This sermon explores the concept of the church as a spiritual family, bound by faith and love, and guides believers on living as God's household.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather here today beneath the warm embrace of our Father's love, let us turn our hearts and minds towards the sacred scriptures, towards the living word of God. We stand on the cusp of a profound biblical understanding, ready to open our hearts to the divine wisdom that awaits us in the pages of 1 Timothy 3:15.
The scripture reads, "If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."
In this passage, the Apostle Paul imparts to us a profound understanding of the church as a family, bound together not by the ties of blood, but by the shared faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are called to see the church not merely as a building or an institution, but as the spiritual family of believers, the household of God.
As we delve into this truth, let us remember the words of the great Christian thinker, C.S. Lewis, who once said, "The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us." This is the love that binds us together as a family in faith, the love that fosters a sense of community within the church, and the love that guides us in our functioning as a spiritual family.
We often refer to our biological family as the people we share our DNA with. But in the family of faith, it's not about DNA, it's about shared belief in Jesus Christ. We are all children of God, adopted into His family through faith. This is a family where everyone is welcome, everyone is loved, and everyone has a place. It's a family where we are all equal in the eyes of God, regardless of our earthly status, our past mistakes, or our personal shortcomings.
A. In this family, we are called to love one another as God has loved us. This love is not based on feelings or emotions, but on a decision to put the needs of others before our own. It's a love that is patient and kind, that does not envy or boast, that is not proud or rude. It's a love that always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. This is the kind of love that binds us together as a family in faith.
B. In this family, we are also called to encourage one another and build each other up. We are called to bear each other's burdens, to rejoice with those who rejoice, and to mourn with those who mourn. We are called to speak the truth in love, to forgive each other as God has forgiven us, and to spur one another on towards love and good deeds. This is the kind of community that we are called to foster within the church.
C. But being part of this family also comes with responsibilities. We are called to serve one another in love, to use our gifts to build up the body of Christ, and to contribute to the needs of the saints. We are called to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, to pray for one another, and to teach and admonish one another with all wisdom. This is the kind of functioning that we are called to embody as a spiritual family.
So, as we reflect on these truths, let's remember that the church is not a building, it's not an institution, it's a family. It's a family where we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, where we are all loved and accepted, where we are all called to love and serve one another. This is the church, the household of God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. This is the family of faith.
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