1 Timothy 3 Pt. 7 Each Church Must Have the Highest Regard for the Word of God

A note about the archive index containing all lessons I have posted on this blog since its inception in 2019. 

An index for all lessons posted from 2019 through 2021, was published on September 7, 2022.

An index for all lessons posted in 2022, was published January 24, 2023.

Each index lists lesson titles and the dates each one was posted, so that you can study subjects that we have written about.

We are nearing the end of chapter three in Paul's first letter to young Pastor Timothy.

Instruction for Pastors on how to behave in God's house.

1 Timothy 3:14-15  These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15)  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

Paul expressed a hopeful anticipation of meeting with Timothy soon. However, he also knew that His Lord must guide him in that decision. 

He hoped shortly to come to him, and this word means to depart swiftly and to have a quick trip to visit Timothy at Ephesus. 

Paul wanted to give Timothy further directions and assistance in his work, in order that Christianity was well planted, at Ephesus.  

Ephesus was a center of idolatry and immorality, a place of much economic activity and great wealth. 

Thus, Ephesus had many expensive pagan temples, along with a solid Roman infrastructure, such as streets, water supplies, and a governing body. 

Acts 16:6-10  Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7)  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8)  And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9)  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10)  And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Luke's record of Paul's missionary trips shows why the apostle could be delayed in coming to see Timothy.

They wanted to travel to Asia with the gospel but the Holy Ghost told them "No." Next, they sought to enter Bithynia but the Spirit of God did not allow them to go that way.

That night, Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man pleading with Paul to come and help them." 

That vision was permission from the Holy Spirit for them to go to Macedonia where the gospel was preached in Philippi.

When Paul sought to travel and visit the church at Thessalonica, he was hindered by Satan (See 1 Thessalonians 2:18). 

Paul also longed to visit the church at Rome for years, but had been hindered for a long time (See Romans 15:22-25).

Therefore, although Paul hoped to set out to meet Timothy shortly, he acknowledged that he might be delayed in coming.

We are living stones in God's spiritual house. 

1 Peter 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 

Since Paul knew that he might be late in arriving to see Timothy, he gave specific instruction, so that the young pastor would know how to conduct himself in the house of God. 

Timothy needed to know because he was a pastor, an evangelist, and Paul's appointed overseer for that church. 

This is why Peter reminds all Christians that we are living stones, connected to the chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ. 

Our goals, dreams, ambitions, thoughts, words and actions, should be aligned with His will, not our own (See James 4:13-15).

We are living stones forming a spiritual house, a place of holiness to the LORD. It is where we offer sacrifices of praise, prayer, preaching, and being attentive hearers and doers of God's Word.  

Those who are servants in the house of God must see to it that they behave themselves in a godly manner. 

Failure to be diligent in this matter may bring reproach upon the house of God, and that worthy name of Jesus Christ. 

Ministers ought to behave themselves well, not only by their praying and preaching, but by maintaining a godly testimony. 

The office of a bishop, elder, or pastor demands that such a man lives a life marked by holiness, love for God and love for others. 

The church is the pillar and ground holding up God's eternal truth. 

1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

The church of the living God is the assembly among whom God lives and works. 

Each member is a living stone, united to each other, joined to our Head, Jesus Christ and growing spiritually unto a holy temple in the Lord. 

The magnificent pagan temples had massive columns supported by substantial bases.

The picture Paul uses is that each local church must have an immovable pillar of inspired truth,  supported by a substantial foundation built upon the Rock, Jesus Christ. 

Thus, every Christian church in the world should be a place where the Word of God is opened, preached, thoroughly taught without apology. 

Satan hates gospel preaching and the world despises it, but all Pastors must preach the Word of God. 

It is the power of God unto salvation unto all who believe (Romans 1:16-17). 

It is the sharp sword of the Holy Spirit that discerns our thoughts and motivations (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4;12). 

It is God's mighty hammer that can break down a rebel's heart, and build them up as a brand new creation in Christ. 

It is God's refining fire that makes the dross in our lives rise to the surface, so that it can be removed (Jeremiah 23:29).

We do not need foolish stories told for true, nor do we need to hear about someone's experience. 

We need to hear God's Word and to read it, to set our own eyes upward, with the intent of understanding what God is saying to us, so that we may obey Him.

Thus, the church in every place, must be the pillar and ground of the Holy Scriptures. 

The glory of God is manifest in His Son, Jesus Christ. 

1 Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 

Paul then sets God's glorious Son in His proper place atop the pillar and ground of truth in each church. 

Jesus Christ is the One of whom all the Bible testifies. He is the seed of the woman who came to destroy the work of the devil.

Therefore, the crown jewel of scripture is the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, Lord of lords, the Savior of all mankind, the Righteous Judge, the Creator and Sustainer of all life.

He is God manifest in the flesh, our Redeemer, God's perfect Lamb and our Friend.

Open the Bible. Preach Christ. Exalt the Lord. Point people to Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, where we can be saved from our sins. 

Bob