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We each have to choose if we want to follow Jesus. We’re not born into God’s kingdom—we must decide for ourselves to become part of His family. Being part of the church is not something we inherit from our parents. It’s a decision we make when we hear God’s call and say yes to Him.
God’s kingdom is not the same as the world around us. We don’t try to control or fix the world by force. Our job is to live as wheat in a field full of tares, showing love, truth, and grace. The church is meant to be separate from the world, a family of people who have chosen to follow Christ. We are called to care about each other, correct each other with love, and help each other stay faithful.
We don’t want to treat our faith like a rule book. Instead, we want to see it as a relationship with our Father—our Abba. When we know we are God’s children, we stop asking, “What can I get away with?” and start asking, “How can I honor my Father?”
Our identity isn’t something we’re stuck with. We get to choose to follow Jesus, to be part of His family, and to live with purpose and joy. We are not just servants—we are heirs of God’s kingdom.
This is part of a series of sermons preached by Nathan Zook around the theme Is your identity determined at birth or a flexible choice?