Eph 2:19-22 AMP

19 Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's [own] household.

20 You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.

21 In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].

22 In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.

1Ti 3:14-15 AMP

14 Although I hope to come to you before long, I am writing these instructions to you so that,

15 If I am detained, you may know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and stay (the prop and support) of the Truth.

Introduction:

Every person has a real need to belong to a group of others that care about their welfare, their hopes, dreams and desires. Every one of us needs to find a place where we can live out our faith with the assurance that these others in our lives desire the best for us. The Church is called the household of faith. A household indicates that those inside are part of a family. As the household of faith, it is time to accept responsibility for the health and development of each other member of this household. Each one of us has the responsibility to press into Christ to become more like Jesus to all.

Placement:

A household also speak of family life and as such we need to ensure that we are part of the family in which God has placed us within the Church. It is of utmost importance that you find your place in the Church in order for you to be slotted into the Family Life in that House in order for you to also add value and quality to the family life you are part of.

What is your PART?

What are YOU bringing to this HOUSEHOLD?

Deu 12:5 AMP

5 But you shall seek the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put His Name and make His dwelling place, and there shall you come;

6 And there you shall bring your burnt offerings and your sacrifices, your tithes and the offering of your hands, and your vows and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock.

Deu 12:8 AMP

8 You shall not do according to all we do here [in the camp] this day, every man doing whatever looks right in his own eyes.

Deu 12:14 AMP

14 But in the place which the Lord shall choose in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all I command you.

Each one of us needs to press into God's desire for you. We need to challenge ourselves in this journey by asking ourselves as to where we are now in this journey? Do you know God's desire for you? Do you know where the house is that God has called you to and where He has placed His name for YOU?

As members of the household of faith, we have a foundation upon which to build upon.

Eph 2:19-20 AMP

19 Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God's own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God's [own] household.

20 You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.

1Co 3:11 AMP

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Jesus and the Father are the only foundation upon whom we can build. Yes we embrace the message and doctrine of father and son relationship in the body, but we must stay aligned to have our focus on God the Father and not on man. The role of the spiritual father is only to be a reflection of God the Father in your life and to help and assist you to come to that place of maturity in Christ.

Remember it is first in the natural then the spiritual. That is the order of God. He first created the earth and all upon it before he created man. In the same way God first established the natural family in order to bring us into the spiritual family.

We must give ourselves to the equipping process just as every family member of the nucleus family gives themselves to the maturing process.

• 1. From birth to adulthood, maturity is a process with attitudes formed through the input of the parents and older children.
• 2. Children are given protection appropriate to the maturity level.
• 3. Responsibilities are to be given appropriate to the maturity level.

Every member makes a contribution to the church life process seen and experienced in the household of faith.

The kind of atmosphere desired in the household must be modeled by its leaders, but it must be established by general population of the house.

Jesus Christ is our model and we are being conformed to His image.

Romans 8:29

29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

As members of the household of faith, we are called upon to serve one another.

Luke 12:42-44

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful steward, the wise man whom his master will set over those in his household service to supply them their allowance of food at the appointed time?

43 Blessed (happy and to be envied) is that servant whom his master finds so doing when he arrives.

44 Truly I tell you, he will set him in charge over all his possessions. A. There is a critical need for every man to feast on the word of the Lord if he is to be healthy and grow to maturity.

Mat 4:1-4 AMP

1 THEN JESUS was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil.

2 And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry. [Exod. 34:28; I Kings 19:8.]

3 And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God's Son, command these stones to be made [loaves of] bread.

4 But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. [Deut. 8:3.]

As every member has responsibility to share in the life process, we need to find opportunities to give that which will help another household member to be strengthened.

Rom 12:4-12 AMP

4 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use,

5 So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].

6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;

7 [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;

8 He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.

9 [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.

10 Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.

11 Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.

12 Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.

God brings revelation to us not to make us smart, but so we will have valuable spiritual food and spiritual insight to share with the household of faith.

1Co 4:1 AMP

1 SO THEN, let us [apostles] be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God.

As members of the household of faith, we should endeavor to encourage and build up every other member.

Rom 15:2 AMP

2 Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].

• We want to encourage peace and love among the brethren.

Rom 14:19 AMP

19 So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another.

We want to find and use our spiritual gifting in order to help the brethren.

1Co 14:12 AMP

12 So it is with yourselves; since you are so eager and ambitious to possess spiritual endowments and manifestations of the [Holy] Spirit, [concentrate on] striving to excel and to abound [in them] in ways that will build up the church.

1Pe 3:15 AMP

15 But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully. [Isa. 8:12, 13.]

If we are to be effective in helping the household, we must give ourselves to those things which will build us up.

Jud 1:20-21 AMP

20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;

21 Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--[which will bring you] unto life eternal.

• Be part of a group who will add spiritual strength to your live. This is part of the process of building yourself up.
• Be a person of prayer and use your prayer language.
• Protect yourself from everything that would separate you from God's love.
• God has called the small home church ministry so that we can be much more effective in receiving and giving in the household of faith.

1Co 14:26 AMP

26 What then, brethren, is [the right course]? When you meet together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge or information, an utterance in a [strange] tongue, or an interpretation of it. [But] let everything be constructive and edifying and for the good of all.

• 1. Is there any reason to believe that each could have an opportunity to share in a meeting with fifty people or more?
• 2. In fact, Jesus limited Himself to an intimate relationship with twelve.

As the household of faith moves in this demonstration of love for one another, it will become an effective means of evangelism.

Joh 13:34-35 AMP

34 I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.

35 By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

Conclusion & Practical Application:

1. Let's each determine to get on an equipping track in order to be prepared to minister to the household of faith. This can be done by asking yourself as to what you can do to grow and develop in your spiritual walk?

2. Let's begin to find opportunities to make contributions to the life of the household of faith. What and how can this be effected in a practical way. Make a list of those things that you are committed to and ask the rest of this household to keep you accountable

3. Let's get involved in this small Home Church Fellowship so we can receive and give more effectively.

4. Let's grow in love for one another in a practical and godly way.

Meditation for the Week:

Gal 6:10 AMP

10 So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].

Eph 4:15-16 AMP

15 Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.