The Family of God For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians

The Family of GodFor this reason I

bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named”

(Ephesians 3:14-15)

The Family of God

• God is the FatherGod is the Father(John 8:42-44)

John 8:42-44Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your

Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.’

The Family of God


• Christ is the Elder BrotherChrist is the Elder Brother(Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 4:4-5)

Romans 8:16-17

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Christ – begottenChrist – begotten

Us - adopted Us - adopted

The Family of God



• Children of God Children of God (John 3:3-5; 1 Jn. 3:1-2)

John 3:3-5

Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ 4Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?’ 5Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’

1 John 3:1-2

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

The Family of God




• In His Image In His Image (cf. John 8:42-44)

John 8:42-44Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your

Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.’

The Family of God





• Recipients of Divine Chastening Recipients of Divine Chastening (Hebrews 12:8-11)

Hebrews 12:8-11But if you are without chastening, of which all

have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

The Family of God





• Recipients of Divine Chastening Recipients of Divine Chastening (Hebrews 12:8-11)

• Heirs of God Heirs of God (Romans 8:16-17)

Romans 8:16-17

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

ConclusionOne Caveat:One Caveat: It is wrong

to emphasize one meta- phor to the exclusion of others. (Which almost all denominations now do with the term “family”)

Others: Kingdom of God, Army of God, Others: Kingdom of God, Army of God, Vineyard of the Lord, Temple of God, Body Vineyard of the Lord, Temple of God, Body of Christof Christ

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The Family of God For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians