Theme: CHURCH
Lesson: THE CHURCH, A FAMILY
Scripture Reference:
Eph. 1:18
Permit me to say to you, dear reader, that none of these various sub headings should be read in isolation as they are all packaged to interweave in such a way that the revelation on the theme ‘CHURCH’ will be as comprehensive as possible.
As we all are born into families in the body, even so are Christians born into the family of God headed by Jesus Christ. (See our lead text) He is the only Son. All others are servants and slaves except anyone to whom the Son grants sonship status. (cf. Heb. 2:11b,13)
I plead with you my believing brothers and sisters to always have this consciousness that you are a member of a new family with a new tradition (superior to the former) and under a new family Head (Jesus, the Christ).
Therefore, whenever you are faced with any challenge from the former family of the body, please, be conscious that you belong to a new family of the spirit that is superior to that of the flesh with its attendant abundant grace for you sufficient for all time and need. Conduct your affairs, therefore, with faith in the strength of your new family Head and refuse the fear of seeming harm of the avoidable old family traditions: is it in burial of loved ones of the old family? Is it in marriages and other tradition-bound events of the old family? Please, remember the force of Christ’s faith. God can desire to raise instruments of change in the discharge of your faith.
Don’t cease confessing, at any point in time, to show your new-found family membership, while remaining as evangelistic as possible. What you confess may not make immediate sense to your neighborhood. But be aware that you are not limited to human audience when you are speaking about the way of Christ. As you consider God’s word in ‘1Cor. 4:9’, understand that principalities are also target audience as you declare your allegiance to Christ.
EVALUATION:
1. a. If the Christian Church is a family, who is the family head?
b. How can someone enter into that family as a member?
2. Apart from purity of life, can giving money, speaking in tongues, working miracles, etc. make God to accept us into His family?
4. With Christians in a place, what else does God need in such a place to enable Him make Himself known as a good God?
5. If the Christian Church is a family, how can Christians who are members of physical families seen as members of such family simultaneously reading ‘2Cor. 5:17’?
Benediction:
May God through this devotional inspire us to strengthen our relationship with Him through a working faith in Christ as a clear clue to those yet to embrace the faith of Christ. Amen!
VIA:
Michael Ekperikpe (MSN)
READ AND REAP BIBLE ENTERPRISES
P/S:
-Any issues to commit to God in prayer?
-Any seemingly difficult Scripture(s)?
Feel free to share with me. Remember, ‘Iron sharpens iron’.
