Podcast: Download (Duration: 35:13 — 32.2MB)
February 9, 2025
- Ephesians 1:4-5
- Romans 8:15-16
- Ephesians 2:19-20
Pastor Gene’s sermon emphasizes the importance of community and belonging in God’s family. He begins by illustrating how dogs instinctively seek closeness, comparing this to God’s design for humanity—we were never meant to do life alone. He references Genesis, where God declares it is not good for man to be alone, extending this beyond marriage to emphasize the necessity of spiritual family.
Drawing from Ephesians 1, Pastor Gene highlights how God has adopted believers into His family out of love and not obligation. He explains that in Roman culture, adoption was primarily about passing down an inheritance, just as God desires to share His blessings with His children. He reminds the congregation that God has “drafted” them onto His team, choosing them with purpose.
Pastor Gene stresses that God is a good father, contrasting Him with imperfect earthly parents. He encourages the church to let go of past hurts and not project their disappointments onto God, who is always faithful and present. He references Romans 8:15-16, emphasizing that as adopted children, believers can confidently call God “Abba, Father.”
The sermon also underscores that being part of God’s family means being part of the church. He challenges listeners to move from being mere consumers to active contributors, participating in the church’s mission. He likens church to a family meal rather than a restaurant—where everyone contributes rather than simply consuming.
In closing, Pastor Gene invites the congregation to embrace their spiritual family, serve together, and live with the identity of being chosen, loved, and supported by both God and their fellow believers. He encourages them to move from acquaintances to family, concluding with a declaration: “We Are Family.”