In the Bible Christian Ministry
Sunday 3-01-26 (Christ in Your Home, Part 2)
  • Lord I Lift Your Name on High
  • Joy To The World
  • O Come All Ye Faithful
  • Excellent
  • Father, Jesus, Spirit
  • Closer / Wrap Me In Your Arms
  • Lord, I Love You (TGalberth)
  • Let It Rise
  • Lord You're Mighty
  • He is Exalted / Give Him Praise
  • Sing a New Song
  • My Worship
  • Just a Closer Walk with Thee
  • Awesome God - Tammi & Gerald Haddon
  • One Thing Remains
  • Trust In God
  • He Is
  • Fire
  • We Believe
  • I Am a Friend of God
  • Holy Forever

  • The House That Grace Built. The Internal Impact (Benefits for the Family)

    The Introduction: From Renovation to Habitation

    Recap: Last week, we gave Christ the keys.
    We stopped treating Him like "company" and started treating Him like a "Resident."
    Having Christ in the home isn't just about "rules"; it’s about results.
    It’s about the shift from a home that is surviving to a home that is thriving.
    The Question: What actually changes on a Tuesday afternoon when Christ is the Resident? YOU!!!!…You change.
    Now it may not be completely obvious but you ever go through life just going through the motions.  You are there but you are not living in the moment and from the outside you are doing everything.  You are taking care of home but you are almost robotic.  You are not living life you are doing life. 
    With God I truly believe you live the life.
    So many people say you should do this or do that.  And don’t get me wrong I like new things but I also enjoy just living and enjoying the boring mundane aspects of life.  I actually get joy out of it.
    And I know it is because Christ is in the Home
    He brought in a new healthy Atmosphere
    Colossians 3:15 NIV
    15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

    Point 1: A New Atmosphere (The Thermostat vs. The Thermometer)

    Concept: Most families or homes are "thermometers"—they just reflect the temperature of the world. If the world is stressed, the home is stressed.
    If the news is angry, the home is angry.
    What ever happened to you in the world changes the temperature of the home.
    - Like putting a hot pot in a fridge.
    - Fridge could be perfect temperature.  You cooking for a big dinner the next day so you put your hot food in the fridge for tomorrow.  What happens.  Changes the atmosphere of the whole fridge.  Then you Close the door and everything in the fridge the temperature goes up a bit. 
    If everything in there had a thermometer in it you’d see it reflect the environment of the heat coming in the house.
    My mom hates being late.  When I was young Dad would be coming home from work.  Now we need to be at church at 6:30 but need to leave the house at 6:00 to get there on time. 
    Dad has to come home and change to get ready.  4:00 all fine.  5:00 we still good.  5:30. I hear where you at.  My Dad says 15 minutes – why because he always says 15 minutes—he could be in Alabama—15 min.  Now its 6:00.  Quiet in home.  I’m in my room  I just hear mumbling. 
    He comes home.  You know we supposed to leave at 6:00,  I know I know….
    Now the car ride, quiet.  The walk to the car quiet,  Me  quiet.  I’m never quiet.  But quiet.  My mom head bouncing just waiting for him to say something but he doesn’t  Gospel music, which always played doesn’t even help.
    Now we pull up to the church.  Get out.  HEYYYYYY, hugs, smiles, love.  A guy says Wayne you late and laughs.  Mom says you know whose fault it is.  Laughs. 
    Now what happened – Thermometer.  Reflecting environment. 
    Same thing they were mad about with each other. Laughing about with other people.  Is it a big deal.  Nope.  Everything goes just as planned just a little later.
    But why couldn’t they laugh about it in the car.  The temperature had be set and it takes something outside to reset the temp.
    Now when we get back in the car to go home.  He may say after all that time.  Told you we were going to be ok.  WHY!!!!!  Temperature resets—still shouldn’t be late you should just call first.  Now all the communication that could have happened before church is happening now.
    So how does Christ in the home change this.
    He is not a thermometer.  He is a thermostat.
    He sets the temperature.  
    Thermostat vs. Thermometer —
    Many of you have let everybody and anybody set your temperature.
    The Christ-Benefit: Christ in the home acts as a Thermostat. He sets the temperature.
    Colossians 3:15 — "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..."
    Colossians 3:15 NIV
    15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
    When we are in charge the storm may be outside but we bring the fear of the storm inside.
    When Christ is in charge, the "storm" might be outside, but "peace" reigns is inside.
    The benefit to the family is a safe haven where you can finally exhale.

