Living the Christian Life - Life in God's Family

Romans 3:23-27
We are justified and sanctified.

1 Timothy 5:1-16
Ephesians 2:14-19
We all have a household and a set of rules.  God has a set of house rules. Disrespect in a household,  causes the house to fall apart.  We are in the house of God.   1 John 3:1  ...we should be called the sons of God...
We are God's children now.  We are sons and daughters of God now.  He wants to see us live in a family where we can grow up and become mature. 

God cares for the poor, widows and fatherless are to be cared for.  He wants us the Church to help care.   James 1:27 We are to love and care for them.

Acts 2:44-47  The witness we have in the early church which is challenging to our modern lives.   Caring for the family is to promote the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.   The way we live matters.  We want to promote the morality of our God to this world.  We need to be mindful of how we behave.  We are to share our good things with people who do not have.   Hebrews 13. 

We are not to be greedy; be peaceful; promote the Gospel.   In Australia,  the Church does an enormous role in caring for those in need.  Widowhood is a desolate state.  We need to trust in the Lord; not to live as one who is dead.  We are to look after family.   You do not have to do everything the family wants.  We need to be loving and caring.  Anyone professes the Gospel and doesn't give way to any corrupt ways, we are to care for them. 

To supply the needs of one's own family is a proof of faith.  Precept is general.  Duty of parents to provide for their children and children to care for their parents.  Care for them as Christ cares for us.  It's not a one way street.  A family helps each other through tough times.  There is no where in Scripture where people can stop working and expect the Church to look after them. 

2 Thessalonians 3:9-13 - we are to work.  It's a precept God uses.  It's not ok as a Christian to think the Church owes you.

We are to care for those who can't care for themselves.   We look after those in our families need our help.  We are not to promote idleness but being productive.   Every Church is to care.