Unity and Fellowship in God's Family

The speaker Mr. Albert Jones discusses the importance of unity and fellowship in God's family. He references King David and his understanding of God's love for his people. The speaker emphasizes that unity among believers is inspiring and pleasing to God. Albert also highlights Abraham's love and unity with his nephew and then turns to the book of Hebrews, emphasizing that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever and that believers should show brotherly love and hospitality to one another. Albert also encourages believers to pray for those who are suffering and to empathize with them. Lastly, he discusses the blessings and grace believers have received through Jesus Christ; emphasizing that God has chosen believers to be holy and blameless before him and that this is all done through his grace. So today, the message that I have selected to bring to you this Sabbath morning here in Michigan, I'm going to change the title just a little bit and use this title instead. It's Unity and Fellowship in God's Family. Unity and Fellowship in God's Family. We know King David was viewed and referred to as a man having a heart like God's. Many of the scriptures that are attributed to David convey God's sentiment about his family, about his way, about his passion and compassion for his people. And David, as king of Israel, representing God's people as their king, conveyed a number of those perspectives for us to be inspired by. To recognize David, a man, first of all, and we recognize that in this flesh we are we. And we do have our shortfalls. But God, through his grace and love and work within us, is conforming us, if you will, or molding us into his very image. So as a first scripture, I have you to turn to Psalm 133. And we'll just make that quick observation here from David's perspective, how God views the unification of his people when his people come together and how he views and appreciates that. Now, I will say to you that this year at the Feast of Tabernacles and for the last few years here, I have really taken note, if you will, of the unity of the brethren. When we are all there at the Feast of Tabernacles and God's spirit is in great supply amongst his people and we are there fellowshipping, extending true godly love to one another because God has given us his love and there it is being displayed, practiced, exemplified through our acts of love one to another, that it really is inspiring. And so this scripture then makes plenty of sense to me. When David wrote, was inspired to write by God himself. He writes in Psalm 133, Behold, observe, right? Look, take it in. How good and how pleasant it is for brethren, we, each of us, brethren, to dwell together in unity. And I don't care what corporate organization you might be a part of. If you have God's Holy Spirit dwelling within you and the spirit of Christ dwelling within you, you belong to them. You are theirs. So if you think it is cut off somehow, somehow shortened by your corporate affiliation, you're missing the point. But I hope that anyone that God has called, anyone that has God's spirit, anyone that's been granted forgiveness of sins and hope in Jesus Christ will understand that it is a relationship between us and our creator God and our father in heaven. He describes it this way. It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard of Aaron's beard, ran down upon the beard, Aaron's beard, that went down to the hem of his garments. And that's a lot of oil, brethren. It's a lot of oil. And God pours it out, pours it out from his throne upon us. Verse 3 then describes it even more eloquently. He says, it's like the dew of Hermon that descended upon the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even, brethren, life evermore. So this dwelling together is of a common hope, a common journey. And as Norbert said last night in his message, a common purpose that we're all tapped into, connected to through Christ. Abraham had an appreciation, if you will, for this relationship of unity and brotherhood and family. If you'll turn to Genesis, Genesis 13, when talking to his nephew and having this love for his nephew. If you remember, when his nephew was taken captive, he wasted no time assembling the three, the men to go after him. Against great armies and great odds, he knew that God would not stand for that. And Abraham acted. But here in this particular instance, he was nowhere selfish in any way. But his love was outgoing toward his nephew. In verse 8, Abraham said to Lot, and this is where their blessings had grown so much that they had to divide them out a little bit. And in verse 8, he says, Abraham said to Lot, let there be no strife, no strife, no argument, no division, if you will. I pray you, he says, between me and you. And this is the part that I want to emphasize. And between my husband and your husband, for we are brethren. We're brethren. We are on the same journey, brethren. We're on the same path, trying to get to the same place. Our hope is in Christ. As Norbert says, we're fighting this fight against the flesh. We're fighting this fight against the world. We're fighting this fight against Satan, the devil, who doesn't want us to make it. But God does. Let's go to Hebrews 13. Hebrews 13 now. And let's see what Christ inspired Paul to write. In Hebrews 13. And we'll start in verse 8. Hebrews 13. And verse 8. First of all, we want to establish this truth, that the same one who spoke and inspired David, who is exemplified through the love that he showed in Abraham, is the same Lord and God who came and died for us. And so he affirms so that we never forget that our Lord and Savior is Jesus Christ. In verse 8 of Hebrews 13. