05/11/03 - "Formed for God's Family" - by Pastor Debbie Baker

We are in the third week of our 40 Days of Purpose program. Last week, we discovered our first purpose in life and that is that we were made for God's Pleasure.

Heb 2:10 God wanted a family/children. Eph 1:5 God is building a family for eternity. What are we leaving behind to become part of God's family? Nothing. Everything is dull in comparison to Jesus.

1 Pe 2:17 Love the family of believers. Jesus, in us, enables us to do this. Love, react and respond God's way. There are three reasons why:

1. God is love.
2. God wants His children to get along.
3. It is practice for eternity

Fellowship = loving God's family. 1 Jn 4:21 ...those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

Three levels of fellowship:

1. Membership - choosing to belong. Eph 2:19
2. Friendship - learning to share experiences/problems. Heb 10:25 - encourage others.
3. Partnership - Eph 4:16 Whole body fitted together perfectly.