Faithfully Living in the Household of God: The Nature of the Church

Introduction:

Today, as we come together in the presence of our Lord, we embark on a journey of profound significance. Our destination: the very heart of the Church. The Church, is more than bricks and mortar; it's a spiritual sanctuary where we, together, seek communion with our Creator and find the warmth of fellowship with one another.

In our quest, we turn to the wisdom contained within God's Word, specifically 1 Timothy 3:15, where the Church is described as the 'household of God.' This term holds great depth, reminding us that the Church is a divine family, bound together by unwavering faith in our Savior. Moreover, it is 'the church of the living God,' emphasizing our exclusive connection to the Lord Himself.

As we delve into the sermon, we will dig deeper into the layers of meaning behind these descriptions and explore the purpose and calling of the Church. Our aim is to be spiritually enriched and equipped to fulfill our mission as members of this divine family.

What is the Church?

When we ponder the Church, it evokes a beautiful tapestry of images. Many perceive the church as a sacred haven where they come to commune with God, offer prayers, and engage in religious ceremonies and rituals.

For some, the church is primarily a close-knit community of kindred spirits who unite to build each one another, share their faith, and enjoy heartwarming fellowship.

Others see it as a place for exploring diverse worldviews. And some hold the church in high esteem as a historical, cultural, and architectural gem, acknowledging its significance within the broader cultural of the past.

No matter our personal perspectives on the church, its true definition lies in the Word of God, providing us with a profound understanding of its nature.

In recent weeks, our focus has been on the officers of the church, and in the upcoming week, we will delve into the nature of the church.

Paul says in, 1 Timothy 3:15 “If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

The Household of God:

Paul's first description of the church highlights it as the "household of God," signifying a place where all who dwell in God's divine home find belonging and purpose under the headship of Christ. In the Near East, especially in Paul's time, the term "house" encompassed both family and residence, painting a richer, more inclusive picture.

In Scripture, then, the church appears in this sense as the “house of God” (cf. 1 Timothy 3:15; Heb 3:6, 10:21); the members of the church are “family” (Gal 6:10; Eph 2:19; Matt 10:25).

The greek word that Paul uses for house is, οἶκος (oikos); οἰκία (oikia) house, household which refers both to the building where a family lives and to the family itself as the social group.

The Greek word “oikos” can be the physical dwelling (1 Peter 2:5), and, by extension, the people living in it or associated with it. In the book of Acts, entire households are sometimes baptized after believing in Jesus (Acts 16:31-33, 18:8) as led by the head of the household.

We understand this as, the place where we come together which we commonly referred to as the church. However, the Bible doesn't describe the physical structure as the church. Instead, the church comprises those who have made a covenant with Christ, forming the spiritual house of God (1 Peter 2:5).

Furthermore, what is truly captivating to discover, is that the English word 'church' has its origins in a Greek term 'kuriakon,' which carries the notion of 'belonging to the Lord.' This word embarked on a fascinating linguistic journey, evolving into the word 'kirche' in Old High German and eventually becoming the word 'church' we use in English today. Its usage can be traced back to the early centuries of Christianity, shedding light on the rich history of this word.

In the Bible, the word "household" (that Paul uses for the church) appears 22 times, and what's intriguing about its usage is the broad scope of inclusion. Allow me to explain with a few passages.

Genesis 20:13 “And when God caused me to wander from my father’s house.” 

Acts 10:2 “a devout man who feared God with all his household.”

Genesis 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother (reference to the household) and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

The point I am illustrating is that throughout scripture the idea of a household is more often a reference to all that comes from or is under the authority of a father.

In the New Testament, the terms "oikos" and "oikia" representing both the physical house and the loving family under a father's guidance. This is vital in understanding the Bible describes Christians.

1 Peter 2:5 “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

1 Timothy 3:14–15 “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

(Slow Down!)Hence, the term "household of God" encompasses not just one group of believers, but the entire worldwide community of faithful Christians. It signifies all those who willingly yield to God the Father, guided by the work of the Holy Spirit, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Every person who finds themselves in the spiritual home has entered exclusive through Jesus Christ.