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This is the God that we serve. He is not a sometimey God. He is a consistent, loving, kind, patient, and caring God. He wants us, as his children, to be the same way. He wants us to have this love for one another that he and Christ are able to enjoy. And they came, they dwell in us, brethren, so that we can put that on. They really do. And let's go back to verse 1 of Hebrews 13 now. He says, let brotherly love be present among you continually. Now, this is not, like I said, just a holy day event. This is not, as I said, just a Sabbath event. We are a family, and we're a family every day of every year, every moment, every hour, every second. We are the children of God. We are begotten sons and daughters of God. And we need to recognize that always. We care for one another. We look after one another. And we pray for one another. Verse 2. He says, do not forget to show hospitality. If a brother come into our midst on the Sabbath, visiting our fellowship, then we embrace them as members of the family. You know, I've always wondered about this foot washing ceremony in the Old Testament, how valuable it was. When Abraham saw the strangers coming or the people coming there, he quickly went out and greeted them. He became a servant at that moment, doing what he did. The Bible tells us that we are to, you know, always show hospitality because, you know, unawaresly, we might be entertaining angels. Right here, as guests. Verse 2. So, let's read it. Do not forget to show hospitality, for by this, some have unknowingly welcomed angels as guests. Verse 3. Be mindful of our prisoners. He tells us those who might be suffering as a result of the word of God, those who might have been persecuted, as there were many in that day of the early church. He says, be mindful of them, pray for them, consider them as if you were imprisoned with them. Not above, not judging, but with compassion and understanding, praying that God would intervene for them and lift them up. He says, and think of those who are suffering afflictions, those who are going through some trials. Think of those. Let them be on your prayer list. We have a brother here in Michigan, and he is consistent in praying for the brother. Consistent. He puts that name on that list, and he doesn't take it off until we have reported God's intervening hand. And he's always inquiring. And he's an inspiration to us all because this is important from God's perspective. So be mindful of those who are suffering afflictions, verse 3. And the last part of that verse, as if you yourselves were in thereby. Now, that is an empathy, and that is a true outgoing concern of the greatest degree. And God is very much inspired of that. Let's inspire that in us. Let's go to Ephesians 1. Ephesians 1. And let's just kind of get an overall perspective here. And again, Norbert spoke about this last night in his message. But in Ephesians 1, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of the Father. Now, here are the two right here in this opening verse established to two greatest beings. The two greatest beings in the universe. Because the universe and everything else exists because of them. Now, they are addressing a message to who? To the saints that are in Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Now, that is the fellowship that we are a part of. Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly things with Christ. Do we understand our status before God? Do we understand his perspective of us? Who we are to him? How much we mean to him? And I know we want to have that same love toward him. Verse 4. According as he has personally, personally chosen us for himself. Again, I'm talking about the greatest being there is and that is the Father. Before the foundation of the world in order that we might be holy. And that's a holy people set apart for his use and purpose. And blameless before him. And here's the seasoning on top. In love. Having predestinated us for sonship to himself through Jesus Christ. According to the good pleasure of his own will. And as Norris said, you can add their purpose, his own will and purpose. To the praise of the glory of his grace. This incredible thing he's doing in our lives. Giving us access to all this that he gives us access to. Spiritual aspects of existence that we can tap into. Wherein he, matter part of verse 6. He has made us objects of his grace in the beloved son. In whom we have redemption through his blood. Even the remission of sins. The forgiveness of transgression brethren. The forgiveness of sins against God. According to the riches of his grace. Verse 9. Having made known to us the mystery of his own will. And because it is hidden from the majority of mankind right now. But it has been revealed to us. Again, matter part of verse 9. According to his good pleasure. Which he purposed in himself. Now, he defines it very clearly again through Paul. That in the divine plan. God's plan for mankind. The divine plan. For the fulfilling of the times. He might bring all things together in Christ. There is the root. There is the vine. There is the source. There is the foundation. There is the chief cornerstone. That this entire game plan. Or this