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The Family You Have Been Promised

Matthew 12:50 Matthew 23:8-11

Mark 10:28-31

The Lord Promised us a Large Spiritual Family• The promise is to be fulfilled in this lifetime

(Mark 10:28-31; Luke 18:19-30)• We have also been promised hostility from

our earthly families & persecution from the world. (Matthew 10:36; 2 Timothy 3:12)• But the promise of a large spiritual family is

fulfilled in fellow Christians.

The Behavior of FamiliesFamilies…• Provide teaching and guidance from God’s

word. (Deut. 4:9-10; 6:7-9; Titus 2:1-5)• Tell us what we need to hear (1 Tim. 5:1-2)• Show honor & loyalty to one another

(Romans 12:10)• Bear each other’s burdens

(Galatians 6:1-2, 10; Proverbs 17:17)• Provide for one another’s needs

(1 Timothy 5:8; James 2:15-17)

In order to function, families must…

• Spend time together (Acts 2:44, 46)• Communicate • Be patient and longsuffering

(1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2:7; Colossians 1:11)• Endure and forbear (1 Corinthians 13:7; 1:10;

Revelation 3:1-5; Philippians 4:2-3)

May Love Reign in our Family at Eastside!

1 Peter 2:17 commands,

“Love the brotherhood”