This document discusses the concept of home from a Christian perspective. It begins by stating that heaven is the final home for believers, and they are daily traveling nearer to it. It then contrasts the impermanence and disappointments of this world with describing Christ as a refuge and home for those who are laboring and heavy laden. It emphasizes that in Christ's house, there is room and mercy for all who come, and communion with Him once begun will never be broken off. It concludes by exhorting the reader to seek an abiding home for their soul in Christ and to tell others about the happiness of having a home in Him.

1. Practical Religion
Chapter 17: Our Home
J. C. Ryle

2. Our Home
Consideration of our home
What the world is
What Christ is
For the believer
For the unbeliever
Heaven, beyond doubt, is the final
home in which a true Christian will
dwell at last. Towards that he is
daily traveling:
nearer to that
he is daily
coming. To that
home we have
not yet come.
We are not yet
in heaven.

3. This World
We shall never be fit for the
service of God if we look not
beyond this fleeting life.
~ John Calvin

4. The World
The world is
changing
trying and disappointing
dying
scattering and dividing
Beautiful as the world is, there are
many things in it to remind us
that it is not
our home.

5. The World
Set not your affection on
things below
A really happy Christian
home is the nearest
approach to heaven on
earth. But take care. This
state of things will not last
for ever.
We must steadily resolve to
make the best of everybody and
everything around us. But we
must never, never,
never, forget that
the world is
not home.

6. What Christ Is
To abide in Christ daily
To flee to Him as a refuge in
trials
To seek Him in prayer daily
This is to consider Christ as
our home
There is a home provided for all
laboring and heavy laden souls,
and that home
is Christ.

7. What Christ Is
In Christ's house there is much
empty room for more guests.
This is a comfortable word for
those who have not yet complied
with the invitations of the
gospel; the doors are not yet
shut, and every sinner may yet
have access to Christ.

8. There is mercy for all who
come
There is room in the lower house.
We are born into the devil's family,
but Christ is willing to take us into
his family, and invites us in.
We are welcomed as friends, as
sons and daughters, as the spouse
of Christ, and, indeed, welcomed
into the upper house, where no
unclean thing may enter, because
Christ has made us clean.

9. There is kindness, patience, and
gentleness for all who come
There is room for you in the
heart of the Master of the Feast. If
it were not so, why does he call?
Christ's sufferings were for the
purpose of making room for
sinners
Though you have sinned
grievously, ignored his
invitation, or foolishly rejected it,
you may still come

10. Communion with him, once
begun, will never be broken off
His adopting grace is not
exhausted.
He is both able and willing to
save

11. Communion with him, once
begun, will never be broken off
The end of Christ's cursed death,
and bitter sufferings, was to
bring all those for whom he died
unto God.
~ John Flavel

12. Reflection
Do you have a home for your soul?
Is it safe?
Is it pardoned?
Is it justified?
Our earthly homes will soon be
closed for ever. Time hastens on with
giant strides. Oh, seek an abiding
home for the better part of you,— the
part that never dies! Before it be too
late seek a home for your soul.
None have a real right to be
cheerful, merry, light hearted,
and at ease, excepting those who
have got a
home for
their souls.

13. Reflection
To show you what is meant by
coming to Christ, it is not, my
brethren, coming with your own
works: no, you must come in full
dependence upon the Lord Jesus
Christ, looking on him as the
Lord who died to save sinners
Stand not out then against this
Lord, but go unto him, not in
your own strength, but in the
strength of Jesus Christ.
George Whitefield

14. Reflection
If you have such a home for
your soul, let nothing tempt
you to stray away from
home
Remember Lot's wife – do not
forsake your home

15. Reflection
Tell them that his yoke is
easy, and his burden is
light.
Tell them that, whatever the
devil may say, the rules of
your home are not grievous,
and that your Master pays
far better wages than the
world does!
Take every opportunity to tell
others about your happiness

16. For next time:
Chapter 18: Heirs of God
Please read:
Rom. 8:14-17