entire plan is built on. Both the things in the heavens are going to come together in Christ. Both the things in the heavens. And the things upon the earth. So nothing in heaven. Or on this earth. Is going to happen unless God purposes it. For his purpose. For his will. That he might be to the praise. That we. That is those he has called. Might be to the praise of his glory. The first glory. Who first trusted in Christ. In whom you also trusted. After hearing the word of truth. Of the truth. The gospel of your salvation. And this is the gospel of salvation that I'm talking about here. And what Christ makes possible. In whom also after believing you were sealed. Sealed. With the Holy Spirit of promise. So here's a. Feeling of this promise. To God's spirit dwelling in us. An earnest. Of. Of God right there. The very. As I used. As I say. Just a teeny tiny little bit of God's. Existence if you will. In this fleshly body through the spirit of God. We don't have the full glory. That God will bring at the resurrection yet. It's coming. Rather. But we have the earnest. Verse 14. Which is the earnest. Of our inheritance. Until the redemption. Of the purchase possession. To the praise. Of his glory. So we have an incredible thing that we're looking forward to. And if you'll go to. Ephesians four now. Ephesians four. And now we're going to. Read the first six verses here in Ephesians. Four. He says, therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord. I'm exhorting you. To walk. Worthily. Of a calling to which you were called. So our walk should be an example, brethren. To the world. Our walk should be an example. In our communities and our jobs. Our walk should be an example. Very critical. In our very families. So they should see God's light. Don't. Ever. Cover it up to the extent that. You aren't. Able to express. This hope that's in you. If they ask. Let them know. And they might want to know that if you ask me about this whole bit within me. You need to have some time so that I can truly convey it to you. And I am willing to tell you about this great. Hope I have within me this joy that God has promised me. That is in his son. It is greater than just a feeling. Or some idea. Of eternity on a cloud. It is about life eternal. As a very. Born son. Or daughter of God. This is heavy stuff. This is. This is. Tremendous. Stuff that God has given to us. Words can't describe it. But let's go on here in verse two. So we were called to this. With all humility. Verse two. And meekness. Longsuffering. Burying one another in love. So this walk is worthy through those actions. And those are fruits of the spirit. Longsuffering. Is a big part of that. Love is a fruit of the spirit. In verse three. Being diligent. Applying ourselves. Yes. Every day. It's a way of life. It is something you do on occasion. It is something you live and exist in. It defines you. Because it defines God. God is love. We live in love. We live in righteousness. We aspire to righteousness. And we are righteous in Christ. And we're striving to live our lives like Christ. Again, being diligent to keep the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace. Verse three. He tells us there is one body. One spirit. Even as you were also called in one hope of your calling. So I'm talking about the church of God. I'm not talking about the corporate organization of Christian Biblical Church of God. Or United Church of God. Or Global Church of God. I am talking about the church of God. The called out ones. The ecclesia. Right? The great congregation of God. Those whom the Father identified by name. Tapped them on the shoulders spiritually. And offered them salvation. And they said yes. And now we're walking together. We don't talk down to one another. None of us have a corner. On all that is true. God is revealing truth to us. And in the end, no matter how much you have been given. In the way of knowledge and understanding. That will fade away. But the love of God is there. God's love is there. His calling is there. Verse 5. Here is our common existence and hope. And anyone that God has called. He wants to bring to the kingdom. Verse 5. There is one Lord. One faith. One baptism. One God and father of all. Who is over all. And through all. And in you all. But you see. Paul says in verse 7. Grace was given to each one of us. According to the measure of the gift of Christ. And for this very reason. And for this very reason. He says that after ascending on high. He led captivity captive. And gave gifts. Gifts to men. And we are recipients of those gifts. Eternal life. Salvation. Justification. Gifts. We can't earn those things. Christ had to come. And make that possible for us. So. We are truly a blessed people. Yes we are. Let's turn to Psalm 33. Psalm 33. I'm going to speed up a little bit here. For the sake of time. So Psalm 33. In verse 12. He says blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. And the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. Yes we are a blessed people. And he goes on to say. Verse 13. The Lord looks down from heaven. He beholds all the sons of men. His creation is down here. Every man woman and child that lives upon the face of the earth. Billions of human beings on this earth. God looks down upon the sons of men. From his dwelling place he looks intently upon all the inhabitants of the earth. God is aware. Nothing is being sneaked by him. He says together he fashions their hearts alike. We're all human