The two-fold task of the church, 1 Timothy 1:1-2 & 3:14-16

The two-fold task of the church

1 Timothy 1;1-2; 3;14-16

1 Timothy 1:1–2 (ESV)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Timothy 3:14–16 (ESV)

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Introduction…

Between AD 54 and AD 68 Emperor Nero of Rome oversaw the 1st intentional persecution of Christians in the Empire. The persecution hit a fever pitch around 64 AD when Nero blamed the great fire of Rome on Christians.

During the same period Paul wrote to Timothy. (62-66 AD)

Paul’s relationship with Timothy began in Lysra- Timothy’s home town. It was in Lystra that Paul was first stoned and left for dead. (Acts 14) This happened don what is known as Paul’s 1st missionary journey. Paul revisited Lystra on his 2nd journey- by this time Tmothy was a well known and respected young leader in the church. Paul invited Timothy to join him in the missionary effort.

The book of Acts records Paul’s journeys and experiences… and the context of Paul’s ministry was one of joy and suffering. Paul,the Jew who once led to the imprisonment and death of Christians— was imprisoned, beaten, stoned, and eventually killed because of the gospel.

But, before Paul’s death he would live through intense personal pain and persecution, while also hearing of the persecution and execution of James (brother of John) and Peter.

Paul made it one of his aims to encourage and strengthen the churches and their leaders… he worked to encourage leaders to fight the good fight and finish well like himself.

In Acts 20, Paul invites the elders from Ephesus to meet up with him for one last face to face meeting before his imprisonment and death in Rome. Timothy had been sent to Ephesus as the lead elder, and this letter is personal instruction Timothy for the church in Ephesus.

When Paul was in Ephesus he faced intense conflict and personal persecution in the city,

Ephesus was the location of the Temple to Artemis. A massive structure, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. It had 127 pillars supporting the temple roof. The worship of pagan gods was at the center of the life of Ephesus…

He worship of Artemis was a priority for the people of the city. The temple was a main source of income and life… Ephesus was the keeper of Artemis and the proponent of her worship.

Artemis was the goddess of fertility, long life, sexual fulfillment, and protection during child birth. As such her worship was appealing…

Following Jesus in Ephesus would have been completely against the grain and stood out among the unholy and ungodly was of worshipping and living for Artemis and the other Roman gods.

The Greeks and the Jews were opposed to the gospel of Jesus. The people in Ephesus were constantly trying to corrupt the gospel, or destroy those who believed in it.

Timothy was saved, called, and sent to Ephesus to shepherd and lead the church. Timothy grew up in a city that persecuted Christians, and Ephesus was not his first experience with it.

But, even though Timothy was familiar with difficult circumstances- Paul, wrote the letter to give him clear direction for how the family of God is to live their lives, organize the church, and relate to one another and the wold around them.

Timothy is pastoring at a time when there are attacks from the outside and from within- just like Jesus said there would be, and Paul confirmed in his teaching.

The letter to Timothy has incredible value for us today:

It points us to the truth of Jesus It teaches us what’s important in the life of a Christian It teaches the who, what, how, and where of the church It makes sure we understand the two fold call of the church.

1 Timothy 3:14–16 (ESV)

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

How one ought to behave = conduct and behavior that fits with God and his Word.

The household of God- the church, a spiritual family- God as Father, everyone is. a brother or sister… (No grandchildren)

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

The church of the living God = church is the word or gathering or assembly… and this is a gathering of those who know and worship the living God- in comparison to the false and inanimate gods of the Pagans.

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

The church- is not just a family, or assembly of those who know and follow the living God, the church is pillar and buttress of the truth-

Isaiah 59:14 says, “truth is fallen in the streets, and equity cannot enter.” And in the world where truth is fallen- the church is called to proclaim and protect the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As a pillar the church proclaims and displays the truth- like putting it on a pedestal for all to see. As a buttress the church is to protect the very truth that it is built on.

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

The truth is captured in 1 Timothy 3:16 in what we know is an early hymn… the mystery of godliness is Jesus. And the mystery of godliness is that we need a righteousness that is not our own to be considered godly.

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

He was…

He =’s Jesus

manifested in the flesh - the incarnation of Jesus- he came for the purpose of the redemption of man…

vindicated by the Spirit - the signs and wonders- the greatest of which is the resurrection… which leads to the next phrase

seen by angels - Jesus has been humbled in his descending, but has not been seen and glorified by the angels in his victory over sin and death.

proclaimed among the nations, - the gospel is proclaimed to all people, because Jesus came for all people…

believed on in the world, - the testimony of the work of the Spirit continues in the changed lives and faith of those who hear and believe.

taken up in glory. - is the reality that the resurrected Jesus has also ascended back to the throne of heaven and is presently reigning- and will one day return to bring those of the household of God home.

And until then… in the midst of a world that is opposed to God, focused on wealth and personal fulfillment, and even hostile to the gospel and those who believe it… the church has been given a task… and Paul sent the letter to Timothy to remind him of his task in leading the church to accomplish it’s task.

God has given each church the two fold task of proclaiming and protecting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The church is a pillar & buttress of the truth

- like the temple of Artemis and the city of Ephesus the church is called to lift high and proudly display the gospel of Jesus, while at the same time committing ourselves to the continued worship and glory of Jesus.

“The church” gathers as “a church” of baptized believers covenanted together in faith and fellowship, and identified through the faithful preaching of God’s word, singing, praising God, the Lord’s supper, and baptism.

All throughout the NT individual churches are considered to be the church… but exists as committed gatherings or bodies with leaders, servants, members, ministries, and missions.

God has given each church the task of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ

God has given each church the task of protecting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

sound doctrine Worship Leadership and organization Ministry one another The continued spreading of the gospel

The church is a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, making spiritual sacrifices to God

1 Peter 2:4–5 (ESV)

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Spiritual sacrifices are:

Your body: Romans 12 A broken and contrite spirit: Psalm 51 Praise Hebrews 13

Like Peter says in 1 Peter 2:9… the church is a royal priesthood… a. Holy nation, a people for God’s own possession… and our lives are from him, and also for Him.

Each member of the church proclaims and protects the gospel with his or her way of life.

The call of God isn’t to an organization, but to a people… this means the church isn’t doing it’s task unless each member is doing his or her part.

Which is why we make such a big deal about doing this together…

The members of the church proclaim and protect the gospel in relationship with one another.

God has not called us to do His work alone… it wasn’t good for Adam and it isn’t good for us today. The church can’t do it’s part without you, and you can’t do your part without the rest of the body… and no one has the right to declare other body parts/members as not important or necessary.

1 Corinthians 12:21–22 (ESV)

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

The church, individual churches, and individuals are evidences of truth of Jesus Christ

God has given each church the two fold task of proclaiming and protecting the gospel of Jesus Christ, and there is nothing more meaningful you or I can do with our lives.

Acts 20:24–32 (ESV)

24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Who or what are you proclaiming and protecting with your life?

May we be a household of God, a faith family, a church that continues to grow in our commitment to proclaiming and protecting the truth of Jesus in the example of Paul and the call he extends to Timothy.