The Church The Household of God
Let’s read 1 Tim. 3:15, and we will expound on it later in the lesson. The the saints, the children of the Heavenly Father, Paul wrote, “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15.
There are blessings available only to those who are members of the household of God. Blessings that cannot be claimed by those outside the family of God. As a member of God’s family, a Christian enjoys these benefits 1. An Heir of God – Rom. 8:15-17, 2. Access to God as Father – Matt. 6:9.
Notice that Paul used the terms “church of the living God” and the “house of God”: The word “oikos”, “house” can mean “house, the material building, household, family, lineage, nation”. Paul used it, not as a physical house, rather here referring to the spiritual family of God. Translated as “household” in Hebrews 11:7 referring to the family of Noah. There are a number of lessons about the church which can be learned from this comparison.
- An Heir of God – Rom. 8:15-17
- Access to God as Father – Matt. 6:9 (Matt. 5:45, 7:8; Eph. 1:3)
- God’s Fatherly Correction – 2 Cor. 12:9-10
- God’s Fatherly Protection – Psalm 121
- God’s Fatherly Love – Rom. 8:35, 38-39
Here let’s just consider 4…
- There are Only Two Families – Eph. 3:14-15; John 8:44
- Christians are Brothers and Sisters – 1 John 5:1; Gal. 6:2
- Christians Must Be Obedient Children – 1 Pet. 1:13-14
- Wear the Family Name – Eph. 3:14-15