FAMILY TIES

We all have different types of relationships with people. God's relationship with us and our relationship with God is very complex.

I. God. Ezekiel 11:20 "That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God."
This one is obvious. He is our creator and master. He is the sovereign ruler of the universe. We need to recognize and honour Him as such.

II. Father. Psalm 103:13 "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him." Luke 15:11-24 gives us the story of the prodigal son.
Old Testament Saints didn't call God their Father. We have been adopted into the family of God. As our Father He is a guide and a provider.

III. Mother. Isaiah 66:13 "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem." Isaiah 49:15-16 "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."
A mother's love is tender. They are given to us by God to nurture and comfort us. God does this for us.

IV. Brother. Matthew 12:49-50 "And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
A brother is an example and help. A brother will stick close in adversity.
The last three points are family ties. You can choose your friends but you can't choose your relatives. In this case God has invited us to choose to come into His family.

V. Spouse. Song of Solomon 4:8-10 "Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards. Thou has ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with the chain of thy neck. How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!"
The book of Hosea gives us a lovely picture of God's love for His people illustrated in the love of a husband for his wife.
The love of a husband is a jealous love that allows great intimacy.

VI. Shepherd. John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." Luke 15:4-7 gives us the parable of the lost sheep. Psalm 23.
A shepherd offers care and feeding. He protects and rescues.

VII. Friend. Proverbs 18:24 "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
A friend offers loyalty, companionship, and encouragement.

God is everything we need. To the orphan He is a father and mother. To the only child He is a brother. To the single person He is a spouse. To the misguided and mistreated He is a shepherd. To the lonely and friendless He is a friend.