Sermon #82 Hebrews
Notes
Title: The
Family of God
Text: Hebrews 11:39-40
Subject: The
Date: Tuesday Evening –
Tape # W-99b
Introduction:
Did you every wonder where that old idiom, “Blood is
thicker than water” originated? It was coined by an American Naval officer in
1857. When his men insisted on helping the English sailors in fighting the Taku
forts in
I like that attitude. It is a family frame of mind; and I am very much a family man. A man, if he is a man, takes care of his family. I will do almost anything to provide for my family, protect my family, hold my family together, and take care of it. When it comes to my family, no enemy is too fearsome, no cost is too high, no sacrifice is too great.
There is not a man or woman on this earth who is not a member of some
family. The poorest as well as the richest has his relative and kin, and can
tell you something of his family.
Family gatherings at Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving, and family
reunions are common things. At such times, most of our homes are packed with
family. Young men grab a few days a few days away from business and run down to
visit their parents at home. Young women pack up their children and take them
to see their grand parents. Brothers and sisters meet for a few hours. Parents
and children look at one another with joy. There is so much to talk about! So
many questions to asked! So many things to be told! What a happy, blessed time!
The family is all together!
Family gatherings are natural, right, and good. I approve of them with
all my heart and encourage them. The family is one of the few very pleasant
things which has survived the fall of man. Next to the grace of God, nothing
unites people so much in this sinful world as family. There is no tie so
powerful as blood.
People will stand up for their relatives, just because they are their
relatives, and refuse to hear a word against them, even when they have no
sympathy with their behavior. Anything that helps to keep up such family ties
ought to be commended. It is a wise thing, whenever possible, to get "the
whole family" together.
Yet, family gatherings are also mingled with sorrow. It would be
strange indeed, in such a world as this, if they were not. Few are the family
circles with no gaps and vacant places as years go by. How time takes its toll!
Divisions sometimes rise that cannot be repaired. Breaches divide kinsmen that
cannot be mended. In time, death makes havoc of all our families.
Old men think about faces no longer seen at the family table, voices no
longer heard, and the void left by loved ones gone into eternity with sorrow.
When our children begin to go out into the world, to make lives for themselves,
as we have trained them to do and as they ought to do, we try hard to hold the
nest together. But we know that in just a few years the whole family will
seldom, if ever be together in one place.
But there is a family, one family, which shall never be divided. There
is one great family to which I want you to belong. It is a family despised by
many, and not even known by some. But it is a family of far greater importance
than any family on earth. It is the
family of God[1].
Some members of that family are in heaven and some upon the earth. Some are
here. Others are in Africa, Alaska, and Mexico. But…
Proposition: All
who are in Christ are in this family, the family of God.
That is the family spoken of in Hebrews 11:39-40. I want to talk to you
tonight about that family.
(Hebrews 11:39-40) "And
these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the
promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they
without us should not be made perfect."
I ask you to give me your undivided attention as we look at the things
revealed in these two verses and I try to tell you what the Holy Spirit here
declares about the family of God. I want to tell what God has purposed for his
family and how he accomplishes his good purpose of grace for his family. I want
you to be found a member of this family, when it is finally gathered together
in the end--a gathering without separation, or sorrow, or tears. Hear me while,
as a preacher of the gospel of Christ and a friend to your soul, I speak to you
for a few minutes about the family of God.
I. Who is in this family?
You will notice that Paul first speaks of “these
all,” referring to all those he has described in this 11th
chapter of Hebrews. But he is not limiting himself to those who are
specifically named. He is talking about all those men and women who believed
God in the Old Testament era. Then he speaks of “us,” referring to all
who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ in this gospel age. Then he speaks of them
and us being “made perfect” together.
In other words, he is telling us that the whole
family in heaven and in earth, the family of God (Eph. 3:15), the church of
God, the kingdom of God is one great family, a family more numerous than the
sands upon the seashore and the stars of the sky.
The family of God is made up of all God’s elect, all true believers,
all the redeemed. The church of God really is one body, one indivisible family, one
holy kingdom. All who are in Christ of every age, and nationality, and
language, throughout all the ages of time, and throughout all the earth is one
family. It includes the blessed company the redeemed. The family of God is known
and spoken of by many names in the Book of God.
·
The Elect Of God
·
The Household Of Faith
·
The Body Of Christ
·
The Bride Of Christ
·
The Temple Of God
·
The Sheep Of Christ
·
The Church Of The Firstborn
·
An Holy Nation
·
A Royal Priesthood
·
The Israel Of God
Membership in "the family of God," does not depend
upon anything earthly. It does not come by natural birth, but by new birth. No preacher can
bring you into this family. The waters of baptism cannot immerse you into this
family. Parents cannot bring their children into the family of God.
You may have been born to the most faithful parents in the world. But
you were not born an heir of heaven. To belong to family of God you must be
born again. No one but God the Holy Spirit can make you a living member of this
family. It is His special function and prerogative to bring chosen, redeemed
sinners into this family by the washing of regeneration and the gifts of life
and faith in Christ.
The mere exercise of your will cannot put you in the family of grace. A pauper may sooner become a
king’s son by his own choice than you and I could become the sons of God by our
will! Oh, no! Entrance into the family of God is God’s work alone!
(John 1:11-13) "He came
unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received
him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will
of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
(Romans 9:15-16) "For he
saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have
compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not
of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth
mercy."
(Galatians 4:4-7) "But when
the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made
under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might
receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent
forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore
thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God
through Christ."
(Ephesians 1:3-6) "Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as
he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us
unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good
pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein
he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
(1 John 3:1-3) "Behold,
what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called
the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we
shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we
shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him
purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
II. Why
Does the Bible Speak of all God’s elect as one family?
