The Household of God

by:  Matt Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

96039

07/21/96 - Cyclone, KY

 

I.  Introduction.

A.  When we hear the word family, we can quickly identify and define the word in our minds.

1.  We think of a husband, wife, & children as one example of a family.

2.  We think & use the word family to refer to a larger entity to include persons such as:

a.  grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and etc.

B.  When we think about families, usually we associate something with them.  (For ex. famous families.)

1.  The Kennedy’s.  powerful, rich, famous, influential.

2.  The Getty’s (Getty oil co) the same way.

3.  The Hoffa family - known for crime and connection with the mob.

4.  ex. of normal families - often associated with the trade they engage in:

a.  Smith’s - own the hardware...Franks work at the local Wal-Mart, etc.

b.  families who have produced preachers - Diestalkamp fam:  4 preachers who are sound in doctrine.

C.  Have heard the phrase made by some here that the congregation at Cyclone is a family.

1.  in announcements, prayers, in general conversation.

2.  good that we recognize that we are a family.

D.  We are a family.  We are part of Christ’s family.  We are brothers and sisters working together for the cause of Christ.

1.  Our family extends all over the world.  The gospel has spread to every corner of the globe and new ones are being added to Christ’s family daily!

E.  We are members of the household of God.  We each wear a name - Christian.  That’s all - Christian.  This is the name in which we have been given to wear.

1.  The “Household of God” is the title to this evening’s lesson.

F.  As one goes through the Scriptures, one finds that the word “house” is used to designate families.

1.  e.g., Acts 10:2 - Cornelius & his family gave alms to the poor & prayed to God always.

2.  Another example is found in Heb. 11:7

a.  “household” here mentioned as a family.  In this verse, Noah & his family (household) were saved because of Noah’s faith.

3.  Luke 1:27 - another example where “house” means family.

G.  We find in the New Testament that the church is referred to as the “House of God.”  Meaning family of God.

1.  Paul mentioned this in 1 Tim. 3:15.

2.  The Hebrew writer uses this term in Heb. 3:6

a.  we are members of God’s house if we hold fast....to the end.

3.  Eph. 2:19-22

a.  We were from the world.  We once belonged to Satan.

1.  This is how one is a stranger, or alien - outside of something.

2.  Upon obedience to His will, we have become:  ....v. 19

b.  We have come together as one unit:  with the purpose of serving and glorifying God.

 

II.  Features of God’s Family - The church.

A.  When we look at the structure of families - they have a head - the husband - he is responsible for it & to protect the members of his family.

B.  God’s family is similar to that in that God is the Father.  He is the one who rules over us.

1.  Eph. 3:14 - He is at the top of the chain of command.

a.  He is the creator.

b.  He is who devised the plan by which to save men from sin.

c.  1 Cor. 8:6 says He is the one by whom all things come from.

2.  Paul spoke of Him in Eph. 4:6 by saying:  One God & Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

C.  Christ, His Son, who is over the House of God - the church.

1.  Heb. 3:5-6 - explains to us that Christ has been set over us and is the Head of the Church.

D.  We find that Christians are His brethren.

1.  Heb. 2:9-12

a.  We are called brethren.  By coming to Christ, He makes us a part of His family.  He adds us to His household.

b.  What an honor to be in the household of God!

c.  Humans have placed great emphasis on family name -

1.  Kennedy’s, Bushes, Waltons, have all had success by their family name.

2.  many dream or wish that they could be in those families so that they could gain earthly success.

2.  But what an honor to be in Christ’s family!!  And how comforting to have hope in the promise of eternal salvation!

E.  All Christians are children of God.

1.  Rom 8:12-17 - says we are heirs.

a.  heirs of what?  Eternal life in heaven!

2. Gal. 4:6-7 echoes this thought.

3.  We are either children of God or children of the devil.

a.  no middle ground - one or the other.

b.  children of God do not practice lawlessness - dwell outside the law.

c.  children of God are transformed from the way we were.

1.  Rom 6:6 - put away the old man of sin.

2.  Rom 12:1-2 - we have been transformed, or become a new person totally different from the way we were.

d.  Children of God have hope of eternal life.  Children of the devil have no hope!

