(Audio Access Available Above)
"Clarity
For The Church" • 5.8.16 • Calvary
Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- The church in the middle of that first
century needed clarity. Too many voices were rising up and seeking to redefine
what the church was alll about.
- It was even happening at the church that Paul
had Pastored! As time marched forward away from the resurrection, the reason
for meeting became increasingly cloudy.
- This is where Paul's instruction focuses like
a lazer and he seeks to define both for Timothy and all future believers
certain unchangeable facts about the church. He does so in three sections.
I. The Content Of Our Confession (3:14-16)
II. The Current Of Our Culture (v.1-5)
III. The Conduct Of The Christian Pastor (v.6-11)
Text
I. The Content Of Our Confession (3:14-16)
• I Timothy
3:14,15 : "These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you
shortly; 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." : Paul was optimistic about his release from imprisonment,
thinking it would be imminent and that he would speak to Timothy personally.
- Whatever hope he had at this time was short
lived. His possible and inevitable delay brought about his writing to Timothy.
This is something I admire in Paul and all of God's saints.
- Certainly Paul wished to see Timothy and
would have enjoyed his freedom.
- His freedom however, was not an end, but a
means to fulfill his responsiblity to Timothy and ultimately to the church in
Ephesus.
- If he could not serve her with his presence,
he would still find a way to serve her with his pen! That dogged spiritual
determination is worth noting and learning to emulate.
- Paul wrote so that the Timothy and the church
would know how to behave when assembled.
- Verse 15
is widely considered to be Paul's thesis statement. He wanted Timothy to know
how he was to conduct himself in the house of God. Does Paul not trust Timothy
to know this?
- Most of the other translations reflect a more
general statement.
- The ESV translates it like this: "that you may know how one ought to behave,"
while the NIV writes, "you will
know how people ought to conduct themselves."
- Both of these translations are proper. Timothy
knew how to behave in the house of God generally. Paul wrote that he might know
how he was to behave there in Ephesus specifically.
- In a healthy environment, Timothy would not
have need to keep people from esoteric, trivial and mystical pursuit.
- He would not have had to tell his people to
pray instead of being combative and angry with each other.
- Instead of being told to seek for certain
types of men to lead, he would have had those men at his disposal.
- We could say that it's possible that Paul's
letter was aimed at how Timothy should behave specifically given the
congregation that he served.
- On the other hand, this is just as
instructive toward those that came to the church, who might have needed an
extra level of authoritative clarity in turning from their foolish ways!
- In any event, in Paul's mind and in God's
heart, there is a right way to conduct yourself in the house of God. Have you
ever truly considered that? The local church is the house of God!
- When we are not here together, this place is
a community center. When we are gathered together in His Name and for the
purpose of receiving His Word, this is His house!
- It is His house, in that it is His idea. He
has paid for it. He is the center attraction within it. He is it's architect
and it's builder. In every way possible, the church belongs to God!
- Consider the ramifications of that statement.
If the church is God's house, then it is not my house or your house. The church
belongs to God. We are in His house!
- In fact, this is not merely the house of God,
but the church of the living God! The church is not a place of memory, but a
place where the living God inhabits the praises of His people!
- This is where He has designated that we meet
with Him corporately and where we determine as fellow believers to add our
worship to His Name!
- This one fact governs what we sing, what and
how I preach and who is allowed to serve. If the church were yours or mine, we
could do things differently.
- We could sing just any old song and I could
preach my sermonettes on what I felt addressed your greatest need. But this
isn't mine or yours. Let us keep that in mind always.
- When you have a good understanding of who we
come to church for, you will never tolerate what has passed for church again!
The church exists for God's pleasure and for His purpose.
- Paul alludes to this as he calls the church
"the pillar and ground of the truth."
- The church in Ephesus lived, physically, under
the shadow of the Temple of Diana, which was one of the seven wonders of the
ancient world.
- It was a 377 x 180 ft rectangular shaped
building, surrounded by 127 marble pillars which stood 60 feet high. It was a
sturdy and powerful testament to human achievement.
- Yet, for all of it's impressive architectural
magnificence, it didn't hold to THE truth.
- That is what the Church has been given and is
the ground upon which it! The church supports the truth of God's Word. The
church is where His truth is upheld.
- Our church, along with all which properly
exegete the entirety of scripture, functions as a continuing support.
- Ironically, the same case exists today as it
did then: That which is untrue holds the wonder of the world, while the church of
God meets in humility!
- Because His truth is of paramount importance,
our efforts are focused upon seeing God's truth extend into every arena of
life, through well fed, well taught people.
- Our primary duty then is to learn of Him,
which is exactly what Paul leads us to in verse 16.
•
I Timothy 3:16 : "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." : The phrase "without controversy" might be better
translated, "we all agree." There isn't any argument about this!
-
This is our great in magnitude, but common confession. It is the mystery of
godliness! "Mystery" refers to something that has been hidden which
is now revealed.
-
Our faith in God is truly a matter of God's self-disclosure, His revelation of
Himself to us! Great is the revelation of godliness.