Before answering that question, let me show you where the Scriptures
use this specific phrase to describe God’s people, all God’s people (Eph.
3:15).
(Ephesians 3:8-21) "Unto
me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I
should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And
to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which
from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by
Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold
wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in
Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with
confidence by the faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not
at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow
my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the
whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant
you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his
Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by
faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to
comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth,
and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,
that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him
that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory
in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.
Amen."
Why does God the Holy Spirit refer to all who are in Christ as the
family of God? Let me show you.
A. All true believers are called a "family"
because we all have one Heavenly Father.
We are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. We are all born of
one Spirit. We are all sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. We have all
received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, "Abba Father"
(Galatians 3:26; John 3:8; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Romans 8:15).
We no longer look upon the holy Lord God with a cringing dread and
fear. We no longer think of him as One always ready to punish us. Rather, we
lift our eyes heavenward and look up to our God with tender confidence, as our
reconciled and loving Father,—as One who has forgiven all our sins, put away
all our iniquities, and received us graciously for Christ’s sake. We see Him
now as One who is full of compassion and pity. We came to him, like the
prodigal. And He ran, fell on our necks, and kissed us!—Those words, "Our
Father which art in heaven," are no longer merely the words of a
prayer we learned as children in Sunday School. They are the sweetest words
imaginable to our hearts.
God’s elect are called the “family” of God because God is our
Father!
B. All true believers are called the "family" of
God because we all rejoice in, have confidence in, trust in, and are named
after one great and glorious name (Eph. 3:15).
That name is the name of our great Head and Elder Brother, Jesus Christ
the Lord. Just as a common family name is the uniting link to all the members
of an earthly clan, so the name of Christ unites all believers together in one
vast family in heaven and earth. As living members of Christ, we all, with one
heart and mind, rejoice in one Savior. Every heart in this family is built upon
Christ as the only object of hope. Every tongue in this family will tell you
that "Christ is all." Sweet all is…
·
The Death Of Christ As Our Substitute For Our Atonement.
·
The Righteousness Of Christ As Our Robe.
·
The Intercession Of Christ As Our Advocate And Priest In Heaven.
·
The Dominion Of Christ As Our Lord.
·
The Blessed Hope Of Christ’s Glorious Advent (Rev. 1:7).
·
The Glory Of Christ Awaiting Us!
In fact, you might as well take away the sun out of heaven, as take
away the name of Christ from believers. To the world His Name may mean nothing,
but to believers, it is full of comfort, hope, rest, and peace. No wonder God’s
people are called the "family" of God. God is our Father and
Christ is our Savior!
C. God’s people are all called the ‘family” of God, because as the sons
and daughters of God and brothers and sisters of Christ, all true
believers are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
(Romans 8:14-19) "For as
many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For
ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received
the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit
itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And
if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be
that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For
I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the
earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons
of God."
(John 17:1-5) "These words
spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is
come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou
hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as
many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might
know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I
have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me
to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the
glory which I had with thee before the world was."
(John 17:22) "And the glory
which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are
one:"
D. And we are called the “family” of God because there is so
strong a family resemblance among all who are born of God.
All believers are all led by one Spirit, and are marked by the same
general features of life, heart, taste, and character. Just as there is a
general bodily resemblance among the brothers and sisters of a family, so there
is a general spiritual resemblance among all the sons and daughters of the Lord
Almighty.
(Philippians
3:3) "For we are the circumcision,
which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no
confidence in the flesh."
·
They have all been circumcised by the Holy Spirit.
·
They all look to Christ alone for salvation, having no confidence in
the flesh.
·
They all worship God in the Spirit.
·
They all worship God in Truth.
·
They all go to the same throne of grace for mercy and grace to help in
time of need.
·
They all love Christ and love one another.
·
They are all one in Christ.
E. My brothers and sisters, let us do what we can to keep up the
blessed unity of this family (Eph. 4:7).
(Ephesians 4:1-7) "I therefore,
the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with
longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and
one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One
Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above
all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is
given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."
III. What
has God promised to do for his family?
We are told in Hebrews 11: 39-40 that our brethren in the Old Testament
could not be made perfect (The family could be completed and finished.) without
us, because God has provided some better thing for us.
(Hebrews 11:39-40) "And
these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the
promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they
without us should not be made perfect."
The Lord God has promised to make his family perfect! What does that
mean? How are we to understand this?
A. The Lord God shall complete his family.
Every adopted son shall be brought into the fulness and joy of sonship
by God’s sovereign grace. Every elect, redeemed sinner shall be brought into
the blessed union of life and faith with Christ. Before God gets done with this
world, all Israel shall be saved (Eph. 1:22-23).
(Ephesians 1:22-23) "And
hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head
over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness
of him that filleth all in all."
B. All the family shall be made perfect in
Christ.
·
Perfectly One!
·
Perfect Before God!
·
Perfect in Heart and Soul, Mind and Body!
Yes, when God gets done, his whole family, you and me too, shall honor
him forever (Eph. 2:7).
(Ephesians 2:1-7) "And you hath
he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: 2 Wherein in
time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times
past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the
mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But
God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even
when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye
are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit
together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages
to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness
toward us through Christ Jesus."
Application: “Mr. I’ve been wondering, Would you take me to be your son? Is
there room enough in this house for me?”
[1] The family of God, the church of God and the kingdom of God are synonyms. All who are chosen by God the Father, redeemed by God the Son, and born again by God the Holy Spirit are members of his church, his family, and his kingdom.