Today, my mind is open and alert, and my heart is good soil, for the seed of God’s Word. I will be a diligent disciple, to apply its’ truths, for from this day forward, by the miracle of spiritual growth, I will never, ever, be the same again.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Scripture:</strong> <em>1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NLT “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. <strong>13 </strong>Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.”</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>1. Jesus Himself said He would be the builder of the church, God’s family on earth, and that the “gates of hell” (the false religions and philosophies of our world that are put forward by Satan and his kingdom) will not prevail.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><em>Matthew 16:17-18 NKJV “Jesus answered and said to him,</em> <em>“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed</em> <em>this</em> <em>to you, but My Father who is in heaven.</em> <strong><em>18 </em></strong><em>And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>2. Jesus loved the “church” and gave Himself for it, and if He did, then maybe we should too. </strong></p> <p> </p> <p><em>Ephesians 5:25 NKJV “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” </em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>3. When Jesus used the term “church” He was not referring a building or organization, but rather to a group of redeemed people who were called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light of sonship.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><em>Acts 17:24 NKJV ““God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.”</em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>4. If the church is God’s family on earth, what is a family?</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><em>1 Corinthians 12:26 NKJV “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”</em></p> <p> </p> <p>“Family” is the basic unit of society, traditionally consisting of a father and mother raising their biological children.</p> <p>“Church Family” is the basic unit of the kingdom of God, consisting of a pastor, elders, and other leaders raising God’s spiritual children.</p> <p>The concept of “family” can be extended to include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, etc.</p> <p>The concept of “the local church family of God” can be extended to include overseers, guest speakers, missionaries, and the fellowship of other congregations.</p> <p>“Family” can also include adopted members.</p> <p>In God’s family we are all adopted.</p> <p>Marriage is the first bond of being a “family” providing the safe and secure environment in which to conceive and bear children. Safety and security are vital in a family.</p> <p>Church membership is the first bond of being a part of the body of Christ, providing a safe and secure environment in which to bring family and friends. Safety and security are vital in a church family.</p> <p>A family provides for the needs of its members, physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, educationally, and in many other ways.</p> <p>A church family provides for the spiritual needs of its members, physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, educationally, and in many other ways.</p> <p>A family provides love and care that nurtures the soul.</p> <p>A church family provides love and care to its members that nurtures the soul.</p> <p>A family provides loving discipline when needed.</p> <p>A church family provides loving discipline when needed.</p> <p>A family provides for the proper socialization of the children.</p> <p>A church family provides for the proper socialization of its members.</p> <p style="margin-left:.5in"> </p> <p><strong>5. Being a part of the family of God is not automatic. You must accept the invitation of Jesus Christ to repent of your sins and turn your life over to Him and follow Him as your Lord and Savior.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><em>Psalm 68:6 NKJV “God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.”</em></p>