Recap
Title: How To Have The Best Atmosphere In Your Home
Series: Discovering The Real Jesus
Key Text: John 12:1-11
Key Message:
Our home life greatly influences whether we are happy or sad in life. It is important that we dream and work towards having the best atmosphere in your home. There doesn’t have to be fighting and tension or emotional coldness.
In our family life we too should appreciate and show our love to God and each family member every day. Make the most of each moment here and now. Be patient with each other. Encourage each other. Be kind and quick to forgive. Life is fragile and time flies quickly. We should all make sure that we value and help each other every day.
Today in our studies on ‘discovering the real Jesus’ we are going to focus on the time when Jesus visited a house where he met his friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus in John 12:1-11.
1. Welcome Jesus to your home (John 12:1; Matthew 6:33)
2. Honour Jesus by doing the practical jobs in your home (John 12:2; Luke 10:38-42)
3. Give your best offering to Jesus in your home (John 12:3; Romans 10:14-15)
4. Be careful of negative attitudes about Jesus in your home (John 12:4-6)
5. Make the most of every moment with Jesus in your home (John 12:7-8)
Apply
Jesus was willing to go to people’s homes: for example, he went to Peter’s home, Matthew’s home and the home of Zacchaeus. In our reading John does not specifically name the home that Jesus was visiting, but speaks simply of a house in Bethany where he was being honored with a special dinner.
The most important decision that we can make is to invite Jesus into our homes and to put Him at the centre of everything. This is much better than putting the TV or computer games or jobs or money at the centre of our family life.
When we look to Jesus as our example and follow His teachings, we will know how we should treat each other in the best way in our relationships. We will know His guidance when we need direction and experience his comfort and strength when we go through difficulties.
The love of Jesus is what can keep all of us close together. He is the best person to have in our homes because He always has the best to give us. He never comes with empty hands; He is our provider. He can bring healing if you need healing. When he is in our house, we breathe an atmosphere of love, of peace and unity.
What changes do you need to make in your homes to put Jesus at the centre? Do you need to create some time where you can read the Bible and pray together? Try to do this even for a few minutes each day and then arrange once a week where you can have a family group meeting.
Martha served. Without Martha nobody would have received a meal. Her practical actions were very important. Jesus also told us that we all have to serve and He himself did the most basic job of washing the feet of his disciples.
To have a happy home, everyone must be willing to serve, to make their beds, to help shop, clean the house, wash the dishes, make a drink, and serve meals. Jobs in the house are for men as well as women, younger and well as older.
Is everyone helping in your home? Do you serve each other?
Mary generously gave her best gift to Jesus, a perfume so expensive that it represented about a year’s worth of wages. And then she humbly wiped the feet of Jesus with her hair. The perfume was poured out so generously that everyone could smell the fragrance.
When we give our best offering to Jesus, in money or time or service, it shows that we truly and wholeheartedly honour and worship the Lord. And that attracts the presence of God.
It’s so important that we guard who comes into our homes and how we speak in our homes.
We must be careful not to permit cynicism or even talk that seems spiritual but actually is coming from the mouths of those who have deceit and bitterness in their hearts. We need to ask the Lord for a lot of discernment.
Above all together value the presence of God. When you follow these lessons, you will experience many blessings and you will live with the best atmosphere in your home.
