8. Pillars And Pray-Ers Series

PASSING CHRISTIANITY DOWN AN EXPOSITION OF FIRST TIMOTHY

Sermon 8

PILLARS AND PRAY-ERS

E. The Faith Practiced

1. By Praying, Growing People 2:1-8; 3:14-16

Chapter 2 begins a new section running all the way to the end of the letter. It deals with the people of the faith, God’s children, and how WE ought to behave as members of His family.

A soldier in Alexander’s army went to sleep on duty. He was brought before the Emperor, who asked him what his name was. When he said, “Alexander sir.” Alexander thundered, “Soldier, change your nature or change your name!”

A. THE FOUNDATION – WHERE WE STAND (3:14-16)

“I am writing you these instructions so if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household (family) of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great

He appeared in a body,

Was vindicated by the Spirit,

Was seen by angels

Was preached among the nations

Was believed on in the world

Was taken up in glory

Paul mixes metaphors and calls the church the PILLAR and the FOUNDATION (ground). The foundation upon which we stand is TRUTH and Jesus says, “I am the truth.” (John 14) Today, people stand mostly on their own opinions. They do not believe in absolute truth. They look upon us who say we find this in the Bible as arrogant and foolish. Paul says they call our truth “nonsense” (1 Cor. 2:14).

Doing this, they insult and belittle not only us, but Jesus himself. They make Him the most arrogant person and most foolish person who ever lived. He did not say, “I know some truth”, but “I am the truth” (Jn. 14). He never said, "I think" or "It seems to me". What He did say was, "Verily, verily I say" and "It is written" and "Scripture says", etc. The Old Testament was God's written word and Jesus was God's living word.

If Jesus is not who He says He is – God in human form – he is either a liar or a lunatic and is not to be trusted. If He is who He says He is, He is the Lord, before whom every knee will bow. (Philippians 2).

B. THE PILLARS – WHAT WE SHOW

As the PILLAR we SHOW the truth. The great Temple of Diana, in Ephesus had huge pillars, full of carvings that people came from all over the world to see. When people look at you and me, they should see people set free by the truth – free: from guilt; from the controls of sin; from racial prejudice, from gossip; from anxiety, from profanity, and from a thousand other things that make us just like them. The Jesus people outside the church know is the Jesus they see in us and the way we live every day. We are all witnesses for Jesus, the question is, what kind.

1. The Church’s MESSAGE (16).

The word mystery means something hidden that has been revealed. Paul quotes here a Christian poem or hymn which is a grand summary of the Jesus of history. He is God! The angels saw him before creation and watched Him come to earth and die. The Holy Spirit vindicated his ministry and stamped it as true by enabling Him to work miracles, defeat Satan and rise from the dead. He was taken up to glory where He reigns until He comes again. He has been preached and will be preached until that coming. And people from every nation, every tribe, and every language will believe on Him and make up the Church of heaven (Rev. 5).

2. The Church’s MESSENGERS

The word “church” does not mean a building; it means a group of people who claim to be delivered from the guilt and power of wrongdoing and who will go to heaven when they die. If the message of Jesus gets to the world, it will be through ordinary people like you and me. My wife and I told our girls; everywhere you go you have our name and you represent us. It is the same with followers of Jesus.

Lost people seldom look inside the church walls except for weddings or funerals. But they look at us every day.

“We are writing each day, a gospel to men

Take care that the writing is true

Before you reach each day’s end

Let others see Jesus in you.”

C. THE PRAY-ERS (2:1-2, 8)

1) “I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions (communications) and thanksgivings be made for all for everyone- 2) for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness…. 8) I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” (1:1-2, 8)