A Prejudice Faith

A Prejudice faith

I Tim 3:14-16,Heb 11:1-3, Numbers 13,14

· Intro: The central purpose of I timothy is found in 3:15 “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.” The church is God’s primary vehicle for accomplishing His work on earth. ( Matt16:18-20) The Lord has ordained that men and women be involved in working out His will in local assemblies around the world (Heb 10.24-25) so that we can stir up love and good works.

Paul wrote 1 Timothy in order to instruct his young protege’ on how the church should function and on how mature men and women of God should interact in it. Specifics are given on developing and recognizing godly leadership, and avoiding false doctrine in the church. (3:1-13; 4:1-6) Paul insists that Christian maturity should be expected in leadership, while it is developed in the lives of all believers. (4:6-10) “By* teaching these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, trained in the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed faithfully. in Verses 7-9, he speaks about rejecting those things that will hurt your ministry and investing in those things that are profitable for godliness then he concludes in verse 10 10 For to this end we labor and suffer reproach, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.”

Paul offers Timothy, a whole list of extremely practical advice for leading a church. As he faced problems and hardships of ministry in a local church, Timothy must have repeatedly read Paul’s letter for visibility and current assurance and instruction. (4:15). Having that letter with Timothy all the time allowed him to not allow his perception, values, and traditional beliefs to alter or taint the overall mission and purpose of the work in Ephesus. (4:15)

Introduction: There is a commercial I believe by farmers insurance where they walk a potential client through a museum of an incident that has occurred and because of them they have insurance to cover them. Usually, laws are made only because something has happened that causes lawmakers to take action. Like speeding laws or seat belts, and even insurance companies like here in Oklahoma, where 4 to 5 years ago you could not purchase earthquake insurance. Why do I mention these stories to provide a practical point in today’s lesson? In the bible, I believe that the Holy Spirit guided men like Paul and others to write letters to churches not pertaining to accidental things, but rather pertaining to things that matter and will occur.

For our subject today, I want to ask a question that I have been pondering and studying over, can we have a prejudiced faith? Before we answer that question let's break down this statement or phrase before we dive into this concept.

· Harper Lee wrote a quote “Prejudice, is a dirty word, and faith, a clean one, they both have something in common: they both begin where reason ends.” ( Tell the story about the capitol incident and how a guy is serving a 10-year sentence because of what he saw on Fox News)

They are two words in the spiritual world that do not belong together nor can they continue to be connected in the spiritual realm of our spiritual beliefs.

(6:11-16). “But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patient endurance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I command you, in the sight of God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate”

· When Timothy wrote these words it gives us insight into the spiritual realm to enlighten our transformation and strengthen our reason for the change.

· Let’s look at the definition of Prejudice-an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason. Pre means it was formed prior to gaining a full understanding.

· “Hebrews 11:1-6

· Faith is the substance” (hupostasis). The Greek word here gives the sense of something foundational, basic, a concrete reality upon which other things are built. Stasis, the root of the word, means the place, setting, a standing pillar, upon which other stones are placed. The prefix hupo means “under” or “below.” Together the result signifies something solidly foundational, concrete in reality, something assured. Thus faith as defined by our exhorter is not an imaginary product of the mind fabricated out of its own philosophical needs or rationalistic dreams, but that which is firm, solid, of real existence. Faith is the solid certainty of that for which we hope, based upon reality and solid existence.

· He continues: “[Faith is] the evidence of things not seen.” The Greek phrase pragmatos elegchos is translated as the single word “evidence.” Yet when the words are considered separately, they carry force and strength not usually associated with faith, which may more usually be seen as pragmatic reality. Pragmatōn, on the one hand, spreads out an idea of concrete reality, something that is critical, of consequence, and of great importance—something foundational.

Elegchos implies a thought or belief that has been cross-examined, questioned so as to be tested for validity or reality, brought to proof, or placed under scrutiny for a possible confrontation. Faith, then, is based upon that which is tested and is crucial. And what is it that is unseen but is yet tested and important; is it not the power of God working through His government of all events in history, which from time to time experiences His mighty acts? This power may be unseen for while, perhaps, but we come to know it as ultimate and crucial, dependable, solid, and foundational. Our faith does not create reality but is based upon the reality of God’s grace and mercy. It is by this faith, turned loose in history by the faithful action of prophets and believers, that God has brought the miracles to bear upon nations and their history.

