How many of us really believe that we are really a part of God’s family?

You may think this is a really weird question: Of course, I would not be here if I was not.

The reason I ask this question is that like all families and groups sometimes I may participate, but I am not really a part of the group or I don’t feel like I have ownership in the group or the family really loves me.

God says in our reading today that we are heirs to God’s gifts and family by the work of Jesus Christ.

Jesus was born to pay the price for us-vs. 4-5

Without Jesus we would be people who are separated from God and have no relationship with God.

Old Testament inheritance was a theological process not legal:
Inheritance came from God in the land
The other inheritance was the promise of a savior

New Testament inheritance:
Jesus
Abraham
The Believer

Jesus paid the price for you and for me and He then sent His Holy Spirit to give us the gift that is ours to own and use. Vss. 6-7

We do not deserve this inheritance, but God loves us so much that He sent His son for us.

The issue for us is to take this inheritance and use it and live it.

How often do we let the gift of our inheritance do nothing-Matthew 25:14-28

A Car

As individuals:
We say it is important to us, but don’t live it
We don’t share it
Our sin
We hurt others
We don’t study the Word
We do not spend time in prayer

As God’s church:
Get comfortable
Argue about the irrelevant
Become internal lookers
Do not serve other Christians much less the non-believer

God says this is yours use, I will make it grow and make things happen, trust me and test me.

God said He would save us and He did it through Jesus Christ.
Jesus was born of a virgin
Jesus was and is the perfect man
Jesus died in our place
Jesus arose from the dead

Because of all that Jesus did and does for us we can out of thanksgiving use the gift that we own.

God’s Holy Spirit works it through His Word and the gifts of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.

FOC:
We use every gift at our disposal
We trust God
We risk and try new things
We never get complacent
Remember that we have a mission to share and to serve

As individuals:
We share
We live in joy
We worship
We love and serve others