Jesus Asked, “Who Are My Brothers?“
Sermon Notes
TODAY’S PASSAGE:
Matthew 12:46-50 ESV… While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
FAMILIES MATTER
The demise of America goes hand-in-hand with the demise of the nuclear family!
Totalitarian regimes understand the importance of undermining the family.
The modern-day progressive movement seeks to dismantle the nuclear family.
The family is the primary place where children could be instructed about the Lord… Deuteronomy 6:6-9.
BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER BUT NOT THICKER THAN FAITH
Even more important than the nuclear family… is the spiritual family… Matthew 12:46-50
Jesus uses hyperbole to stress just how important our “spiritual family” truly is.
Jesus’ family might have been trying to protect him, but he came into the world to lay his life down… John 10:17-18
Blood might be thicker than water but it’s not thicker than faith.
A FAMILY BOND LIKE NO OTHER
Believers are bound together in the Holy Spirit!
Believers have been made new creations!
The change in believers will often set them against their unregenerate family members… Matthew 10:34-37
In comparison to our love and devotion for Christ, it will be as if we “hate” others… Luke 14:25-26; John 19:25-27
Jesus was part of a large family… Matthew 13:53-56
WISDOM REGARDING YOUR EARTHY HOUSEHOLD AND SPIRITUAL HOUSEHOLD
Don’t be surprised that your faith in Christ is a point of division within your earthy family.
Don’t feel guilty when the connection you have with Christians grows greater than you have with unbelieving family members.
Don’t have unrealistic expectations for your spiritual family!
Go all in when it comes to your spiritual family… Galatians 6:10; 1 Peter 10:8-9
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
How do strong families benefit society as a whole?
How is our spiritual family similar (yet different) to our earthly families?
Do you have family members who are in opposition to your faith in Christ?
What steps can a Christian take to connect with those in the household of faith?