STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

SERMON MENU SELECTIONS

11/5/2008 ~ Family is Home For All


Do you enjoy feeling Useful?    Do you feel Unity?

HOME = SPIRITUAL LIFE CENTER

"... at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." ~ Revelation 3:20


Have you asked the Lord to eat with you?
The Lord of the universe waits for you to call Him.
Is He genuinely a welcome member of your family?
He wants to share His love and trust with you.
~ Thank you for coming


"I am the living bread which came down from heaven.
If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; ..." ~ John 6:51


I am the meal.
Eat of me; - take Me in to your spirit.


... so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. ... ~ John 6:54-58

If you take of Him, you will live forever.

"... The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."
~ John 6:60-63


Who and how can one do it?
~ It is His inspired word that shall nourish and save us.


"... I have come that they may have life, and that
they may have it more abundantly." ~ John 10:10


Life through Him is the fullness of life.
He came to give of Himself, not to take as a thief.


... this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. ~ John 17:1-3


He wants us to know Him intimately.
How deeply do you know someone well?
~ It’s not just knowing about Him, it’s being involved with Him.

What makes a home?
                   └─> Our relationship with people.

A house does not necessarily make a home.
A home is where relationships are cherished and endure.
Church and homes work together supporting each other.
● Church stimulates love.  
~ Anchor upon truth.  


... consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, ... ~ Hebrews 10:24-25


We are commanded to stimulate one another in love with good words.
God's word is here to improve us continually to become better.
To stir up one's sincere mind.
To rouse up character.

Home is where the raw actions occur.
Don’t live a duel life. <─┘     


What is Character?
Who You Think You Are
Who Others Think You Are 
Who God Knows You Are
... EGO
... REPUTATION
... CHARACTER

● Our goal is to put that tripod schizophrenic self all together  
in a unified person, that the person God knows that we are
is the person that other people know that we are
is the person that we know that we are
and this is a journey of a lifetime.
~ A transparent sincere person.


Sow a Thought
Sow an Action
Sow an Habit
Sow a Character    
Reap an Action
Reap a Habit
Reap a Character
Reap a Destiny

~ We need homes with thinkers ~
One's habits are best if sure and steady.
Encourage repeated good actions.
Character is the accumulation of how you habitually act.
Time can help us learn these good routines.

● Habitually kind.
● Habitually loving.
● Habitually patient.
Home is where you are taken in.
Do you look forward to going home? ~ Most do.
We are best served when it is the sanctuary of our hearts.


... He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;
But the rebellious dwell in a dry land. ~ Psalm 68:6


Children will never enjoy home if they are
rebellious against the authority of their parents.
There is a joy found from being on your own.
~ If you do not establish a home serving others, it will never be home.
Home only works in cooperation with each other.


REBELLION = STRIFE

Like a bird that wanders from its nest Is a man who wanders from his place.
~ Proverbs 27:8


Successful families help each other and want to be around each other.
It is not about the size of your home, it is about the size of your heart.
Home is where you belong and many search a lifetime for this.


Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth. ~ John 17:17

A spiritual home has:
1. Love of truth
Joyfully conforms to the boundaries of truth.
You shall know the truth and it shall set you free.

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
~ John 8:32


Whoever transgresses and does not abide in
the doctrine of Christ does not have God. ... ~ 2nd John 1:9


Rules and regulations are part of truth.
Christ’s teachings are the truth of the One Living God.
Clearly, those without Christ do not possess the truth.

2. Humbly Seeks the Audit of Others (Even and Especially Critics)


... communicated to them that gospel which I preach ... ~ Galatians 2:2

Audit = Examination
Truth has nothing to fear.
Put before others what you believe.
God does not will His word to be discussed defensively but beneficially.
Seek out the word through the study of scripture among yourselves.
~ Freedom and joy in pursuit of investigation.

3. Courageously Puts Truth Over Personal Advantage or Comfort


"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. ..." ~ Matthew 10:34-35

... "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk
in darkness, but have the light of life." ~ John 8:12


If you are not willing to come inside the boundaries in the light
you will remain in the darkness separated from your family.
● One needs to be in the boundaries of God.
~ Love of truth, if it is, comes before all and anything else.

4. Confidently Holds to a Holy and Sincere Conscience


... testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world
in simplicity and godly sincerity, ... ~ 2nd Corinthians 1:12


Strive to live in the truth.

... since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy,
we do not lose heart. ~ 2nd Corinthians 4:1


Truth Produces Homes of:
1. JOY
2. HUMILITY
3. COURAGE
4. CONFIDENCE

True Christians are willing to be examined for the sake of truth.
Do you sacrifice for truth?
Actions testify of the self over words.
● Love of God by loving others.
How do you know you love God?

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear,
because fear involves torment. ... ~ 1st John 4:18-21


One cannot love God without love of others.
~ Do not blame others but open your heart to overcome petty angers.
Skills of love goes beyond the self.
Love of brethren and compassion for one’s enemies.
You know you love God when you love others


... to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own
husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. ~ Titus 2:3-5


A true spiritual home cares for all.

LOVE OF STRANGERS = HOSPITALITY

Home is a place of hospitality.

Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for
by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. ~ Hebrews 13:1-2


... be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things
have fervent love for one another, ... ~ 1st Peter 4:7-9


Our homes can become centers of spirituality if:
1. LOVE OF TRUTH
2. LOVE OF GOD BY LOVING OTHERS
3. LOVE OF STRANGERS
4. LOVE OF LOST

Lack of respect for God's Way = Lawlessness

IS GOD PART OF YOUR FAMILY?
DOES HE COME TO YOUR HOME?




 

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