The Joy of Being Part of the Family of God: Matthew 12:46-50

Good morning. We're still not assembled together, but we are still the people of God and we can worship God wherever we are. And we have the privilege of getting the Word of God out this morning. So we hope you will be blessed this morning as we study the Word of God together.

Let's open up with a word of prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we're thankful this morning for Your grace. We're thankful for our church and we ask that You would bless this time of being in Your Word and encourage each and every person that hears Your Word.

And we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. In terms of announcements, we're still monitoring where we are to go, when we are to go back to church. And we will keep you posted. Please pray for God's wisdom in this.

Also in terms of praise, praise God for our health and God's protection. Praise God for His presence with us as a church family and individually. Praise God that we can put all things in God's hands and trust His purposes.

And for prayer, pray for God's protection and grace upon our nation and state during this virus. Pray that our state will open up safely and God will bring people to Himself in this crisis. Pray for God's encouragement upon our church and that He will use us for His glory and get the gospel out and make disciples of Christ.

The Family of God and Jesus’ View of Spiritual Kinship

So this time we are going to have some worship. This morning we are going to see the Lord Jesus' view of family. Now physical family is precious and we're related by blood. But spiritual family is so sweet because we are all members of God's family by the blood of Christ.

And are therefore connected to true believers in Christ by the grace of God. Now you may not have grown up in a good family or you grew up in a rough family or you may not have a family. But if you're Christ's child by faith, you're in God's family, the best family.

We can be encouraged this morning that we are Christ's children and that we are related to Christ and we are one with Christ and we are now part of His body, the church. So that whatever happens to us, not only is Christ aware of, but He will be working for us and protecting us and keeping us because we are connected to Jesus Christ and we're part of His body and what an encouragement this is.

And we're going to see also this morning that the true child of God, the mark of a true child of God is that He does the will of the Father and our desire is to do His will and finish His work. So we want to look this morning at the joy of being part of Christ's family, of the family of God.

Natural Brethren and Christ’s Concern for His Family

The first thing we want to look at is the natural brethren, natural brethren, verses 46 through 47. We'll read these verses, Matthew 12, 46 through 50. While he was still talking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and brothers stood outside seeking to speak with him.

Then one said to him, Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak with you. And he answered and said to the one who told him, Who is my mother and who are my brothers? And he stretched out his hands toward his disciples and said, Here are my mother and my brothers.

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. And so we're going to look at natural brethren or we may say natural family. I want to look at the concern of Christ's family, verses 46 and 47.

What we see here is Jesus was ministering to a big crowd, a multitude of people. He always had a lot of people that he was ministering to because he's the tender shepherd and people were attracted to him.

And so we see that in verse 36, it says, Well, he was still talking to the multitudes. And this is very significant. Here we see Jesus ministering to people. He was always ministering. Of course, he is the good shepherd who came to save his sheep.

And so he is ministering the gospel. And we see also in Mark chapter one, verse 38. I really like this. Our Lord Jesus said that his great purpose was to preach, that he came for that purpose to preach, to preach the gospel, to preach the kingdom of God to us.

And in here we see our Lord ministering and preaching and teaching and seeking that men and women would come to the to him and to salvation. And what a great example this is for us as as believers and part of his church in that we are to minister.

We are always to minister. We are to seek to win people for Christ. And we are to seek to build them up in Christ. And that is the very purpose of our church. So we have the great privilege of serving God with the gifts that he has given us.

And notice it says in verse 46, Behold, that word behold in the Greek comes from the word to see. And it has the idea of something that is seen or the focus is suddenly on something that is seen. And so what we see now is the focus is on Christ's mother and his brothers came, came to where Christ was preaching, came to this big crowd.

And and they came thinking, wow, we we have a priority with Christ because we are his family. But what we're going to see here is that that Jesus was completely consumed in doing the will of God and doing God's work and ministering to the people.

