You are alive in Christ You whole world is being transformed you are a saint A Child of the King Saved by grace Entitled to the inheritance of heaven.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 You are part of God’s family and he has family things planned for you!

You were outsiders, without hope and without God You are part of God’s family Part of his body " Consequently, you are no longer foreigners (xenos) and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household (oikos)...." (2:19)

Oikos Used over 110 times in the NT Persons who are related by kinship or circumstances and form a closely knit group, members of a household.

We are not just house guests or servants, we are not told to join a happy club of like minded people. We are accepted and adopted and are now family members, children of the Father! Wow

Who is in your oikos? Who are you extended family? If all church meetings stopped for two months, which people would I still connect with regularly?

What does an Oikos look like? All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[j]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-27 NLV

What does an Oikos look like? High Challenge and High support Sacrifice Commitment Time CommanderySupport Sharing life

What does an Oikos look like? Ate together Including the Lord’s supper “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 “…. met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. Acts 2:47

You have 21 meals a week, how many of those do you share with your oikos?

What does an Oikos look like? Praying and Worship together All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching 2:42 They worshiped together at the Temple each day 2:46 all the while praising God 2:47

What does an Oikos look like? Have fun together What’s your idea of fun? and shared their meals with great joy 2:46

What does an Oikos look like? Family on a mission “A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.” 2:43 “ …all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” 2:47

What does an Oikos look like? Family on a mission In our sharing life with one another, we are sharing Christ with someone who doesn’t know him. “ A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

What does an Oikos look like? The family shared everything Do I really have needs? Do I know the needs of my brothers and sisters? “ And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.” Acts 2:44-45

What does an Oikos look like? How is your Oikos at these things? Which elements are you strong in? Which ones are you weakest in? What one thing are you going to do this week to change this?

Whose at the centre of your oikos? In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-21

That's plain enough, isn't it? You're no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He's using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home. Ephesians 2:20-21 The message

Many men can build a fortune but few men can build a family. J.S. Bryan