Sermon About Church: The Mission of the Church 1 Timothy 3:14-16
Intro.This verse highlights the mission of the church, which is to be a community of believers who represent God's household on earth. As the "pillar and foundation of the truth," the church has a responsibility to uphold and promote the teachings of Christ and to live out those teachings in daily life.
The Church Supports God’s Revealed Truth.
1. Pillar: As a column supports the weight of a building, so the (local) church bears the responsibility “to maintain the doctrines of the faith by teaching and practice” (Vine, III:184).
a. Preach gospel (Eph. 4:11); Contend for the faith (Jude 3-4); Oppose error (Gal. 2:5).
b. By godly, righteous living in harmony with the truth, Jno. 8:31-32; Phil. 3:14-16; 2 Pet. 1:5-7.
2. Ground: “A support, bulwark, stay” (Vine). Idea of stability, protection and defense; Strengthen, stabilize.
a. By continuing in the faith, cf. Col. 1:23, “settled” (KJV).
b. The (local) church is a protector of truth; Overseers (Acts 20:28-31; Rom. 16:17-18; Gal. 6:1-2).
3. Truth: NOT convenience, self-esteem, social reform, community improvement, youth activities, social contacts, etc. The church supports God’s word of truth.
-Because of what Truth is and what it Accomplishes.
1. The nature of truth:
-”The church occupies herself confidently in the work God designed for his people.” (Jerry Fite, GT:12, May 1994).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: April 6, 2017
- 1. The church fulfills the eternal purpose accomplished in Christ, to show God’s wisdom to the world, Eph. 3:10-11.
- 2. How we conduct ourselves in the church (members of it) is revealed in the inspired word of God, 1 Tim. 3:14-15 (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
- 3. The result of proper conduct: God is glorified, Eph. 3:21.
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1. The church is the pillar and ground of the truth 1 Tim. 3:15.
Yes, according to 1 Timothy 3:15, the church is described as the "pillar and ground of the truth." This phrase emphasizes the important role that the church plays in preserving and promoting the truth of God's Word.
The church is the body of Christ, called to be a faithful witness to the gospel message, and to teach and uphold the truth of Scripture. The church is responsible for passing on the truth to future generations and for ensuring that the gospel message remains unchanged and undiluted.
As the "pillar and ground of the truth," the church is called to be a beacon of light and hope in a world that is often characterized by darkness and confusion. The church is to hold fast to the truth, to proclaim it boldly, and to live it out in love and obedience.
Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the church can continue to fulfill its mission as the pillar and ground of the truth, bringing glory to God and advancing His kingdom on earth.
1. Pillar: As a column supports the weight of a building, so the (local) church bears the responsibility “to maintain the doctrines of the faith by teaching and practice” (Vine, III:184).
a. Preach gospel (Eph. 4:11); Contend for the faith (Jude 3-4); Oppose error (Gal. 2:5).
b. By godly, righteous living in harmony with the truth, Jno. 8:31-32; Phil. 3:14-16; 2 Pet. 1:5-7.
2. Ground: “A support, bulwark, stay” (Vine). Idea of stability, protection and defense; Strengthen, stabilize.
a. By continuing in the faith, cf. Col. 1:23, “settled” (KJV).
b. The (local) church is a protector of truth; Overseers (Acts 20:28-31; Rom. 16:17-18; Gal. 6:1-2).
3. Truth: NOT convenience, self-esteem, social reform, community improvement, youth activities, social contacts, etc. The church supports God’s word of truth.
2. Why the church must support and defend truth
The church of Jesus must support and defend truth because truth is essential to our faith and our relationship with God.
Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." As followers of Christ, we must uphold the truth of the gospel and defend it against any distortion or corruption.
Moreover, truth is essential for our spiritual growth and maturity. As the apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:14-15, "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
When we support and defend truth, we are also defending the integrity of God's Word and the character of God Himself. God is a God of truth (Psalm 31:5), and His Word is truth (John 17:17).
As members of the body of Christ, we are called to represent Him and to live according to His truth and His ways.
Defending truth is necessary to counteract the influence of falsehood and deception in the world. Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), seeks to deceive and destroy God's people by leading them away from the truth. The church of Jesus must stand firm in the truth, and resist any attempts to compromise or distort it
-Because of what Truth is and what it Accomplishes.
1. The nature of truth:
- a. From God, 1 Thess. 2:13 (Jno. 17:17).
- b. Inspired and profitable, 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
- c. Truth is powerful
- d. Establishes the course of our daily lives, Col. 2:6-7.
- e. Enlivens our hope of eternal glory in heaven, Col. 1:3-5.
- f. Protects us against sin, Psa. 119:11; Eph. 6:14-17.
3. Mission of the Church is to preach the Word of God 1 Timothy 3:15
According to 1 Timothy 3:15, the church is referred to as the "pillar and foundation of the truth." This means that one of the primary responsibilities of the church is to uphold and preserve the truth of God's word, as revealed in the Bible. Preaching the word of God is certainly an important aspect of this mission, but it is not the only one.
The mission of the church is multifaceted and can include activities such as worship, discipleship, fellowship, evangelism, and serving the community. While preaching the word of God is a vital component of the church's mission, it is only one part of a larger mission to make disciples of all nations and to share the love of God with the world.
- A. Preach the Gospel, Phil. 1:5; 1 Thess. 1:8.
- B. Edify the Saints, Acts 2:42. Assembles, 1 Cor. 14:26. Worship, Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:18, 20, 34; 14:23. Teach the gospel as the only doctrine and the sole measurement of spiritual action and spiritual growth, Gal. 1:8-9; Eph. 4:15-16, 20-21; 2 Tim. 3:17.
- C. Relieve Needy Saints, Acts 4:34-35; 11:27-30.
- D. Any Work that is Added or Taken Away is Accursed, Gal. 1:6-12. (Social gospel, medical missions, general benevolence)
- Sermon about Worship: Preparing for True WorshipPsalm 100
- Sermon about Marriage: Building Trust in Your MarriageEcclesiastes 4:9-12
- Sermon About Encouragement: Encourage the Encouragers1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
- Sermon About Forgiveness: The Power of ForgivenessPsalm 130
Conclusion
In other words, the mission of the church is to share the gospel of Christ, to make disciples of all nations, and to help believers grow in their faith and understanding of God's will. The church is also called to serve the needs of others, to love and care for one another, and to be a witness to the world of God's love and grace.
Ultimately, the mission of the church is to glorify God and to fulfill His purposes on earth. This involves working towards the transformation of individuals, communities, and the world, as the church reflects the light of Christ and shares His message of hope and salvation
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: April 6, 2017
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