## Three Homes

## II Corinthians 5:1

Every person ought to have three homes. Some celebrities are known for their collection of real estate. Oprah Winfrey lives on a 42 acre in Montecito, California. But she also owns a house in Lavallette, New Jersey, an apartment in Chicago, an estate on Fisher Island off the coast of Miami, a ski house in Telluride, CO and property on the island of Maui, Hawaii. That is nice, but let me say again…every person ought to have three homes. Let me explain. Every person ought to have:

- A Heavenly Home
- A Christian Home
- A Church Home

The first has to do with our salvation, and eternal destiny. The second has to do with our home and family, and the last with the local body of Christ of which we become members. A person could have a Heavenly home without having a Christian home or a church home, but what a shame that would be. I believe that we find God's Word has much to say about each of these homes, and I also believe it is clear that His desire is that we have all three! Having the first home ought to lead us to make sure we have the last 2 homes. Knowing that our eternity is secure should affect our present, and the rest of our earthly existence.

I. Every person ought to have a Heavenly Home

(2 Corinthians 5:1) For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

A. Salvation is imperative.

1. If one is to ever hope to enjoy a home in heaven, they must first be saved!

2. The idea that we are all going to go to a 'better place' is simply not true!

3. The 'place' we spend our eternity will be determined by one thing, and one thing alone.

4. Have we believed the Gospel?

a. To believe means to embrace by faith…

b. The Gospel: Jesus died, was buried, and rose again the third day.

c. He died as a sacrifice for our sins that we might be saved!

(1 Timothy 1:15) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

B. Salvation is of God.

1. Did you catch what Paul was saying?

2. Christ Jesus came…to save!

3. That is the same thing that Jesus said during His earthly ministry.

(Luke 19:10) For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

4. When Jesus cried out "It is finished" on the cross, it was a declaration of victory.

5. He had fulfilled the task given to Him by His Heavenly Father.

6. It is finished…there is nothing more that needs to be done…there is nothing more that can be done!

C. Salvation is Eternal

(Hebrews 5:9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

1. Salvation is eternal…and by definition that means it will not end!

2. Unfortunately, many have believed men rather than believed God.

3. Men will tell you that your salvation is temporal…it is fleeting…like our youth or our health it can fade away.

4. But God said it is eternal!

(John 10:28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [4]

II. Every person ought to have a Christian Home

A. A Christian home is NOT a perfect home.

1. My wife is a sinner! I know that might shock some of you.

2. My sons were sinners! Those of you who know them might find that easier to believe.

3. Her husband, and their father…is a sinner!

4. I can see the tabloids now…

5. Seriously, who are we trying to kid?

a. Parents in the home fail ? often we fail miserably

1) We fail one another

2) We fail our children

3) We fail God

b. Children in the home fail

1) They bring home report cards with D's and F's

2) They throw tantrums

3) They embarrass their parents

4) They are disobedient, dishonest, and deceptive

6. God's Word tells us that all of us are sinners. None righteous…No not one!

B. A Christian home is a place where we deal with sin the Bible way.

(1 John 1:8-10) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1. God has instructed us on how we are to address the issue of sin.

2. Pretending that it doesn't exist in our home is foolish.

3. The Word of God not only contains directions about what to do when one of the family sins, but it goes on to show what to do to insure against future failures

4. Sinners live in the Christian home, but the Saviour and all of His resources live there too!

C. A Christian home is a place where there is hope

1. The problems which Christian homes experience are caused, for the most part, by sinful patterns of living

2. These patterns develop from a failure to study and apply the Word of God in the power of the Spirit

3. So there is hope for the family and God is the foundation of that hope.

III. Every person ought to have a Church Home

(Acts 1:15) And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

A. This Jerusalem church had a list of about 120 names which made up its membership.

B. All those members assembled together on the day of Pentecost.

(Acts 2:1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

C. Specific people were added to this membership on that day.

(Acts 2:41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

1. The important word is added, showing that the number grew.

2. Whether they were written down on paper is not the issue; the fact is that certain specific people were saved, baptized, and added to certain specific people!

3. Some might say that they were added to that invisible universal body…in context that cannot be the case.

4. There was a specific group of people who had assembled together, and now there were additions to that group.

D. The Lord added people to the local church.

(Acts 2:47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

1. As the Word was preached, people were saved.

2. As people are saved, they desire to obey the Word of God.

3. In obedience to God's Word, they submit to baptism and unite with a local church.

E. Why do we need a church home?

1. For identification: clearly unashamed

2. For instruction: in Bible doctrine

3. For influence: testimony & witness

4. For involvement: fellowship & ministry

(Acts 2:42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Every person ought to have three homes. Do you know for sure that you have a home in heaven? If not why not come this morning and allow us to show you from God's Word how you can be sure today.

How about your Christian home? Need a few repairs in that area? Come today.

Do you have a church home? If not, why not come this morning and choose to make this local church your home.

Every person needs three homes.