Heart of the Church

1 Timothy 3:14-16

Intro: Our passions drive us. When someone is passionate about a certain subject, they often invest much of their time and energy into that particular thing. Sports team, hobby, work, etc. Its often much of what that person will talk about. Those with similar interests will often become friends over those things.

The church, according to Scripture, needs to have passion that drives its mission. Here at Cross Church, we want to ask ourselves, what will be our passion? What will we center the church on? Lots of opinions of what church should be, look like, do, etc. But the question becomes, what does God want us to center on and be wholly passionate about. What does God want our heart to be as Cross Church?

Paul has already written in the first three chapters here instructions for him and for the church. Instructions regarding guarding the gospel, behavior in worship, behavior of leaders. What comes next here in these three verses this morning is the heart of 1 Timothy and what really should be the heart of every local church. READ 1 TIMOTHY 3:14-16

CTS: Church, center everything around Jesus and His gospel!

THE WHY AND CURRENT IMPLICATIONS OF THIS TEXT: Paul here is centering the entire letter around this text. Its a reminder from what came before and will inform what will come. As the end of chapter 3, it nearly sits dead center in the book. Paul has no doubt told these things to Timothy before, but he is giving these instructions in letter form for the benefit of the church. We don’t know the exact situation, but we can gather that maybe Timothy is having some trouble with the church at Ephesus. They may not be listening to him as they should, even though he is giving instructions from Paul. So Paul, wants to get there and see Timothy to encourage him, but also knows he might not be able to. So he writes this letter to give written authority for Timothy and also for the church. Have you ever had to get a doctor’s note for absence before? Sometimes, people need authoritative facts in writing. This is where Timothy can show authoritatively that this is how the church is to behave and operate. It gives him something that can be seen and read with authority.

The gospel is at stake. It must be the heartbeat of the church.

Because of Jesus, the church is called to…

I. Love Like Family

Holy people: The household of God is called to behave a certain way. This is the way of godliness, which later is found to be in Jesus in the hymn of verse 16. We are called to be holy as He is holy (1 Pet 1:15 )

1 Peter 1:15 ESV

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

Unified: The Christian life is not a lone person endeavor. It is done in community, specifically in the institution of the local church. (Eph 2:22) Though some may argue that this is only in reference to the whole universal body of Christ, the NT makes clear that the local church is an expression of the whole body of Christ. Called to be united in faith, doctrine, love, and service.

Ephesians 2:22 ESV

22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Family: The household of God is a family. Its not in reference to a building itself, but the people make up a household, just as elders are supposed to manage their households well. 1 Tim 5:1-2 relates believers in the church as fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters. Though from different backgrounds, we are all of the blood of Christ, thicker than even familial blood.

We are to do good to one another (Gal 6:10)

Galatians 6:10 ESV

10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

We are to stir one another up to love and good works (Heb 10:23-25).

Hebrews 10:23–25 ESV

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We care for one another as family, encourage, and even rebuke when needed, for the good of one another and the glory of God himself. Loving sacrificially as Christ loved us.

II. Serve the Living God

Paul continues to describe this household. The household is the church itself, the local body of believers, and this church belongs to the living God. The OT frequently describes God as living (Deut 5:26, Josh 3:10).

Deuteronomy 5:26 ESV

26 For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived?

Joshua 3:10 ESV

10 And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

In the confession of Peter when Jesus asked “who do you say that I am?” You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Paul then exhorts the church in Corinth, reminding them that as God’s people, they no longer serve idols, dead useless idols. They serve a living God. (2 Cor 6:16).

2 Corinthians 6:16 ESV

16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Here is the reality of whom we serve. God is not dead, like Nietzche declared in 1882, and many have tried to declare over history. God lives and is eternal. He is the only God, and any and all other gods are false, dead. (Jer 10:6-10).

Jeremiah 10:6–10 ESV

6 There is none like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is great in might. 7 Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due; for among all the wise ones of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you. 8 They are both stupid and foolish; the instruction of idols is but wood! 9 Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz. They are the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith; their clothing is violet and purple; they are all the work of skilled men. 10 But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.

This is also confirmed in greatest manner, when the God-man died himself, Jesus Christ, yet was risen to life. Why do you seek the living among the dead. He is not here, but has risen! (Luke 24:5).

Because God lives, we are a living body who proclaim and serve a living God. We must not think God to be distant, dead, and useless to us. And we may not say that out loud, but sometimes act like it. We forget that God is alive. We live sinfully as though God isn’t watching. We live powerless, but we think God isn’t capable to do what He promises. We live without hope because we live like He’s not coming back. Oh, but church, He is here. His presence is with us. I am with you always, to the end of the age. The person of the Holy Spirit, left to teach and empower us to be His witnesses and to live as we have called to live as God’s people. Loving, serving, witnessing, discipling.

