PM Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2.4-10

Brent T. Willey

THE VALUE OF THE OIKOS FAMILY

(Not the Yogurt Variety)

Introduction:

1. The OIKOS family is an important grouping of words found in the New Testament Greek and the Septuagint (LXX).
   1. OIKOS “denotes (a) a house, a dwelling, e.g., Matt. 9.6-7; 11.8; it is used of the tabernacle, as the house of God, Matt. 12.4…; (b) by metonymy, of the members of a household or family, e.g., Luke 10.5; Acts 7.10…” (Vine).
   2. OIKODOMEŌ “literally, to build a house [a house; dome/w, to build], hence to build anything, e.g., Matt. 7.24; Luke 4.29; 6.48” (Vine). [See Psa. 127.1]
2. A few spiritual applications are worthy of our consideration…

EARTHLY HOUSEHOLDS & FAMILIES

1. How important are our own households or families?
   1. God instituted the family in the beginning. (Gen. 2.18-25)
   2. We must provide for our families! (1 Tim. 5.8)
2. The elders’ & deacons’ households. (1 Tim. 3.4-5, 12)

GOD’S HOUSE AS THE FAMILY OF ALL BELIEVERS

1. God’s house is contrasted with Moses’ house. (Heb. 3.1-6)
   1. Moses was a faithful leader among God’s house (Israel).
   2. Christ built His own house, the church. (Cf., Matt. 16.18)
2. God’s house is a spiritual house. (1 Pet. 2.5; cf., 4.17)

THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD AS THE LOCAL CHURCH

1. In 1 Tim. 3.15, oikō theou refers to the local congregation.
2. An important implication: The church is a family!
   1. We are brethren! (Gen. 13.8; Psa. 133.1)
   2. We are to love one another fervently! (Rom. 12.10; cf., Heb. 13.1; 1 Pet. 1.22; 4.8; 1 John 3.14-18)

Conclusion: We must be members of two houses: physical & spiritual!