F.  Conclusion from this section: 

1.  All of God’s children are in God’s family.

2.  God’s family is the church.

3.  Therefore all of God’s children are in the church.

 

III.  The Blessedness of This Relationship.

A.  Have the blessing of calling upon Him as our Father.

1.  Can’t call Him Father, if you are not a Christian.  You are not His, your father is the devil.

2.  Call upon Him as Father through prayer - Mt. 6:6-8

B.  Christ is our great High Priest & Advocate to plead our cause.

1.  Heb. 4:14-16

a.  Christ is our intercessor - our lawyer who understands how life is as a human.

b.  Was subject to the temptation of this world which we are part of - yet w/o sin.

c.  He understands us.

2.  1 John 2:1 - His is our Advocate.

a.  reinforces what Paul taught about Him being our intercessor.

1.  Someone who stands up for us.

b.  should give us great comfort when we thing about how the world tries to bring us down at every chance it gets.

1.  Remember Acts 5:39 - if it is of the Lord, it will not be defeated.

C.  We have the Holy Spirit to lead & guide us.

1.  Gal. 4:6 - says we receive the Spirit because we are sons.

2.  Spirit helps us in our weaknesses - Rom. 8:26-27

3.  We are to walk in the Spirit - Gal. 5:16

D.  We have God’s Fatherly Provision.

1.  Rom.  8:31-32

a.  We are made to be partakers of eternal life in Heaven.

b.  This is our inheritance. He has promised this all his children.

2.  He is providing this for us.  But we have to do something on our own part.

a.  Mt. 6:33-34

E.  God will protect His Children & Correct Them.

1.  Phil. 4:5-7

a.  the peace - trust in God to be with us will guard our minds through Christ.

2.  1 Cor. 10:12-13

a.  God will give us a way out of temptation.

b.  We may have to look for it.  But there will be a way out. 

c.  Boils back down to attitude. 

3.  Heb. 12:4-11

a.  We are chastened by the Lord as we would be by our earthly father.

F.  God’s Ever Present Love.

1.  1 John 3:1

2.  Rom. 8:38-39

3.  John 3:16

 

IV.  This Relationship Demands:

A.  Separation from the World.

1.  2 Cor. 6:17-18; 7:1

2.  not to try to have the best of both.

3.  the world is contrary to God’s law.  His children do not practice lawlessness.

4.  1 John 2:15-16

B.  Obedient as Children.

1.  When living with parents, we were under the rule of our parents.  When in the family of God, we walk according to His commandments.

a.  1 Peter 1:14

2.  We must not walk after the flesh.  1 John 1:6-7

C.  We Must Wear His Name.

1.  When Emilea was born to Becky & I, she put on the last name, Allen.  This is her family name.

2.  When we are born into Christ, we are to put on His name.  Acts 11:26.

a.  no where do we read of putting anything before this name in the Scriptures.  (i.e., Baptist Christian, Methodist Christian, etc.)

b.  We are simply Christians.

D.  We Must Love our Brethren.

1.  Many earthly families do not possess love.  This is because of:

a.  jealously

b.  strife

c.  unforgiveness

2.  Sadly, this has carried over into the family of Christ.  Brethren treat other brethren worse than dogs sometimes.  This ought not to be!

a.  Scriptures explicit in this matter:  1 John 4:7; 20-21

b.  1 John 3:13-19

 

V.  Would You like to Become a Member of Christ’s Family?

A.  There is no better family to be a member of.  Being a member of His family gives one the hope of eternal salvation.

B.  You can become a member by:

1.  Believing and being baptized for the remission of your sins.  Mk. 16:16

2.  Becoming a member of the family is easy.  Don’t have to be born physically into it, anyone can become a child of God. 

C.  Why not take advantage of this before it is everlastingly too late?

D.  What if you are already a child of God, but not living in a way that you should.  If you do not receive forgiveness of your sins, you will not receive the promise of heaven.

1.  Why not make things right with the Lord before it is everlastingly too late?