III. Protect the Truth

The description of the church, its purpose in the family and its behavior, and because of the presence of the living God within, then leads to its ultimate purpose. The church are stewards of the gospel. These two descriptors, pillar and buttress, communicate what the church does. It supports and proclaims the gospel. This is why it’s behavior must be aligned with God’s word. Leaders are to be of a certain caliber, both men and women are to conduct themselves appropriately. The church must understand its message, that salvation is not just for some elite few that have higher knowledge than others, but rather, a simple yet profound gospel message of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

We must first make comment on the church in regards to the gospel. The church is not the truth itself, and not the creator of the truth. God does not need the church. But he has chosen to use the church in proclaiming and protecting the gospel. And we will see its importance with these two descriptors.

Pillar: The use of this word is only ever used in a figurative sense in the NT. Rev 3:12 says that those that endure sufferings will be made into a pillar in God’s temple and never leave. In Gal 2:9, the leaders of the Jerusalem church are pillars of the church. Churches are pillars in the building of God’s kingdom, supporting the truth of the gospel through proper and healthy gospel proclamation ministry. When the church fails to do as it is called to do, it can crumble. The gospel won’t die or fail, but its pillar does, and in some sense, the testimony of the gospel is marred. This is why having healthy churches are needed, as God uses them to bring his kingdom work throughout the world.

Buttress: Some translations that you may have may say foundation. Though a possible translation, buttress is better. The idea of foundation can come across that the church is foundational to the gospel. Rather, we know that Jesus is the cornerstone, the foundation of God’s redemption plan and foundation of the church itself. The church protects the gospel. It surrounds the gospel, its leaders and constant proclamation of the gospel in its life, through preaching, teaching, singing, baptism, Lord’s Supper, prayer. The gospel must constantly in our minds and reminded in us. The gospel affects all of life. The call to remember is clear, as we are a forgetful people. When we forget the gospel, we slack in its truth, make concessions because culture begins to outweigh the Bible, and eventually, we completely will depart from its truths because it is unpopular. We must remember the love of God through Jesus Christ, causing great humility in us, but also, great urgency in its truth, for Jesus is the only way.

IV. Proclaim Jesus

Paul then reminds Timothy and the church the gospel in which they proclaim, the climax of the Pastoral Epistles. What the church lifts up, protects, and proclaims. It is the mystery of godliness. Paul refers to Jesus Christ as the revelation of the mystery (Col 1:27)

Colossians 1:27 ESV

27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The mystery is that Jew and Gentile alike are made the people of God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation and redemption. He is the subject, the mystery of godliness, for in Him is godliness found and how we as sinners are made godly by faith. This is most likely a piece of a hymn of the early church. The best way to view this section is two stanzas of three lines each.

Paul is using this phrase, great is the mystery of godliness, as a refutation of the common declaration and praise toward the false gods of that day. In Ephesus, they would declare “Great is Lady Artemis!” God’s people declare the true God, Jesus Christ himself

First Stanza: Christ’s Work

Incarnation - Jesus’ humanity and earthly life (John 1:14, Heb 9:26)

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 9:26 ESV

26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Death/Resurrection - His life, death, and resurrection, confirmed at baptism and ultimately at His resurrection. (Rom 1:4)

Romans 1:4 ESV

4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

Ascension - Seen by angels, the angels proclaiming his ascension and worship of him as he ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father ( 1 Peter 3:21-22)

1 Peter 3:21–22 ESV

21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Second Stanza: Christ’s Proclamation

Proclaimed: The apostles and then the church up until now proclaim the gospel throughout the world, a reminder that God’s gospel is global, and not just for one nation. (1 John 1:1-4, Matt 28:19-20)

1 John 1:1–4 ESV

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

Believed: The results of proclamation is the nations believing in Jesus. The promise of Jesus is that all the nations will believe before his coming (Mark 13:10).

Mark 13:10 ESV

10 And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.

Glorified: The results of the gospel going forth and the nations hearing and believing ultimately leads to his glorification, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess (Php 2:9-11). This is His second coming and all believers will be glorified in him. He will bring his church to himself, and he will be rightly worshiped for all eternity.

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

GREAT IS OUR JESUS, OUR GODLINESS, OUR SAVIOR, OUR MESSAGE! HE IS WORTHY!

Application: This is the heartbeat of the church. It informs every aspect of what we do. It informs our ministry, our purpose, our polity(government), our behavior. This is why we must ask ourselves, what is the heart of Cross Church. We must prayerfully and with great humility seek to make the gospel the heart of this church.

Everything we do, everything done with a lense of the gospel and our call to it.

Because Jesus loved us and made us part of His family, we should love one another as family

Because Jesus lives and is with us, we live in power and with his presence to serve him.

Because Jesus gave us the truth, we lift up it, proclaim it, and guard it

We declare, Jesus is worthy!