fleshly beings. He considers all their works. He's a death God. He's consistent. He's no respecter of persons. Sin is sin. Righteousness is righteousness. Before God. And verse 16. The king is not saved by a great army. A mighty man is not delivered by much strength. A horse is a vain thing for safety. Neither shall they deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear him. Upon those who hope in his loving kindness. All of us are hoping in that. To deliver their soul from death. Yes, we know we have been saved. And we pray every day that we are being saved through our walk with God. And our hope is that we shall be saved at his return. As we continue in that faith and in that hope. So to deliver the soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord. He is our helper and our shield. So our heart shall rejoice in him because we have trusted in his holy name. Let your loving kindness, oh Lord, be upon us. According as we hope in you. And that's where our hope is as a body, as a church, and as a family. And so when we come together on the Sabbath or on the holy days. That hope is enriched. And it is truly magnified because we are dwelling together in unity. And that hope and everything else that God has laid out for us. Yes, we are God's sons and daughters. But we are not the only ones. Others will be called. So what is God doing in his family? What is God doing in his family? Let's go to John. The Gospel of John. So we go to John 11. Chapter 11. And we'll pick it up in verse 51 there. John 11, 51. Now he, let's go back here. Yes. This is a prophetic word regarding Christ. Individuals against him are prophesying truth regarding him. Though they are meaning the words in hate and deceit. But they don't know that what they're prophesying here even applies to them and their hope. And they'll come to understand that at some point. Verse 49 says, But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, high priest that year, said to them, You have no understanding. Now consider that this is, that it is better for us that one man die for the people than that the whole nation should perish. Because they had a problem with Jesus Christ, you see. They needed to get rid of him. He was threatening their reputation, their existence as leaders, if you will, of that day. In verse 51, now he did not say this of himself. But being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation. And not for the nation only. And this is the truth I want to bring out here in this verse. But also that he might gather together unto one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Therefore, from that day on, they took counsel together so that they might kill him. And we know the history, brethren. They were successful. But it was prophesied that he would do this for us. We recognize that his death was necessary. We recognize that as his created beings, this death was necessary for us. So these children spread abroad. Let's go back to Genesis. Let's go back to Genesis when they got on the wrong track from the very beginning. Genesis 11. Genesis 11. Here they are, having come to this point after the flood. And mankind truly on the wrong track, if you will. But Genesis 11, verse 1. And the whole earth was of one language and one speech. And it came to pass as they were migrating toward the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar. And they settled there. And they said to one another, come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, come, let us build us a city and a tower with its top reaching unto the heavens. And let us establish a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered upon the face of the whole earth. And the Lord saw and came down to see the city and the tower which the children of men had built. And the Lord said, behold, the people are one and they all have one language. And this is only the beginning of what they will do. Now nothing which they have imagined, again coming from the mind of man, to do will be restrained from them. Come, let us go down. And there confuse their languages, so that they cannot understand one another's speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from that place upon the face of all the earth. And they quit building the city. Therefore the name of the place, that is, therefore the name of it is called Babel. Because the Lord confused the language of all the earth there. And from there the Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of all the earth. And Christ, fulfilling his plan for all his creation, now that the time is drawing near, has he began to call, beginning with his life in the flesh, providing a means by which all mankind could access the Father through him, access forgiveness, access a justification through him. As I said, nothing is possible without him. The foundation, the rock, the cornerstone, the vine, he is the source of life for all mankind. As Norbert mentioned last night, this purpose for which God has made us, his created beings, to come to him, to be born into his family. And yes, brethren, we are just the first wave, just the first fruit. And the rest will come. And we have a struggle and a responsibility and a great calling right now as God's family. So let us recognize that no one of us is in this calling, but all of us are in this calling. God is going to save his church. God is going to help his church. God is going to perfect his church, his family. Let's go to Acts, the book of Acts. In the