Message Outline ("House to House")
[This message was transcribed and edited from a conference given by Chuck Debelak in Detroit, Michigan, in October 2000. Mr. Debelak has not reviewed this document in its edited form.]
The Family: God's Unit of Salvation
INTRODUCTION: GOD MANIFESTED IN HUMAN VIRTUES
"Spirituality" versus Virtue
Expressing Human Virtue in Our Spiritual Life
Ministering Grace to Others
God Leads Us in Virtue
Virtues Brings Forth God's Presence
I. The New Testament indicates that God used the household as a base for the Church Life
A. The early church spontaneously and normally broke bread according to homes - Acts 2:46-47
The Lord's Presence
Not Having "Meetings" in the Homes
The Purpose of Gathering in the Homes
The Lord Added to the Church
The Family Atmosphere
Having favor with all the people by doing "good works"
Not Through Social Activities Alone
Brotherly Love Gains People
Our Family - the Training Ground
Knowing a Living Christ in our Daily Life
B. In Philippi, as an
example, Lydia was the first one to open her home to the apostle Paul (Acts
16:14-15, 40). Then, the jailor (Acts 16:33-34) after he was baptized brought
the apostles into his house and set table before them.
C. In Corinth, the household of Stephanas, the firstfruits of Achaia, set themselves to minister to the saints - 1 Corinthians 16:15
No "Meetings," but meeting the needs
No pressure
II. The meal of the saints, the "love feast" became the center of the church life in the home where hearts could be comforted, and spiritual and practical needs could be met through the functioning of the members of the Body of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 11:21-34; Jude 12a; Romans 12:4-8; cf. Romans 12:9-21.
The Practical Ministering of the Gifts in the Body
Valuing Yourself and Others According to Christ