I Timothy 3:14-16

· How normal it was for Paul to write to Timothy on “how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God.” The urgency of the matter is heightened by the nature of the task entrusted to Timothy—and to everyone called to leadership in the church. For it is the “church of the living God.” Thus, the house of God is no mere building. It is a gathering of people called together by God Himself. Paul employs a metaphor used only here, “the pillar and ground of the truth.” There is a difficulty in this phrase in that it could possibly be read as giving the church primacy over the truth. But in Greek there are no articles with either “pillar” or “ground,” and this certainly allows for the metaphor to be read in general terms. Can we not view every church, every congregation, as such a pillar and ground? The smallest and most remote congregation is a pillar and a base upon which the truth of the gospel is held aloft. What a thought for every congregation, small and large!

· How you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God”

· What would a prejudiced faith look like?

o Who is preaching today? I heard this scripture before what is he going to tell me that I don’t already know? O Lord brother so and so is going to say the same prayer. O boy here comes the testimonial queen who always gets up every Sunday. We can even find ourselves making jokes and you kow wht they say about a Jooke, there’s always some triuth in a Joke. Negative complaining, back biting is toxic inside the church.

Let's talk about those things outside the church. Man, that church always acts like they are better than us. Their members are not a better matter of fact I know so and so has been doing this and that. When tragedy hits inside the church gossip begins to validate our perceptions. I knew something was going on, whatever is in the dark is going to come to the light.

We all must realize the importance of staying connected and closing the back door. That we have a problem of 20% of the congregation doing 80% of the work. Now you can have a prejudiced moment right there and say that you can afford to lose a few members. Who really would this comment be directed to? God, not The Way Church of Christ. It happens and can be contagious. How well are we conducting ourselves in a matter that is respectful in the sight of God? How often are we to ignore what our brothers and sisters are doing in other churches across this country?

o The one thing I want to say is that I believe we don’t set out each day to belittle, chastise or even complain, but there is a deeper issue that only you and God can resolve. It sometimes just happens and we have been doing it so long that it’s second nature. Look at the children of Israel in the Old Testament and how they reacted to what God was doing for them. (Numbers 13:26-14:2)

o Stormie Omartian wrote a book called Choose love. She is usually known for her books called the power of a praying wife or the power of a praying husband. In this book, she states that there are 3 choices in life that will alter the course of our lives. 1. To receive God’s love for you 2. Choose to express your love for God 3. Choose to love others in a way that pleases God. The theme of this book is that we have a choice and it is up to us.

Misconduct and disorder in the local church weaken the support of God’s truth in the world. Godly, men and women gathering together in local assemblies to worship the Lord produce an orderly church, a church that testifies to others about the truth of God.

Verse 16 contains an early hymn of the church. The hymn is divided into three couplets, “Manifested in the flesh” refers to Christ’s incarnation, the fact that Jesus became man see as stated in John 1:14 how God became flesh and dwelt among us.

“Justified in the Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit’s work in Jesus’s, ministry and resurrection” (Matt3.15-17). But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. 16 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. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased

“Seen by angels” refers to the angelic witness of Christ's ministry in the resurrection preached among the gentiles and refers to the proclamation of Christ to the nations Colossians 123 believed on the world refers to the response of individuals to God‘s plan of salvation. see Corinthians, 118 Dash 25 received up in glory refers to ascension crisis, seated in God‘s presence in heaven ask 19, Hebrews 13, four.

Paul had been discussing proper godly conduct in the church, behavior which is in every way consistent with the truth, rather than “contrary to the sound doctrine” (1:10). In 3:16 he expressed a simple idea which becomes difficult due only to its compactness. This truth about godliness being a mystery means that it was hidden but now is revealed. Further, it is a great (mega, “large, important”) “mystery” in that it is overwhelmingly large in scope and sublimely important in significance (cf. Eph. 5:32). Paul cited the content of this truth in the form of an excerpt from an early hymn about Christ, who is the essence of the “mystery” (Col. 1:27). Whether the fragment should be divided into two or three parts is disputed. Whichever one chooses, the six elements of the excerpt are as follows: (1) Appeared in a body refers to the Incarnation of Christ. (2) Was vindicated by the Spirit refers to God’s demonstration through the Resurrection (cf. Acts 2:24–36), by the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:11), that the crucified Jesus is Lord and Messiah. (3) Was seen by angels refers to His exaltation before the heavenly realm (cf. Phil. 2:9–11; Col. 2:15; Heb. 1:6). (4) Was preached among the nations (cf. Col. 1:23) and (5) was believed on in the world refer to the progressive fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through His preordained means (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18–2:5). (6) Was taken up in glory refers to the Ascension (Eph. 4:10).

· Closing 1 timothy 3:14-16 (Mystery of Godliness is Great)

14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 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. 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.

In duet 19:15 it says that every charge must be established by two or three witnesses ( 2 Cor 13:1 “This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

o Where will prejudiced faith lead us? Dying churches,

o Prejudice is carnal while Faith is Spiritual

o Prejudice is the end to a means while faith is the means to even greater ends as Paul says in Timothy 3:16