Jon Gary Williams
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The Church - Lesson 4
The Church in 25 Lessons
Jon Gary Williams
Lesson 4 - The Church: A House
The word "house"is often used to designate families. (Acts 10:2; Heb.11:7) The Lord's church is sometimes addressed as a "house" - this is the family feature of the church. The church is God's spiritual house. (I Tim. 3:15) This family is of such nature that it extends into heaven. (Eph.3:15)
I. Prominent features of God's house
A. God is the Father. I Cor. 8:6; Eph. 4:6 (cf. Matt. 23:9)
B. Christ, as a Son, is over the house of God. (Heb. 3:6
)
C. Christ is a brother to Christians in the house of God. (Heb. 2:11
)
D. Christians are children in the house of God. (Gal. 3:26)
E. Christians are brethren in the house of God. (I Pet. 1:22; 3:8) (cf. Matt. 25:40)
F. Christians are sons and heirs in the house of God. (Rom. 8:16,17; Gal. 4:6,7)
II. Blessings of this relationship
A. God's children can speak to him. (Rom. 1:8; I Th. 5:23) (cf. Matt. 6:9ff)
B. Christ is the advocate for God's children. (I Jn. 2:1
)
C. The Holy Spirit leads God's children. (Rom. 8:14). Because they are God's children, Christians are given the Spirit. (Gal. 4:6)
D. God gives his children fatherly correction. (Heb. 12:5-7, 11)
E. God gives his children fatherly protection. (Phil. 4:5-7; I Cor. 10:13; I Pet. 5:6,7)
F. God has love for his children. (I Jn. 3:1; Rom. 8:38,39)
III. Demands of this relationship
A. God's children are to be separate from the world. (II Cor. 6:17--17:1; Phil. 2:14-16; Eph. 5:1-17)
B. God's children are to be obedient. (I Pet. 1:13-16; I Jn. 3:7) (cf. Eph. 5:6; I Jn. 3:10)
C. God's children are to wear the family name. (Acts 11:26; Col. 3:17; I Pet. 4:15,16) (cf. Acts 4:11,12)
D. God's children are to have love. (Rom. 12:9,10; I Thess. 4:9; I Pet. 1:22; I Jn. 3: 13-19; 4:7; 20,21)
IV. Fruits of this relationship
A. To have a heavenly home. (II Cor. 5:1; Col. 1:1-5; I Pet. 1:3-5) (cf. Jn. 14:1-3)
B. To be like Christ and with Christ. (I Jn. 3:2; I Th. 4:13-18)