Sermon -The Family of God

 

Title: The Family of God

Biblical Reference: Luke 15:11-32

Focus Verses on 15:25-32

            Luke 15:11-32 is known about the story of the Good Father and the Prodigal Son, but it is seldom heard in a sermon about the elder son in the story. For a quick background of the story, the father has two sons and the younger son asked his father to give him his inheritance. When the younger son received his inheritance, he decided to go away and spend his wealth to please himself. He experienced struggles being away and lost everything until he realized that he was wrong about his decision and decided to go back to his father, not as his son but as a slave. The father was very happy when he saw his younger son return. Because he was lost and now found. The father’s happiness is not limited to affirmation and forgiveness. The father even made a celebration and welcomed his son without condemnation. However, the reaction of the elder brother towards his younger brother was different from his father's. The elder brother gets angry with his brother and tends to forget his relationship with him and brags about being a good son to his father.

            Have you ever had an experience in your life, when your siblings or loved ones made a mistake and when they came back with an apology, you could not even look them in the eye, or could not welcome them again?

            That is what happened to the elder son in the story. When everyone is rejoicing, he cannot even come and join the celebration. How about you, what will be your response when in the family of God, there is a new brother and sister coming?

Today I would like to share what is like to become a part of God’s family.

1. Being part of God’s family is knowing that one’s membership is only by God’s grace.

            The elder son went home from the field and from afar he heard music and dancing and asked one of the slaves about it (v.25-26). The slave said that his younger brother had come, and his father killed the fatted calf for him (v. 27). The elder son became angry and refused to join the celebration, then the father came to him, and the elder son brought up his quality as an obedient son and yet the father never killed a young goat for him, and he also pointed out the mistakes of his younger brother (v. 29-30).

            This is a reminder to all children of God that being part of God's family is not by the good works that we did. But we, as children of God, are saved by God’s grace. In Ephesians 2:8-9, 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. I remember when I was still new in my faith, I had self-righteousness in myself, and I was really careful to not make a mistake as a Christian. And I had also a moment when I compared myself with non-believers. These acts are very wrong. In God’s family, we need to always acknowledge God’s saving grace for us and to live in humility and reverence of him. And in God, through Christ, we have everything.

2. We are to celebrate as God’s family.

            In verse 32, “32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” In Romans 12:15, one of the marks of being a Christian is to “15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” As a body of Christ, as a family of God, we suffer and rejoice together (1 Corinthians 12:26). Our God the Father himself initiates to celebrate together. Being together as a family of God also means welcoming each other. In the parable of the lost sheep and lost coin, when something or someone is lost and it’s found, this is worth rejoicing. God is glad when his family expands. Isn’t it not worth celebrating when our families, friends, classmates, neighbors, or even strange people come to know Jesus?

3. As part of God’s family we are called to become a brother or sister to our siblings in Christ.

            In verse 32, the father reminds the elder son about his relationship with his brother. They are brothers. Our mark as members of God’s family is love. Romans 12: 10 says “10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” In another version of the Bible, it mentions ‘brotherly affection’. In 1 Corinthians 13, love is described as keeping no record of wrongs (v.5). Before coming to God’s family through Jesus Christ, we all are sinners. We have made mistakes that hurt people and God and are somehow unforgivable. And even though we are now part of God’s family we cannot hide our shortcomings. Our God is merciful and forgiving. He has set us an example of how to treat, forgive, and love others. Now, how can we not love and forgive?

            My brothers and sisters in Christ we are in the family of God, we are to celebrate every victory and preserve together. We have each other’s back as children of God. And we are not closing the door. We will rejoice as our Father in heaven rejoice, if someone comes to his senses, repent, and acknowledge our Jesus as Lord and Savior.

This is the message from God for the people of God. Praise be to God.