And notice something. Why did they come? What was their concern? Well, if we look at Mark three, verse 21, if you want to turn there, we can see what their concern was. Mark three, verse 21 says here,.

But when his own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of him, for they said he's out of his mind. They thought that he was out of his mind and they wanted to grab him and save him from himself because they thought he was going to wear himself out and he was going to extremes.

So we got to save him and remember his brothers as well. As we read in John, chapter seven, verse five, they didn't even believe in him until after he was resurrected from the dead. So his parents came with a familial concern for Jesus, thinking that he was going to an extreme.

And they thought he was out of his mind. And so that is the reason why they came. Now, there were so many people that they couldn't get through. There's such a big crowd. So they stood on the outside of this crowd seeking to get in to our Lord.

And what we see in verse number 47 is then one said to him, Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak with you. And what is really interesting here is we see that his mother and his brothers were there.

Now, Jesus had brothers and he had sisters. We see that in Mark 13, verses 55 and 56, Mark chapter six, verse three, that our Lord had other siblings after he was born. So Mary had other children. So that really debunks the teaching of the perpetual virginity of Mary.

So we see his brothers and sisters there. And we see that really the big thing that our Lord is going to teach us is that true family is not just our physical family, though our physical family is a very great gift, but true family is spiritual family.

OK, knowing Christ and being saved because you can have a brother or sister who is not saved and not a believer. They're part of your physical family, but sadly, they're not part of your spiritual family.

But if they know Christ, then they are now part of your spiritual family. And what a blessing that is to have like a brother that's not only your physical brother, but he's your spiritual brother. And there's another thing that we want to look at here is that when we're talking about salvation, we're not talking about the fact that there's anything about privilege involved in that.

In other words, the family background, even if we come from a really good family background or the racial heritage we have or cultural heritage that we have, that can't save us. All of us have to come to Christ for salvation, and we all have to go the same way.

And that's through the cross. So Jesus Christ supersedes race, cultural inheritance and all those things. So Mary herself, even though she had great privilege of being the mother of our Lord, she was also a sinner like all of us, and she needed to get saved herself.

And she said in Luke 1 .47, my soul exalts in God, my Savior. She herself trusted in Christ as her Savior. So Galatians 3, verses 26 through 28, let's look at those verses that show us that Christ is the main thing, that the way we get saved is through Jesus Christ, and we are all one in Christ.

So we look at Galatians 3, verse 26. For you are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ. See that? That's how we get saved. That's how we become children of God. It's by faith in Jesus Christ in Him alone.

It's not by any kind of religious heritage we have or any kind of upbringing, special upbringing that we have or any privileges like that. We all are sinners and we all have to come and put our faith in Jesus Christ so that we then become children of God.

And so it says in verse 27, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek. There is neither slave nor free. There is neither male nor female. For all, you are all one in Christ.

And so we see that gender, even gender, male or female, or cultural identity, or racial identity, Jew or Greek, or societal status is not the important thing. The important thing is Christ and Christ supersedes those things.

And we're all one in Christ. So that's important to realize. So we've looked at the natural brethren. We want to look at the spiritual brethren. Verses 48 and 49. Going back to Matthew chapter 12, verses 48 and 49.

Spiritual Brethren and the New Birth

We see the question in verse 48. But he answered and said to the one who told him, who is my mother and who are my brothers? And here our Lord answers the one who told him that his mother and brothers were there.

And he asked a good question, a very important question for all of us to understand. What does it mean to be a child of God? Who is part of the true family of God? And that's the important question. We look at Ephesians 2 verse 8 and it says, By grace you are saved through faith, not of yourselves.

It's a gift of God. And we see salvation is totally by grace through faith. It's a gift. And we become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. So in John chapter 1 verses 11, 12 and 13. John chapter 1, 12 and 13.

We see that we need salvation when we believe on Christ. We then become children of God and we're born again. And this is not the natural birth of blood, but it's a spiritual birth. It's a second birth.

