Christian Living

I.       Care and Concern for the Church

Scriptures: Psalms  137:1-6

A.     Care for fellow brethren (Gen 4:9)

1.        Widows and orphans (Ps 68:5-6; Mt 9:36)

2.        Those who are in sickness (Mk 1:29-31)

3.        Those who are weak (Mt 12:20; Rom 14:1; 15:1-7)

4.        Those who are small (Mt 10:42; Pro 14:31)

5.        Those who are poor (Mt 25:35-40; Lev 19:9)

6.        Those who are lost (II Tim 2:24-26; Gal 6:1-3)

7.        Those who lost their family (Rom 12:15; Jn 11:35)

8.        Families of marriage (Rom 12:15; Jn 2:1-11)

9.        Fellow holy workers (I Tim 5:17; I Thess 5:12-14; Phi 4:15-17)

10.     All multitudes (Heb 10:24-25; Phi 2:1-5)

B.     Care for church holy work (Lk 2:49)

1.        Church must be established (Hag 1:7-11)

 a.      Organization must be complete, members fulfilling their own duties (Eph 4:11-16)

2.        Holy work must spread (Acts 1:8):  Volunteers, dedicated workers

 a.      Dedicate time and effort to participate in holy work (I Pt 4:9-11)

3.        Gospel must be preached out (Mk 16:16; Mt 28:19-20)

 a.      Evangelical services, follow-up and pastoring (Lk 9:1-6; 10:1-11)

 b.      Eph 2:19:  Outsiders, guests, and family members

Conclusion: The example of Paul's care and concern for the church. (Ref: II Cor 11:28-29)

II.    Care and Concern for the Family

Scripture:  I Timothy 5:8

A.     Career and family (Gen 5:4-5)

1.        The example of Elimelech (Ruth 1:1-5)

2.        Isaac was a good example (Gen 26:1-13)

3.        Care for both career and family (Ps 128:1-6)

B.     Faith and family (Pro 3:33)

1.        The example of Samuel (I Sam 8:1-3)

2.        The good example of Philip (Acts 21:8-9)

3.        Guide entire family to believe in the Lord (Gen 18:19)

C.     Care for the family (Acts 16:14-15)

1.        Spouses (Gen 2:18)

·         Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-3; 26; Rom 15:3-4)

2.        Parents (Pro 23:22-25)

·         Joseph (Gen 43:27; 45:3; 48:21-22)

3.        Children (Lk 23:28; Pro 22:6; Pro 19:18; 13:24)

·         Hanna (I Sam 1:21-28: 2:18-19, 26)

Conclusion:  Do not be a cake that is not turned.  (Ref: Hos 7:8)

III. Two Shall Become One

Scriptures:  Ecclesiastes 9:9; Genesis 2:24

A.     Depart from parents - live a mature family life (Ref:  Heb 5:12-14)

1.        Understanding the meaning of marriage (Gen 2:18)

2.        Understanding of the roles (Gen 1:27-28)

3.        Understanding of the responsibilities (Eph 5:22-23)

B.     Mutual understanding - a reconciled family life (Phi 4:11-12)

1.        Adjustment in status:  children - spouses - parents - middle age - old age

2.        Adjustment of characters (Gel 2:20)

3.        Adjustment of habits (I Tim 5:13)

C.     Two shall become one - an intimated family life (Mt 19:6)

1.        Unity of the flesh (I Cor 7:1-5)

2.        Unity of thoughts (Phi 2:1-2)

3.        Unity of spirituality (I Pt 3:7)

·         Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-3,26; Rom 16:3-5a)

D.     Conclusion

Wisdom builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down. (Pro 14:1)

IV.  A Christ-like Family

Scriptures: Psalms 128

A.     Regard Christ as the head (Josh 24:15)

1.        Practice the world of God (Ps 101:2)

2.        Fill by the love of God (I Jn 4:19)

3.        Follow the will of God (Mt 6:33)

4.        Glorify God (Jn 2:11)

B.     Family is the kingdom of God (Rom 14:17)

1.        Righteousness

2.        Peace

3.        Joy

C.     Family Religious Education (Deut 6:4-9)

1.        Family Altar (I Sam 1:22,28)

2.        Parents should be example (II Tim 1:5)

D.     Family is the strength of the church

1.        Promote the growth (quality) of church (Acts 2:42,46,48; 4:34,35; 20:20)

2.        Increase the quantity of church membership (Acts 10:7, 44, 48; 16:31-36; 18:7-8; 21:8)

3.        Increase the resources of church:  Man power and financial strength

Conclusion: Live on earth as in heaven (Ref: Lk 17:21)