The Character of the Church 1 Timothy 3:14-16 (NKJV)

The Character of the Church 1 Timothy 3:14-16 (NKJV) We have been looking at Chapter 3, a chapter on leadership. Paul wanted to make sure that Timothy understood the character that was necessary in those who served within the ministry of the church. So in verses 1 through 7, he speaks to the character of the called, that being the pastors. In verses 8 through 13, he speaks to the character of the deacons, those we call servants, those who serve in the practical things of the church. And here in verses 14 through 16, he speaks to the character of the church. Let s read verses 14 through 16, and then we will make our way back through it. Vs. 14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly This is why Paul wrote this letter to Timothy. Timothy was pastoring the church of Ephesus and Paul couldn t get to him, so he did the next best thing, he wrote him a letter. Today, it would be an email, or Facetime, or he might Skype him, so glad it was a letter because we now have a copy of it to glean from. So Paul reminds them Vs. 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Here Paul gives few pictures of church The church is: 1. A House When you think of the word house, you think of a place where you enjoy family. It can be translated household. When you and I gave our lives to Christ, we were birthed into the family of God. Copyright 2016 Chris Fraley 1

This is the local family, but we are part of a larger family globally. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 (NKJV) Look around, this is the household of faith, but then notice what else Paul calls the church 2. A Gathering Notice Paul says the house of God, but then he says, which is the church. Church: an assembly of Christians gathered for worship. That s what we do when we gather we worship the one who has birthed us into the family of God. Don t think of our time of worship as a concert to listen to or just songs that we sing, they re prayers offered to God; worship expressed to God from the family that has been rescued from sin and death. Notice Paul calls us the church of the living God. We serve a God who is alive, one who rose from the dead, one who was not held by the grave. We are not worshiping an idea, we are not worshiping someone who cannot be known, He is alive and every time we gather He speaks to us. But it also speaks about the nature of church; we are owned by, we are governed by the living God. We are His because He was the one who purchased us. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) Notice the third point he makes about the church 3. A Pillar Pillar: column, prop, or support. Copyright 2016 Chris Fraley 2

The imagery would have made total sense to both Timothy and the church of Ephesus. The temple of the goddess of Diana was in Ephesus. It had 127 pillars, and every one of them was a gift from a king. Honoring the king who donated them, they were impressive with marble. Some were overlaid with gold and studded with jewels, and of course, those pillars were put there to support the roof that was on top of the temple. Here Paul reminds us that the church is to be the pillars that hold up the truth. What is the truth that we hold up? The Word of God; Paul calls it the word of truth. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) We are to hold up the Word of God, which is the truth of God. That s why we exist. We exist to teach the truth, to hold up the truth, and to equip you with the truth of God s Word. And here, Paul will remind us that this truth is going to exalt Jesus. Notice Vs. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. Paul reminds us that these six truths about Jesus Christ should be without controversy, that every church, every believer in Jesus Christ should hold fast to. Some even believe verse 16 might have been a hymn that they sang when they gathered together in worship or a creed that they spoke out loud together. It was to be without controversy. It s the truth for every Christian church. It s what makes us Christian. Let s run through them together. The creed of truth that the church holds up: Copyright 2016 Chris Fraley 3

1. Jesus is God in the flesh Jesus was God in the flesh, making Him fully man and fully God. He was not an exalted man who became a God; He was at all times God. Listen to what Isaiah prophesied For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) The Child that was born and the Son that was given was mighty God. That s exactly what Paul is saying here. God took on flesh; He was God before He was born, after He was born, He was God on the cross, and God who resurrected. He was and always is God! In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-3, 14 (NKJV) Notice, He took on flesh. God the Son took on flesh while He was here on earth. It s what we sing during Christmas, God with us. And even in heaven today, He lives in His resurrected body, scars and all. One day, we will see those scars, and be reminded of what He did for us. 2. Jesus was justified in the Spirit When was He justified in the Spirit? At His baptism in the Jordan. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17 (NKJV) Copyright 2016 Chris Fraley 4

