How I Must Behave in God’s House

From: November 13 – 19, 2007

Pastor: Edith Cruz

Study: # 517

TOPIC: “How I Must Behave in God’s House” 1 Timothy 3:8 How must we conduct ourselves in the House of God, pillar and foundation of the truth? The church is the greatest thing in this world. A deacon is the one who serves; he is not the greatest thing in the world because not everyone likes to serve and to do so they must love the service. Acts 6:1 Serving is not a position of much applause in the church. The first deacons were assigned to serve in the daily distribution. This is why a deacon cannot have a double standard in his words. He must not inform something depending on the circumstances in which he is. A deacon must inform correctly no matter where he is. As we can see, for a believer there are many requirements. A deacon must not give contradictory reports to different persons on different occasions. Every deacon should guard his life with intensity. A deacon should not pursue dishonest gains, because they are the ones who carry the money. Therefore, a true believer has to examine himself constantly. No one can become a deacon, which is a servant, if he lives far from the body of Christ, because the service is for the church and the deacon must stay close to them. They must live in excellence in order to give excellence to others. When we are going to occupy a place in the church we must understand that there are rules, a way to conduct ourselves. Since a deacon is exposed to collect money he must be careful of not becoming greedy. They must be wholesome in the doctrine and in their lives. We must guard this ministry of faith with a clean conscience. We must take good care of the sound doctrine to not fall in deceit. We have known the truth and we must live it. The ministry of faith is a description of the Christian faith, where it is manifested completely in the New Testament. As we have faith, others will also have faith. Faith is for all. The mystery of the faith was revealed to the apostles and we can also understand it, know it and for this reason we are happy. A deacon must be tested. We do not have to beg them to serve to the saints, but it is something that flows from them to serve. A deacon is subjected to approval, observed for some time and given minor responsibilities. If they are found worthy of confidence and fidelity they may serve as deacons. Paul taught that the women were not to be malicious talkers or pass on false reports seeking to damage the reputation of others but rather to be sober, with self control and wise. The deacons should be irreproachable in their matrimonial lives. It is best for us to seek and live in perfection in

order to move the church forward. Our teachings are with our own life. They were told to manage their household well. In the New Testament the failure of the children is evaluated as a defect in the Christian father's character. The believer's character, if not sustained it in the knowledge of God, will not go well. Acts 6:5 Philip and Stephen’s function was to distribute the money for the widows and as they manifested their fidelity in these duties and the quality of people they were, the Holy Spirit advanced them to greater spheres of service. Philip became an evangelist and Stephen a teacher. As they did well as deacons they went forward to perform other duties. It is the Holy Spirit who uplifts the men and women who live according to God’s will. A person that fulfills an assigned task with fidelity, even if it is not too important, will be supported and valued for his deliverance and fidelity. In occasions, Paul didn't know if he could meet with Timothy and knowing those limitations he asked him to organize the church. Jesus was the first one to speak of the church, to speak of us, because we are the beloved of the Lord. Paul asked Timothy to find persons who loved the church. How strong we rise for ourselves! That is why we must cast out the evilness in us, so that God may manifest himself to the church. As believers we should know how to behave in the House of God. The columns were the church, the place that God has chosen to proclaim and to exhibit the truth. God chose us to proclaim this truth, for that reason we have to be irreprehensible, not greedy because we represent God. To us, as church, God has made us an announcement. We are in charge of defending the truth. We have to be careful how we conduct ourselves in the church. The church should have an appropriate behavior, with integrity because it is the House of God. The mystery of mercy produces the truth; it is the divine source of mercy that can be in mankind. Mercy sprouts in the knowledge of the incarnation, death, resurrection and ascension of our Lord. Jesus came in the flesh and arrived to us. True mercy was manifested for the first time in the flesh when the Savior was born because of His love for us. We have to give ourselves to him completely. Because the Father gave everything for us, then, why give so little of us? Jesus has given us peace. He was vindicated by the Holy Spirit in His baptism (Mathew 3:6) when it descended upon Him in form of a dove, in transfiguration, in the resurrection (Roman 1:3,4) in his ascension, (John 16:1); He was seen by the angels, strengthened by these, preached to us the gentiles and preached throughout the end of the earth. He was believed in the world, received up in glory where all in Heaven stood up to receive Him, in His current position. The church is the most perfect place in any place of the earth. We must know how to conduct ourselves; we must do it with all our heart just as the deacons do and any believer who loves the Lord. Amen.