    Point 2: The Benefit of New Communication (The Filter of Grace)

    The Problem: In a home without the Resident King, we use our words as weapons or shields.
    We practice "transactional" love—I'll be nice if you're nice.
    - We put our love down for a second so we can win or come out on top.  We forget we still love this person or people even though we going through something.
    - The problem is we lose time, we lose energy and we lose focus
    - Imagine if Christ put His love down just for a second to show us who He is and prove a point.
    - But some of the words we use, actions we take, hate we give is all things we should FILTER through love.
    The Christ-Benefit: When He lives there, He becomes the "filter" for our conversations.
    We uppity now. 
    I used to play outside and when I got thirsty I couldn’t go inside so I went to the water hose.  Now after some experience on a hot day you knew not to be the first one because first sip was HOT. 
    But then we got good at it but you know that water always tasted like the hose.  Still good.
    Now we can’t drink that stuff.  Imagine somebody come to your house today and ask for some water.
    You go in get your ice tray.  Crack.  Use your hands and drop in some cubes.  Then run that glass under the sink faucet and hand it to them.  They not touching it.
    We have to have FILTERED water now.
    What does this do.  It removes all the impurities!!!
    Now the everything you want is still getting to you but it removed the bad stuff.  The stuff that may harm you later on.
    This is how having God in your home is. 
    You still get your point across but he removes the things that may cost you later.
    You can be upset
    You can be sad
    You can be frustrated
    He won’t remove emotion but through Him the emotion will not drive the conversation. 
    Still love comes through the emotion.
    Some now have said things wish could take back
    Done things shouldn’t have done
    You are not sorry for how you felt—that was legit.  I was hurt but what I said because I was hurt wasn’t right
    I was mad -that was legit—but what I did because I was mad was wrong.
    Now you got to do the worst thing ever.  You have to apologize.  Not because of how you felt but because of what you did unfiltered. 
    Now you confusing the person.
    Listen you did hurt me, and you did make me mad.  And truth is I’m still mad but I’m sorry for what I said about your Momma.  I like your momma.  She has never done anything to me. But I said what I said because I was mad. I’m sorry for that because I shouldn’t have but I’m still mad over what you said. 
    And I don’t know why you had to go and tell your Momma what I said because now I’m mad that you told and you shouldn’t have.
    And they say well you said it so if you felt that way you said what you said so I felt she should know how you feel. 
    Truth is both people were looking to hurt the other through the momma.
    Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14
    Colossians 3:12–14 NIV
    12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
    (Putting on compassion, kindness, humility, and patience). The Family Impact: * For Spouses: Moving from "winning the argument" to "honoring the Resident."
    So what you won the argument. What did it do for your home. What is your ultimate goal.
    No longer a selfish household For Children: Seeing a model of forgiveness. The greatest benefit to a child isn't a perfect parent; it's a parent who knows how to say, "I’m sorry, and I’m asking Christ to help me."

    Point 3: The Benefit of Divine Order (Roles that Release, Not Restrict)

    Build on your previous thoughts about submission. Husbands (The Benefit of Loving Sacrifice): When a husband loves like Christ (Ephesians 5:25), the wife doesn't feel controlled; she feels protected. Wives (The Benefit of Supportive Partnership): When a wife aligns with Christ’s order, the home finds its rhythm. Children/Parents (Ephesians 6:1-4): The benefit is a "circle of safety." Children thrive when the Resident provides clear boundaries wrapped in grace.
    Order reduces chaos.  Order in your home where each person
    Ephesians 6:1–4 NIV
    1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
    You have to find that order. That is why God is there.
    What does submission look like in your home
    What does honor look like in your home
    What does respect look like in your home
    If you ask me I’ll tell you but it is from my perspective
    I’m not telling you you need to go and start laying down the law, but we have God in our home for a reason. So that he can set the standard for OUR home.

    Someone has to say it:

    Joshua 24:15
    Joshua 24:15 NIV
    15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

    Point 4: The Benefit of "The Shared Home"