book of Acts, and turn, if you will, to chapter 17 of Acts. And this is where Christ conveys his thoughts about his family. Now, we know he loves his disciples. We know he protected them. He even told the father that that's what he did. He said that he was going to be going back to the father, and that he would need to take care of them and send them power so that they can exist and be okay. Here in Acts 17, let's read something. Here Paul is telling, again, conveying to the officials there in Athens. So Paul is there waiting for the disciples, his disciples, to join him. But while Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he saw that the city was wholly given to idolatry, and his spirit was sorely moved within him. Because of this, he reasoned earnestly in the synagogue with the Jews and those who worshiped there, and daily in the marketplace with those who met with him. In verse 18, he says, Then some of the philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics encountered him, and some of them said, What will this babbler have to say? And some said, He seems to be a preacher of foreign gods. They don't know. They didn't know the true God, because he was preaching to them the gospel of Jesus and the resurrection, their only hope, but they didn't know. And they took him and brought him to Mars Hill, saying, May we know what this new teaching is that is spoken by you? For you are bringing certain strange things into our ears, so then we desire to know what these things mean. Good question. And in verse 21, Now all the Athenians and the strangers adjoining among them spent their leisure in nothing other than to tell and to hear something new. You can imagine the elite scene. You can imagine those who had all this free time, because they didn't have to work very hard with their hands, and they had this time to think and reason and philosophize about things. Verse 22, Then Paul stood in the center of Mars Hill and said, Men, Athenians, I perceive that in all things you are very reverent to deities. For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your veneration, I also found an altar in which was inscribed to an unknown god. So then, he whom you worship in ignorance is the one that I will proclaim to you. Now, verse 24, Here is the God that I want to convey through this center scriptures. Paul is trying to convey to the world, if you will, there, those who have ideas about other things. He's trying to convey the truth, this gospel of the truth, this gospel of Jesus Christ. He says, here is God. He is the God who made the world and all things that is in it, being Lord of heaven and earth. He does not dwell in temples made by hands. Brethren, he does not dwell in a corporation. He dwells in his people. Verse 25, Nor is he served by the hands of men as though he needs anything. What can we do for God? Obey him. What can we do for God? Repent. What can we do for God? Teach his truth. Become knowledgeable about his truth. God is God. He is orchestrating his purpose and he's going to fulfill it. That part of verse 25 here, For he gives to all life and breath and all things. What can we give him if he gives us all things? Other than adoration, praise, honor, obedience, humility, submission. That's where we need to be. Knowledgeable clay in his hands. Usable by the great God. That's what we need to be. Stop fighting him. Stop arguing with him. Stop disagreeing with him. But yield to him. So here in verse 25, 25th again, He made of one blood, all the nations of men to dwell upon the face of the earth. Having determined beforehand their appointed times. And the boundaries of their dwelling. He scattered them. Verse 27, In order that they might seek the Lord. Seek the Lord. That they might see. He scattered them so that they could seek after him. That they might feel after him. That they might find him. Though truly he is not far from each one of us. And if you look at how God has worked in his church in the last century. Last hundred years. God has called people to this truth. From all walks of lives. All around the world. We have brethren scattered throughout the earth. God is doing a great work in his church. In verse 29. And he says, Paul is emphasizing him. Therefore, since we are the offspring of God. Right? Verse 28, let's back up. For in him we live, we move, we have our being. As some of the poets among you have said. He's trying to reason with them. With their own understanding. But we are his offspring. Therefore, since we are the offspring of God. We should not think that the Godhead is like that. Which is made of gold or silver or stone. A graven thing. Of art devised by the imagination of man. But although God has indeed overlooked the times of this ignorance. Yes. There has been a time that ignorance was bliss. Or ignorance is an acceptable thing. But today brethren. He now commands all men everywhere to repent. That this gospel of repentance. Be preached unto the world as a witness to all nations. That this word of truth gets out there. Because the times we're living in are difficult times. The time of the end is near. And again, we just see it as Norman defined last night. Look around you. Consider the society of the world. And the world's condition. The thinking of man. Verse 31. Because he has set a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness. By a man who he has appointed. Having given proof to all by raising him from the dead. All judgment belongs to him. He is the foundation. And after hearing about the resurrection of the dead. Some mocked. Some laughed. Some, you know, they couldn't comprehend. But some said, we will hear you again concerning this matter. And so Paul went out from among them. Having fulfilled God's purpose for preaching the gospel to them. And again, today. God is gathering unto one spiritual body his children. You can put in your notes. First Corinthians 12. First Corinthians 12. 