It says here, but as many as received him to them, he gave the right to become children of God. To those who believe in his name who were born, not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.

And notice verse 12. We see that receive is equal to believe. We talk about receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior. How do we do that? We do that by believing on him. And then when we do, we receive him.

And then we become the children of God. And we're born again, or we're born from above. I like to say it this way. We all are born the first time physically, but not everybody is born again the second time spiritually.

The way we're born again is through faith in Jesus Christ. So in other words, God has created all of us, praise God, as people. But not everybody is a child of God. Those who are children of God are those who are children of God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

And becoming born again. And now knowing God, let me ask you this morning. Are you born again? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Are you a child of God? Now if you are, you're part of the family of God.

And that is a big, big blessing. So let's go back to Matthew 11. So the question Jesus is asking basically when he says, who is my mother and who are my brothers? He's basically asking, who are the true children of God?

Who is a child of God? Or who is part of the family of God? Good question. And then he answers that question, verse 49, by stretching forth his hands towards his disciples. So he's basically saying, they are members of the family of God.

True members of the family of God. Now this verse is very pivotal in this gospel. Because what it is showing is it's making a contrast. Jesus came to minister to the Jews and seek and save the Jews. But they didn't receive him.

And now at this point, they were going against him. They wanted to kill him. And so Jesus is saying now. Now my people, the true children of God, are not those outwardly, Jews outwardly. But they are those inwardly.

Those who know me. Jews or Gentiles who have put their faith in me. And they are now the true children of God. Ephesians chapter 2 says it really well. That Jesus Christ redeems Jew and Gentile. And he's made them one new man.

That's the church. And so that's the true family of God. God's spiritual body made up of redeemed people. Redeemed Jews and Gentiles. And what he's saying here, those are the true children of God. Not just religious outwardly.

But truly regenerated inwardly. I like that. I hope you are a child of God. And you are rejoicing in that. We live in a world that's very difficult. That's full of trials. We're going through a big trial now.

A big crisis with the virus. And being Christ's child and being part of his family is something that gives us great joy. Because we know that we can never lose our salvation. And we can never be separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So I hope that you are encouraged this morning. As a child of God. Knowing that you are intimately connected with Jesus Christ. And he will protect you. He will protect me. And he is Lord of his church.

And so what a great encouragement that is. And so we've seen the natural brethren, the spiritual brethren. Now we see true brethren. Verse 50. Christ's spiritual family. And now he goes on to tell us who are the true brethren.

Or the true family of God. What marks them off? What are their marks? And this is so key. And so important for us to understand. Because we live in a day where Christianity is very loose. Superficial.

People are very superficial. Spiritually. But if we really know Christ, what should mark us is a deep desire to be like Jesus Christ. A deep desire to be obedient to Christ. And to be obedient to the word of God.

So Jesus Christ says here that the true mark of a real believer. Or person who is a member of God's family. Is obedience to the will of God. One who does the will of God. So the proof is in the pudding, right?

For whoever does the will of my father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. Obedience to Jesus Christ will show that you really have the grace of God in your life, in your heart. In other words, the fruit of a life of grace is obedience to God's will and God's word.

Talk is cheap. We can talk up a storm, say we're Christians. But in the bottom line, it's going to be seen in our lives. It's going to be seen in our priorities. What we do is going to also be seen in seeking to live a holy life.

Look at 1st John 3, verse 24. 1st John 3, 24. Now he who keeps his commandments. Notice that emphasis. Keeps his commandments. Abides in him. Or lives in Christ. And he in him. And by this we know that he abides in us by the spirit whom he has given us.

So in other words, what John is telling us here is that the mark of a truly born again believer is obedience to the commandments. That he keeps the commandments of God. And that shows that he is truly abiding in Christ.

And that the spirit of God lives within him. Praise God. See as believers in Jesus Christ, he is the vine and we are the branches. So we derive fruit and our very life through him. And we produce fruit through him.

