1 Timothy 3:14-16

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that,

15 if I delay, 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 the truth.

16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,

vindicated by the Spirit,

seen by angels,

proclaimed among the nations,

believed on in the world,

taken up in glory. 

Main Theme

Paul writes to Timothy regarding his assignment at the church in Ephesus, teaching him how he ought to live out the mystery of godliness that has now been revealed to those of the faith.

Outline

1. Overview/Context
2. Live: Knowing Whose House This Is
3. Live: Remembering Who Lives In The House
4. Live: Knowing What The Church Is Called To Uphold
5. Live: Never Forgetting The Truth We Are To Proclaim

John 1:14

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

Matthew 3:16-17

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 

17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” 

Matthew 28:2

2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 

Acts 1:10-11

10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 

11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 

Acts 1:8

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 

2 Thessalonians 1:10

10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 

Acts 1:9-11

9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 

10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 

11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 

1. How does knowing that the church is “the household of God” and “a pillar and buttress of the truth” shape the way I view my role and responsibility within the church?
2. Does the way I live and interact with others in the church reflect the truth about Jesus that I claim to believe and proclaim?
3. As I reflect on the “mystery of godliness” in verse 16, how should what I believe about who Jesus is and what He has accomplished shape the way I live and behave?