Finding Family in the Church

Pastor Caleb Culver
February 8, 2026 Message Recap

The word family can stir deeply different emotions.

For some, it brings warmth, happy memories, and laughter. For others, it carries disappointment, wounded memories, or hurt. Yet throughout Scripture, the church is not described as an institution as many make it out to be, but as a family—the household of God. A spiritual family united under one Father, adopted as brothers and sisters in Christ.

In this message, Pastor Caleb Culver explored how the Gospel redefines belonging and how the church becomes a place of healing—not because it is perfect, but because Christ is constantly perfecting His church with love.

When Jesus Redefined Family

In Matthew 12, Jesus makes a bold statement about family. While He is teaching, His mother and brothers arrive, hoping to speak with Him, and Jesus replies:

“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”
“Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Mark’s Gospel reveals that Mary and His brothers were concerned for Jesus, and, like any family, they wanted to protect Him. But Jesus’ mission couldn’t be governed by fear or familiarity. Jesus wasn’t rejecting His earthly family—but His deepest allegiance was to the Father above anything else.

What Jesus was doing in that moment was expanding the definition of family, not diminishing it. Belonging is deeply rooted in obedience to God and shared loyalty to Christ.

Why the Father Had Not Yet Been Fully Revealed

Throughout the Old Testament, God is called Lord, King, and Creator thousands of times—but rarely Father. And when He is, it is usually in reference to Israel as a nation, not individuals.

Why? Humanity had not yet been reconciled to God because Jesus hadn’t yet been sent.

This absence shaped generations of broken families. Scripture records power struggles, betrayal, division, and moral collapse—all as evidence that humanity needed restoration. This brokenness created a longing that only Christ could heal.

Romans 8 tells us that through Christ, we have received the Spirit of adoption. We no longer relate to God through fear, but as sons and daughters.

God as Our Father

In the New Testament, God is called Father more than 250 times, and the church is described repeatedly as a family.

Belonging to the family of God does not weaken earthly family—it heals it.

In the early church, entire households came to faith together. Believers gathered in homes, shared meals, cared for the vulnerable, honored the elderly, and protected children. Rather than competing, the two families—earthly and spiritual—were meant to strengthen one another.

Every human heart longs for connection, safety, and home. Even the best earthly relationships, however, cannot fully satisfy that longing. They were never meant to.

God meets our need for family now, in part, through the church. But one day, faith will become sight. And together, as the family of God, we will experience belonging so complete that even the best earthly families will be revealed as shadows of what was to come.

Scripture References
Matthew 12:46–50
Mark 3:20–21
Romans 8:15–17

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About Radiant Church

Founded in 1996, Radiant Church has grown into a multi-location church committed to biblical teaching, discipleship, and mission.

At Radiant Church, there is an invitation to grow in your spiritual journey, build meaningful community, and truly get connected. We are passionate about helping people grow in faith, encounter the presence of God, and become part of a church grounded in Spirit and truth.