And by the Holy Spirit working in us. That's spiritual fruit. So if we're really a believer and we're really growing in Christ, we should be manifesting the fruits of the spirit. And we should be showing forth obedience to God and his word.

That should be the desire of our lives. Now, before I was a believer, obviously I didn't know God. So he wasn't the desire of my life. But when I came to know Jesus Christ, I had a deep longing and a deep love for the word of God.

I couldn't get enough of it. Whereas before I knew Christ, the Bible was just a book on a shelf getting dusty. But when I trusted Christ and became a new creature in Christ, the word of God was like my milk.

And I couldn't get enough of it. And that's the fruit. That's a fruit of a truly regenerated life. You now are going to desire God. You're now going to desire greater holiness. You're going to desire the word of God.

I would encourage you and even myself. Get into the word of God. Study the word of God. And seek to practice it and be obedient to the word of God. And you'll find great blessing in that. Because that is really the proof of a true believer.

So look at 1 John 5, 2 and 3. 1 John 5, 2 and 3. It says it again very clearly. By this we know that we love the children of God. When we love God and do what? Keep His commandments. See that? And for this is the love of God.

That we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome or grievous. You know something? This is what I found. To walk with God is a joy. There's nothing greater. And to follow God. And to serve God.

And to do His will. It's not grievous. It's joyous. It's a joy, isn't it? So if we really know God. We are going to be obedient to Him. Not because God is holding down our heads and saying, You've got to do this, you've got to do that.

But because we love Him. I used to give this graphic illustration. I'll give it again. With my wife, she wants me to love her. Out of my own free will. Because I want to. That's true love. So she's not going to say to me.

Or I'm not going to say to her. Honey, you have to love me. And point a gun at her head and say, You've got to love me. That should be something that comes out of her heart. And if we're truly born again.

We now have the love of God. The love of Christ is now poured out in our hearts. And we should, we freely. Should be keeping God's commandments. Not out of compulsion. But out of obedience. Out of love.

So. Our Lord says that. You know, what is very startling to me. As we turn to Matthew 7. Verses 21 through 23. And this is a good illustration. Of the fact that. Is obedience. To the will of God. Jesus is showing people.

Who look like believers. In fact, they were doing so-called. Miracles. Verse 22. Says that they were even calling him Lord. They were saying, Lord, Lord. And they were saying, basically, look at me. Look at me.

I prophesied in your name. And they were prophesying in the name. I cast out demons in your name. I did many wonders in your name. And this is startling. Our Lord's answer. Then I will declare to them.

I never knew you. Why? You were not real true believers. Depart from me. You who practice lawlessness. Because the fruit of your life. Is not obedience to the will of God. But it's lawlessness. You're living for unrighteousness.

Yourself. Isn't that something? And so. We see that you can be religious. But not truly regenerated. And don't follow people. Who are saying, I did this miracle. I did that miracle. Don't follow after miracles.

And feelings. And everything like this. Follow Christ. And follow only those who are following Christ. And live your life. Not by experience. But by the word of God. And judge everything. By the word of God.

And seek to live by the word of God. And do the will of God. That is the important thing. I like what our Lord said. In John 4 .34. Let's turn there. John 4 .34. John 4 .34. Jesus said to them. My food.

Is to do the will of him who sent me. And to finish his work. King James says, my meat. Is to do the will of him who sent me. And to finish his work. What a wonderful verse. Jesus is saying. My meat. Or the thing.

That makes me tick. The very desire of my being. And my life. Is to do the will of the father. Of him who sent me. And to finish his work. Wow. He is our example. Our Lord lived to do the will of the father.

And did it perfectly. Because he is God. And without sin. He always pleased God. And we as believers. Are to live for the will of God. And to finish his work. Do you know that if you are a believer. You have a work to do.

You have a race to run. You are running a race. And you and I should seek to be faithful. God has ministry for you. He has things for you to do. You are to be faithful not only at church. At home. On your job.

