Our Identity | Randy Frazee | I 💙 My Church

I 💙 My Church 2020

Aug 9

Written By Randy Frazee

Going Deeper

Why do you think there is not one functional family mentioned in the Bible, even Jesus’ family? What do you think is the root cause?
Ephesians 2:14-19 tells us Jesus’ vision was to start a new family rooted in his work on the cross. How does this help to remedy the problem?
Share your story on when you said yes to God’s family!
The challenge issued was “don’t go it alone”. How are you doing with this challenge?

Teaching Notes

Identity – Who am I?

Ubuntu: “We are, therefore I am”

The Problem – Families are Dysfunctional

“He is out of his mind.”
Mark 3:21

The Solution – Jesus came to start a new family

Therefore, remember that formerly  you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:11-13

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Ephesians 3:14-18

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household…
Ephesians 3:19

The word “Church” is derived from the Dutch word kerk and German word kirche.
These words find their link to the medieval Greek word kurikon which means “Lord’s House”.

Ekklesia – A new community “called out” to live a distinctly different life. (Matthew 16:18)

The Body of Christ – A new community that represents the presence of Christ on earth. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

The Temple of God – A new community that becomes the new temple where God dwells. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

The Bride of Christ – A new community that restores of the image of God in us. (Ephesians 5:21-33)

The Family of God – This new community is a new family where a healthy identity emerges. (Hebrews 2:11)

Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. (Hebrews 2:11)

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!
1 John 3:1

An Invitation - Come into God’s Family

A Challenge - Don’t go it alone

 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25

A declaration: Who are we? – We are God’s Family!