Doing The Will Of God (Matthew [12]46-50)

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Doing The Will Of God

Family Traits Of God’s Children

Text: Matt. 12:46-50

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (05/05/02)

Introduction:   

One of the greatest determining factors in the direction of our lives is that of family relationships.

Our Identity (Looks) / Reputation / Opportunities etc all have some thing to do with family.

Proverbs 22:1  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Spiritually speaking, Our family relationship is even more important for it determines our destiny!!

BACKGROUND of this account (SEE John 7:5)

For neither did his brethren believe in him.

Jesus had four half-brothers whose names were James, Joses, Simon, and Judas.  His claim to be the Son of God embarrassed them to no end, and led them to think He was beside Himself, that is, mad or insane.

(SEE—Mark 3:20-21 & 31-32 for more discussion. This is an important note in grasping the background of the brothers’ attitude of mockery toward Jesus.)

Tongues were buzzing and rumors were flying about Jesus

The rumors reached Mary and her other children back in Nazareth. They became extremely concerned over Jesus’ welfare and were somewhat embarrassed over Jesus. So they struck out to get Him and bring Him home before something terrible happened.

When they arrived and Jesus was informed of their presence, He made a shocking claim: there is a greater family existing than the human family—a family that has supremacy over blood relationships. It is the family of God, the family of all those who do the will of God.

Note the facts given.

     1.   They were “standing without,” apparently embarrassed, not wishing to approach Jesus in front of the crowd lest a scene be created.

     2.   They “sent [someone else] unto Him, calling Him” to take Him home.

     3.   The crowd informed Him of the family’s presence outside, and note: they added the words “seek for thee.” The crowd was apparently aware of the family’s embarrassment and thoughts that He was “beside Himself” and needed to be taken home (Mark 3:21).

NOW we find in this passage Christ’s Inquiry regarding family relationships, His Introduction to family members, and His Explanation of these family relationships.

I. Christ’s Inquiry vs.48

We might consider this a personal Inquiry!!

Am I a member of the family of God?

There are several principles we need to take a look at here.

A. Not everyone belongs to God’s Family

The fact that He asks “Who” implies that not everyone is His mother or brother.

The Bible does not teach the Universal Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man.

We do all belong to God by virtue of Creation.  But our human nature demonstrates that we are the children of another.

Apart from being born again, regenerated, converted, saved etc. we are not the children of God.

1 John 3:1  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.

B. The Family of God is based on a unique relationship

1). Not Physical (Flesh & Blood)

John 1:12-13  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.

2). Not Generational (Heritage & Inheritance)

1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

3). Not Ecclesiastical (Religious Affiliation)

2 Timothy 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Matthew 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Matthew 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Our relationship to God in Christ is a uniquely spiritual one (EXPLAIN)

LOOK UP & READ John 3:1-8 (COMMENT)

C. Every one must consider their Relationship to Christ on an individual basis.

Hebrews 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

We have an appointed time of birth, an appointed time of death, and an appointed time of judgment!!

We also have appointed times of God’s intervention in our lives – conviction etc.  It is an individual matter!!!

II. Christ’s Introduction vs.49

There are three Characteristics of Christ’s spiritual family members that are quickly apparent in these verses.

A. They were not Distant

He stretched forth His hand toward them

They were near / They were within arm’s reach.

ILLUS: Aaron (4 yrs old) at yesterday’s garage sales.  Street sale – He stuck close by me, I never had to say anything, did not have to drag him along.  I’m his dad, he made sure to keep me in view and stay close to me.

We should be known for our nearness to Christ!!

Acts 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

B. They were Disciples

What is a disciple?  Give DEFINITION

Lit. - A learner - it denotes "one who follows one's teaching,"

A "disciple" was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher

As disciples we follow Christ and His doctrine.

As disciples we are growing.

Sadly, many in our day are pursuing Happiness and not Holiness!

They are more concerned with pleasing the crowd than pleasing the Lord.!

They are wrapped up in the immediate and not concerned with the eternal.

Obsessed with things, not Obedient to the truth.

Where are the disciples????

C. They were Dear unto Christ

Behold my mother and my brethren

Christ was not ashamed of His disciples.

LOOK UP & READ Luke 9:23-26

These questions are put,

not as if he himself was ignorant who were his mother or his brethren;

or as suggesting as if he had none;

or as denying that these were in such a relation to him;

or as casting any slight upon them;

or as intending to teach men disrespect to parents and kindred

Dear and tender as were the ties which bound him to his mother and brethren, yet those which bound him to his disciples were more tender and sacred. How great was his love for his disciples, when it was more than even that for his mother!

Luke 14:26  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

III. Christ’s Explanation vs.50

The Bible is God’s revealed will to man.

It is daily not distant!!  Decisions of eternal consequence are in your hand every day.

Daily you have an opportunity to do God’s will.  And God does have a will for each one of us this and every day!!

A. It is the Prerequisite to Family Membership

John 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Acts 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

B. It is the Continuing Evidence of Family Membership

John 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Conclusion:     (Review)

Christ’s Inquiry – A personal inquiry

Christ’s Introduction – Characteristics of family members

Christ’s Explanation – You are not a family member apart from His will / Is there evidence that you are part of His family?

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