    The Concept: Less mine more ours. No more Selfishness. The Christ-Benefit: Turning the home into an "altar."
    He wants to be the Lord of the Square Footage. Not just the main room
    1. The "Transactional" Atmosphere
    In a selfish home, love and service are treated like a business deal. "I’ll do the dishes if you stop complaining," or "I’m only helping because I want something later."
    The Result: No one does anything out of "grace"; they do it out of "debt." This creates a constant "scoreboard" where family members are always keeping track of who owes whom.
    2. The "Silo" Lifestyle
    Instead of a "Shared Home," the house is divided into territories.
    The "Don't Touch My Stuff" Rule: People become overly protective of their space, their food, and their time.
    The Digital Wall: Everyone is physically in the same room but emotionally miles apart, buried in their own screens. They are "co-existing" but not "connecting."
    The Blame Game: Because no one wants to take responsibility, every mistake is "someone else's fault."
    The Silent Treatment: This is the ultimate selfish tool—withholding affection or communication to punish the other person until they "give in."
    4. The "Me-First" Schedule
    In a selfish home, the calendar is the greatest source of conflict.
    The Priority: "My work/hobby/rest is more important than your needs."
    The Impact: There is no "rhythm" because everyone is trying to force the rest of the family to march to their beat. This leads to burnout for the person who ends up doing the most labor and resentment for everyone else.
    3. The "Volume War" (Communication)
    When everyone is their own "conductor," the home is filled with "noise":
    The Interrupter: No one listens to understand; they only listen to find a gap so they can speak.
    The Contrast: The "Resident-Led" Home
    The Selfish Home: Is a Mirrored House—everywhere you look, you only see yourself, your needs, and your reflection.
    The Christ-Centered Home: Is a Windowed House—you look out past yourself to see the needs of the Resident and the needs of those He has placed in the home with you.
    Scripture to use here: James 3:16 – "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."
    Practical Idea: "The Empty Chair" or "The Invited Seat." What changes when we realize Christ is the silent listener to every dinner conversation? When he is in the basement, the garage, the bedroom.
    He shares your space.  One you start respecting your space more.
    Colossians 3:23 NIV
    23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
    The "Invite Him to Sit" Practicality
    You mentioned the "Empty Chair"—we can broaden this imagery beyond the dinner table:
    The "Invited Seat" in Every Room:
    visualize a seat for Jesus in every room.
    If there is a chair in the corner of the garage, that's His seat while you work.
    If there’s space on the couch while you watch TV, that's His seat.
    The Question: "If you could see Him sitting there, would you change the channel?
    Would you change your tone of voice?
    Would you change how you're complaining about your day?"
    Your home is an alter to Him. Treat it as such.
    If you can figure it out at home it reflects outside the home.
    People who fuss at their kids at the store probably not fussing that much at home. Home is the raising spot. So the store it not a problem.
    Before we left the house I got instructions on how to act.
    We going to church. Now don’t be
    We going to the store. Now don’t be
    We going to your Aunts’ house. Don’t let me catch you
    I didn’t get fussed at, I got tight lipped
    1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NIV
    19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

    Conclusion: The Restored Family Portrait

     The Goal: We aren't trying to be the "Instagram-Perfect" family. We are trying to be the "Resident-Occupied" family. Closing Thought: The benefit of Christ in your home isn't that you won't have problems; it's that you now have a Professional Problem Solver living in the guest room who is ready to take over the renovation. You have Grace in your home Orchestrating
    Potential Illustrations for Week 2: Closing Illustration: The Master Conductor
    The Setup:Imagine a stage filled with the world’s greatest musicians. You’ve got a world-class violinist, a master cellist, and a brilliant percussionist. On their own, they are incredibly talented. They have spent years practicing their craft.
    But imagine if they all walked onto the stage and just started playing their own favorite songs at the same time. The violinist is playing a fast-paced concerto; the cellist is playing a slow, mournful dirge; and the drummer is playing a heavy rock beat.
    Individually, they are "right." They are playing their notes correctly. But collectively? It’s noise. It’s a headache. It’s chaos.
    The Family Parallel:
    Isn't that just like a home? You have a husband who is working hard to provide. You have a wife who is managing the household. You have children who are trying to find their way. Everyone is "doing their thing." Everyone is playing their own tune. But because everyone is their own "soloist," the house isn't full of music; it's full of clash. It’s the clash of "my schedule" vs. "your schedule." It’s the noise of "my needs" vs. "your needs." When everyone is their own conductor, the home becomes a place of tension rather than a place of harmony.
    The Master Steps In:But then, the Master Conductor walks onto the stage of your home.
    He doesn't come to take away the instruments. He doesn't tell the violinist to stop being a violinist. He just steps into the center—into that "Shared Space" we talked about—and He raises His baton.
    Suddenly, the "noise" of your daily arguments begins to find a rhythm of grace. The "clash" of your busy schedules begins to align with His timing. When the family stops looking at each other and starts looking at Him, the chaos turns into a Symphony.
    The Benefit:A symphony doesn't mean every note is the same. It means every note is coordinated. * When Christ conducts the Garage, your labor becomes a song of worship.
    When He conducts the Bedroom, your intimacy becomes a song of covenant.
    When He conducts the Kitchen, your conversations become a song of nourishment.
    The Final Appeal:"Church, some of you are tired of the noise. You’re tired of the clashing cymbals in your hallways. Today, the Resident isn't just asking for a room; He’s asking for the Baton. He’s saying, 'If you stop trying to be the soloist of your own life and let Me lead the house, I will take the noise of your struggle and turn it into a masterpiece of My glory.'

      • Colossians 3:15NIV2011

      • Colossians 3:12–14NIV2011

      • Ephesians 6:1–4NIV2011

      • Joshua 24:15NIV2011

      • Colossians 3:23NIV2011

      • 1 Corinthians 6:19–20NIV2011

In the Bible Christian Ministry
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