The Church Family of Believers

1
The Church - Family of Believers

• Theme Looking at this church as a family of
  believers.

2
Introduction

• The church is a unique organization, unlike other
  institutions.
• You can be rich or poor, any nationality, male or
  female, young or old.
• There is absolutely no discrimination whom the
  Lord brings into His church.

3
Introduction

• Yet, as open as the Lords church is for all who
  come to Him, it is closer than any organization
  this world knows.
• It is the only one that has such diversity yet
  regards its members as family.
• This organization shows just how the Lord expects
  intimacy within the household of the Lord.

4
Introduction

• This lesson focuses on
• Contrasting the Lords family with the
  organizations of this world.
• Note
• How intimacy flourishes within the Lords church.
• Things Christians can do to promote intimacy
  within the Lords family.

5
The church More than an organization

• The Lords church has organization, but it is
  much more than an organization
• It is not a mixture between religion and
  business.
• It is not a non-profit business or corporation.

6
The church More than an organization

• The above concepts are reasons why men have
  turned the Lords church into something it is
  not
• Associate or Youth minister.
• Superintendent of Sunday School/Education.
• Director of Music.
• A place for professional spiritual help.

7
The church More than an organization

• Jesus had a familial view of His disciples.
• He viewed it as a family doing the will of our
  Father in heaven.
• Both Jesus often referred to fellow believers via
  the family relationship
• From his youth he began referring to God as His
  Father. Lk. 249
• He regarded other believers as brothers, sisters,
  and mothers. Matt. 1246-50

8
The church More than an organization

• The apostles referred to other members of the
  church
• As a brotherhood. 1 Pet. 217
• The house of God. 1 Tim. 315
• The closeness among Christians could further
  amplify this family view.

9
How Family Intimacy Permeates Within the Church

• In our relationship with each other
• We are to be like little children toward one
  another. Matt. 181-4 Phil. 23
• With humility.
• Esteem one another.

10
How Family Intimacy Permeates Within the Church

• In our discipline among each other. Matt.
  1815-17 2 Thess. 36-15
• Through a loving and scriptural relationship, the
  bond among believers will be strong.
• Because of a close family relationship, an
  unrepentant believer may be more likely to return
  from the error of his way. Cp. 1 Cor. 51-6 2
  Cor. 26-8

11
How Family Intimacy Permeates Within the Church

• Failure in practicing a godly fellowship/relations
  hip with one another sets stumbling blocks in the
  path of punitive discipline among the saints.
• Forgiving one another. Matt. 1821-22
• Serving one another. Matt. 2025-28 Eph. 521

12
How Family Intimacy Permeates Within the Church

• All the above stress an important spiritual
  truth The church is a family.
• A home away from home!
• A home which is our true home!

13
Building Family Intimacy in the church

• For some, it means spending more time with each
  other doing the work of the Lord.
• Spending more time assembling with the saints.
  Heb. 1024-25
• Spending more time with one another outside the
  walls of worship. Cp. Acts 246-47

14
Building Family Intimacy in the church

• This intimacy comes by way of the following
• Caring in our efforts for both our physical and
  spiritual well-being
• Saving souls. Mk. 1615-16
• Building up the body. Eph. 411-16
• Helping our brethren in need. 2 Cor. 81-4

15
Building Family Intimacy in the church

• To fulfill this endeavor in a godly manner every
  part must do its share. Eph. 416
• Sound preaching and teaching must continue.
• Exhortation and restoration among the saints must
  be practiced.
• Ministering to the needs of each other
  (physical/spiritual)

16
Conclusion

• What are we doing to see that the church is
  fulfilling its design to be the family of
  believers Gods word reveals?
• All of us need to continue to strengthen this
  family and be the intimate household of God
  that meets here.