God's Forever Family

[Note: this sermon is not officially part of the series, but still fits well here. It was preached on the Sunday of the Family Day long weekend in Alberta]

What was your family like growing up? We all have memories - some good, some not so good - of our families. Under the best circumstances, family shapes our identity, our sense of belonging, and our perception of life in general. The Bible often pictures God as father. The New Testament calls Christians' God's children and the church God's family or household. Based on Romans 8:14-17, this sermon asks and answers the following questions:

• what are we without Christ? 
• how do we join God's family?
• are there benefits of joining God's family?
• Are there responsibilities when one joins God's family?

Being part of God's family leads us to live transformed which is simply collaborating with the Holy Spirit so we live a life that reflects the character of our heavenly Father and the likeness of our big brother. The sermon concludes with four action points.