“Those who come into our homes should sense the presence of God.”

Healthy homes are built on healthy disciples.

1. Healthy disciples set their hearts and minds on Jesus.

“If then you have been raised with Christ seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

When We Are In Christ…

Following Jesus transforms our thinking.

2. Healthy disciples take off the old.

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.”

Sexual sins crumble the home.

“Can a man carry fire next to his chest without his clothes being burned?”

Social sins crumble the home.

“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices…”

“…and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

Prideful sins crumble the home.

“Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.”

3. Healthy disciples put on the new.

Build the home by reflecting Jesus.

“…compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…”

“…so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

“…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

Build the home by resting in Jesus.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

Build the home by rejoicing in Jesus.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

True joy transcends circumstances.

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

“It’s not that I’m afraid of dying, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

1. The Problem: Sickness and death.

2. The Tension: The delay.

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.”

“So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’”

3. The Solution: Jesus’ response to the problem.

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.’”

Jesus brings a future event to the present.

Jesus makes a doctrine personal.

4. The Question: Do you believe?

“As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death.”

Healthy churches never quit fighting for the faith.

1. Flee.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.”

2. Pursue

“Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”

Separation without consecration leads to isolation.

3. Fight

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

“The laborers held a tool in one hand and their spear in the other.”

4. Be Faithful.

“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.”

“Those who endure to the end will be saved.”

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you eternal life.”

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

“If we endure, we will also reign with Him.”

Persevering to the end is evidence of salvation.

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

The faithful live in awe and wonder of God’s greatness.

“…which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.”

Healthy churches find true contentment in their pursuit of godliness.

1. Pursue godliness.

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine…”

“...he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.”

Godliness is directed reverence.

2. Pursue godliness with contentment.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

Godly contentment is not a change in circumstance, it’s union with Christ.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Godly contentment is not detachment from stuff, it’s devotion with the Savior.

“But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”

“The love of worldly possessions entangles the soul and keeps it from flying to God.”

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

In a healthy church, the members are committed to honoring one another.

1. We must honor our older and younger members as family (5:1-2)

“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.”

a) Older Men as Fathers

2. We must honor our widows with care (5:3–8)

“Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

a) How the Family Cares for Widows with godliness

3. We must honor our pastors with provision and protection (5:17–25)

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’ Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.”

a) By Providing for Pastors (vs. 17–18)

4. We must honor our authorities with respect and good works (6:1–2)

“Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.”

A healthy church is committed to making and maturing disciples.

1. Cling to Jesus and reject false teaching.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…”

“…through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”

“You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.”

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.”

2. Train yourself for godliness.

“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.”

“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness…”

“…for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.”

Growing as a disciple is not always easy, but it is simple.

3. Aim for making and maturing disciples of Jesus.

“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…”

Ministry is not easy, but it’s worth it.

And Jesus said, “If any man follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me…”

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Healthy churches must have humble servants.

“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’ And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose seven men…These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”

Deacons are servants.

You can be a servant and not a deacon, but you can’t be a deacon and not a servant.

Deacons are leaders in the church who serve.

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons…”

Elders serve by leading, deacons lead by serving.

Deacons humbly serve the elders and congregation by meeting practical needs.

“And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’”

Deacons preserve the unity of the church.

“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”

Deacons are problem solvers, not problem starters.

1. Deacons must have a healthy personal life.

“Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.”

2. Deacons must have a healthy home life.

“Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.”

Being a deacon is richly rewarding.

“For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves.”

When deacons fulfill their responsibility, great things happen.

“So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.”

“I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”

Healthy churches must have healthy pastors.

“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.”

1. Healthy pastors must have a healthy personal life.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.”

We can’t let the demons of hell be more passionate about the souls of men than we are.

“Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”

2. Healthy pastors must have a healthy home life.

“He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”

Healthy pastors must live out the gospel at home.

3. Healthy pastors must have a healthy spiritual life.

“He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.”

4. Healthy pastors must have a healthy public life.

“Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”

Pray for the personal life, home life, spiritual life, and public life of our pastors.

A healthy church prays fervently for gospel advancement.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’"

1. We must prioritize praying for our neighbors and the nations.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…”

Our prayers are a weapon to unleash God’s power.

We need to pray for everyone, everywhere to know and follow Jesus.

“…for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

2. We please God when we pray for and engage in gospel advancement.

“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

The heart of God is always gospel advancement.

“For there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

“Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice…”

“But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.”

3. We must guard against anything that hinders gospel advancement.

“For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.”

How Do We Respond?

1. Surrender to Jesus and find new life in Him.

A healthy church is overwhelmed by the grace of God.

1. The grace of God for the present: Service

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service…”

Serving God is a great privilege.

“…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

2. The grace of God for the past: Salvation

“…though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

3. The grace of God for purpose: Mission

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

“But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”