At ECC we have had for many years values that this Church will be a place where people are Valued, Loved and considered Vital because we want to become and keep becoming a Household that holds People of Purpose, People of Potential and People in Partnership.
Over the next four weeks I want to restate those values, I want rekindle the Purpose, Potential and Partnership that the ECC House Holds
Joshua 24:15, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Most of us belong to a Household; all of us belong to the Household of God. We are untied by the shed blood of Jesus that has brought us together as brothers and sisters in Christ with One Heavenly Father.
I have felt challenged recently to consider what does the House hold? What does the Household of Hayes Hold? What does the Household of God Hold? What does the Household of ECC Hold?
I recently heard a speaker talk about Billy Graham’s mum and dad, saying that Mr & Mrs Graham didn’t realise who their house was holding, when little Billy was crying in the night and falling of his bike, Mr & Mrs Graham didn’t know they had been called to care for a boy who would become a man used by God to bring millions of people to The Saviour Jesus.
Joseph and Mary knew their house was holding someone different. Jesus’ miraculous birth, the prophecy in the temple, the angelic appearance, John the Baptist leaping in his Mother’s womb where all pretty good indicators that their Household was holding someone upon whom the hand of God rested.
Each one in the ECC Household has had a miraculous birth, born again by the Spirit, many of us if not all, have had prophecy’s and promises from God over our lives, many have gifts, talents and callings from God, to me that is a good indicator that the ECC House Holds people upon whom the hand of God rests.
There is a sociological debate over “Nurture Vs Nature” is a person born bad and so bad by nature or does a person learn to be bad by nurture? I believe it is Nurture, because of Paul’s encouragement Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Social environment, values and influences create a culture or atmosphere that influences a person to become who they are in life. Of course sociological views do not consider the power of sin and Satan to blind and bind a person and the power of the Gospel to free them from the bondage of Satan and Sin and make them a member of the Household of God. Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Joshua 24:15, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
It is our responsibility to create a household culture at home and at church that nurtures an environment that influences people to become the person God’s has planned for them to be.
Culture is created by a sustained atmosphere, we carry and create the atmosphere by what comes out of us, bad moods create atmosphere, and sustained bad moods create a culture of fear, upset and sadness.
What atmosphere do we bring to our household?
Whenever Barnabus came into a room a positive atmosphere of encouragement arrived, spurring people on to be and do what God planned. When bringing children up, it better for their future they live in a ‘can do’ atmosphere rather than ‘you’ll make nothing of yourself,’ does the Bible not teach us we can do all thing through Christ. Encouragement does not just happen, it takes effort on our part.
Jesus’ prayer for His House is that it would be seen and known and felt to be a place where people are loved. Love is hard work; it takes patience, forgiveness, repentance, time, service.
Often Jesus could not do many miracles in some places because he was not received by the people they created a critical and doubting atmosphere. When people brought the sick, lined the streets, waited for Jesus to come the atmosphere to receive was created. Matthew 13:58And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Worship is fantastic but Worship is only fantastic when we chose to engage our hearts in worship, any group of people can sing songs, but the House of God are not any group of people, we are the people of God called to worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24
A household culture is not simply created by having the correct values but by committing to live according to those values. Can’t just claim to be a House of Love, Encouragement, Worship or Miracles, we need to chose this is what we will be and chose this is what we will do.
Let us Carry in our heart an atmosphere of Love, Encouragement, Worship, and Faith.
So when the newbee turns up or are brought, they come into a House of Love, Encouragement, Worship, and Faith.
