Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The Promises of the Lord Jesus

a) They are found in His teachings

b) They are meant to help us discover an abundant life

2. The Teachings of the Lord Jesus cover many topics

a) About God as our Father

b) About Salvation

c) About the Lord Jesus Christ

d) About the Spirit of God

e) About the New and Abundant Life we have in the Lord

THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. He had a very Busy Ministry

a) He travelled all around Galilee

b) He travelled to Jerusalem

c) He would also visit Samaria

2. The Earthly Family of the Lord Jesus

a) His father was Joseph   (Matthew 1-2)

b) His mother was Mary

c) He had brothers   (Mark 3:31; Matthew 12:48; Luke 8:20)

d) There were four
(James, Joses, Judas and Simon)   (Mark 6:3)

e) He had sisters   (Mark 6:3)

ON ONE OCCASION

1. The Lord Jesus was in a house, teaching   (Matthew 12:46a)

2. His mother and His brothers were outside   (Matthew 12:46b)

3. One person said to Him

“Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside,
Seeking to speak to You”   Matthew 12:47

THE RESPONSE OF THE LORD JESUS

1. A Question was posed by the Lord Jesus

“Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”   Matthew 12:48

a) A common understanding
The biological family

b) This is not the full answer

2. The Answer given by the Lord Jesus

“And He stretched out His hand towards His disciples
And said,
‘Here are My mother and My brothers’ ”   Matthew 12:49

a) The Lord Jesus honoured true disciples

b) He regarded all true believers as family

3. The Application of this Truth

“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven
Is My brother and sister and mother”   Matthew 12:50

a) Those who do the will of God the Father

b) They are regarded with respect and honour

c) This was a wonderful teaching of the Lord Jesus

THE FAMILY OF GOD

1. We are so blessed and privileged to be called “Children of God”   (John 1:12)

a) Through faith in the Lord Jesus

b) By the authority of the Lord Jesus

c) We are called the children of God

d) God is our Father in heaven

e) We pray to God as our Father in heaven   (Matthew 6:9)

2. We are to regard each other as Family

a) An older man is to be exhorted as a father   (1 Timothy 5:1a)

b) A younger man as a brother   (1 Timothy 5:1b)

c) An older woman as a mother   (1 Timothy 5:2a)

a) A younger woman as a sister   (1 Timothy 5:2b)

THE CHALLENGE TO PRACTISE HAVING AN ABUNDANT LIFE

1. Doing the will of God the Father   (Matthew 12:50)

a) We are children of God by faith

b) We are to do the Will of God as His children

c) The Lord Jesus is our Great Example

2. The Practice of a Right Regard

a) The right regard for God… as Father

b) The right regard for each other

i) Father

ii) Mother

iii) Brother

iv) Sister

3. The Practice of being a Spiritual Family

a) As we have opportunity
Let us do good to all   (Galatians 6:10a)

c) Especially to those who are
of the household of faith   (Galatians 6:10b)

CONCLUSION

1. What a blessing to belong to God’s Family

2. Our challenge is to practise being good members of the Family of God