90 likes | 115 Vues
Explore the concept of the Church as the family of God inspired by Mike Willis’ article. Learn how God is the father, Christians are brothers and sisters, and the importance of obedience and bearing the family name with pride. Discover the promise of an eternal home with the Father.
E N D
The Church: The Household (family) of God Inspired by Mike Willis’ article: The Church: The Household of God in Guardian of Truth magazine
Introduction • This morning I want to take a look at the term household as used in Acts 16:31 and 18:8 • Definitions of household and family • Household: The people of a house collectively; a family including its servants • The people living together in one house collectively • Family: A basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not • A social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for • A primary social group consisting of parents and their offspring, the principle function of which is provision for its members • This lesson will draw several teachings from this comparison of Church and family
Observation 1: God is the father • There are only two spiritual families…The family of God or the family of the devil • Jn 1:12; Rom 8:16: 1 Jn 3:1-2; Jn 8:42-27 • Which father have you chosen???
Observation 2: Christians are brothers and sisters • As stated by Christ • Mt 23:8, 28:10; Mk 3:33-35 • As stated by Paul • I Cor 15:6; 2 Cor 1:1; Philemon 15-16 • In families, brothers and sisters share in individual successes and pains…the Church should as well • Rom 12:15; 1 Cor 12:26; Gal 6:2; Jam 5:13-16
Observation 3: We must be obedient children to God our father • Old Testament Examples • Deut 28:1-2, 28:15; 1 Sam 15:22 • New Testament Examples • Acts 5:28-29; 2 Cor 2:9; Eph 5:6; Phil 2:8 • Questions to consider • Do you attend worship like your Father directs? • Do you study your bible as the Father directs? • Do you visit the sick or needy or imprisoned as the Father directs? • Do you teach others the gospel as your Father directs? • Are you an obedient or disobedient child?
Observation 4: We should wear the “family name” with pride • As a child of God we have the privilege of bearing His family name • Eph 3:14-15; Rom 1:16-17 • Dow we have the same attitude and boldness as Paul when it comes to our Christianity? • Do we proudly wear the name Christian? • Christian implies we are “Christ-like” in our actions • Are you what your name implies or are you ashamed of your spiritual family as some of their physical one?
Final Observation: We will live in an eternal home with our father • If God is our Father, we have a mansion in Heaven to look forward to • Jn 14:1-3 • If we remain a child of the devil, we have judgment and suffering to look forward to • Jn 5:27-29; Mk 9:43-45
Conclusion • God has blessed those who are part of His household • Ask yourself this morning if you have accepted these blessings • If not, why not? • There is no greater family to be a part of than the family of God