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.
1. TO BE THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH
a. The church should be a place where you can go to hear the truth of God – 1Tim 3:15, Eph 4:15,
b. Because the Church should stand upon the word of God – Eph 1:13, 2Tim 2:15, 1Thess 2:13,
c. Doctrine is important – 1Tim 1:3-4, Titus 1:7-2:15. It has to be biblical and not the teaching of men - Col 2:22, 1Tim 4:1, 2Tim 4:2-3, Rom 16:17
d. The key is to make sure you are rightly dividing so that you are ministering the correct gospel and doctrine for this age – Gal 1:6-1:9, 2Cor 11:3-4, 1Tim 1:5-11.
2. TO MAKE ALL MEN SEE THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE MYSTERY
a. This begins with seeing souls saved – 1Tim 2:3-6, 2Cor 5:18-19, 1Cor 15:1-4.
b. Our ministry is to shine the light of the gospel of grace – Phil 2:15-16, 2Cor 4:3-4
c. Only the saved can discern spiritual things – 1Cor 2:12-16.
d. To make men see what is the fellowship of the mystery – Eph 3:6-11, 2:4-3:1, Col 1:25-29.
3. TO EDIFY THE CHURCH
a. Our goal is not to just see souls saved but to also edify the church and see it mature and grow in Christ.
b. This is why we come together – Eph 4:11-16, Rom 14:19, 1Cor 14:12.
c. This is why the doctrine and right division matters – Rom 16:25-27, Col 2:6-10, 1Cor 4:16-17, 11:1.
d. So that we can grow up into Christ and be good ambassadors for him – 2Cor 5:20, 2Tim 3:16-17, Titus 2:11-14.
Our purpose is not to minister out of a heart of pride, trying to be different, or being self-righteous. Our purpose is to see souls saved and come to knowledge of the truth, which can only be done by faith in God. We hope to speak the truth in love to all men.
