Abounding Grace: Belonging, God's Family

Sunday, we’ll continue our series, “Belonging,” by considering the goal of God’s Covenant of Grace, family. From the beginning of creation, God has been building a family of his image-bearers. Initially, Adam and Eve were created to “be fruitful and multiply” filling the earth with God’s likeness who worship, serve, and glorify him. That fundamental concept is carried through the entire Old Testament, ending in Malachi, where God challenges the broken marriages of his people, asking them to consider God’s objective for their lawful marriage, saying, “And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring.” (Mal. 2:15) This theme is carried forward in the New Testament with familial (family) statements from God toward his people. Consider what John says, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1)

Here's the assertion, God’s ongoing mission is the creation of a family of image-bearers who enjoy and engage with him forever. When Adam and Eve failed to produce a godly offspring, God was prepared to send his Son, the Image of whom became an Image-bearer, to build out his family. His family is not centered on an ethnic clan from Abraham, but on all who believe on the Offspring promised to him. In the Apostle Paul’s words, “if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:29)

Join us as we consider this beautiful teaching of God’s family and our inclusion by adoption in Christ.