MY HOME: Going Beyond The Walls

As for me and my house… It is for the Lord

Count Your Blessings

Count Your Blessings

Matthew 8:20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

Homes In The Early Church

Church Assembly

1st Century

21st Century

Assembly of Saints

Rome Romans 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.

Assembly of the Church

Corinth 1 Corinthians 16:19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Assembly of the Church

Ephesus (?) Philemon 1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house

Home Bible Study

Ephesus Acts 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church… 20 "how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,

Home Bible Study

Jerusalem Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Assembly for Special Prayer

Jerusalem Acts 12:5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

For Preaching & Teaching

Rome (house arrest) Acts 28:30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

Hospitality

Philippi Acts 16 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira… 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." So she persuaded us.

Decline Of The Home For Evangelism

Emperor Constantine (312 ad) Stamp of Official Religion Pagan temples given to churches “The church” = The Building

Decline Of The Home For Evangelism

Emperor Constantine (312 ad) Cathedrals

Decline Of The Home For Evangelism

Denominations Religious Activity – “The Sanctuary”

What It Has Come To Today

Church Evolution “Fellowship Halls”

Going Beyond The Four Walls

Limitation Of Public Worship Heb 10:25 “assembly” is important But: 1) Limits on Time 2) Limits on Space 3) Limits on Intimacy

My Gift To You: My Home

One Another Religion 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Addicted (to hospitality)

One Another Religion Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; … 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Pure Religion

Hospitality Extend Invitations (“come to my home”)

Accept Invitations (“yes, we will come”) Pure religion (Jam 1:27) “visit fatherless and widows”

Oh The Things You Can Do If You Try

One Another Religion Home Bible Studies New Converts Class Young people’s devos Singings Prayers

What Else?

OUTREACH GROUPS Do you attend Sunday night? Do you attend Quarterly study in homes? Do you know needs in your group? Do you know needs in this church?

Beyond The Walls 24 / 7 / 365

Fellowship: Our Greatest Treasure

4-5 Hours per week (assembly) Beyond “friendly” (2nd Mile) Connected, Caring, Giving Primary Purpose: Souls!