The Heart of 1 Timothy (3:14-16)

Outline: The Heart of 1 Timothy (1 Tim. 3:14-16): 

1. The Church's Character 
2. The Church's Confession

Summary:  Now we come to the very heart of 1 Timothy where Paul clearly states his reason for writing: "I am writing these things to you so that...you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth" (vv.14-15).  Godly behavior is expected from members of God's family, God's church.  And when such fitting behavior is embodied by God's church, the church's character takes on a robustness that allows her to do what she was designed to do, namely, serve as a pillar and buttress of the gospel.  But if the church is to uphold the gospel she must first be upheld by that gospel, which is the very heart of her confession, the very mystery behind her godliness.

Main Point: The church upholds the greatness of her confession by means of her godly character

Discussion Questions:

• What do others say about the church?
• How would God have us see the church?  Reflect on the three descriptions provided by Paul:
• The household of God
• The church of the living God
• A pillar and buttress of the truth
• What is the church's confession (cf. v.16)?
• What is the relationship between the church's character and the church's confession?
• Reflect on this statement: "The church does not create the truth; rather, the church is created by the truth and then called to uphold the truth." 
• What part of this sermon was most helpful or instructive to you? Why?  

Application Questions:

• How do I think and feel about the church?  Does my attitude toward God's church shaped more by the world or by God's word? Explain. 

Prayer Points:

• Praise God for adopting us and making us part of his household
• Thank God our church family and the privilege it is to be part of it
• Pray God would help us to depend on and be upheld by the gospel
• Pray that God would enable us to support and elevate the gospel by living godly lives