It was only a few generations ago that young men and women were judged by who their parents were. If you came from a prominent family line, privilege and advantage was often extended to you. Conversely, life could be miserable for those coming from a family with a shameful past - or simply from an unknown family.
In God's big family, only one thing matters: "Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 3:35)
So if you do God's will, welcome to the family!
It doesn't matter what family you came from, and it doesn't matter what you yourself have done in the past. Consider:
- Abel, though his parents committed the original sin, offered a better sacrifice than his brother Cain, and was welcomed into the family of God (Hebrews 11:4)
- Enoch walked with God and as a result was translated without ever experiencing death - and welcomed into the family of God (Hebrews 11:5, Genesis 5:22-24)
- Noah was the only good guy in a world of unbelief and wickedness. he was ostracized for his faith in God - building an ark that ultimately saved him and his family from total destruction. He too, was welcomed into the family of God (Hebrews 11:7)
- Abraham, though he misled others about his wife, calling her his sister and bringing judgment on those he misled, and though he got impatient with God for a son and had a child by Sarah's servant, was still obedient and became the father of a nation promised by God - and was welcomed into the family of God (Heb 11:11-12, 17-19)
- Moses, when he grew up, chose as his family his own people, renouncing the Egyptian wealth, and impulsively killed an Egyptian in defense of his people. Yet God used him to ultimately deliver the people and was welcomed into the family of God (Hebrews 11:27-28)
- Rahab, a Gentile prostitute, welcomed the spies and helped God's people, was welcomed into the family of God (Hebrews 11:31)
Now these are just a few of the diverse people in scripture - millions more exist in history who were welcomed into the family of God. Will you be among them? If so, you'll be in the best of company.
Content:
Jesus' mother and brothers arrive to 'take charge of Him'. When told of this, Jesus responds that whoever does God's will is His brother, sister, and mother.
Divisions:
- Jesus' mother and brothers arrive, send for Him (Mark 3:31-32)
- Jesus proclaims those who do God's will as His brothers, sisters, and mother (Mark 3:33-35)
Subject Sentence:
Those who do God's will are Christ's brethren
Aim:
To cause the audience to know that doing God's will connects us with Jesus Christ."