12 through 14. And Matthew 23. 8 through 9. So what is then, brethren, true fellowship? What is true fellowship? The fellowship that God has called us to. Let's go to 1 John 1. 1 John 1. Okay. In 1 John 1. And we'll pick it up here in verse 1. Once again. That which we. That which was from the beginning. That which we have heard. That which we have seen. With our own eyes. That which we have observed. For ourselves. In our own hands handled concerning the word of life. Now they're talking firsthand accounts of their relationship with God in the flesh. Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ. Their teacher. In verse 2. And the life was manifested and we have seen and are bearing witness. And are reporting to you. The eternal life. Which was with the father. And was made known or manifested to us. That which we have seen. And have heard. We are reporting to you in order that you also may have fellowship with us. For the fellowship. Indeed. Our fellowship. Is with the father. And with his own son. Jesus Christ. First. As a body. Right. As a church. God called out ones. Individually. Because they dwell in us. So we're fellowshipping with God. Whether we know it or not. Every single day. That fellowship is occurring. Through the indwelling of God's spirit. He's connected to our spirit. Yes. The spirit and man. Join with the spirit of God. God has connectivity to us. Through his spirit. So true fellowship with God is based upon that. Yes. Our fellowship is with the father. And his son. Who is our brother. Jesus Christ is our brother. Let's go to John 20. Let's hear Christ. Make this statement. Right here in John 20. Verse 17. Right here. Let's pick it up in verse 16. Jesus said to her Mary. Turning around she said to him. Rabbi. That is to say teacher. Now Mary walked with him. Right. How would you feel. To have someone that you know is your savior. All of a sudden. They were crucified. You sit there and watch them bleed out. And then. According to the promise. He is alive. The third day he is alive. And Jesus said to her do not touch me. Because I'm not yet ascended to my father there in verse 17. But he says this. And this is Christ speaking concerning us. His disciples at the time. But also those who would be called. According to their preaching if you will. And we're reading their preaching right here. He says go to my brethren. And tell them. That I am ascending to my father. And your father. Jesus Christ is there right now at the right hand of God the father. He sees us as his brothers and sisters in Christ. He says in my God. In your God. So we have the one God. One faith. One baptism. One spirit. This is what we are fellowshipping in. Every day. And when we come together brethren. We're celebrating it. And magnifying it. Through the unity. The unity of that fellowship. That we're able to share each Sabbath. Each holy day. When we pray for one another. When we come together and go to meeting. Right. This is what we're doing. We are to be one. Within them. As they are one. In John 17. While we're in John. Let's go back to chapter 17. John 17. And we'll just pick it up here. In verse one. Jesus spoke these words. Lifted up his eyes to heaven. And said father. Having fulfilled his purpose. On earth and the flesh. He said the hour has come. When he was about to. Conclude the matter. He was about to. Enter into that final phase. That final step. Which would secure life for us. And so he is again. Praying to God. Looking forward. Not doubting. Not looking back. We have to do that great purpose. Of which God has called him. And that's what we have to do. We can't be looking behind. Wondering. We can't be doubting. We can't be procrastinating. Unsure. Brethren. All in. We have to be all in. We are committed. We get real zealous to go to the feast of tabernacles. But brethren. Bring it back. And use it today. Be zealous now. Because the truth is. Is that the same status you had at the feast. Is the same status you have at this very moment. I mentioned in Bible study. This past week. That we take. The feast of God. The lessons from the feast. And we take them with us every single day. Passover is with us. Every single day. The Passover of unleavened bread. Is exemplified in our life. Every single day. We utilize the power of God's spirit. Given to us at Pentecost. Every single day. We are looking to the return of Christ. And the removal of Satan. Hoping for that. Because as I said to the brethren. I am sick of Satan. I am sick of Satan. And I'm sick of this flesh. I look forward to the body. That God is going to give us. Righteousness. Holiness. Spiritual existence. And Christ is now saying to the father in this prayer. Glorify your own son. So that your son. May also glorify you. Since you have given him. Authority over all flesh. In order that he may give. Eternal life. To all whom you. Have given him. For this is eternal life. That they may know you. The only true God. In Jesus Christ. Whom you did sin. He says I have glorified you on the earth. I have finished