WHY I BELIEVE IN THE SON OF GOD
1 Timothy 3:15b-16
Introduction: It is believed that the original Christian confession consisted of three words: "Jesus Christ--Lord." So must our pure confession be! He is either LORD of all or not Lord at all. His person, claims and work are central to Biblical literature and theology.
Let us look at the last of verse 15 as the introduction to our message. Paul is once again making much of the church. This place should be what Paul is describing here. It ought to be a place that is the pillar and ground of the truth. I am not going to say this is the only place where truth is preached. To say would be a lie. It would also egotistical. In the contents of this passage, Paul is speaking of the entire body of Christ. As an application, it can be applied to the local church.
This word "pillar" brings to mind an architectural image. It would mean something to Timothy. Once again, I remind you to remember the place that Timothy is. He is in Ephesus. It was the site of the Temple of Diana. This was one of the wonders of the world at that time. That temple had 127 pillars.
The word "ground" suggest a bulwark or a stay. The local church is built upon Jesus Christ as its only truth.
John 14:6
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
“For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
The "pillar" aspect of the church’s ministry relates to the displaying of the truth of the Word. It should be like a statue is place on a pedestal so all can see. Paul tells us in Phil. 2:16 that we are "hold forth the word of life." This is what you are doing when you offer a tract to someone. You are handing them the word of truth. This world must and I repeat must see the truth of the Word of God. Each member of this local assembly puts Jesus Christ on display in one fashion or another. We display Him as the One who is the master of every portion of our lives or He is second hand stuff. If you go to the grocery store, look how the meat manager displays his products. The best is seen by all who pass. The old stuff is placed in a faraway section. We must display Him as Lord of our lives.
As the bulwark, it is our job to protect the truth and make sure it does not fall. What happens when the local church turns from the truth? Paul answers this in next chapter. Turning from the truth allows folks to depart and give heed to seducing spirits. It greatly compromises our ministry. It allows the enemy to make progress. When we make a militant stand for truth and right and against sin and apostasy, it does not make us popular. It does please God.
The main truth that we proclaim is the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul tells us in the first three words the importance of Jesus Christ. "And" is the word that connects verse 16 with verse 15. Since the church is the pillar and ground of truth, what is the truth? Jesus Christ is the only answer. "Without controversy" tells that this is not for debate. Jesus is exactly who the Bible says He is or He is the biggest liar this world has ever known.
Then Paul reminds us a truth with his next words: "Great is the mystery of godliness." Albert Barnes tells us this in reference to the portion. "The word means that which had been hidden or concealed. The meaning here is not that the proposition which he affirms was mysterious, in the sense that it was unintelligible, or impossible to be understood; but that the doctrine respecting the incarnation and the work of the Messiah, which had been so long kept hidden from the world, was a subject of the deepest importance. This passage, therefore, should not be used to prove that there is anything unintelligible, or anything that surpasses human comprehension, in that doctrine, whatever may be the truth on that point; but that the doctrine which he now proceeds to state, and which had been so long concealed from mankind, was of the utmost consequence."
We see six truths about Jesus Christ in this verse. It could be six messages. I am not going to do that though. It will be my six main points. Each of the verbs are action verbs. They represent different parts of Him who is the truth that we must proclaim.
I. "MANIFEST IN THE FLESH" THIS IS HIS
HUMANITY
This means He is revealed in the flesh. The incarnation of Christ is not merely a Christmas story. It is the very life of who Jesus Christ really is. Very plainly Paul makes use sure we know who He is. He is God. He is the One who created all. He is Jehovah. He is the Almighty One of the Old Testament. He took upon Him this robe of flesh. At no time did He ever cease being God. Phil. 2:6-8
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Matthew 1:23
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Romans 1:3
“Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh”
1 John 4:2-3
“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
Jesus Christ came to this earth and was born of the virgin. That is not a mystery to those who are saved. It is really a mystery to the lost who can see spiritual truths because they are spiritually discerned.
II. “JUSTIFIED IN THE SPIRIT"
The Holy Spirit showed that Christ is God in His revelation of Him. That is, the incarnate Person above referred to; the Redeemer, regarded as God and man. The word Spirit here, it is evident, refers to the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit brings the justifying that comes from Christ to every one who believes. The Holy Spirit speaks not of Himself but of Christ.
John 16:13
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
The Spirit was Christ’s witness that he was no imposter or deceiver, but the promised and expected Messiah.
III. “SEEN OF ANGELS”
They were attendants on his ministry, and came to him in times of distress, peril, and want.
Hebrews 1:6
“And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.”
They felt an interest in him and his work, and they gladly came to him in his sorrows and troubles. The design of the apostle is to give an impressive view of the grandeur and glory of that work which attracted the attention of the heavenly hosts, and which drew them from the skies that they might proclaim his advent, sustain him in his temptations, witness his crucifixion, and watch over him in the tomb. The work of Christ, though despised by men, excited the deepest interest in heaven.
It was the angels that told the women that Jesus was gone. It was the angels that told the disciples that He would return just as He had left.
IV. “PREACHED UNTO THE GENTILES”
The wall of separation between Jew and Gentile has been broken down. Christ was, by his commissioned apostles, preached to the Gentile world: the Jews were once children, and we dogs; theirs was the bread, ours were the crumbs; but now we are fellow-commoners with them, heirs of the same grace, partakers of the same glory.
Romans 1:16
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
The plan of redemption was adapted to man as such--without regard to his complexion, country, customs, or laws. This was one grand part of the mystery, which had been hidden in God, that the Gentiles should be made fellow heirs with the Jews, and be admitted into the kingdom of God.
V. “BELIEVED ON IN THE WORLD”
Jesus was received by mankind as the promised Messiah, the Anointed of God, and the only Saviour of fallen man. This is a most striking part of the mystery of godliness. It is that one who was crucified as a malefactor, and whose kingdom is not of this world, and whose doctrines are opposed to all the sinful dispositions of the human heart, should, wherever his Gospel is preached, be acknowledged as the only Saviour of sinners, and the Judge of quick and dead!
VI. “RECEIVED UP IN GLORY”
Even that human nature which he took of the Virgin Mary was raised, not only from the grave, but taken up into glory. This is in the most visible and palpable manner. This is a part of the mystery of godliness which, while we have every reasonable evidence to believe, we have not powers to comprehend. His reception into glory is of the utmost consequence to the Christian faith; as, in consequence, Jesus Christ in his human nature ever appears before the throne as our sacrifice and as our Mediator.
Acts 1:9-11
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Conclusion: Criticism may attempt to banish, and the church to bury, His authority, but He always emerges as the authoritative Christ to search, save, and satisfy men and women. That is why countless people believe in Christ as the Son of God. His appearance in history challenges the mind, His aloneness challenges the heart, and His authority challenges the will, and belief is born.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Man of Sorrows! What a name
For the Son of God, Who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
