PREACHED:
"THE FAMILY OF
GOD"
1=
WHAT A RARE PRIVILEGE!!
A. In a
time when broken homes are so prevalent, we have the rare privilege of being a
part of a loving spiritual family!
1. And that ought to be treasured by each of us!
B. No
matter what our physical family is like, all Christians experience the joy of
being in God's
spiritual family,
THE CHURCH.
1. 1Jno 3:1; Rom 8:16,17.
2= THERE IS ANOTHER STRIKING LIKENESS BETWEEN THE
MODERN HOME AND THE
A. As
there seems to be less allegiance to the
sacredness of the
home and a willingness to do what is necessary to maintain it, so it is with
the church!
1. A
lack of loyalty to the home—a growing problem!
a. Also true in business & the church!
3= GOD'S WORD TELLS US THE SOLUTIONS:
A. I Tim 3:15. “…if I delay, you may know how one ought
to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God…”
1. Paul’s
statement speaks to the scriptural organization and work of the church.
a. But there is a principle we need to see:
1) The church is a family! And many of the attitudes and actions
that will keep the home together, will keep the church
together!!
DISCUSSION:
1= LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER -
A. Vivid parallel – Eph 5:25, 28; I John 3:16. “By this
we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and
we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” 4:7. “Beloved, let us love one
another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God
and knows God.” V
16. “So, we have come to know and to believe the love that
God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” Vs
19,20. “We love because he first loved us. If
anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he
who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not
seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love
his brother.”
B. Even
in the world in strong families love and
loyalty to
family takes precedence over any other relationships.
1. Peter
stresses: 1Pet 3:8. “Finally,
all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly
love, a tender heart, and an humble mind…”
D. Good
parents are known for the ability to maintain their love and vision for
children even during times of disappointment, disobedience and rebellion.
1.
I like the way one person put it:
"Home--a world of strife shut out, a world of
love shut in. Home--the place where the
small are great and the great are small.
Home--the father's kingdom, the mother's world and the
child's paradise. Home--where we
grumble the most and are treated the best."
2. One
poet wrote:
"It isn't the chairs and the books and things,
Or the pictures that hang on the walls; And it isn't the bird, although sweety he sings, It's the laughter that rings in the halls;
It's the smile on the face of the mother at night, And the joy in the little
one's eyes, And our love for each other with all its delight That makes up the
home that we prize."
E. And
that's the way it should be in the church!!
1. Listen
to Peter again: 1Pet 4:8.“Above
all, keep loving one another earnestly, since loves
covers a multitude of sins.”
2. Paul adds: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor…” (Rom
2= HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
A. As
family members, we have legitimate expectations of one another! I Cor 4:2. “It is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy…”
1. Husbands
as stewards are expected to work and provide for their families.
2. Wives
as stewards are expected to put the home and family first.
3. Children
as stewards are expected to respect and obey their parents.
4. Parents
as stewards are expected to give guidance and direction to their children.
Ø All
legitimate expectations!!
B. And
if a family member does not live up to
legitimate
expectations, he/she should be held
accountable for the
neglect.
1. But, if a failure to function effectively is allowed to continue
without account-ability, the family becomes, to that extend, dysfunctional!
C. The
same atmosphere should exist in our
spiritual family,
the church!
1. Our
personal relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ should challenge us
to be productive and fruitful Christians!
a. Jno 15:8; Rom 7:4.
2. The
terms used in the scriptures to describe our responsibility to one another such
as , "rebuke," "encourage,"
"correct," "submit," all imply a sense of expectation and
accountability!
3. Leaders
are like fathers in the home. They set
visionary goals and make sure they are implemented through ministry and
rightfully expect the members to be involved and supportive of them!
a. BUT
just as a father is command-ed not to exasperate or embitter their children
(Eph 6:4 and
1) Heb 13:7. “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to
you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate
their faith.”
3= UNITY AND COMMUNICATION
A. Happiness,
joy and contentment abound in families that are united!!
1. And
unity is promoted and maintained by open, honest and loving communi-cation!
a. But this communication is only productive in families where
there is a deep commitment to one another and family members know that they are
loved, appreciated, protected and defended.
1) “I love you and will be truthful and open with you…”
2) “I know you love me and I trust you; therefore, I will listen
to what you say and give you the benefit of the doubt when mistakes are made.”
B. Families
that work at building and maintaining
an
atmosphere of mutual, deep and genuine trust remain close during times of
stress!!
C. In
the church, trust is developed by open, clear, unmistakable communication!!
D. All
it takes is for one member of the family --
husband, wife,
son or daughter -- to have their own selfish agenda and to secretly manipulate
others to achieve it, and trust and unity are destroyed!!
1. Rom 12:9-11. “Let love be genuine… Love one another
with brotherly affec-tion. Outdo one another in
showing honor…”
4= AN OUTWARD FOCUS
A. Parents
need to teach their children both by
precept and
practice, both in reason and in
resources that the
greatest blessing comes with sharing their lives in service to others!!
1. Acts 20:35; Rom 12:8. “…the one who
does acts of mercy (is to do so) with cheerfulness.”
2. I
really am concerned about the isolation, self-serving, fortress mentality
directing much of the concept of family in our society!
a. Good
family life is often perceived as fulfilling personal wants and desires with no
thought of those outside the family circle!
B. Same dilemma is being seen in the Church!!
1. Have
we selfishly internalized in the church?
a. Rom
Phil 2:3,4. “Do
nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant
than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own
interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Gal 6:10. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us
do good to everyone, and especially to those who are
of the household of faith.”
C. God
never intended the church to be a cold
institution in which
people with superficial
relationships,
occasionally meet together for
worship! Instead, he wants a close-knit
family
characterized by intimate, life-
changing
relationships.
D. But
also, he intends for us to share that
love that we
enjoy with a loveless world!
E. Why
did the persecution arise against
the church
in
1. Could it have been the providential
hand of God?
a. Christ’s plan – Acts 1:8
b. God’s action – Acts 8:1,4
2. Why?
a. They were staying in
CONCLUSION:
1= LET'S COMMIT OURSELVES TO:
A.
Love one another more!
B.
Raise our expectations and hold each other
accountable!
C.
Work at Communication and unity!
D.
Teach and live an outward focus!!