In God’s family
Rev. Don Barb - Hartford and Neosho Rapids, United Methodist Churches
Originally published 02:13 p.m., April 18, 2008
Updated 02:13 p.m., April 18, 2008
Scripture: I Peter 2:9-10
Hello God’s people: do you know you belong?
“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
I Peter 2:9
I know a man, recently deceased, who never traveled outside the county where he was born. He lived and died on the farm where his parents lived. He attended the local rural school, and went to high school in a small town nearby. He was saved, baptized, joined and was buried in a church three miles from his home. There, his extended family were all the things the Apostle Peter mentions above. He knew who he was, what he was and where he was going! He belonged.
This is not an original story — it was once printed in Reader’s Digest. A little first-grade boy asked his parents where he came from. They discussed the question and decided to tell him the facts of life even though he was very young. After a thorough presentation on the birds and bees, they asked him if he had any questions. He said they still had not answered his question. “My friend Johnny says he’s from Ohio. Where am I from?” Do we hear the real question? “Who am I? What am I? Do I belong anywhere? Does anyone care about me?”
We live in a mobile, fragmented and impersonal world. Families change jobs, move frequently, change churches or not, and are scattered around the world. Many feel alienated, alone and worthless. Oh, to be somebody who belongs! These negatives can be changed to positives. It depends not on who we are, or where we are, but whose we are.
A child of God knows he is a chosen race: not black, white, yellow, brown or red; but one of the human race whom God loves. We are a child of God, a royal priesthood. We have a personal relationship with God. We live with him and talk with him daily. His beloved son, Jesus Christ, is not only our closest friend, but our Savior and Lord. We are a holy nation: not Americans, Chinese or African, but God’s chosen people. He has chosen you. Why not complete the belonging process and choose Him?
God’s own people: Hello, my brothers and sisters — let’s give each other a hug. Now we can say, “You belong to God, and you belong to me and I belong to you.” We are not alone any longer. We have the opportunity to share the wonderful deeds of God. He can do for anyone what he has done for everyone.
“Once you were no people, but now you are God’s people. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
I Peter 2:10.
Let’s proclaim and live his wonderful deeds. God calls us out of darkness so we can see his light and feel his love! He is our father and Christ is our elder brother. We are family; and you are priceless.
F “Sunday Sermon” is a forum for Emporia area ministers to share their sermons, thoughts and observations. This week’s sermon is from the Rev. Don Barb of the of the Hartford and Neosho Rapids United Methodist Churches