The Church: The Household of God
I. The Family Feature of the Church:
1. The word "house" used to designate families (Acts 10:2; Heb. 11:7; Lk. 1:27).
2. Church referred to as House of God meaning Family of God (I Tim. 3:15; Heb. 3:6;
Eph. 2:19; 3:15).
II. Salient Features of God's Family -- the Church:
1. God is the Father (Eph. 3:14; 4:6; Matt. 23:9; I Cor. 8:6).
2. Christ, a son over the House of God (Heb. 3:6); Christians his brethren (Heb. 2:12;
Matt. 23:8; 25:40).
3. All Christians are children of God:
a. Sons and Heirs (Rom. 8:15-16; Gal. 4:7); In Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26).
b. Children of God -- Children of Devil (I Jn. 3:10).
c. "Church of God the Father" (I Thess. 1:1).
d. Conclusion:
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. Blessedness of This Relationship:
1. Approach to God as Father (Matt. 6:6-9; Eph. 3:14).
2. Christ our Great High Priest and advocate to plead our cause (Heb. 4:14; 10:21; I Jn. 2:1).
3. Holy Spirit to lead and guide us (Rom. 8:14).
a. Receive Holy Spirit because we are sons (Gal. 4:6).
b. To walk by Spirit (Gal. 5:16).
c. Spirit is the Truth (Jn. 1:17; I Jn. 5:7).
4. God's Fatherly Provision (Rom. 8:32; Jas. 1:17; Matt. 6:8; 6:33-34; 7:7-11).
5. God's Fatherly Correction (Heb. 12:4-11).
6. God's Fatherly Protection (Phil. 4:5-7;
I Cor. 10:12-13).
7. God's ever present Love (I Jn. 3:1; Rom. 8:38-39).
8. Heir of God (Rom. 8:17; Gal. 3:29; I Pet. 1:3-5).
IV. This Relationship Demands:
1. Separation from world (II Cor. 6:17-18; 7:1;
I Jn. 2:15-16).
2. Obedient as Children (I Jn. 3:10; I Pet. 1:14; Eph. 5:6; Rom. 8:12-17);
Walk not after flesh (I Jn. 1:6-7).
3. Wear family name (Acts 4:11-12; 11:26; I Pet. 4:15-16; Col. 3:17).
4. Love our Brethren (I Jn. 4:7, 20-21; 3:13-19).
V. How We Become Children of God:
1. By being born again (Jn. 3:3-5).
2. By Faith and Baptism (Gal. 3:26-27).
3. By Obedience to God's word (I Pet. 1:22-23).
Questions for Discussion:
1. If the Church is God's family, how many churches does God have?
2. How many of God's children are in the Church?
3. What blessings are available to God's children?
4. How do we become children of God?
5. As children of God, how must we treat one another?
6. What position in God's family is accorded to Christ?
7. What is demanded of God's children?
8. Can a child of God be finally disinherited (I Pet. 1:3-5)?