We Are Family

As Christians, we view God as our Father and all other human being as our brothers and sisters. We are one large family, and we strive to reflect this perspective of being one large, loving family in our interactions with others and in our everyday lives.

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Sermon Excerpt

"God has been putting on my heart the importance of family, as a church. Because that is what we are. We've been adopted into the family of God, and we are all brothers and sisters. When we are truly part of God's family, there are two evidences of that: we have the Spirit of God, and we love each other."

We Are Family or Evidence of Discipleship - Sermon Summary

John 13:34-35

Two Tests of being a Christian

Rom 8:9 Have the Spirit of God
John 13:35 Love one another

These two go together

We are by nature: selfish, prideful, get feelings hurt, judgmental
Rom 5:5 Holy Spirit puts love in heart – B of HS
Gal 5:22-23 Fruit of Spirit – love, joy, peace

I used to think – Church = group of people who

Accept Christ as Savior
Accept teaching / doctrines of Christ

Wrong – Church = group of people who:

Have the Holy Spirit
Have love of Jesus in heart - 1 Cor 13:1-3

Or, in the NIV translation, "If I speak in the tongues of mean and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

God’s People

Not critical of each other
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Mat 7:1-2
"...judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful" James 2:13
Matt 5:48 be perfect as Father in heaven
Luke 6:36 Be merciful as Father in heaven

A Dream: Many years ago –

God waiting for His people become merciful

Known some who think:

If we all eat right, dress right, keep Sabbath right
Then Jesus will come
These are important- but not most important

God’s People:

Love God
Love brothers and sisters in Christ
Accept Christ and His teachings

When we have love of Christ in heart

1 Cor 13:4-7 Be merciful as Father in heaven

Or, in the words of the Living Bible, "Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him."

Concerning winning others to Christ

EGW did not say:
- We need to teach more doctrine
- We need to mail more handbills
- We need to hold more meetings
- These all important
EGW did say:
- "If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one. ..The Saviour is waiting for us to do this." Testimonies, Vol. 9, p.189

Christ-likeness in our life and church most powerful soul winning method

People don’t care how much we know –
Until they know how much we care

Happens as we learn how to let Christ:

Live out His love, mercy, compassion and acceptance in our life
Recent sermons on Abiding in Christ

New Haven Church - I thank God for this church

I think we becoming more & more accepting & loving
I think we are becoming family
Ex: Church’s support of Dan & Carmen –
- Adoption of Natalia
- Prayers & words of encouragement
#1 concern people have who leave this area –
- Find church like New Haven – best testimony
- I pray we allow Christ to manifest His love, compassion, acceptance more and more in our lives

Testimonies

Kathy Lee

Christian friend
Role church played in recovery

Kim Nugyn

Miguel & Lydia Mont (dream)

1 Peter 3:1-3 Be merciful as Father in heaven

Conclusion

I pray we will each become more and more like Jesus every day. Then our church will become the living body of Christ.

Christ’s love will be seen and felt by all who enter
Christ’s love - power to draw others to Him

Then we will be the family of God Jesus wants us to be.

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Sermon: We Are Family