1. The Church: The Household (family) of God
Inspired by Mike Willis’ article:
The Church: The Household of God
in Guardian of Truth magazine

2. Introduction
This morning I want to take a look at the term household as used in Acts 16:31 and 18:8
Definitions of household and family
Household: The people of a house collectively; a family including its servants
The people living together in one house collectively
Family: A basic social unit consisting of parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not
A social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for
A primary social group consisting of parents and their offspring, the principle function of which is provision for its members
This lesson will draw several teachings from this comparison of Church and family

3. Observation 1: God is the father
There are only two spiritual families…The family of God or the family of the devil
Jn 1:12; Rom 8:16: 1 Jn 3:1-2; Jn 8:42-27
Which father have you chosen???

4. Observation 2: Christians are brothers and sisters
As stated by Christ
Mt 23:8, 28:10; Mk 3:33-35
As stated by Paul
I Cor 15:6; 2 Cor 1:1; Philemon 15-16
In families, brothers and sisters share in individual successes and pains…the Church should as well
Rom 12:15; 1 Cor 12:26; Gal 6:2; Jam 5:13-16

5. Observation 3: We must be obedient children to God our father
Old Testament Examples
Deut 28:1-2, 28:15; 1 Sam 15:22
New Testament Examples
Acts 5:28-29; 2 Cor 2:9; Eph 5:6; Phil 2:8
Questions to consider
Do you attend worship like your Father directs?
Do you study your bible as the Father directs?
Do you visit the sick or needy or imprisoned as the Father directs?
Do you teach others the gospel as your Father directs?
Are you an obedient or disobedient child?

6. Observation 4: We should wear the “family name” with pride
As a child of God we have the privilege of bearing His family name
Eph 3:14-15; Rom 1:16-17
Dow we have the same attitude and boldness as Paul when it comes to our Christianity?
Do we proudly wear the name Christian?
Christian implies we are “Christ-like” in our actions
Are you what your name implies or are you ashamed of your spiritual family as some of their physical one?

7. Final Observation: We will live in an eternal home with our father
If God is our Father, we have a mansion in Heaven to look forward to
Jn 14:1-3
If we remain a child of the devil, we have judgment and suffering to look forward to
Jn 5:27-29; Mk 9:43-45

8. Conclusion God has blessed those who are part of His household
Ask yourself this morning if you have accepted these blessings
If not, why not?
There is no greater family to be a part of than the family of God