Pastor Andy continues the series on the values of Family Church with this week’s message “We are Family”. We celebrate our diversity in culture and age and are committed to developing healthy relationships in order that church isn’t just a meeting, but a community which resembles a family with values from scripture. Andy speaks about us being born again, how God gave us a new birth and becomes our Father resulting in blessings in abundance. In John 3, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus saying “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Ancient language translates the key words here as meaning ‘genes from above’ or ‘from the beginning’. So Jesus was implying we receive heavenly genes when we become born again. The genes make us who we are and heavenly genes bring us into God’s family with Him as Father. 1 John 3:1 (ESV) says “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” 

The apostle Paul also recognizes this perspective saying “you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household”…….the household of God. In Romans 8:17 (NIV) it says “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory”, 

So because we are born again, we are heirs to the Father and joint heirs, with His son. We are brothers and sisters in Christ and children of God in the family of God. We function as a family in an inspirational manner. 

Ps Andy then spoke of some aspects we model as church family. We are loving (as in 1 Corinthians 13:4-2). We celebrate equality, especially in status, rights and opportunities, rejecting racism, prejudices and classes which have no place in our church. We love diversity, seeing it as a strengthening blessing. We are a growing family, healthy things grow, and our desire for our church is just this. We need to be welcoming, always with room for new people. We resolve our individual issues and differences rather than wandering off foolishly. Forgiveness and repentance is essential between brothers and sisters, involving others biblically (Matthew 18:15). 

1 Corinthians 12:12 onwards speaks of Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ. Every one of us has skills, talents and God given abilities necessary to keep our Family running smoothly.  Paul says in this scripture that we are many, one body, one group, one family. Let us be an inspirational family that honours and glorifies God as we all play our part. Get involved, meet your brothers and sisters and grow together in your faith!