November 1, Morning
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"The Church in thy house." — Philemon 1:2 · KJV
Is there a church in this house? Are parents, children, friends, and servants all members of it? Or are some still unconverted? Let us pause here, and let the question go round: Am I a member of the church in this house? How the father's heart would leap for joy, and the mother's eyes fill with holy tears, if from the eldest to the youngest all were saved! Let us pray for this great mercy until the Lord grants it to us. It had probably been the dearest object of Philemon's desires to have all his household saved, but it was not at first granted him in its fullness. He had a wicked servant, Onesimus, who, having wronged him, ran away from his service. His master's prayers followed him, and at last, as God would have it, Onesimus was led to hear Paul preach; his heart was touched, and he returned to Philemon — not only to be a faithful servant, but a brother beloved, adding another member to the church in Philemon's house. Is there an unconverted servant or child absent this morning? Make special supplication that on their return home they may gladden all hearts with good news of what grace has done! Is there one present? Let him join in the same earnest entreaty. If there is such a church in our house, let us order it well, and let all act as in the sight of God. Let us move in the common affairs of life with studied holiness, diligence, kindness, and integrity. More is expected of a church than of an ordinary household: family worship must, in such a case, be more devout and hearty; inward love must be warmer and unbroken, and outward conduct more sanctified and Christlike. We need not fear that the smallness of our number will drop us from the list of churches, for the Holy Spirit has here enrolled a family-church in the inspired book of remembrance. As a church, let us now draw near to the great Head of the one Church universal, and beseech Him to give us grace to shine before men, to the glory of His name.