25-1221a - Detailed Summary

The preacher, Mike, expresses his pleasure in delivering the message according to the speaking rotation and thanks Roger for both Scripture readings. He notes that Wyatt Woosley was originally scheduled to read but is absent due to the flu, expressing gratitude for those who step in to help when others are unable due to illness or other reasons. This ties appropriately into the lesson theme, which he began on December 10th when filling in for Scott. That lesson, titled "Someone Needs Help By Someone," focused on fleshly family relationships, starting with husband and wife, then the children produced from that union. Parents, particularly husbands and wives, are responsible for bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, with fathers commanded not to provoke children to anger but to train them in the Lord’s ways, as stated in Ephesians 6:4. Children, in turn, are commanded to obey and honor their parents, according to Ephesians 6:1-3 and Colossians 3:20.

This morning’s message shifts focus to the spiritual family, which is the church. Mike clarifies that he will not emphasize problems or health issues in this lesson, reserving discussion of problems in both fleshly and spiritual families for the evening service. He references John 1:12-13, explaining that those who receive Jesus and believe in his name are given the right to become children of God, born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. While all are created by God and might be considered his children in that sense, spiritually one is not automatically a child of God and could even be a child of the devil without belief in Jesus as Creator and bringer of life. Belief in his name grants the power and right to become children of God, according to God’s will, not man’s.

The phrase "born not of blood" leads to John 3:3 and 3:5, where Jesus tells Nicodemus that one must be born again to see or enter the kingdom of God, specifically born of water and the Spirit. Nicodemus misunderstands this as physical rebirth, but Jesus clarifies the spiritual nature of this birth. Galatians 3:26-27 further explains that all are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, as those baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Many emphasize John 3:16’s belief for everlasting life without mentioning baptism, but Mike stresses that verse 5 explicitly requires birth of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom. Attempts to interpret this as physical birth are incorrect; it refers to the spiritual process of becoming God’s children.

Returning to Matthew 12:48-50, the context involves Jesus healing a demon-possessed blind man, with Pharisees accusing him of casting out demons by Beelzebub. Jesus refutes this by noting that a divided kingdom or house cannot stand. While speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers seek him, prompting the question about who his true mother and brothers are. He points to his disciples, declaring that whoever does the will of his Father in heaven is his brother, sister, and mother. This establishes a spiritual family relationship with Jesus for those obeying God’s will.

Ephesians 1:3-5 describes God blessing believers with every spiritual blessing in Christ, choosing them in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in love, and predestining them to adoption as sons according to his will. Mike explores the word "chose," sharing a story from television similar to Chicken Soup for the Soul about an adopted boy bullied by a classmate who claims his birth mother discarded him like trash. The older biological brother comforts him by saying their parents chose him and do not accept trash. Similarly, God chose believers in Christ before the world’s foundation, predestining them to adoption. Even if others view people as worthless due to sinful lives, God sees adopted children as precious.

Jesus emphasized following the Father’s will to enter this family relationship. Believers are brothers and sisters in Christ, with the whole family in heaven and earth named after the Father (Ephesians 3:15), bearing the name Christian. From the divine perspective, the church as God’s family is perfect, but human members introduce problems due to personal thinking and ways that may not align with righteousness. To please God, members must do what is right. Christ died as the perfect sacrifice, becoming sin for humanity despite his sinlessness, so believers need not face eternal death for their sins. Walking in the light provides fellowship and continual cleansing by Christ’s blood (1 John), with no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8).

Problems still arise in the church due to human nature. The evening lesson will examine examples affecting both fleshly and spiritual families. To join God’s family, one must be born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:3,5), becoming children through faith and baptism into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27,29). Once part of the family, every effort should be made to please God. As families work to solve problems, so must the spiritual family. Mike invites anyone with needs or concerns—whether to obey the gospel or bring matters before the church—to come forward while the congregation stands and sings.

Mike reads from Matthew 12:48-50, where Jesus responds to the news that his mother and brothers are seeking him. Jesus asks, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" He then stretches out his hand toward his disciples and declares, "Behold, my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father, who is in heaven, he is my brother, sister, and mother." This concludes the first reading of the Scripture.

