All things new – Part 2 – A new family
Sermon by Greg MacRobbie – Sunday, January 10, 2021
We no longer have to define ourselves by our past, or our passions, or our roles in our world. We are made into new compositions in an instant when we accept Jesus. But our new identity is something we have to grow into.
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All things new – Part 2
THIS WEEK’S MAIN IDEA
Following Jesus is more than agreeing with a certain set of ideas or developing certain habits; it is described as being born again into a new family with a new Father and and new focus for our lives… This is both an instantaneous event and a lifelong journey… treat the church as family, because it is! Do we really believe that? Do we really live like it? Being in a family comes will all kinds of blessings and tensions, but woven through it all is a life-long commitment to do life together in a way that inspires each of us to pursue Christ and help others do the same.
SCRIPTURE
John 3:1-12, I Peter 1:22-23, Ephesians 1:3-10, I John 3:1-3.
CONNECT
Describe something that’s part of your identity – of how you see yourself. How did this become part of your identity? Did it come from yourself, other people, or God?
EXPLORE
- Read John 3:1-12. In this chapter Jesus talks about the need to be born again. What are some of the implications of being “born again”?
We usually think about the impact the new birth has on us individually, but what does it have to do with the church? - Read I Peter 1:22-23. What are the conditions for having “sincere love” for our brothers and sisters in God’s family?
It is said, “You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your relatives”. Do you think this applies to our church family, too? How does it work?
Do you feel like your church congregation is a family? Do you ever get beyond being polite acquaintances?
How do we respond when somebody in our church family hurts us? - Read Ephesians 1:3-10. When did God decide to make you part of his eternal family?
Pastor Greg talked this morning about how each of us only gets to become part of a new family a very few times, by being born, being adopted, getting married… or being born again..
Looking through this passage, share some of the benefits we receive as a result of God making us part of his family. - Read I John 3:1-3. What do you think John means when he says, “the world does not know us”?
These verses talk about how being “children of God” is something that will have an impact even after we die. What are some of the changes mentioned here? How does that affect you? Do you ever think about seeing Jesus? Do you ever imagine what it might mean to be “like him”?
STRETCH
What is God saying to you from His Word right now? What are you going to do about it?
