Redefining Family
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We live in a time when many things are being redefined.
ideas of gender, relationships, etc
Jesus did not redefine family.
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever
He and the Father are one
Family is designed by God and to be honored
Christ affirms family values
He addressed divorce several times
He addressed dishonoring parents, etc
In today’s passage, he expands our understanding of family.
We have a spiritual family
Big Idea: Hearing and doing the Word of God is a sign of being in the family of Christ.
Big Idea: Hearing and doing the Word of God is a sign of being in the family of Christ.
Jesus had other siblings that his mother Mary gave birth to
Jesus did not disrespect his mother or family
Jesus considers all of the true faithful to be family
Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.
And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.”
But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd.
Jesus had other siblings that his mother Mary gave birth to
Jesus had other siblings that his mother Mary gave birth to
The Catholic Church teaches the doctrine of “The Perpetual Virginity of Mary”
Scripture clearly contradicts this
It is silly to me. Mary fulfilled her role as God’s chosen one to bear Christ. She also fulfilled her role as a wife to Joseph and mother to children. This does not bring dishonor on her, but rather brings honor!
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
Here we see four brothers named
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
Here we see sisters (plural)
After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days.
So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing.
For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.”
For not even his brothers believed in him.
They did not yet believe
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
Jude and James were key figures in the early church.
Mary as well was a believer.
In the end, as great as her blessing was to be the one to give birth the Jesus, her greater blessing was faith in Him leading to eternal life.
Big Idea: Hearing and doing the Word of God is a sign of being in the family of Christ.
Big Idea: Hearing and doing the Word of God is a sign of being in the family of Christ.
Jesus had other siblings that his mother Mary gave birth to
Jesus did not disrespect his mother or family
Jesus considers all of the true faithful to be family
And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.”
But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Jesus did not disrespect his mother or family
Jesus did not disrespect his mother or family
Jesus was without sin. He kept the commandments.
“Honor your father and mother”
Jesus had a crowd around him
This indicates he was ministering to people. Probably teaching, possibly healing
Were his mother and brothers being inappropriate to disturb him in the midst of his ministry?
Some have suggested this
More likely Mary and his brothers were concerned for him
Maybe they were bringing him lunch
Mary loved Jesus, so there is no reason for us to believe she would have demanded his attention
Jesus considers all of the true faithful to be family
Jesus considers all of the true faithful to be family
But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Those who are of the lineage of Christ spiritually learn these things that James speaks of. These things we do not do perfectly, but they are being perfected in those who are of Christ. As we grow and mature in faith, these things should be more evident.
Quick to hear
Slow to speak
Slow to anger
Our anger does not produce the righteousness of God
Put away all filthiness and wickedness
receive with meekness the implanted word
which is able to save your souls
Doers, not hearers only.
This is what Jesus was saying as well. His people are not identified as only listeners
Many people listen to sermons everyday. They are full of knowledge, but do not live it out
Better to listen to one sermon a week and try to apply it to your life than listen to dozens that do not change your attitudes or behavior.
Look to the perfect law and persevere
One who cannot hold their tongue is deceiving his heart
Pure religion is to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and keep oneself unstained from the world
Big Idea: Hearing and doing the Word of God is a sign of being in the family of Christ.
Big Idea: Hearing and doing the Word of God is a sign of being in the family of Christ.
Jesus had other siblings that his mother Mary gave birth to
Jesus did not disrespect his mother or family
Jesus considers all of the true faithful to be family
Do you love Jesus? John 14.15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
How will you respond to this?
Very Good news! If you are in Christ, you are family with him and all the saints
He had physical brothers and sisters because Mary had other children after him
If you are part of his family, there ought to be evidence, and that is obedience to his word.