The Christian Home
Colossians 3
REFLECTION: If Christianity was against the Law, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Shortly after his marriage, G. Campbell Morgan’s father visited his new home. When asked what he thought of it his father responded, “Yes, it is very nice, but nobody will know, walking through here, whether you belong to God or the Devil.” He then purposed that every room in his house would bear some testimony of His faith.
DIRECTION: This morning we are going to take the blueprint of God’s word and walk through a “Christian Home”. It is my prayer that we will begin to recognize areas in our own homes that should and could be remodeled to better reflect the testimony of the Lord.
PART ONE: THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHRISTIAN HOME.
“Strength of character may be acquired at work, but beauty of character is learned at home. There the affections are trained..” Henry Drummond (1851-1897)
1. A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THAT IS CHARACTERIZED BY.
A. PEACE: “Let the Peace of God rule (GOVERN) in your hearts…” vs 15
1) This is the result of a home where people:
> Are at Peace With God: Based on My RELATIONSHIP Ro. 5:1
"There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." (Isaiah 57:21)
> Have the Peace Of God: Based on My FELLOWSHIP Phil. 4:6-8
“know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4)
B. THANKFULNESS: “and be ye thankful.” Vs 15 (Criticism is Contagious!)
“For three things I thank God every day of my life: thanks that he has vouchsafed me knowledge of his works; deep thanks that he has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to-a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song. “ Helen Keller
C. A SPIRITUAL DIET. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” Vs 16
1) Produces the right Wisdom: “…in all wisdom”
(The Ability to see God’s perspective.)
"the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." Jms 3:17
Note: There is another “wisdom” that would tend to dominate our homes. It produces strife and bitter envy. James 3:14-16
2) Produces the right Warnings: “Teaching and admonishing (cautioning) one another.” Vs 16
What are you teaching your family?
3) Produces the Right Worship: “Singing with Grace in your hearts to the Lord”
“The LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song, he also is become my salvation.” Is. 12:2
"he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God." (Ps 40:3)
Music is a medium of worship!!!!!!!
D. ACCOUNTABILITY: “Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Vs 17, 23-25
1) We are accountable to Christ for every word, thought, motive, and deed. (Ps. 19:14; Pr. 15:3)
"Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Col 3:24)
2. A PRACTICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER THAT IS HARACTERIZED BY:
A. MERCY Vs 12
1) Everything this side of Hell is Grace and Mercy.
"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lam 3:22, 23)
2) Failure is inevitable, Mercy is Optional.
3) God calls us to be witnesses, not judges.
B. KINDNESS (Khray-stot'-ace) usefulness or gentle excellence. Eph. 4:31)
"giving all diligence add to your faith… brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." (2 Pet 1:7)
) We are often kinder to strangers than to our own family!
C. HUMILITY (Phil 2:3) "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;…”
"Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." (1 Pet 5:5)
D. MEEKNESS: (Gentleness) Mt. 11:29-30 “learn of me for I am meek…!”
E. FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER (To Put up with)
F. FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER (To release a debt.)
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Eph 4:32)
G. LOVING ONE ANOTHER. “above all things put on charity…” Vs 14
1) The right temperature at home is maintained by warm hearts, not by hotheads.
2) The Christian home is one where Christ would be comfortable.
APPLICATION:
> Being a Christian does not guarantee you will have a Christian Home.
> A Christian Home is one where Christ is honored as the Head and where He is made comfortable.
> A Christian Home will need periodic “House Cleaning” (See Col 3:1-10)
> This requires a regular choice. Notice the command: “Put on…”
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; …but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)
REMEMBER THE CARPENTER OF GALILEE IS AVAILABLE AND SKILLED IN REMODELING OUR HEARTS AND HOMES!
