This past week I received a letter addressed to the “World’s Religious Leaders.” I’ve never considered myself in that category. But, here was this impressive looking portfolio addressed personally to me. The letter explained how the Baha’i community stood ready to work with the world’s religions to help us all to draw closer together “for a human race that is entering on its collective maturity.” Ultimately, the letter was another attempt to bring positive change to our world.

This world is changing. In some ways better. But, the basic issues - no matter what the religion - or politics - or economic system - mankind has always failed to change - to heal the deeper issues in our lives and society. So many people feel a hopeless - with issues in our homes and communities.

Years ago, Dr. Francis Schaeffer - the great Christian apologist and theologian - Dr. Schaeffer said this, “The greatest creativity ever given is the ability of men, by their choices, to change the course of history.” God gives us this creativity - the ability to change the world. That’s an awesome truth to get a hold of for our lives.

The goal is to be able to make change for the better. Which is what the church is here for. In the midst of a lost and hopeless humanity - to change the world by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Coming to 1 Timothy 3 - that’s Paul’s emphasis: The Essential of the Gospel.

Paul writes - starting in verse 14: I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

Let’s pause and understand the significance of what Paul is saying.

Paul is in Macedonia. Timothy is in Ephesus. As much as Paul would like to go to Ephesus - it may be a while until he gets there. So, Paul writes this letter to Timothy. In verse 14 and 15, Paul explains his whole purpose in writing this letter. “I may not make it to Ephesus. But, it’s essential that you know how you’re to be living as the church.”

Paul then gives 3 descriptions of the church. First, the Church is “the household of God.”

In Hebrews 3 - it says that Moses served in the Tabernacle in the wilderness. This must have been impressive. 2 million plus people in a massive spread out camp - arranged by tribe. In its center the Tabernacle - an enclosure with its altar for blood sacrifice and the Holy of Holies with its veil and mystique. An ornate - holy - complex for worship and intercession between God and His people. A cloud showing the presence of God by day and a fire at night. There’s a realization of awe and respect. God dwells there in that place.

In Hebrews 3 - it says that while Moses served in the Tabernacle - in Jesus, “we are His house.” (Hebrews 3:6b) We’re the household God. That’s incredible. Isn’t it? The church isn’t a building or a religion - it’s a people - a household - a family. Which means intimacy. God is our Father - our intimate friend. He dwells with us - lives within us.

In a few moments we’re going to share communion together. Communion is a celebration - a declaration that God - through Jesus Christ - has established an intimate saving relationship with us.

Second, Paul describes us as “the Church of the living God.”

Solomon - was chosen by God to build the great Temple - immense - impressive. On the day that Temple was dedicated - Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord - before all the people - the assembly of Israel. Solomon spread out his hands towards heaven - and he said, “O Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath...Behold heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built.” (1 Kings 8:22,23,27)

Sometimes we’re tempted to put God in a box - limited by our doctrine - theology - or tradition. To limit Him to our experiences. We worship on Sundays in a building at 11:00 a.m. We call on Him when we need Him. But, what can contain the living God? God is not some impersonal - powerless - deity of our creation. We’re not curators of a museum built in Christ’s honor. We’re not guardians of a tradition or perpetuators of a philosophy.

Paul said to the people in Athens, “In Him we live and move and exist…” (Acts 17:28) Every human being has life because God has graciously given it to us. God is at the heart of life. He reigns over it. That’s the God that we serve. We’ve been touched by the living God - indwelt by Him who is life. We live because Jesus lives. We’re a Divine fellowship whose birth and sustenance is the life of our Savior and Lord.

Third - Paul describes us as “the pillar and support of the truth.”

Years before Paul writes to Timothy a meteor had fallen in the area near what became the city of Ephesus. The meteor seemed to have the form of a woman which the people called Diana - an object of worship.

In Ephesus - the Temple of Diana was immense - controlling the wealth of the city - a repository for the greatest works of art - integral to the life blood of the city. Seven times it had been destroyed by fire. Each time it had been rebuilt - larger - more imposing than before. It was impressive - something to see - a tourist destination. Pilgrims from all over the world came to worship - to engage in sexual immorality with the prostitutes there - to spend their money on souvenirs and idols to take home. Upholding this massive complex were innumerable - prominent - ornate - stone pillars.

