Have you ever missed a true understanding of a Bible verse? I have. The Fall of 1974, my first year of Bible college began. I loved memorizing Bible verses and would often have a verse in my shirt pocket to read and meditate on during the day. I decided that I’d memorize the first epistle Paul had written to his son in the faith, Timothy. Each day in the dorm room I’d work on it a little more. Finally, by the end of the school year I could recite all six chapters decently. A little humble pie needs to be eaten these days. I can’t recite all six chapters now without a lot of little peaks. If you don’t use it, you lose it and also that was forty-nine years ago. So, back to the opening question I asked you. Look with me at I Timothy 3:15. “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” Each time I would recite the verse my immediate thought was “you better behave in church.” I better not be talking in church; the preacher might call me down. I need to pay close attention even if the sermon is boring. I need to arrive on time because the Lord likes punctuality. All those things are true, but those aren’t the meaning of the verse. The actual understanding is Timothy was a young pastor. He wasn’t sure about a lot of things concerning what to do as he was trying to guide the church. The word “behave” simply meant how he was to make decisions about leadership, organization, and the focus and message of his preaching. Paul was driving one of the most fundamental truths ever deep into the mind of this young man. The church is vital and it is vital that it is done right. Why is it important that the church be a priority? Notice the last phrase in the verse. She is the “pillar and ground of the truth.” The church doesn’t create truth, but she is responsible to hold tightly to the truth. There is no other place, no other organization on this planet, that has the promise the church has. Jesus told his disciples that he would build his church and that the “gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). It is the only Christian organization Jesus promised to build. I have nothing but thanks for good Christian organizations, but they don’t have the promise the church does. Our verse makes some claims.

  1. Statements about the Church. It is called “the house of God”. Churches can only be truly called the “house of God” if they are faithful to God and his Word. Remember this New Testament truth. You are the “temple of the Lord.” You and every other genuine believer make up the church. But remember this, that church has never held a worship service together. It will one day but has not yet. At this time, we congregate as local assemblies called local churches. We come together for corporate worship. We congregate to sing praises to the Lord and be exhorted along with being edified by the Bible as a group. Every group calling itself a church isn’t a biblical church. What defines a biblical church? Being bible believers, seeking to live by the principles and precepts of the Word of God. Fellowship with other Christians is vital for spiritual growth. What else does Paul tell this young preacher?
  2. Strengths the Church has. She is called the “pillar” and “ground” of the truth. A pillar is an upright structure that gives great strength and support. It provides safety from danger. Ground is simply a way of saying “the foundation is firm” just as the old hymn declares. The chief cornerstone is the Lord Jesus himself. The unsaved need the message of salvation and the main place they ought to hear this beautiful gospel is from a ministry of the church. The strength of the church is paramount. It must hold fast to the Word of God or it simply becomes a social club with religious overtones. If we are a pillar and have grounding in truth I say we embrace it with every ounce of strength we have.
  3. Sadness of the “last days” church. A few verses forward and Paul tells young Timothy about what is going to happen just before Jesus comes again. I Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” In the end times, many people claiming to be Christian will “depart from the faith.” Do you know someone who used to be? I have known those in times past who were so faithful and now they never darken the doors of the church. I know those that were faithful witnesses and now deny the very Jesus they claimed to have served. It will become more and more common. What are we to do? This warning verse doesn’t say all will depart, only that some would depart. Paul tells him to “put the brethren in remembrance of these things…” (4:6). We just warn about the dangers and there are many. If you will hold to right doctrines and practices you will be a “good minister of Jesus Christ.” That is the goal for the Corinth Baptist Church. We just need to be Bible people. A quote I like for times like these is “I’d rather we a never was than a has been.” The majority of western churches have become extremely weak in holding to Bible truth and certainly proclaiming it in the face of criticism. I pray to the good Lord, we will never be among their number.