May 24, 2022 (Tuesday)
“I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor. 6:18).
“Stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother’” (Matt. 12:49-50).
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19).
“As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).
“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity” (1 Tim. 5:1).
“What is a Christian?” If we answer that question from the New Testament, We cannot answer without talking about the church. it’s hard to use just one metaphor for the church because the New Testament uses many of them: a family, a fellowship, a body, a bride, a people, a temple, and a lady with her children. And those are not all of them. When we call ourselves a family, we feel right at home with each other.
The New Testament thinks of the Christian existing within the fellowship of the church. The church is not really a place. It is people who know Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is people who love God and each other.
The first verse of Gaither’s song, “Family of God, warms our hearts as we think about what it means to be a member of the “family of God.” It says, “We say ‘brother and sister’ around here. It’s because we’re a family and these folks are so near; When one has a heartache we all share the tears, And rejoice in each victory In this family so dear.”
I was drawn to the Lord by being drawn to a church, which was a family of people who loved the Lord and knew how to show love to people like me. I’ve since been a member of several churches, and in every one of them there was the feeling of family — brothers and sisters in Christ. Isn’t it wonderful that you as a Christian can travel the world, seeing places new to you but finding in those places part of your Christian family who make you feel right at home with them?
“I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God. I’m not worthy to be here, but, praise God, I belong!”
The Family of God
Words: Gloria Gaither
Music: Bill Gaither
1960s
(1) You will notice we say “brother
and sister” ’round here-
It’s because we’re a family
and these folks are so near;
When one has a heartache
we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory
In this family so dear.
Related
Chorus:
I’m so glad I’m a part
of the family of God-
I’ve been washed in the fountain,
cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus
as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the family,
the family of God.
(2) From the door of an orphanage
to the house of the King-
No longer an outcast,
a new song I sing;
From rags unto riches,
from the weak to the strong,
I’m not worthy to be here,
But, praise God, I belong!-Chorus
Theme for this week: What Is the Church Like?
1. Monday May 23 The church is like a bride
2. Tuesday May 24 The church is like a family
3. Wednesday May 25 The church is like a building
4. Thursday May 26 The church is like an organism
5. Friday May 27 The church is like an organized organism