Sunday Sermon

Formed for His Family Dave Shaner April 24, 2005

Introduction:  We do many things not because of the joy of the task, but for the joy of the people we are doing it with. Human beings are incurably relational. We were made that way on purpose by our creator.

... he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure & will— - Ephesians 1:5

I. God's design is ________________.

A. Scriptures:

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, & let them rule over the fish of the sea & the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, & over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male & female he created them. - Genesis 1:26-27

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” - Genesis 2:18

B. No one can fulfill their life's purpose by themselves.

II. God deploys ____________________.

A. Christianity is a personal decision but it is not a private one.

B. Ephesians 2:19

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners & aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people & members of God’s household,

III. God desires ____________________.

A. Scriptures:

Love the brotherhood of believers,... - I Peter 2:17

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. - Romans 15:7

B. We exist because of something in common -- the grace of Jesus.

IV. God describes five commitments from this family: - Acts 2:42-47

A. ... a commitment of ________________.

“let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-& all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. - Hebrews 3:13

All the believers were together & had everything in common. - Acts 2:44

B. ... a commitment of ________________.

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. - Acts 2:42

C. ... a commitment of ________________.

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes & ate together with glad & sincere hearts, praising God & enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." - Acts 2:46-47

D. ... a commitment of ________________.

Be kind & compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32

E. ... a commitment of ________________.

All the believers were together & had everything in common. Selling their possessions & goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. - Acts 2:44-45

Conclusion: You were formed for family. Our service to God is within the family context. Families are built on commitment and conviction. Still, the more you love His people the more you enjoy being with his people.

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