(a) You have come to be part of the Family of God
The Church, the Tabernacle or House that God is building through us. It is also God's army.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, — Ephesians 3:14-15
KJV Bible
And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain. — Isaiah 4:6
KJV Bible
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. — 2 Timothy 2:3
KJV Bible
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. — Matthew 16:18
KJV Bible
(b) You must not live to yourself, but love God's people
Become a part of God's building, the Church.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. — John 13:34
KJV Bible
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. — Acts 2:41-42
KJV Bible
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, — Acts 2:46
KJV Bible
(c) The Church is a place of relationships and order
The Church, God's family and army, is a place of relationships and order.
(i) God is your Father. Christ is our Head, Lord and Chief Shepherd.
(ii) God set apostles and prophets in the Church to pioneer His work and to be spiritual fathers to us and our leaders.
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; — Ephesians 2:20
KJV Bible
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. — 1 Corinthians 12:28
KJV Bible
(iii) God set pastors and elders in the Church to be shepherds to us in the local church, to teach us God's Word and lead us in God's service.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. — 1 Timothy 5:17
KJV Bible
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. — Acts 20:17
KJV Bible
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. — Acts 20:28
KJV Bible
(iv) God set the flock in the Church to be brethren, and also to have a natural respect for people older than ourselves.
Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. — 1 Timothy 5:1-2
KJV Bible
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. — Romans 1:13
KJV Bible
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, — Hebrews 2:11
KJV Bible
(v) God set spiritual mothers in the Church to be mothers and also to teach younger women.
Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. — Romans 16:13
KJV Bible
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. — Titus 2:4-5
KJV Bible
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. — John 19:27
KJV Bible
(vi) God expects you to have a spirit of loyalty, honour, submission and sonship to those in spiritual authority over you. Pray for your leaders.
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. — 2 Timothy 2:1
KJV Bible
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. — Hebrews 13:17-18
KJV Bible
(vii) God set ministries in the Church to equip you to serve Him.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: — Ephesians 4:11-12
KJV Bible
(viii) The apostolic ministry is a foundation and source of unity for God's children. Relate to the Apostle as a son.
For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. — 1 Corinthians 4:15-17
KJV Bible