God's household vs. deceiving spirits
Andy Nagahara
A. Make the God’s household firm (3:14-16)
1) Church life (14,15)
3:14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,
15 if I am delayed, 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.
2) Christ as the master of God's household (16)
16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
B. Fight against deceiving spirits as a church (4:1-5)
1) Deceiving spirits will challenge us to a fight(1-3)
4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
2) By the word of God and prayer (4, 5)
4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
Summary
Daily life in God's household refers to your daily life in the church. The word "church" does not simply mean a building to reside in, but a relationship among the body of believers. Since the church resides on earth and not in heaven, encountering difficulty and trials within the church is inevitable. To add to the struggle, Satan is on the move trying to separate us from the love of Christ.
For Discussion
1) What is God's household?
2) Why do you think Paul states that "Everything God created is good"?