the work that you gave me to do. And now father. Glorify me. With your own self. With the glory that I had with you. Before the world existed. Brethren the father fulfilled. That prayer. The father was faithful. According to the covenant they made. When Christ said. Here I am. Send me. I will go. You have prepared a body for me. They are my creation right. That's his sentiment. His love toward us. Was manifested. And he revealed the father to us. In verse six. I have manifested your name to the men. And you have given them to me. So he calls us and gives us to Christ. For perfection. For the perfecting of this. This person that we are. And they have kept your word. Now they have known. All things that you have given me. Are from you. Yes everything. Is from the father. We belong to him. They are one love. They are one love. His love. To us. And our love. Back to him. For his love to us. And that love back to him. And we to each other. We to each other. You can put in your notes. First Peter three. Eight through nine. First Peter three. Eight through nine. First John. And you can just take all of first John five. And then a second John. Let's turn to second John. Second John. Let's pick it up here. Verse one. The elder to the chosen lady. That is the church of God. And her children. That's us. Whom I love in truth. John is expressing here. Not I alone. But also all those who have known the truth. For the sake of the truth that is dwelling in us. And shall be with us forever. Grace. Mercy. And peace shall be with us. Jesus Christ. The son of the father. In truth. And love. He says. I rejoice exceedingly that I have found among your children. Those who are walking in truth. Exactly as we received. Commandment from the father. So this. That I'm sharing with you. Is not Albert's idea. As to how God's family is supposed to work. God himself. Has laid it out. Through Paul. Through Christ. Through John. Through the apostles. All of them. Through the prophets. Moses. This theme runs throughout. We are God's family. In verse six. And this is the love of God. That we walk according to his commandments. And that is the beginning. That you walk in it. Because many deceivers have entered into the world. There are many people. That will come even on the scene. At this time and later. Saying that Christ didn't come in the flesh. Or that. This idea of God. Is a myth. So that's the foolishness of the world. Those who do not. Confess that Jesus Christ is coming. In the flesh. Of true believers. That is the spirit of the deceiver. And the antichrist. So this is this idea brother. And there's an insert there. Regarding. This verse. And I encourage you to read it. Because it really speaks. To this one truth. God dwells in us. Through his spirit. Christ is dwelling. In us. Fleshly human beings. Through the power of his spirit. Connected to our human spirit. Moving us. You know. Helping us understand truth. Giving us a different heart. Giving us a different mind. And this is happening throughout God's body. Throughout the elect lady. The chosen lady. And all the children of God. As it says there in verse one. I wanted to emphasize that. So let me. Let me bring this. Just one. Step further toward. A conclusion here. So. When we read. And comprehend. The indwelling of God within his family. That we have. We have a relationship with God the father. And Christ. God is dwelling in us through the Holy Spirit. Both. Both are with us. In effecting change within us. Every begotten saint. Everywhere in the world. While God is dwelling. His spirit connects us. Every begotten saint is holding on to Christ. In hope. Now I want to go to collages. And we'll. We'll read something there. To help us bring it to conclusion. In collages one. And we'll pick it up in verse one. Paul an apostle by the will of God. And Timothy our brother. To who? To the saints. Those who are God's called out ones. And faithful brethren. In Christ who are in Colossae. But not only this letter of course. Is preserved for all of God's church. Everywhere now today. We're reading it. So for those of us wherever you are. May God's grace and peace be to you. From God our father. And our Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God. To the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for you continually. Yes we are praying for the brethren. Since hearing of your faith. In Christ Jesus. And the love that you have. Toward all the saints. Because of the hope that is laid up. For you in heaven. This hope that we have. For in the word of the truth of the gospel. We heard the gospel preached. Brethren. And that gospel gave us hope. And we hoiled on to that hope. In verse six. Which has come to you. Even as it has. Also has in all the world. And is bringing forth truth. Just as it is among you. From the day that you heard. And knew the grace of God. In truth. And it goes on to say here. Even as you have learned. From Ephros. Our beloved fellow servant. Who is a faithful minister. Of Christ for you. So if Ephros. Was preaching this truth. Conveying this principle. And I hope that I have. Did the same. Verse eight. Who has also informed us. Of your love in the spirit. For this cause. We also from the day that we heard of it. Do not cease to pray for you. And to ask. That you may be filled. With the knowledge of his will. And all wisdom. And spiritual understanding. That you may walk worthily of the Lord. Unto all pleasing. Being fruitful in every good work. And