Relationships in the Household of God (the Church Family) by Pastor Dave

“….you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
1 Timothy 3: 15
 
1 Timothy 5: 1-8
 
     I’ve often heard folk use the phrase, “This job would be easy without people;” (I’ve sometimes echoed those words myself!). When we think of our families there is another phrase sometimes used, “We can pick our friends but not our families.” These phrases are often used in exasperation when there is a tricky situation in a relationship. Relationships are wonderful but also challenging and sometimes very difficult. The Church is no exception to this reality; in fact with the diversity of her members it can almost seem like a permanent challenge. Add to the mix of our fellowship the pressure that is rising due to the pandemic and relationships can really fray.
 
     In this Chapter Paul turns his attention to such relationships; to the conduct of the household of God. Remember what we are reading is guidance to Timothy, the Pastor, so we need to reason from that instruction how relationships are meant to be. Here are some key lessons for us:

• Correction, vs. 1-2; a Pastor (Church leader) has differing roles such as teaching, pastoral care and obviously leading. One difficult responsibility is that of giving rebuke, exhortation or correction. In this role power is not to be abused. They must not take this role lightly nor must they neglect it; the Church needs to receive such guidance
• Respect, vs. 1-3, 8; there is to be mutual admiration for who each of us are and recognition of the experience different members have. We are to value others from a position of humility in genuine love (Phil. 2: 3-4)
• Purity, 2, 6; relationships are to be pure within the church, the relationships God has ordained are to be honoured without individuals falling into sexual immorality. As His children we are to be pure as He is pure; our hope fueled by faith enables this obedience (1 John 3: 1-3)
• Care, 3-4, 6-8; our love for one another and especially those in need has to be practical as well as spiritual. We are to genuinely care for the elderly and especially those who are our actual relatives; this latter aspect is one of the ways we honour our parents (Ex. 20: 12). In our society today the elderly are particularly vulnerable and often lonely; this is a timely challenge to families and to the Church family

 
     The love of God and His Gospel truth must be lived out within God’s household for its truth, power and love to be seen as real. Each generation has to work out the application of these instructions in their own context. We are the children of God in His household; how are our relationships going?
   
To Ponder: Which aspect challenges you most from this passage: correction; respect; purity; or care? What practical step do you need to take in a relationship that the Holy Spirit has put on your heart in relation to this truth?
 
Pray: Almighty Father, whose blessed Son before his passion prayed
that his disciples might be one, as you and he are one: Grant that your church, being bound together in love and obedience to you, may be united in one body by the one Spirit, that the world may believe in him whom you have sent, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
 
Praise: We, the Lord’s People
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3CMHOcJs_w
Together
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR1Hk0FVi_k
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