Preparing for the Lord's Day
How do you know that you are a true member of the family? Growing up with two adopted brothers meant that I was faced with the meaning of belonging to a family. There was a time when my brothers were not members of our family. They were born with different parents. They lived in a different house. However, by God’s providence, these two boys were welcomed into our home first as guests (foster care) and eventually as family members (adoption). When they were legally adopted, they were given all the rights and privileges of any natural-born child. They were given our family name. They were put under the protection of my parents. They were included in the life and traditions of our family. Yet it has not always come easy for them to feel as though they are true members of the family. There is a continual voice that says they are different that they do not belong.
The Gentile Christians in Galatia may have been feeling the same tension. They had been accepted into the family of God by grace. They had received the Spirit as a seal of their acceptance into the family. However, they wanted something more to prove that they truly belonged, and circumcision seemed to be the right path. For was not circumcision the family symbol? Was not circumcision the sign that you belonged to the family of God?
In our passage for this Sunday Paul combats this line of thinking by demonstrating from Scripture that the true mark of the family was not circumcision but faith. And if we would have confidence in our acceptance into the family of God, we too must believe that we are not received by works of the law but rather through faith in Jesus Christ. To come prepared for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon Galatians 3:6-9, Genesis 12:3;15:6; 18:18, Romans 4, Hebrews 11:8-12, James 2:14-26, and WCF 11.6.
As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “All Creatures of Our God and King”, the Acclamation of Praise “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners” and the Hymn of Response “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”. Special music includes Offertory Anthem (8:00) "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" by Grayson Laughon (violin), and (11:00) "For the Beauty of the Earth" sung by New Song with Alyssa Babcock (piano).
Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
Text: Galatians 3:6-9
Title: Family Ties
Outline:
- Every Christian Must Know Abraham is a Father by Faith (verse 6)
- Every Christian Must Know Abraham's Sons are of Faith (verse 7)
- Every Christian Must Believe he is Abraham's Son by Faith (vv. 8-9)