A Prayer for Family

Ephesians 3:14-19

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

This week we’ve been reading from God’s word about family. We looked at who Jesus considered His family, how He took care of His family and how we are so blessed to be a part of the family of God when we accept His gift freely given. 

Take time this morning to pray, focusing specifically on family. 

Pray for your immediate family. 

Pray for your extended family. 

Pray for your church family.

And be sure to join your Belmont family tomorrow in worship! 

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“Children and Heirs”

Romans 8:17

“and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

I remember as a young boy singing in church, “I’m so glad, I’m a part of the family of God…” There was comfort in knowing that I was a part of something so much larger than I could imagine, not just in my church but throughout history. I was a part of this wonderful family with God as my Father and Jesus as my brother. Knowing this gave my life so much more meaning, and I understood even back then that family not only carried the benefit, but the responsibility. 
 
Paul encouraged the believers going through persecution that part of being in God’s family, was identifying with Christ as co-heirs. Just as Christ suffered, they would suffer, but they would also take part in His future glory. Paul was referencing the Roman law that gave adopted children total equality with those born into the family. They would have the same name, the same priveleges, and an equal inheritence. 
 
God offers us a place in His family, to be fully adopted as His sons and daughters, and there is no end to all that such a gift entails. Family encourages, supports, protects and sacrifices for each other. But the fullness we are given by being a part of His family in this life is only a glimpse of what awaits us in eternity. 
 
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions: 
  • Have you experienced suffering becuase of your faith? 
  • What are some of the benefits of being adopted into God’s family? Write in the comments below. 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Jon Price, Associate Pastor

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“Happy to Help”

John 19:26-31

“When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.”

Jesus’ death on the cross itself was a selfless act. But, more amazing is that every moment while on the cross was selfless. He prayed for the soldiers that nailed his hands and feet to be forgiven. He spoke forgiveness to the thief hanging next to him. Then, Jesus, in unimaginable pain, took the time to care for His mother.

We do not know why his siblings were absent from this responsibility and we are not their judges. Yet, we do know that Jesus had a responsibility and He handed that responsibility over to John. What makes this moment so powerful is that while John substituted for Jesus’ responsibility to His mother, Jesus substituted for John’s sin on the cross. What a trade!

Think about this, Jesus needed John, because John needed Jesus. John substituted for Jesus because Jesus substituted for John. Our work for Him is a direct result of His work for us. We are His hands and feet because His were pierced for us.

Jesus’ command to serve Him is not an empty request. He already substituted for our sin to give us forgiveness and freedom. So, whatever He commands is the least we can do for Him.

The result is that our work for Him should be in gratitude for His work for us. As I walk in the newness of life, may my prayer always be, “Jesus, what can I do for you, for what you have done for me?”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions: 
  • How will you be Jesus’ hands and feet today? 
  • Take some time to meditate on the substitution Jesus made for us. 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Pastor Stephen Williams

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“Think Bigger”

Mark 3:31-35

“And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

We all have a deep desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves. People crave a safe, honest, and genuine community and are willing to go anywhere to find it. Still, we don’t have to go far to find people that are hurting and lonely. They can be found in our families, among our friends, and neighbors, and make up a big population of the world around us. And honestly, we’ve all felt this way at one time or another. 
 
The struggle comes when people search for community in dangerous places. What I mean by dangerous is communities that take more than they give. These communities can foster a culture of shame and guilt. They can create hate and push partiality. Such communities leave you hopeless and feeling unworthy. Communities like that will lead you to death. 
 
The beautiful thing about Jesus Christ is that he wants to adopt you into his family. Jesus’ family is filled with hope, peace, truth, and value. To be in Jesus’ family is to be greatly blessed. Jesus wants to give us abundant life each day of our lives. 
 
The crowd that was with Jesus told him his family was outside wanting him. His response should bring us hope and peace. He said, “For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” All we must do is say ‘yes’ to Jesus through confessing that we are sinners. We must follow him as Lord and Savior. From that point on, we will always be in an eternal family! 
 
While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What was your family like growing up? 
  • How has your faith family exemplified what being in Jesus’ family should be? 
  • How can you bring (and be) this family to others? 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Macon Jones – Student and Young Adult Pastor

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“He’s nothing special, I grew up with him”

Mark 6:3-6

“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. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.

And he went about among the villages teaching.”

It’s been said that familiarity breeds contempt. And it’s for this reason that often the hardest people to reach for the gospel are the ones that we’re closest to. Of course, in our case, it’s usually because we give our friends and family plenty of reason to discount our message. They know where all the bodies are buried. 

But with Jesus it was different. He had given no cause for people to discount or doubt him other than the fact that they knew his family and where he came from. How sad it is to think of what these people missed out on. They had the singular privilege of watching the promised Messiah grow up among them. Their unwillingness to consider such a possibility even limited what Jesus could do in their town! 

Think of that! Our unwillingness to see God working outside of our expectations limits the most powerful being in the universe. God will not force Himself on those who are willfully blind to Him. Jesus marveled at their unbelief… and moved on. 

Use the HEAR method as you spend time on today’s passage

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Jon Price, Associate Pastor

 

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“More than Meets the Eye – Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus”

Matthew 1:1-17

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.”

Today as we begin our journey into the gospels, read this amazing article on Matthew’s use of genealogy to say some pretty incredible things about Jesus. This passage is usually one that people skip over, but the Bible Project authors pull out some things that you’ve probably never heard before. AND, there’s also a video synopsis of the first part of the book of Matthew. Enjoy!

While using the HEAR method with today’s passage consider the following question: 
  • What did you learn today about Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus? 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?



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