Now, this justification does not mean that He was in sin and had to be justified by the Spirit to be without sin. It simply means that God the Spirit bore witness that Jesus was the righteous one who would bring righteousness to us. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit 1 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) He was the just one who died for us, the unjust. In doing so, He brought us to God. He is the bridge that brings us to God. Let me ask you today, have you crossed that bridge? Have you put your faith in the only one that can bring you justification? You see, when you face Jesus, He s not going to ask you what church you attended, what type of baptism did you have, how much did you give or what translation of the Bible did you read, He is going to ask you what you did with the bridge that was put before you. What did you do with Jesus? He is the only one who can bring justification to our lives. And at the end of our service today, I am going to give you an opportunity to cross that bridge. 3. Jesus was seen by Angels When Jesus was in the wilderness, Satan tempted Him the same way that you and I are tempted. The pride of life, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes. Afterwards, angels ministered to Him. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him. Mark 1:13 (NKJV) When Jesus was in great warfare prior to the cross in the garden of Gethsemane, sweating drops of blood, submitting Himself to the will of the Father, do you remember what He said? Copyright 2016 Chris Fraley 5

saying, Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. Luke 22:42-43 (NKJV) It s what angels do. That s why the writer of Hebrews reminds us Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14 (NKJV) Notice, they minister to the family of God. Have you ever been in a time of great warfare and sensed angels were coming to your aid? Or been in an accident and felt as if angels were watching over you, keeping you from what could have taken your life? Maybe you re here today and you came to church with a struggle in your life, on the verge of depression, and angels are present today speaking truth into your heart, fighting off the enemy who wants to steal, kill and destroy. That s why we are told Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2 (NKJV) You never know, that stranger you helped, that homeless guy you fed, that orphan you reached out to could very well be angel in disguise, and when you reach out to them, they bring a gift to you. 4. Jesus was preached among the Gentiles Jesus reached out to the woman at the well. This was a woman who was half-jewish and half-gentile in a place that was overlooked by the Jews of the day, a place that was avoided by the religious of the day, but not Jesus. When He saw her at the well, He spoke life to her. Remember what He said Jesus answered and said to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would Copyright 2016 Chris Fraley 6

have given you living water but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:10, 14 (NKJV) We read in Matthew s gospel that a Gentile centurion would make his way to Jesus, seeking healing for his servant on his deathbed at home. The centurion asked Jesus to just speak a word of healing and he would be healed. Do you remember what Jesus said about the faith of this Gentile? When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! Matthew 8:10 (NKJV) That would stir up the religious a Gentile, roman soldier with greater faith than them. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and that meant Gentiles, those who the Jews looked down upon. He offered living water, He spoke a word of faith, and He brought healing to the sick. It s a reminder for those of you that might feel overlooked, outcast, in sin and no way out; Jesus has a heart for you today. He has a word of faith, a healing to grant, and water that can meet that deep need in your soul. Which brings us to number 5 5. Jesus was believed on in the world As the thief hung on the cross he said Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom. And Jesus said to him, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:42-43 (NKJV) Notice how simple it was. He did not have clean up his life before he came to the cross; he simply cried out to the one who could do that for him. He believed that Jesus was the only way to see paradise. He was the only that could bring him into the kingdom. Copyright 2016 Chris Fraley 7

And that same Jesus is here today, wanting for you to call upon Him, waiting for you to cry out to Him so that He can birth you into the kingdom. Lastly 6. Jesus was received up in glory Acts describes this event Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. Acts 1:9-11 (NKJV) He was received up in glory because He had accomplished His work on earth. He ascended because the work was done, and now we wait for the final call home, where we will see Him in the clouds. The question we must all ask is are we ready? Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:40-42 (NKJV) That s why we gather, that s why we assemble together, that s why church is a priority, Bible study is necessary, and worship is mandatory because it keeps our eye on the prize, which is Jesus. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV) Copyright 2016 Chris Fraley 8