Bill Akright
akright4@insightbb.com
(309) 243-9639
www.bethanycentral.org
Christ’s Church - Guardian of the Truth
1 Timothy 3:14-16
14
I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct
himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 16 By common confession, great is the mystery
of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.
Introduction:
1. Importance of structure in the local Church - not just do whatever you please, however you want
a. There are standards about who is eligible to serve as an elder or deacon
b. There are standards about how we should conduct ourselves in the church
c. It matters to the Lord Jesus what type of leadership is over His flock…these are not optional items:
i. An overseer MUST be above reproach (vs. 2). Deacons likewise…men of dignity (vs. 8)
ii. The local church is of supreme importance to Christ. He is the head over His body, the church
(Eph 5:23 & Col 1:18)
Appropriate Standards of Conduct for "the household of God"
1. Urgency of Communicating the Appropriate Standards for Conduct
a. "These things" must be communicated…"I am writing these things to you"
b. Personal visit is preferred but he may be delayed
i. Prefers to Visit - "hoping to come to you before long"
ii. Anticipates being Delayed - "but in case I am delayed"
c. Written Letter is necessary in light of the urgency (email would be even better!)
2. Significance of the Appropriate Standards for Conduct
a. "You may know how one ought to conduct himself"
3. Importance of the Church
a. "Household of God" - this is a family affair; relationships are important…intimacy & warmth
b. "Church of the Living God" - related to the living God; full of excitement and power
4. Priority of the Truth
a. "Pillar and support of the truth" – commissioned to STAND for the Word of God
Common Confession of the Significance of our Union with Christ - "The Mystery of Godliness"
1. Summary of this Confession - "And by common confession great is the mystery of godliness"
a. The common confession
i.
Churches today tend to emphasize their distinctives; what makes them different
ii.
Fundamentals:
1. What we have in common as the true Church of Jesus Christ
2. Probably vs. 16 was sung or recited as an early creed or hymn
b. The revealed secret of Godliness
i.
"Mystery" - We all love a good mystery.
1. Our concept - “a whodunit?”
2. We have to use all of our reasoning powers to piece together the different clues and
figure out the answer.
ii.
Here we are talking about a Great Mystery
1. Great - "Mega" or HUGE
2. When God says something is Mega, it’s really huge!!
3. But not the type of mystery that we could ever figure out on our own
a. NT concept of mystery – “truth previously hidden, which when revealed by God is
understood only by the believer through the Holy Spirit”
iii.
"Godliness" - piety, devotion by men towards God
1. These are not abstract truths about Christ that are being presented as the type of piety
expressed in a life that is well-pleasing to God
2. You want to be a good Christian? We must be wrapped up in our Union with Christ (2
Peter 1:3-7)
2. We have looked at the summary of the Confession…now let’s look at the details:
a. The significance of the life of Christ
i.
"Revealed in the Flesh" What is God Like?
“…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
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www.bethanycentral.org
Bill Akright
akright4@insightbb.com
(309) 243-9639
1. Interesting paradox:
a. "Veiled in flesh the Godhead see"…a combination of:
i. Self-concealment: "emptied Himself" (Phil. 2:6-7)
ii. Self-disclosure: John 1:14-18
1. Heb. 1:1-3 God has revealed Himself in His Son the radiance of
His glory and the exact representation of His nature
2. Heb. 2:7 made Him for a little while lower than the angels
3. Heb. 2:14 Christ took part of flesh and blood
ii.
“Vindicated in the Spirit" Can Christ Be Trusted?
1. The Resurrection was the ultimate vindication
a. Rom. 1:4 "who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from
the dead, according to the spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord"
b. "Justified" - forensically declared just and righteous
i. God’s seal of approval on His Son - Matt 17:5 "This is my beloved Son in
whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him" - pronounced a verdict on
character, conduct and deeds as to whether they are righteous or not
ii. How do we know He is able?
1. Acts 7:52 "the coming of the Righteous One"
2. Acts 3:14 "you disowned the Holy and Righteous One”
iii.
"Seen by Angels" How Much Does Christ Love Me?
1. The word ’seen,’ as it is used here means ’eyeball.’
a. Jesus was “eyeballed” by the angels.
b. They watched Him all the time…they studied Him…He was constantly under
observation by angels."
i. Angels had been used to seeing Him in Glory previous to the Incarnation
ii. Now they must have marveled at how poor He became for our sakes so
that we could become rich 2 Cor. 8:9 "For you know the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became
poor, that you through His poverty might become rich"
2. What is the function of angels "ministering spirits"?
a. To minister to Jesus and proclaim His glory
b. Angels were present at:
i. Proclamation of the birth of John the Baptist, His forerunner to Zacharias
(Luke 1:11-20)
ii. Proclamation by Gabriel to Mary regarding the virgin birth (Luke 1:26-38)
iii. His birth: announcement to the shepherds in the fields (Luke 2:8-14)
iv. His baptism by John the Baptist (Matt. 3:13-17)
v. His temptation: angels ministered to Him (Matt. 4:11)
vi. His agony in the Garden (Luke 22:43)
vii. Yet absent at the cross (And the angels were silent) Matt. 26:53
viii. His resurrection! Matt. 28:2-8
ix. Watching Christ’s Church as we proclaim His Gospel (1 Peter 1:12)
Holy, holy, holy, is what the angels sing, And I expect to help them make the courts of heaven ring. But when we sing
redemption’s story, they must fold their wings, For angels never felt the joy that our salvation brings."
b. The Significance of My Life – United to Christ
i.
Participated in the Proclamation - "Proclaimed Among the Nations" What Is My Mission?
1. Response to Revelation of the Godhead in the flesh is Proclamation
ii.
Participation in Faith - "Believed on in the World" What Are the Fruit(s) of This Proclamation?
1. Response to Vindication of Christ is Faith in Christ
iii.
Participation in Glory - "Taken Up in Glory” Where Am I Headed?
1. Response to the Earthly Life, Death and Resurrection of Christ (as beheld by angels) is
Eternity in Glory
Life Application:
1. How does our current culture show a disdain for any emphasis on structure?
2. How do we relate to one another in our church as we would to those in our same household?
3. Why the emphasis on the church of the "living" God?
“…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
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