1. This morning we studied passages that teach us to do the Father's will. 2. In Matthew 12:50 Jesus identified His relatives as those who "do the will of my Father which is in heaven." 3. In our lesson we are studying: a. this statement b. a number of passages that identify the Lord's family. Discussion: I. THE SCRIPTURES IDENTIFY THE LORD'S PARENTS
A. Mary was the Lord's mother (Luke 1:26-35). B. Although Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Joseph was recognized as His father (Luke 2:41, 48). II. THE SCRIPTURES RECORD THE LORD'S GENEALOGIES
A. His genealogy to Adam through Mary is recorded in Luke 3:23-38. 1. He would be the seed of woman (Genesis 3:15). 2. When the time was right He was "made of a woman" (Galatians 4:4). 3. In his Gospel Luke emphasized the fact that Jesus is "the Son of man." B. His genealogy to Abraham through Joseph is recorded in Matthew 1:1-16. 1. He would be the seed of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). 2. He would be a king from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10). 3. In his Gospel Matthew emphasized the fact that Jesus is "the King of the Jews." III. THE SCRIPTURES IDENTIFY THE LORD'S SIBLINGS
A. He had 4 brothers: James, Joseph, Jude, and Simon (Mark 6:3). 1. At one point they did not believe in Him (John 7:5). 2. However, they were among His followers in Jerusalem after He ascended (Acts 1:14). 3. James: a. became a leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13; Galatians 1:18-19) b. wrote one of the New Testament letters (James 1:1). 4. Jude also wrote a New Testament letter (Jude 1). B. We do not know their names and we do not know how many, but the Lord had sisters as well (Mark 6:3). IV. THE SCRIPTURES IDENTIFY THE LORD'S SPIRITUAL FAMILY TODAY
A. He referred to His disciples as His "brethren" (John 20:17-18). B. As we read earlier, Jesus identified those who do the Father's will as His family (Matthew 12:46-50; Luke 8:21). Conclusion:
1. According to Jesus, we can be His relatives today. 2. The key is doing the Father's will. 3. Let us adopt the Lord's statement in John 4:34.
