Behave Yourself in God’s House – 1 Timothy 3:14-16

Sixteenth sermon in a verse by verse series through 1 Timothy. This lesson covers the key verses in Timothy that outline the theme of behaving oneself in the church of God.

This lesson: The key verses of the Book that outline the believer’s responsibility to the local church.

These verses describe some of the key, doctrinal truths that relate to the local church.

The Theme of the Epistle (Vs. 14-15a)

1. The Apostle’s desire (14) “For I long to see you…” Rom 1:11
2. The Apostle’s purpose (15a)
   1. “these things” = the instructions of the Epistle
   2. ‘behave’ = conduct
   3. Note: Observe the connection between knowing and behaving.

The Description of the Church (Vs. 15b)

There are three truths about the church we learn in these verses. The church is…

The Habitation of God

1. ‘house’ = household, dwelling place (Refer Vs. 4 & 12). Reference to the household of faith, the family of God.
2. A habitation of God: Ephesians 2:19-22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
3. Christ’s Promise of His presence: Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
4. Christ walks in the midst of the candlesticks: Revelation 2:1 “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;”
5. Challenge: There is a special blessing of Christ’s presence that is only experienced in the assembling together of believers. If you miss church, you miss out on a great blessing! (Illustration Thomas on Sunday night)

The Assembly of God

1. ‘church’ = a called out assembly
2. ‘living’ = the assembly of the One, True, Almighty God. A contrast to the worship of dead, lifeless idols.
3. Doctrine: A distinct, separated company of people
4. Chosen out of the world: John 15:18-19 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
5. Principle of a chosen, distinct people in Scripture
   1. Abraham: Genesis 12:1 “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:”
   2. Israel: Leviticus 20:26 “And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.”
   3. The church: 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

The Custodian of the Truth

1. The Propagator of the truth
   1. ‘pillar’ = a column (e.g. like a pillar in the temple).
   2. Illustration: The temple to Diana in Ephesus had 127 pillars which supported the roof. Remember Paul is writing to the church at Ephesus.
   3. The church displays the truth as a witness to a world filled with error.
   4. The church’s reputation should be concerning the truth.
   5. Contrast with the 21^st century mindset (e.g. little or no Bible teaching)
   6. Psalm 60:4 “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.”
   7. Philippians 2:16 “Holding forth the word of life…”
2. The Protector of the truth
   1. ‘ground’ = firm foundation, base, stay or prop. This refers to the churches guardianship of the truth.
   2. The faith has been entrusted to God’s people (Jude 1:3, 1 Tim. 1:11)

The Message of the Church (Vs. 16)

Note: There are 6 truths concerning Christ for which the church is responsible

1. The Certainty of the Message (16a)
   1. “without controversy” = confessedly, the common confession, the truth that cannot be disputed
   2. ‘mystery’ = truth previously concealed but now revealed in the New Testament (Vs. 9 “mystery of the faith”)
2. The Content of the Message (16b)
   1. God was manifest in the flesh: Reference to the incarnation. One of the clearest verses on the Deity of Christ. Note: It is of interest that this verse, amongst others, has been viciously assaulted by textual criticism. ‘manifest’ not created or made to exist.
   2. Justified in the Spirit: Same word used to describe God’s justifying of a repentant sinner. In this instance, it has more to do with being vindicated, endorsed & approved. The ministry of Christ had the Holy Spirit’s endorsement and stamp of approval upon it. This culminated in the Spirit’s role in the resurrection (Rom 1:4)
   3. Seen of angels: The angels observed and witnessed the incarnate Christ’s life and ministry. Angels appear often throughout the ministry of Christ. For example, angels announced his birth; angels ministered to him after His 40 days and 40 nights of temptation in the wilderness; an angel strengthened him in the Garden of Gethsemane just prior to His crucifixion and angels were at the tomb on resurrection morning (one threw away the stone). The angels desire to look into the work of salvation (1. Peter 1:10-12). Here the word ‘look’ has the idea of “stooping down in order to look at something.”
   4. Preached unto the Gentiles: Christ broke down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile, uniting them in one body. The Gospel is for all men and was proclaimed boldly by the Apostles.
   5. Believed on in the world: The message of Christ had transformed lives and continues to do so today.
   6. Received up into Glory: Reference to the Ascension (Acts 1:9-10)
   7. Summary: The primary truth the church is to proclaim is the truth concerning Jesus Christ. “But we preach Christ crucified…” (1 Cor. 1:23). “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord…” (2 Cor. 4:5)

Conclusion:

1. What is your attitude to the local church?
2. Are you committed to the truth?
3. Are you proclaiming Christ?

Sermon 16 of 27 in 1 Timothy Series

Sermon Audio Id: 7241666447