-
When speaking about a person, this word refers to the life which comes from a
person effected by the faith. When a faithful person acts like a faithful
person, it's piety or godliness.
-
When God acts out of His own desire to reveal His character, it reflects His
personal experience that had been witnessed by men.
-
The substance of this concept is wrapped up in Jesus Christ, whose life
expressed true godliness and is the life expressed through His people, by His
Holy Spirit.
-
Before we examine the particulars, understand that this was likely a hymn of
the early church. It was sung to pass along theology that might resonate in
their hearts as they returned to their work.
-
This hymn begins with Christ's incarnation. God was manifested in the flesh!
God the invisible, became visible when the second person of the trinity took on
human flesh.
-
The Biblical record is clear. While on Earth, Jesus was both fully Divine and
fully human at the same time. He became visible in the flesh and was justified
in the Spirit.
-
Again, the normal use of the word "justified" speaks of human
salvation, but this can't be the case with Christ who did not need to be
"saved."
-
Most of the other translations provide the word "vindicated," which may
even have a shade of meaning in the word "endorsement."
-
While Christ was in the flesh, He was a Man who was hated and despised by men.
That had never been the assessment of heaven!
-
At His baptism, the Spirit of God presented Himself physically and the Father
said, "This is my beloved Son in
whom I am well pleased!" (Matthew
3:17)
-
The ultimate endorsement by heaven of Christ's righteousness came when Jesus
rose from the dead!
-
His death was viewed by heaven as a completed and satisfactory atonement for
the sins of His people. Paul continues by saying that Jesus was seen by angels.
-
When Jesus came out of the wilderness after having been tempted by Satan, the
Angels ministered to Jesus in His hour of human need. (Matthew 4:11)
-
On two occasions, both Satan and Jesus affirmed that a company of angels would
and could be dispatched at His call! (Matthew
4:6, Matthew 26:53)
-
In the Garden of Gethsemane, after Jesus had prayed, resigning Himself to the
will of God, the Bible tells us that an angel came to him and ministered to Him
there. (Luke 22:43)
-
In all of those moments, can you imagine what it would have been like for the
angels to see Jesus suffer? How much greater then was their excitement as they
stood at the empty tomb!
-
How fitting was it that the angels who had the privilege of announcing His
birth, also had the chance to witness and proclaim His resurrection! Jesus was
indeed seen by angels!
-
What we have seen thus far is heaven's action. This is the sole response of the
church. Christ is preached or announced among the nations!
-
The good news of His resurrection has touched more than the Jewish nation.
Christ has been the object of His people's belief in the world! Finally, Jesus
was received up in glory!
-
Jesus, before the eyes of His watching disciples, ascended unto the right hand
of the Father where He remains in the reality of His power for eternity!
-
Paul has focused our attention upon the content of our confession. He moves now
to the current of our culture. Chapter 4,
verse 1.
II. The Current Of Our Culture (v.1-5)
•
I Timothy 4:1-3 : "Now the Spirit expressly says that in
latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits
and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in
hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain
from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who
believe and know the truth." : The Holy
Spirit is speaking currently and repeatedly in an outspoken manner about the
nature of spiritual life in latter times. He is clear and explicit with Paul in
this matter.
-
These times were yet future to Paul, but he could see a very present shadow growing.
What he was seeing now in part would inevitably become a full fledged departure
from the faith.
-
This will not happen with all. God would never allow that. But there will be
son who will abandon the faith. Who is Paul speaking of? Can it possibly be
Christian people?
-
As the church grew, Paul saw people who professed the faith become obsessed
with issues that were either sub or anti Christian.
-
Consequently, there will be a withdrawing from or falling away from the faith.
There will be a deserting of the faith because attention will be placed
elsewhere.
-
Those that fall away, that desert will have done so because they have put their
attention upon "wandering" spirits.
-
These are seductive spirits who are leading God's people away from the faith
and toward something undefineable. Leave the certain faith for the ever evasive
other.
-
Deceiving spirits and the instruction of demons. This is the power behind those
that brought false teaching into the church. They are deceiving people and
teaching them their "wisdom."
-
This then is their presentation. They speak lies in hypocrisy. They speak falsely
from their own falsehood. A hypocrite is an actor.
-
Those that are leading the desertion of the faith are those who are acting as
if they have the credentials to lead.
-
When they have their own platform, the "truths" that they employ are fashioned
after their own hypocritical desires!
-
Is that not why the Bible is picked apart and divorced from it's context to
serve the ever present feel good sermon series? How could they do this you ask?
-
Because their conscience has been seared with a hot iron! The conscience, which
Paul has talked about, is the cooperating moral center of the person who
follows the Lord.
-
The false teachers that Paul is speaking about have a cauterized conscience.
That burning of their conscience is permanent. They have lost any sensitivity
to God's Holy Spirit!
-
That's why they teach restrictive policies as though it were God's will! They
are preventing men from taking wives and commanding men not to receive food,
literally meats!
