5th SUNDAY  ~ 1 TIMOTHY 3:14-16

TIME FOR REFLECTION 

As in our imagination we visit the church on another Sunday, we hear Timothy welcoming the people once more. The meal is over and the people are reclining comfortably on the divans and couches. Timothy reminds them of what he has already read to them of Paul’s letter. And then as he unrolls the scroll, he comments on the section he is about to read. “We are now half way through the letter. Before Paul offers further advice, he pauses to remind us of the things which we should never lose sight of. There is always the danger that the central elements of our faith may be lost if we focus only on procedural matters and rules of conduct. These are important but must never be allowed to take us away from the things which lie at the heart of our Christian faith. And so Paul  invites us to think about the nature of the Church and about the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the face of all the persecution that we are experiencing these days let us be encouraged as we think about who Jesus is and remember that he said, “I  will build my church and  all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” (Matthew 16:18).

Let’s continue to listen as we imagine Timothy reading once more from the scroll just as Paul has written it.

Paul first states the reason for his writing, and he will return to that soon. But for now he turns to the first of the two truths that he wants the church never to lose sight of ...

THE ESSENTIAL NATURE OF THE CHURCH

The Church As A Family

The first picture Paul gives us is that of a family. He pictures the church as ‘the household of God.’ (vs. 15). The word is ‘οικοs’ (oìkos), meaning ‘house’ and by extension ‘family’. It is a picture of the church Paul draws in several of his letters. For example to the churches in Galatia he writes, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family (oìkos) of believers.” (Galatians 6:10, NIV). And to those in Ephesus he writes, “So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family (oìkos).” (Ephesians 2:19).

Swindoll[1] quotes Philip H. Towner’s description

The Greco-Roman household consisted of different groups, duties, and responsibilities, and in the larger ones, stewards were given authority to see that each did his or her share so that the master’s purposes might be achieved. The concept of household with its associated notions of interdependence, acceptable conduct and responsibility was so strong that Paul could borrow it to illustrate the nature of the church. It too, both then and now, is made of different groups (men and women from every level of society, parents and children, employers and employees) who must depend upon and, in love, serve one another, and it is the task of the stewards (bishops/elders, deacons) to ensure that the household accomplishes the Master’s goals.”

Swindoll[2] adds, “In other words, the church is a family. Not a corporation, not a program, but a tightly knit family.”

The Church As An Assembly

Paul now refers to the members of the church as an assembly. When he says, ‘This is the church ... ” (vs. 15), the word he chooses is the word ‘ekklhsia’ (ekklēsia). The house church meeting in the home of Aquila and Priscilla that day would have understood the meaning of the word and the situations in which it was used. Barclay[3] explains its meaning for us.

The word ekklēsia literally means a company of people who have been called out. It does not mean that they have been selected or picked out. In Athens, the ekklēsia was the governing body of the city; and its membership consisted of all the citizens met in assembly. But, very naturally, at no time did all attend. The summons went out to come to the Assembly of the City, but only some citizens answered it and came. God’s call has gone out to every man; but only some have accepted it; and they are the ekklēsia, the Church. It is not that God has been selective. The invitation comes to all; but to an invitation there must be a response.

Swindoll[4] reminds us,

Paul’s use of the phrase church of the living God reminds us of the church’s uniqueness. The church is an assembly, called out from the world to be distinct in holiness and purpose.

The Church As Displaying And Supporting The Truth

The words, “ ... the pillar and support of the truth.” (vs. 15), concerning the role of the church would have had special significance to the members of this house church in Ephesus. For it was here that one of the seven wonders of the world towered over the rest of the city. This was the great Temple of Diana or Artemis. Barclay[5] describes the pillars of the temple.

One of its features was its pillars. It contained one hundred and twenty seven pillars, every one of them the gift of a king. All were made of marble, and some were studded with jewels and overlaid with gold.” Barclay then goes on to discuss the way in which Paul likens the church to these pillars. “It may well be that the idea of the word pillar here is not so much support - that is contained in buttress - as display ... The idea here is that the Church’s duty is to hold up the truth in such a way that all men may see it ... The buttress is the support of the building. It keeps it standing intact. In a world which does not wish to face the truth, the Church holds it up for all to see. In a world which would often gladly eliminate unwelcome truth, the Church supports it against all who would seek to destroy it.

Having reminded Timothy and the church of who they are and of their role in presenting the truth to the world Paul moves to the second great truth he wants them never to lose sight of.

THE CENTRALITY OF CHRIST IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

We make ourselves comfortable again as we recline on the couches in the home of Priscilla and Aquila while Timothy continues to read.

As Timothy reads, we may imagine some of the people wanting to break into song as they recognise part of one of their hymns. Barclay[6] writes of this hymn, “The great interest of this passage is that here we have a fragment of one of the hymns of the early church. It is a setting of belief in Christ to poetry and music.” We notice that the song refers to six aspects of the person of Christ.

His Incarnation

As we have just heard, Timothy read, “Christ appeared in the flesh ... ” It was a heavenly messenger who brought the news of the Saviour’s birth to shepherds near Bethlehem.

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!’ he said, ‘I bring you great news of great joy for everyone! The Saviour - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:8-11).

John writes of his coming.

In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God ... So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. (John 1:1,14).

