Playlist: Assimilation into Spiritual Family (topic)
Privileges of the Family of God
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEphesians 2:19 advances Paul's picture of believers from fellow citizens of a state to members of God's household, a more intimate, internal, personal, blood-based relationship rather than a general, external, legal, and impersonal one. Having been by nature children of wrath, Christians are not merely forgiven but adopted into …
Conversion: Turning to God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughConversion is likened to an immigrant's assimilation into a new homeland. Baptism is like taking the oath of citizenship: at that point believers pledge allegiance to Christ as King and are reckoned citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Yet, like first-generation immigrants who keep their old accent, food, and customs, new …
Principled Living (Part One): Imitating Christ
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe source treats assimilation into the spiritual family only briefly, as part of the third cost of discipleship: the Christian life demands new loyalties. Drawing on Luke 9:57-62, where a would-be follower wants to say farewell to those at his home, it notes that many Christians are the only ones called from their families. …