-
By the way, if you want to ever spot a false teacher, see first how restrictive
they are with regard to what is eaten and how a life is to be led! That should
be a warning sign to you!
-
Did Christ die so that you could be a slave to another system? Heaven forbid
and cursed be such a teaching!
-
Before I go on, let us understand that there are more healthy ways to eat and
for some, their may be a more wise way to approach their own life.
-
But neither decision makes them more holy or appoved by God! That is a doctrine
of demons and a cursed way to live! God gave His people the freedom to partake
of these foods.
-
They are now to be a source of thanksgiving for those that believe in Him! Why?
-
Because His sacrifice was sufficient for men's salvation, rendering their
observance of dietary restrictions inconsequential! He continues in verse 4.
•
I Timothy 4:4,5 : "For every creature of God is good,
and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of
God and prayer." : After Christ's ascension,
one of the pivotal theological moments in church history took place in Simon
the Tanner's house.
-
It was there that Peter received a vision of "unclean" animals which
had been off limits to the Jewish people. When the Lord told Peter to
"rise, kill and eat," the Apostle initially refused.
-
After seeing the same vision several times, it became clear to him that God had
taken away the key dividing line between the Jews and the Gentiles.
-
Foods were no longer off limit! If you are thankful for it, it's set apart for
your use by the authority of God's word and by our prayer of thanksgiving!
III. The Conduct Of The Christian Pastor (v.6-11)
•
I Timothy 4:6 : "If you instruct the brethren in
these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the
words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed." : Paul tells Timothy that he was to instruct the brethren in
these things. He was to supply them with truth, to lay truth down before them.
-
This is to be his habitual pattern. The minister is always to give himself to
the relaying of God's truth.
-
That is what makes a good minister, servant, deacon of Jesus Christ! Who
doesn't want to be known as a good servant of Christ's!?
-
This again strikes at the very heart of our existence. I could care less about
the world's approval and to some extent your approval. I have one audience
whose approval I crave!
-
You should have the very same heart! Are you looking for His approval in your
life? Are you a good deacon of the Lord's?
-
A good minister of the Lord is one who is nourished in the words of faith. The
word is a metaphor for being completely educated in the content of the faith,
which is the good doctrine.
-
Listen to Paul's endorsement. It was what Timothy carefully followed! The sense
is that Timothy has not strayed at all from what he had been taught. He
followed right along dutifully.
-
Could the same be said of you? Are you following the doctrine of God? Can it be
seen in your choices during the week? May it be so!
•
I Timothy 4:7-9 : "But reject profane and old wives’
fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a
little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life
that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and
worthy of all acceptance." : Paul
tells Timothy to spend all of his time laying down the truth for the people of
God and none of his time on non-truth!
-
Utterly reject and refuse these items. There isn't a place for content that is
less than Biblical truth. If I didn't have an entire Bible before me to share
with you, I'd share other stuff!
-
The NLT isn't too strong in saying, "Don't waste your time" on these
ungodly, myths from silly old women! There is no reason to receive these
things.
-
Timothy had no business with this superfluous vanity. He was to vigorously
exercise himself in the gym of godly behavior! What a word picture for us!
-
You know what it means to work out in the gym for your body. How does your
spiritual body look? Is there muscle development? Are you spiritually yoked?
-
Bodily exercise is a worthy activity, but it profits little. The idea is that
it is profitable for a limited time.
-
In the scheme of things, over the course of eternity, how you exercise your
physical body today will ever be diminishing!
-
But the same can't be said for godliness, which has an effect in every part of
your life beginning with what you experience now and what you will experience
for eternity!
-
This brings us to the third time we have read "this is a faithful
saying" from Paul and a verbatim repeat from the first time in 1:16.
-
The fact that an exercise toward godliness is profitable for all deserves
everyone's acceptance, especially when it results in the life that lasts for
eternity.
•
I Timothy 4:10,11 : "For to this end we both labor and
suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the
Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach." : To this end. To the end that we will enjoy the merits of a
fruitful life for eternity, we work and suffer now.
-
Labor speaks of a working toward exhaustion, which was their ever present
activity. Ah, but you get respect! No, Paul says that along with the
exhaustion, we're also defamed and taunted!
-
Why? Because they were putting all of their confidence in the living God! That
God who is the Savior of all men. Every man that is saved is saved by One God.
-
But it is true that only those which believe upon Christ are saved!
-
That's to be Timothy's ground for authority, what he stands before the people
with.
Conclusion
- The content
of our confession is the God is the center of our church. He is the main
attraction and we exist to worship and honor Him.
- The current
of our culture is ever leading people away from the faith and toward worthless
notions, both pseudo religious in nature or utterly pagan. The church exists to
combat this slide.
- This leads us
to the conduct of the Christian Pastor, who stands to repeatedly teach the
truth of God so that God's people can grow in wisdom and have a well nourished
spiritual body.
- May the Lord
give us the wisdom to be continually satisfied with Himself and may our goals
be in line with what is worthy in His house!
No comments:
Post a Comment