James Packer[7] writes,

The really staggering Christian claim is that Jesus of Nazareth was God made man ... that he took humanity without loss of deity, so that Jesus of Nazareth was as truly and fully divine as he was human ... The Word had become flesh: a real human baby. He had not ceased to be God; he was no less God then than before; but he had begun to be man. He was not now God minus some elements of his deity, but God plus all that he had made his own by taking manhood to himself ... The mystery of the incarnation is unfathomable. We cannot explain it; we can only formulate it. Perhaps it has never been formulated better than in the words of the Athanasian Creed. ‘Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man; ... perfect God and perfect man: ... who although he be God and man: yet he is not two, but one Christ; one, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh: but by taking of the manhood into God.’ Our minds cannot get beyond this. What we see in the manger is, in the words of Charles Wesley’s hymn, ‘Our God contracted to a span; Incomprehensibly made man.’  Incomprehensibly: we shall be wise to remember this, to shun speculation, and contentedly to adore. 

His Vindication

“ ... and was shown to be righteous by the Spirit.” Barclay[8] presents us with three ways in which these words may be understood. “It may mean that all through his earthly days Jesus was kept sinless by the power of the Spirit ... It may mean that Jesus’ claims were vindicated by the action of the Spirit who dwelt in him ... It may mean that this is a reference to the resurrection.” But then he concludes, “No matter how we take this line, its meaning is that the Spirit is the power who proved Jesus to be what he claimed to be.”

For those who want to believe, the deity of Jesus has been clearly revealed. Jesus himself said, “The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30). It was because of this that the Jewish religious leaders wanted to kill him. John writes, “For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.” (John 5:18. NIV).

Jesus’ teaching that he was the Son of God was vindicated by the Holy Spirit. Paul understood this. “This Good News was promised long ago by God through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. It is the Good News about his Son, Jesus, who came as a man, born into King David’s royal family line. And Jesus was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 1:4-5).  And it is the Holy Spirit who continues today to assure those who want to know, that Jesus is he who he claimed to be and he who the early Christians were sure he was.

His Exaltation

“He was seen by angels ... ” As Timothy read these words we may imagine someone initiating some discussion when he asked, “I am wondering, when did this occur?” Another may have suggested, “Well it certainly would have been at the time the angels announced his birth to the shepherds.”

Yet another of those present could have said, “Yes that’s true, but they also would have seen Jesus after his ascension and exaltation in heaven. Don’t you remember what Paul said in his general letter to all of our house churches here in Ephesus. In that letter I recall him saying, ‘I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.’ ” (Ephesians 1:19-20).

We might also add the possibility of there being a forward reference to that time of rejoicing in heaven when the angelic choir raises voice in praise of the exalted Christ.

“Then I looked again, and I heard the singing of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:

       ‘The Lamb is worthy -

          the Lamb who was killed.

       He is worthy to receive power and riches

          and wisdom and strength

          and honour and glory and blessing.’ ”

                     (Revelation 5:11-12).

Peter may have been thinking of the words, “He was seen by angels ... ” when writing his  letter for circulation among the Lord’s people in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia. To them he wrote,

And now this Good News has been announced by those who preached to you in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. (1 Peter 1:12).

The next line of this early hymn of belief regarding the Lord Jesus Christ, refers to ...

His Presentation To The World

“ ... and was announced to the nations.” The word translated nations is ‘efnos’ (ethnos). The word is often taken as referring to Gentiles or nations but its primary reference is to ethnic groups. It refers to groups of people distinguished by distinctive customs and languages. The word actually derives from ‘eqv’ (ethò) meaning ‘to be accustomed’. It refers to groups of people who are accustomed to speaking and doing things in a certain way, to groups of people who follow certain customs. This understanding of the word ‘ethnos’ has given rise to the term ‘people groups’. A people group is determined by particular cultural patterns and world view. To present Christ to the peoples of the world  is still the greatest challenge facing the church.

The prayer of one of Israel’s song writers many centuries ago still needs to be prayed today. “Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind.” (Psalm 67:2 Living Bible). And the words of Isaiah encourage us to pray this way. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of  Israel reigns.” (Isaiah 52:10). Paul’s words add to the challenge.

For anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.’ (Romans 10:13-1).

His Recognition

“He was believed on in the world ... ” While many in each generation have not believed Jesus to be the promised Messiah, many have. John writes,

Although the world was made through him, the world didn’t recognise him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people he was not accepted. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become the children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan - this rebirth comes from God. (John 1:10-13).

Those who recognise him and believe in him come from every people group in the world.

And they sang a new song with these words:

           ‘You are worthy to take the scroll

               and break its seals and open it.

            For you were killed,

               and your blood  has ransomed people for God

               from every tribe and language and people and nation.

            And you have caused them to become

               God’s kingdom and his priests

            And they will reign on the earth.’ (Revelation 5:9-10).

The last line of the hymn speaks of ...

His Ascension

“ ... and taken up into heaven.”  Luke describes the scene as Jesus left the Mount to return to heaven.

Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. They worshipped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all their time in the Temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:50-52).

    ... he was taken up into the sky while they were watching, and he disappeared into a cloud. As they were straining their eyes to see him, two white-robed men suddenly stood there among them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven. And some day, just as you saw him go, he will return.” The apostles were at the Mount of Olives when this happened, so they walked the half mile back to Jerusalem. (Acts 1:9-12).

Zechariah leaves us in no doubt that on his return, Christ will touch down on planet earth at the very same spot from which he left.

On that day I will gather all the nations to fight against Jerusalem ... Then the Lord will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives ... Then the Lord my God will come, and all his holy ones with him.” (Zechariah 14:2-5).

It does not take much for us to imagine the people singing that early song of belief as Timothy finished reading this section of the letter. Once again they had much to think about as they walked to their homes. The members of that house church in Ephesus would look forward to their next meeting in the home of Priscilla and Aquila. In the meantime take some time out to review the lesson.