An image that Paul probably had in mind as he wrote to Timothy - contrasting what was supporting an empty pagan religion with the church. Paul writes that the church is “the pillar” that upholds the truth of the Gospel. And, it is the “support” - the “hasdadouteun” - the stability. Think immovable permanence. In an earthquake foundations move - pillars shake and buildings crumble. But, the Church upholding the Gospel is not moved.

Surrounding the city of Ephesus was a wall - 10½ feet thick with six fortified gates. An impenatrable fortress. An army coming against that fortress would have to change direction - change plans - lay seige - go around - admit defeat.

The Gospel is not politically correct. It’s offensive. Some have tried to soften the Gospel to make it more politically correct - less offensive - another of the world’s “faith traditions.” But, the Gospel is not something that adds to the world’s knowledge. It’s not a part of the world’s continuing enlightenment. It’s not the best of many religious paths. Its not a supplement to other faiths.

The Gospel is the truth. The truth that mankind is desperate to hear. The truth about who we are and who God is. It demands change - rejection or acceptance of Jesus. When the Church of the living God boldly stands immovable upholding the truth of the Gospel then the world must change.

Going on - verse 16 - Paul tells us what is the truth. He says, By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness. A mystery because if God in His graciousness hadn’t explained the Gospel to us we never would have understood it. A common confession because this is what the Church believes and declares to the world.

Verse 16 is probably one of the earliest belief statements of the Church - a first century statement of our faith written out by our brothers and sisters in Christ. That’s permanence. Some 2,000 years later we stand where they stood. Same declaration of faith.

By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:

He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.

He - Jesus - who was revealed in the flesh - meaning that Jesus was born - God came to be in the flesh and live among men.

He was vindicated in the Spirit - which took place at Jesus’ baptism. You’ll recall that the Holy Spirit came down as a dove and God said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) God declaring that Jesus is the Messiah - the Savior of mankind.

Jesus was seen by angels - the angels that were at the empty tomb. We believe that Jesus was crucified to death - taking our place - paying the penalty for our sins - and Jesus is resurrected - alive.

He was proclaimed among the nations - at Pentecost - the Gospel was shared with men and women from all over the Roman world - even, some say, Armenia. Those that heard took the Gospel all over the world. This is a statement which touches the purpose and mission of the Church.

Jesus was believed on in the world - which is the response to the Gospel. People are coming to salvation.

Finally, Jesus was taken up in glory. He ascended to heaven. Which means that He intercedes for us and that He’s coming back - our great hope of glorification and eternal life.

Let me get very practical. In thinking through where our world is these days and in thinking about who we are as the church of the living God - being God’s instrument of change - in our society and even our families. Sometimes it’s very easy to get numb to all this - to try to tune out what the difficult things that go on around us - to give up in despair - and just assume that things are the way they are - they probably won’t change - and if they do it will only get worse.

Years ago - as World War II was coming to an end - General Dwight D. Eisenhower was touring the concentration camp at Ohrdruf - the first camp liberated by the Allies. When General Eisenhower came to the concentration camp - with Generals Bradley and Patton - they were in high spirits - joking - laughing - victory was in sight. But as they trudged past 3,200 corpses lying in shallow graves - as they looked at the SS’s instruments of torture - Bradley became so shocked he couldn’t speak. Patton - imagine this - old blood and guts General Patton - became so sick he vomited.

General Eisenhower said, “The things I saw beggared description.” He ordered as many soldiers as possible be shown the camp. Eisenhower said, “We are told that the American soldier does not know what he is fighting for. Now, at least, he will know what he is fighting against.”

Sometimes we need to be reminded of what’s at stake here - that sin is a horror - a bondage and corruption in this life which weighs down our hearts - burdens our souls - tears at the fabric of humanity - destroys our homes and society - corrupts the Church - robs us of the ability to be whom God has created us to be. And, waiting ahead is judgment and eternal separation from God. But, we have the opportunity - the privilege - of sharing the one message that can bring real change to all that.

When Paul writes about the “mystery of godliness” he’s talking about being able to live life in wholeness - living life as God intends for us to live it. That’s what all this is about. The secret of living life with God - drawing on His wisdom and power and forgiveness. Living in purity and calmness and courage and confidence in the midst of whatever comes.