Truth 04 · Session 3 of 4 · About 3 min
Life in His House
Church, prayer, the Word and fasting: what belonging looks like.
Quiz at the end of this chapter.
Church, prayer and the Word are not the price of belonging. They are what belonging looks like.
Read these first
Show the verses
Ephesians 2:19-22 · NRSVue
19So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone; 21in Him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
I Corinthians 11:23-26 · NRSVue
23For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Acts 2:42-47 · NRSVue
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Ephesians 2:19-22 · NRSVue
19So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone; 21in Him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
I Corinthians 11:23-26 · NRSVue
23For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Acts 2:42-47 · NRSVue
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
A few words on what they mean
Brothers and sisters you did not choose
If God is your Father, then the people in the pews beside you are your brothers and sisters, whether or not you would have chosen them. Paul says you are "no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God." You were adopted into a family, not signed up to an activity.
Do not neglect to meet
So do not neglect "to meet together, as is the habit of some". You need the body and the body needs you. Read Acts 2 for what the first family did: "they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." They were together daily. They shared what they had. And "day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." Submit to those who keep watch over your soul; your pastor "will give an account" for you (Hebrews 13:17), and that is a weight he carries willingly.
The first family also shared what they had, "as any had need". Giving is part of belonging, and it is meant to be glad: "Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). Ask how your church does it and start.
Around the table
One thing the first church did needs explaining, because you will be handed it on a Sunday: "the breaking of bread". Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread and a cup and told His disciples to keep doing it in remembrance of Him. Paul passes it on: "as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26). The bread is His body; the cup is His blood; the table is the family's, and you have a place at it. Paul says to examine yourself before you take it (1 Corinthians 11:28), which is not a bar to keep you out but a reason to come clean and come in. Ask your pastor how and when your assembly does it, and whether they also wash feet as Jesus did in John 13. Then take your place.
Prayer, and the Word
Then there are the two things nobody can do for you. "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Not a set time only, though have one, but a running conversation with your Father through the day, in the name of Jesus. And read the Word daily. The Bereans were commended because they "examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). Do that. Check me. Check your pastor. The Bible is the benchmark for everything, and a believer who knows it cannot be "blown about by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14).
Fasting
Fasting belongs here too. Jesus said "whenever you fast", not if (Matthew 6:16). Ask someone at church how they do it and start small. Church, prayer, the Word, fasting, the table and giving are not the price of belonging. They are what life in His house looks like.
Reflection
Of church, prayer and the Word, which is weakest in your life right now, and what is the first practical step? And if you have not yet taken the Lord's Supper, who will you ask about it this week?
Verse to memorise
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 · NRSVue
Say it until you can say it without looking.