Christianity emphasizes belonging to a new spiritual family, characterized by obedience to Christ rather than physical lineage. Faithful obedience is seen as the evidence of being part of God's family, as highlighted in biblical references. Jesus is portrayed as the elder brother who includes believers in God's family through his sacrifice.

1. Mark 3:31-35

2. Christianity is about belonging to a
new spiritual family evidenced by a life
of obedience to Christ.

3. 31 And his mother and his brothers came,
and standing outside they sent to him and
called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting
around him, and they said to him, “Your
mother and your brothers are outside,
seeking you.”

4. 33 And he answered them, “Who are my
mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking
about at those who sat around him, he
said, “Here are my mother and my
brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of
God, he is my brother and sister and mother”
(Mark 3:31-35).

5. I. We become part of God’s family not by
physical birth, but spiritual (vv. 31-34).

6. He came to his own, and his own people did
not receive him. But to all who did receive
him, who believed in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God, who were
born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh
nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:11-
13).

7. II. Evidence of being part of God’s family is
based not on interest for Jesus, but
obedience to Jesus (v.35).

8. Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from
me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be
done (Luke 22:42).

9. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved
you. Abide in my love. If you keep my
commandments, you will abide in my love, just
as I have kept my Father’s commandments and
abide in his love (John 15:9-10).

10. “Jesus…he is the true elder brother. He
willingly brings us into the Father’s family at
his expense. He died for us, he was
plundered for us. We sit at the Father’s table
dressed in Jesus’ clothes, with his ring on our
finger. All through him. We must celebrate
and live out the fact that

11. we are members of a kingdom family, and it
is all at the expense of our big brother,
Jesus Christ. Do you live every day as if you
are a member of God’s family, accepted and
loved? Remember, a child in a family obeys
not in order to be loved and accepted, but
because he already is loved and accepted”
(Tim Keller, Gospel of Mark)

12. Christianity is about belonging to a
new spiritual family evidenced by a life
of obedience to Christ.