Christmas message from Phil Strong

Senior Leader, Zion 

One of the things I love about the Christian Church is that we are all one big family. Don’t let negative mindsets or experience around family turn you away – God’s family may not be perfect, but it is glorious.

Every one of us was once away from God, but this was not God’s finished plan. For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Through Jesus, a plan for redemption was put in place so that Jesus and the ones He makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.

We are one big family.

This should be an exciting concept for us all – through Jesus we can now say we have been adopted as God’s very own children.

And because we are his children, God sent His spirit into our hearts, that helps us to call God, “Daddy.” This means we are no longer a slave to destructive behaviour, but instead we are heirs to all the promises of God. This is a family with benefits.

To be born again is to become a new creation in the image of God’s design. The old life is gone and the new life has begun. You are God’s masterpiece. He has made you anew for a superior purpose that God planned for you long ago. You are invited to join God’s family.

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