Is there a church in your house? Are parents, children, friends, everyone under your roof members of it? Or are some still outside the faith? Stop right here. Let the question circle your dinner table: Am I a member of the church in this house?

How a father's heart would leap for joy! How a mother's eyes would fill with holy tears if every single person, from the oldest to the youngest, belonged to Jesus! Let us pray for this great mercy. Let us not stop praying until the Lord grants it.

This was probably Philemon's deepest desire—to see his whole household saved. But God did not grant it all at once. He had a wicked servant, Onesimus, who wronged him and ran. But the master's prayers chased after that runaway servant. And finally, as God would have it, Onesimus heard Paul preach. His heart was touched. He came back to Philemon, not just as a faithful servant, but as a beloved brother. One more member added to the church in Philemon's house.

Is someone missing from your home this morning? Someone still unconverted? Pour out special prayers for them. Pray that when they return, they'll burst through the door with good news of what grace has done! Is that person sitting right next to you? Then let them share in these same earnest prayers.

Now, if there is such a church in your house, then order it well. Let everyone act as in the sight of God. Move through the common affairs of life with studied holiness, with diligence, with kindness, with integrity.

More is expected from a household that calls itself a church. Family worship must be more devout and hearty. The love between you must be warmer and unbroken. Your conduct must be more sanctified and Christlike. Don't fear that your small numbers put you outside the list of churches—the Holy Spirit himself has enrolled this family-church in the inspired book of remembrance.

So come now, little church. Draw near to the great Head of the one Church universal. Beseech him for the grace to shine before men to the glory of his name.