Our Identity | Randy Frazee | I π My Church
Going Deeper
Why do you think there is not one functional family mentioned in the Bible, even Jesusβ family? What do you think is the root cause?
Ephesians 2:14-19 tells us Jesusβ vision was to start a new family rooted in his work on the cross. How does this help to remedy the problem?
Share your story on when you said yes to Godβs family!
The challenge issued was βdonβt go it aloneβ. How are you doing with this challenge?
Teaching Notes
Identity β Who am I?
Ubuntu: βWe are, therefore I amβ
The Problem β Families are Dysfunctional
βHe is out of his mind.β
Mark 3:21
The Solution β Jesus came to start a new family
Therefore, remember that formerlyβ― you who are Gentiles by birth and called βuncircumcisedβ by those who call themselves βthe circumcisionβ (which is done in the body by human hands)ββ―remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreignersβ―to the covenants of the promise,β―without hopeβ―and without God in the world.β―But now in Christ Jesus you who onceβ―were far away have been brought nearβ―by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:11-13
For he himself is our peace,β―who has made the two groups oneβ―and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,β―by setting aside in his fleshβ―the law with its commands and regulations.β―His purpose was to create in himself oneβ―new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,β―and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,β―by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peaceβ―to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.β―For through him we both have accessβ―to the Fatherβ―by one Spirit.
Ephesians 3:14-18
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,β―but fellow citizensβ―with Godβs people and also members of his householdβ¦
Ephesians 3:19
The word βChurchβ is derived from the Dutch word kerk and German word kirche.
These words find their link to the medieval Greek word kurikon which means βLordβs Houseβ.
Ekklesia β A new community βcalled outβ to live a distinctly different life. (Matthew 16:18)
The Body of Christ β A new community that represents the presence of Christ on earth. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)
The Temple of God β A new community that becomes the new temple where God dwells. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
The Bride of Christ β A new community that restores of the image of God in us. (Ephesians 5:21-33)
The Family of God β This new community is a new family where a healthy identity emerges. (Hebrews 2:11)
Both the one who makes people holyβ―and those who are made holyβ―are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. (Hebrews 2:11)
See what great loveβ―the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!β― And that is what we are!
1 John 3:1
An Invitation - Come into Godβs Family
A Challenge - Donβt go it alone
β―And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,β―not giving up meeting together,β―as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one anotherβand all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25
A declaration: Who are we? β We are Godβs Family!
Sunday Set List
Raise a Hallelujah- Bethel Music
Whom Shall I Fear- Chris Tomlin
Control- Mitch Langley Music
Be sure to follow our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sundayβs set!