How BIG is your family?

Acts 17:26-29

May 2 – AM

Family Values

• “Family Values” has become a political term

• A shift in morals has changed our definition of the word – family

• Used to be “maw, paw, and the kids”• Today – emphasis on individual

– Families are not as close– Communities are not as close

• We need a wider sense of family

Nuclear Family

• The very basic unit of society

• This is the building block for all other relationships

• It was never meant to stand alone

• We must belong to something bigger

Extended Family

• The extended family is larger– In-laws, aunts, uncles– Cousins, grandparents– Great-grandparents– All those who show up at a

family reunion

• When you marry – your extended family doubles in size

Neighborhood / Community

• Christians sometimes feel isolated – us vs. them

• We often isolate ourselves• We live in a community• We are all the offspring of

God• We are in this world

– Its problems– Its blessings

Neighborhood / Community

• We are to be a “light” to the world around us

• Unity is desirable– We are all from God– Acts 17:28 - for in Him we

live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’

Neighborhood / Community

• We are to be a “light” to the world around us

• Unity is desirable– We are all from God– God wants us to reconcile– 1 Timothy 4:10 - For to this end

we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

Neighborhood / Community

• We are to be a “light” to the world around us

• Unity is desirable– We are all from God– God wants us to reconcile– Do good to all men– Galatians 6:10 - Therefore, as we

have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Keep a World View

• News of an explosion in India, an earthquake in Iran, a famine in Malawi

• The size of your family measures the size of your faith

• This church –– Medical mission trips to Panama– Famine relief in Malawi– Local help with rent, utilities, food

Best of All

• Family of God– Godhead - Trinity– Church – all races, languages,

political views

• Revelation 7:9 - After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Best of All

• Resources to help1. Community

2. Compassion

3. Reasonability

4. Commitment

5. Challenge

• Which is most important?

– Compassion– Community

Best of All

• What will draw people to this church?

– Compassion – sense of caring

– Community – sense of belonging

• How big is your family?– Today you can become

part of the growing family of God