growing in the knowledge of God. Being strengthened in all power. According to his might. To the might of his glory. Unto all endurance. And longsuffering with joy. Giving thanks to the Father. Who has made us. All of us. Qualified for the share. The share. A part brethren. In this truth. A part in this gospel. A part in this great promise. A share. Of the inheritance of the saints. Who has personally rescued us. From the power of darkness. And has transferred us. Unto the kingdom. Of the son of his love. In whom we have redemption. Through his blood. Even the remission of sins. Who is the image of the invisible God. The firstborn of all creation. He's not the only one. He's just the first one. And those who will follow in faith. Verse six. Because by him were all things created. The things in the heaven. And the things on the earth. Invisible. The visible and the invisible. Whether they be thrones. Or lordships. Or principalities. Or powers. It doesn't matter brethren. All things were created by him. And for him. And he is before all. And by him all things subsist. He's the head of the body. He's the head of the body. The church. Who is the beginning. The firstborn from among the dead. So that in all things. He himself might hold the preeminence. And down here. Let's just take it down here. To verse. Let's take it down here. To verse 24. He says. Now I am rejoicing in my suffering. And we all will go through some trial. Testing. And maybe even some suffering. One day. But we need to know that God. Is still on his throne. And he is fulfilling his promise with us. Sufferings for you. And I am filling up in my flesh. That which is behind of the tribulation of Christ. For the sake of his body. Which is the church. And this is our commitment as ministers. Yes. Ordination. Put us in servitude. To you. That ordination. Placed us. As a guard of the body. As a guard of the sheep. As servants under Christ. Let's be clear. We are his. We were ordained to his service. For his body. Let's go verse 25. Of which I became a servant. According to the administration of God. That was given to me for you. In order to complete the work of God. Even the ministry. That has been hidden from ages. And from generations. But has now been revealed to his saints. To whom God did will. To make known that. What are the riches of the glory of the ministry. That among the Gentiles. Which is. Christ in you. The hope of glory. Now we all have this hope. Verse 28. Whom we preach. Admonishing every man. And teaching every man. In all wisdom. So that we may present. Every man and woman. Perfect in Christ Jesus. Perfect in Christ Jesus. That perfection is. Through him. But we want to keep you. Connected with him. We want to keep pointing you. To him. When you come to a minister. And ask for. Information or insight. You know we're not giving you our opinion. We're pointing you to Christ. Because hope is in Christ. My hope is in Christ. And your hope. Had better be in Christ. That's the only hope that's going to save. For this cause. Paul said. He would convey this. For this cause. He says I labor. I also labor. Striving to. To his inner working. According to his inner working. Which works in me. With power. So yes. We have. A great and wonderful calling. As God's family. God is not divine. He is making. Possible. The true fellowship. For the final verse. Let's go to Philippians. Philippians. Let's pick it up. One in verse 26. Our final. Scripture here. 26. Let's. Start here. Get some context. Verse 24. He says here. But to remain in the flesh. Is more necessary for your sakes. This is to recognize. That eternal life is better than flesh. Spirit is better than flesh. Existence with God. Is better than flesh. But we're not there yet. Now is not the time. For us to take care of God's people. And to care for God's church. And to preach God's word. And to instruct in the righteousness of God. To be growing and overcoming. Helping. To convey to you the things. That help you to grow and overcome. But I don't preach to you. Without preaching to myself as well. Verse 25. And being persuaded of this. I know that I shall abide. And continue with you. And continue with your advancement. And joy in the faith. So that through my presence. With you again. You're rejoicing for me. May abound in Christ Jesus. Only he says conduct yourself. Worthy of the gospel of Christ. So that whether. I. Whether I come and see you. Or am absent. I may hear the report about you. That you are standing fast in the spirit. Striving together. With one soul. One body for the faith of the gospel. And not being intimidated. In any way. By those who oppose the gospel. Which to them. Is a demonstration of destruction. But to you. But to you. Of salvation. And this from God. Because. It has been granted to you brethren. On behalf of Christ. Not only to believe. In him. But also to suffer for his. Name's sake. Experiencing the same conflict. That you saw in me. And now here. Concerning me. So we know that. We may have to go through some things. To bring this to a final conclusion. That is to get from flesh to spirit. So we're going to. And the only way we're going to do that. Is to stay close. And keep our eyes on Christ. Stay close. Keep your eyes on Christ. Be intent in his word. Diligent in his word. Prayer. Fasting. Studying. Loving the brethren. Staying close to one another. This is the work of God and his family. So let's continue to do it. In love. According to God's purpose for us.