1 Tim 3:14-16

When we come to this portion of Paul’s letter, we hear very important truths about behavior and theology. God has a standard for his children and it is made known to us in this letter. Here Timothy is encouraged to model and remember what these standards are. We see three distinct traits of a leader in this lesson, and these traits can be embraced and modeled as we think about making disciples and serving in God’s Church.

Paul’s Desire

14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon,

Note:

Here we see that Paul was not sure if he was going to make it back to Ephesus. He desired to see Timothy again, but was uncertain if he was going to be released from Rome. Because of the urgency of his case and life situation, it was important that what he was about to say, be said “in this portion of the letter”.

Application:

• We can learn how important it is to value fellowship in this verse.
• We can learn how to value Christian community in difficult times.
• We can learn how to cherish the days of togetherness, for the times will come when we will not always be in the presence of one another.

Paul’s Declaration

15 so that if I can’t come for a while, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of the truth.

Note:

Here we discover that Paul’s desire leads to his declaration of what godly behaviors and attitudes must look like, in the house of the Lord.

This is important because Paul is setting in order the standards for worship and the church, and here he closes with the conduct of everyone. He has already addressed the Pastor’s and Deacons, but now he speaks to the entire congregation.

Here’s what we learn: Paul say’s to timothy I am writing this letter to you so that you and everyone else will know how to behave in the Temple.

1. There is a standard for conduct…(When we gather) Israel in the Old testament was able to see the Shekinah-glory of God in the Tabernacle, and their behavior was reverent in worship, because they believed that God was there.
2. There is a standard for conduct in the House of God ( The church is God’s dwelling on earth. We gather in a location as his body on earth. Godly conduct ought to be “lifted high” in the body. It Is called the CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD. (He is alive and watching our behavior, conduct, attitudes, gestures and actions.)
3. It is the pillar and support…(Pillars in these times were structural supports…they were also places in the town square that were used to post documents or treatise on. People came to the pillar to get information; people trusted and depended on the pillars of their structures. (Paul say’s that the reason our conduct must be in order is because the Church of the Living God, is the “PILLAR OF THE TRUTH!”

Observation:

• The Church is the place where all truth is proclaimed.
• The church is the place where people can be ministered too, in a world of lies.
• The church is where the foundations of the faith are upheld and modeled for the body of Christ.

Application:

• When we understand how wonderful it is to be the people of God, called to be the church of God, we will finally live like we know God.
• When we finally understand what it is to be the pillar and ground of the truth, we will begin to stand up and stand out for the kingdom.
• When we finally understand what it means to be the place that all men can come to and read for inspiration and information then we will be greater witnesses for God
• There is a great responsibility in being one with Christ, and dwelling in the Church of the LIVING GOD.

Paul’s Dissertation

16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ appeared in the flesh and was shown to be righteous by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and was announced to the nations. He was believed on in the world and was taken up into heaven.

Note:

Here we see the Apostles dissertation, thesis, and or main ideas of his theology. This is interesting because, he reminds timothy of this at the same time he is reminding him of conduct in the church.

This portion of his letter is given to instruct and remember what it is that the church of the Living God believes about their God!

Here we learn the following things:

1. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary (He appeared in the flesh, Immanuel-God with us)
2. He lived a Holy, sinless life, and was shown to be righteous in every way.
3. He was seen by the Angels, as a baby in the manger, In the garden of gethsemane (through his sufferings), out on the cross, on the resurrection morning, as he went back to be at the right hand of the Father (the Ascension)
4. He was announced to the Nations (Acts 2- Pentecost) proclaimed throughout the world by the church is acts (the great commission)
5. He is yet believed on in the world, and all are looking to see him in his second coming.

Application:

• Every church member ought to have their own dissertation in their heart, when it comes down to foundational truths of the church.
• No matter where we are, or who were with, these truths are to ne non-negotiable
• These are the doctrinal things that shape what we believe and why we believe them
• Paul here gives us the 5 critical elements of our theology (What we believe about God)

Conclusion:

We enter into chapter 4 with a greater understanding of church leadership, church worship, and church conduct. The most important thing we can learn from this chapter is our theology about God. Who he is, what he has done, and how it relates to us. This is what we discover in these last three scriptures.