And you are to do the will of God. And that should be your greatest desire. Above everything else. Like our Lord. Is not only to do God's will. But to finish it. Now it's one thing. To do his will. But it's a whole other thing.

To finish it. It's one thing to start the race. And it's another thing to finish the race. And the only way we can be faithful. The way I see it. In the Christian life. As we run this Christian race. Is by the grace of God.

And we all need to ask God. Help me to be faithful to you. And to do your will. And to be faithful in what you call me to do. And of course. As a believer. Now. The will of God. Is the most important thing.

In my life. And I want to do the will of God. But I notice. That in my flesh. And the corruption of my heart. It's so easy for me to slip. And not do the will of God. Thank God for the grace of God. Right?

So what I'm trying to say. Is my desire is to do the will of God. Even though I don't always do it. The way I should. But that should be. Our great desire. As believers. Not only to do the will of God.

But to finish. His work. The work that God has given. You and I to do. And so. I think it's really interesting. Because what Jesus is doing. Is he's comparing. True believers. Who are in the family of God.

With those. Who look like they were. And weren't. And that goes back to verses. 43 through 45. Of Matthew 12. And these verses speak. Of the person who is without Christ. And he could be religious. And he's seeking to reform himself.

Which never works. And he doesn't have the Holy Spirit. And that's fruitless. We read in that verse. That that's fruitless. Seeking to just reform yourself. And that opens us up. To the devil. You know.

And so he's comparing. That kind of person. Who doesn't have spiritual fruit. And is not doing the will of God. From the heart. To the true believer. Who now. Knows God from the heart. Through Jesus Christ.

And now does the will of God. From the heart. And it's part of his or her. So. That's so important. The great joy. Of life. Is knowing God. And being a child of God. And I hope that is your great joy.

In life. That's where our security. Lies in an insecure world. That is. The greatest gift. And we can be thankful for that. Now if we are his. We will never be separated. From him. And his love. And he will keep us.

And protect us by his love and grace. Praise God. Isn't that great? And especially now. In a world. That's topsy-turvy. And causing us all. A lot of frustration right now. With this virus. We know that we are.

God's children. And we are in. Christ's hand. And nobody or nothing. Will ever take us out. Of his hands. And we will never lose his love. And his intimately. Concern about us. And he loves us so much.

Because we are. Connected to him. We are. One. With Christ. So when we hurt. He hurts. Anything that comes into our life. Comes through God. And that is our comfort. We might get afraid. Our lives might seem like.

They're just. Falling apart. But we can be encouraged. That every part. Of our life. Is in the hands of God. And under the concern. Of our savior. Whose body. We are a part. We are intimately. Connected to Jesus Christ.

That's what we see this morning. We no longer live for ourselves. But for Christ. In the will of the father. This. Is great comfort. And blessing. How blessed we are. To be a part. Of the family of God.

I hope you can say that. This morning. We are going to have. Our closing benediction. Then our closing song. Let's close with a word of prayer. Dear heavenly father. Thank you for the blessing. Of knowing Christ.

The blessing of being part. Of Christ's body. Church. Being a part. Of the family of God. And we thank you that. We are now. Objects. Of great concern. And love. Of the savior. And in that. We rejoice.

And can find peace. I would pray. This morning. That if there's anyone. Who is not a child of God. Who has not been saved. And cleansed by the blood of Christ. That they would come to you. This morning and receive salvation.

And become your child. And live by your grace. And those of us who are your children. I pray that we could. Live by grace. And we could. Produce fruits of grace. Through your spirit. That we would be.

Obedient to your will. We would be obedient to your word. And that you will. Use us. Use us as individuals. And as a church. Bless each and everyone. That is. Listening to this. This morning. And watching.

And ask that you will. Use us. In our lives. To be a blessing. To others. And to get. The word of God out. And also. Help us Lord. To. Also. Bear. Much fruit for you. And we ask this. In Jesus name. Amen.