Order In The House

Introduction

1 Timothy 3:14–16 ESV

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 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. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

There are some people who believe the Church was a after thought.

That because Gods plan A failed, God created plan B the Church.

The Church was God’s Plan all along Ephesians 1:3–14 “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,…”

Understand the church was planned and thought out

Which tells us that there are no accidents IN THE STRUCTURE, MAKEUP, organization , OR PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH.

God knew what he wanted the church to be, before you, me or anybody existed.

We need to understand this is God’s world we are just living in it!

God has set everything in order

Even the ownership of the Church

Matthew 16:13–18 “13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 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.”

Jesus said “my” church that means it is his, not only did he build it but he also owns it.

The idea of ownership is not foreign to us. ownership is usually the result of purchasing or buying .

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1 Timothy 3:15 “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

The Church is Gods House, and God has appointed Jesus as the head of the house.

When you were a child did your parents ever tell you my house my rules, even if it was not explicitly said you knew you could not just do whatever you wanted in a house that you did not buy and own.

However as easy as that concept is to understand we still have people who try to run God’s house like they own it.

Understand when I say God’s house I am not talking about this building we are in.

The church is not the building the church is us, it is made up of individuals who have been added through obeying of the gospel.

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The Church is Jesus Body

Ephesians 1:22–23 “22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”

The Body of Christ is made up of members 1 Corinthians 12:12 “12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”

So what this means is we never go to church, we may go to worship. but we dont go to church because we are the church and the church is us!

So when Pauls writes in 1 Timothy 3:15 “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

He is not talking about how we act in worship, because believe it or not worship is not the purpose or mission of the church .

Worship is not our Purpose it is our Privilege!!

The reason why our church are weak and not growing because we think or primary responsibility is coming to worship.

and that weather or not I make it to heaven is dependent on often i come to a man made building

That is the biggest lie ever told

Is worshiping God important absolutely.

But being a christian is so much more than that!

Paul wanted timothy to understand and let the Christians know that God expects to behave like the church.

Well if he is not necessarily talking about worship assembly what is he talking about

Sometimes we think of the local church in  two parts. The corporate and the individual. Understand The church is the church.

Everywhere you go the church is there, because you are the church. The church is where you are

When you are on your job you are Avondale church of Christ.

when you are at school you are Avondale church of Christ.

When you are with your friends and neighbors you are Avondale church of Christ.

The things you do in the world that is Avondale church of Christ doing it. If give a stranger some water or some food that is Avondale doing it. If change a flat tire on the side of the road that is Avondale doing that. 

So Paul says I am writing so that you know how to behave in the church wherever you may be.

The devil has tricked some of you to think that this building is holy ground.

There are some things that you would do at home, that you would not do in this building

there are some things you would not say in this building

There are some things you would not wear in this building

But you would do those things anywhere else.

There is no difference

Acts 17:24 “24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,”

So if he does not dwell in man made temples where does he dwell

Great question I am glad you asked 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Church it matters what you do when you leave this place

Lets take it a step futher and say what you do outside these walls matter more than what you do inside them.

If we want to restore, renew and revive the church we need to understand how God wants things done in his house, his church.

Make no mistake his house rules

However, despite what his rules are there is no better place to be

Acts 4:12 “12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.””

John 14:6 “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

If you want salvation, forgiveness of sins, heaven the church of christ is the only place to be