March 1st, 2021
By Bill Yerkes
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:14-17
As a family, St John’s has recently experienced an extended time of grieving. It seems since March of 2020, we have gathered several times to celebrate the life of one of our brothers or sisters. As difficult as these times have been, they have truly been times of celebration in the midst of death. Fond memories and great times of fellowship represent their legacies left behind. And as we share these times together, through laughter and tears, we are celebrating the gift of being part of God’s family.
Sometimes I think we take for granted what it means to be children of God, and “co-heirs with Christ.” We are who we are because of the leading of the Spirit first. The Holy Spirit moved within us to a place where we could willingly accept Christ as our Savior. The Holy Spirit moved within us to a place where we could understand our need for God, and our need to be led by His Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit moved within us to a place where we could call one another brother and sister, and share a bond only true believers could ever understand. The Holy Spirit has led us to a place where we can say we are family.
Mike shared Romans as part of his message this past Sunday. This passage references the familial aspect of our connection with Christ. Jesus is the bond holding us together as we share in His sufferings and ultimately in His glory. We do life together with the hope and understanding our death is simply a transition into eternal life. When we say goodbye, we understand our family will be reunited in the kingdom, because His family will be together forever.
“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
1 Corinthians 15:57
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:14-17
As a family, St John’s has recently experienced an extended time of grieving. It seems since March of 2020, we have gathered several times to celebrate the life of one of our brothers or sisters. As difficult as these times have been, they have truly been times of celebration in the midst of death. Fond memories and great times of fellowship represent their legacies left behind. And as we share these times together, through laughter and tears, we are celebrating the gift of being part of God’s family.
Sometimes I think we take for granted what it means to be children of God, and “co-heirs with Christ.” We are who we are because of the leading of the Spirit first. The Holy Spirit moved within us to a place where we could willingly accept Christ as our Savior. The Holy Spirit moved within us to a place where we could understand our need for God, and our need to be led by His Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit moved within us to a place where we could call one another brother and sister, and share a bond only true believers could ever understand. The Holy Spirit has led us to a place where we can say we are family.
Mike shared Romans as part of his message this past Sunday. This passage references the familial aspect of our connection with Christ. Jesus is the bond holding us together as we share in His sufferings and ultimately in His glory. We do life together with the hope and understanding our death is simply a transition into eternal life. When we say goodbye, we understand our family will be reunited in the kingdom, because His family will be together forever.
“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
1 Corinthians 15:57
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