Roger greets the congregation and reads from Ephesians 1:3-5. The passage states: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before him in love. He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the kind intention of his will." This concludes the second reading.

Preacher Mike expresses his pleasure in delivering the message according to the speaking rotation and thanks Roger for the Scripture readings. He notes that Wyatt Bushley was originally scheduled to read but is absent due to the flu, expressing gratitude for those who step in to help when others are unable due to illness or other reasons. This ties appropriately into the lesson theme, which he began on December 10th when filling in for Scott. That lesson, titled "Someone Needs Help By Someone," focused on fleshly family relationships, starting with husband and wife, then the children produced from that union. Parents, particularly husbands and wives, are responsible for bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, with fathers commanded not to provoke children to anger but to train them in the Lord’s ways, as stated in Ephesians 6:4. Children, in turn, are commanded to obey and honor their parents, according to Ephesians 6:1-3 and Colossians 3:20.

This morning’s message shifts focus to the spiritual family, which is the church. The preacher clarifies that he will not emphasize problems or health issues in this lesson, reserving discussion of problems in both fleshly and spiritual families for the evening service. He references John 1:12-13, explaining that those who receive Jesus and believe in his name are given the right to become children of God, born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. While all are created by God and might be considered his children in that sense, spiritually one is not automatically a child of God and could even be a child of the devil without belief in Jesus as Creator and bringer of life. Belief in his name grants the power and right to become children of God, according to God’s will, not man’s.

The phrase "born not of blood" leads to John 3:3 and 3:5, where Jesus tells Nicodemus that one must be born again to see or enter the kingdom of God, specifically born of water and the Spirit. Nicodemus misunderstands this as physical rebirth, but Jesus clarifies the spiritual nature of this birth. Galatians 3:26-27 further explains that all are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, as those baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Many emphasize John 3:16’s belief for everlasting life without mentioning baptism, but the preacher stresses that verse 5 explicitly requires birth of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom. Attempts to interpret this as physical birth are incorrect; it refers to the spiritual process of becoming God’s children.

Returning to Matthew 12:48-50, the context involves Jesus healing a demon-possessed blind man, with Pharisees accusing him of casting out demons by Beelzebub. Jesus refutes this by noting that a divided kingdom or house cannot stand. While speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers seek him, prompting the question about who his true mother and brothers are. He points to his disciples, declaring that whoever does the will of his Father in heaven is his brother, sister, and mother. This establishes a spiritual family relationship with Jesus for those obeying God’s will.

Ephesians 1:3-5 describes God blessing believers with every spiritual blessing in Christ, choosing them in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in love, and predestining them to adoption as sons according to his will. The preacher explores the word "chose," sharing a story from television similar to Chicken Soup for the Soul about an adopted boy bullied by a classmate who claims his birth mother discarded him like trash. The older biological brother comforts him by saying their parents chose him and do not accept trash. Similarly, God chose believers in Christ before the world’s foundation, predestining them to adoption. Even if others view people as worthless due to sinful lives, God sees adopted children as precious.

Jesus emphasized following the Father’s will to enter this family relationship. Believers are brothers and sisters in Christ, with the whole family in heaven and earth named after the Father (Ephesians 3:15), bearing the name Christian. From the divine perspective, the church as God’s family is perfect, but human members introduce problems due to personal thinking and ways that may not align with righteousness. To please God, members must do what is right. Christ died as the perfect sacrifice, becoming sin for humanity despite his sinlessness, so believers need not face eternal death for their sins. Walking in the light provides fellowship and continual cleansing by Christ’s blood (1 John), with no condemnation in Christ (Romans 8).

Problems still arise in the church due to human nature. The evening lesson will examine examples affecting both fleshly and spiritual families. To join God’s family, one must be born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:3,5), becoming children through faith and baptism into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27,29). Once part of the family, every effort should be made to please God. As families work to solve problems, so must the spiritual family. The preacher invites anyone with needs or concerns—whether to obey the gospel or bring matters before the church—to come forward while the congregation stands and sings.