Putting Your Household in Order

Scriptural Text: ,

Salvation, Day of

The story is told of a time when Satan held a strategy session for subverting those who were close to salvation. “What shall we do?” asked Satan. A daring demon stood and shouted, “I have it! I know what we can do! We can tell men that there is no life after death, that they die like animals.” Satan’s face fell as he answered, “It will never work. Man is not ignorant; even atheists admit of times when they sense a tomorrow after death.”

Another demon spoke, “Here’s the solution! Let’s say there is no God or if there ever was, he is dead—because even if he started the universe, he has left it now.” Satan replied in dismay, “That won’t work either; most of them know there is a God, even though they don’t seek him.”

Other ideas were presented, but none brought hope to Satan and his underlings. Finally, as they were about to give up, one demon leaped in glee, “I have it! A sure solution!” The other demons crowded around to hear the plan. “Go tell them that God is real and the Bible is God’s Word.” A gasp came from the audience as the demon continued, “And tell them that Jesus is God’s Son and frees men from sin.” The other demons were horror-stricken, thinking that their associate had gone bananas, until, with a smile, he added, “Then tell them that this is not the best time to choose Christ. Help them make excuses for delaying their decision. Tell them there is no hurry!” The demons danced in delight, realizing a workable plan had been discovered.1165

 Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 312–313.

God have established three institutions: (1) government[] (2) the church[; ] (3) and the family[, ]

To frustrate God’s plan for the family, Satan has also introduced homosexuality, legislated abortion rights, and the temptation of drugs(chemical substance that effects the mind and body) that creates a dependency on it other than God

idea in evangelical Christianity that the whole body of believers in Christ would rise like a flock of frightened birds when the Lord comes. But A.B. Simpson and William MacArthur and others in the past generation said, “Oh no! The Lord will take with Him those who are prepared and ready for His coming!”

“What is God trying to do with His believing people?—He is trying to get His Bride ready?”

—the Bible calls us a remnant according to grace, believers taken out of the great, teeming swarm of so-called religious people in today’s world.

the Bible calls us a remnant according to grace, believers taken out of the great, teeming swarm of so-called religious people in today’s world.

The Remnant The idea of the remnant is that a small nucleus of God’s people, preserved by His unmerited grace, form a foundation for a new community devoted to His redemptive work.

The idea of the remnant is that a small nucleus of God’s people, preserved by His unmerited grace, form a foundation for a new community devoted to His redemptive work.

Note:Throughout history God has always preserved a remnant from among His people to serve as a lighthouse in the midst of a dark and sinful world.

Demonstrated by God’s dealing with Israel

In Elijah’s time 7,000 had not bowed the knee to Baal ().

In Isaiah’s time it was the “very small remnant” for whose sake God still forbore to destroy the nation ().

A. Israel’s Past (Chap. 9)

During the captivities the remnant appears in Jews like Ezekiel, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Esther and Mordecai.

B. Israel’s Present (Chap. 10)

C. Israel’s Future (Chap. 11)

At the end of the 70 years of Babylonian captivity it was the remnant which returned under Ezra and Nehemiah.

At the advent of our Lord, John the Baptist, Simeon, Anna, and “them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (), were the remnant.

During the church-age the remnant is composed of believing Jews (, ).

But the chief interest in the remnant is prophetic. During the great tribulation a remnant out of all Israel will turn to Jesus as Messiah(). Some of these will undergo martyrdom (), some will be spared to enter the millennial kingdom ().

Church we must get ready by “putting our house in order”:

(24:3-4) Be wise in building a home or undertaking any other project.

(ESV) 3By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

3By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;

4by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

In Proverbs, the word house refers not only to a structure in which people live but also to the people who live within that structure (11:29; 15:27).

While people should obviously follow sound construction principles in erecting a house, this proverb is talking about the family life that takes place within its four walls and under its roof.

a. Wisdom makes a home strong (v. 3).

Strong homes—homes that will survive the storms of Satan and the winds of the world—do not just automatically exist. They are the product of wise planning and hard work.

Strong lives and homes must be built on the rock (), the firm foundation of…

the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only solid foundation for living (; ; ).

He is the only solid foundation for living (; ; ). the Word of God, His holy commandments. the Proverbs. This particular portion of God’s Word focuses on His principles for skilled and successful living. Strong homes are built by following the principles of this specific book of wisdom.

the Word of God, His holy commandments.

the Proverbs. This particular portion of God’s Word focuses on God’s principles for skilled and successful living. Strong homes are built by following the principles of this specific book of wisdom.

b. Knowledge fills the rooms with treasures (v. 4).

Precious speaks of the great cost and value of the furnishings and decorations.

Pleasant speaks of the delight they bring to both family members and guests of the home.

Understanding God’s wisdom makes a home strong, but understanding among family members makes it a beautiful showplace of love and joy.

The focus shifts from the structure of the house to the beautiful items that fill its rooms.

The Point: Wise people build their houses—their lives and their families—on the truths of God’s Word. ()

Pleasant speaks of the delight they bring to both family members and guests of the home.

(NKJV)

Joshua 24:14–24 (NKJV)

14“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!

15And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”