John 10:7–9 “So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

To know if you are part of the "Household of God," examine if you've put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way to God the Father. Also, examine to see if you're genuinely living in obedience to God.

(Slow down!) As a result, the church consists of believers who have willingly surrendered to God the Father, aka those who belong to the Lord! They stand out from the world then, in their character, perspective, and purpose, striving to be holy as God Himself. This is all possible through the work of Christ, which has brought us into God's family.

Matthew 19:25–26 “When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””

This makes the church exclusive!

Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!””

The Gathered People of the Living God:

However, it is overly simplistic to merely consider the church as a worldwide community adopted into God's family. Paul offers an additional descriptive phrase to enhance our understanding of the church's nature.

1 Timothy 3:14–15 “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

Paul calls the people of God, “the church of the living God.”

Meaning the church belongs to God!

The Greek word uses is, ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia). Called out ones, church, assembly, congregation: A group that meets together for various political, religious, and civic purposes.

This holds immense significance as the term "ekklesia" in the Bible has its roots in a Hebrew term that distinctly denotes the nation of Israel. In the Old Testament, Israel is unquestionably God's chosen people. This fact it emphasizes the special relationship between God and Israel.

Jeremiah 30:22 “And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.””

Therefore, when Paul declares Christians as "the church (ekklesia) of the living God," he affirms that those who have been adopted into God's household through Jesus Christ constitute the authentic people of God, i.e. those who belong to the Lord.

Romans 2:28–29 “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.”

Paul says in Romans 9:25–26 “As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’ ” “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ ””

Moreover, in employing the term "ekklesia," Paul underscores a pivotal aspect of God's people: they belong to the Lord and they gather together. Hence, as the people of God, our foremost duty is to come together for worship and education, thus enabling us to fulfill our divine calling.

Our Divine Calling:

It is the duty and the privilege of the church of God to exalt the truth for all to see. Possibly you have seen the column of Trajan, or the column in the Place of Vendôme in Paris. Around these pillars you see the victories of the conqueror pictured in relief, and lifted into the air, that all may see them.

Now, the church of God is a pillar that lifts up and publishes, far and wide, the achievements of our conquering Lord, saying to all mankind that God “was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the Gentiles, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory” (1 Tim 3:16). (Illustration from Charles Spurgeon.)

The Church boldly declares all the mighty deeds of our victorious Lord:

Paul says in, 1 Timothy 3:14–15 “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

(Slow Down!) As the global and united body of believers in the living God, our duty is to passionately proclaim the triumphs of our Sovereign. He has decisively conquered sin and death, liberating us from the shackles of our flesh. Our purpose is to boldly declare the magnificent deeds of the King.

Pillars in the ancient world exist to showcase accomplishments, and so does the church. We stand as a steadfast pillar and a bulwark of truth. We are not a mere social club, a physical structure, or a gathering of individuals.

At our core, we are emissaries of the Gospel, messengers of divine truth. We are warriors faithfully following the commands of our supreme Commander, King Jesus, as He vanquishes the forces of darkness and restores righteousness.

With unwavering determination, the church must consistently elevate and safeguard God's truth in every facet of life. We are tasked with illuminating the path of repentance and faith for all to tread. This is precisely why the Apostle Paul devoted his energies to instructing women on their behavior, guiding men toward righteous living and prayer, and educating the church on the qualifications of its leaders.

Conclusion: The Church must walk in obedience to be truly effective.

Hence, when we walk faithfully according to God's word, living in godliness, the church becomes an indomitable force for good in the world.

Matthew 16:18 states, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

While our conduct carries immense significance, we must always bear in mind that, despite our imperfections, it is God who builds His church. We act as his instruments in this divine endeavor.

Our mission is to banish darkness, not dwell in it, but expose the deeds done in the shadows. Neglecting this duty dishonors the sacrifice of Jesus, who offered Himself as a ransom for the glorification of God and humanity's deliverance from sin and death.

The church stands as an unwavering pillar of truth and a fortress for the Gospel. As an outpost, it shines as a beacon of freedom, heralding the redemption offered by the King to those enslaved by sin.

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