A Word of Truth and Godliness for Hebron Church
The light bulb clicked on. A moment of clarity. Suddenly, things that have been bumping around in the mind make perfect sense.
I recently had one of those moments when discussing an article with some friends; we were talking about parenting, passing on the faith, the role of the church, and worship attendance. And then, an idea clicked in my mind—people think of the Gospel as helpful, assisting us in living a good life, but not necessarily as truthful. Their involvement in the church is based on its practical value, not on its truthfulness. Why do many come to church? To learn helpful things for life, not to be exposed to God’s reality. Oh, many would no doubt affirm the truthfulness of what we learn at church, but that’s not the point—the point is that the Gospel is perceived as one asset in pursuing health and happiness.
Now, I want to be clear—nothing, not-a-thing, is more relevant for our everyday lives than the Gospel. God made us, and made this world, and no one knows more about how we should live accordingly than He does. The Gospel does indeed direct us in living a good life. However—and this is a BIG “however”— the Gospel is nothing if not TRUE, and the instrument of proclaiming the Gospel, the church, is above all else, a voice proclaiming the truth to this world. The church teaches that which is helpful because it is teaching that which is true. The role of worship is to elevate the Gospel, that which is true, to draw attention to He who is the Truth, not just the One who makes life better.
If we focus only on the church as “helpful,” it is easy to fall into seriously bad patterns. What if one Sunday, we are not “helped”? Or, what if other opportunities arise which also promise to “help” in life? Why not choose to do other things that are also helpful instead of coming to weekly worship? If the Gospel only proclaims that which is helpful, then it quickly becomes optional. But if the weekly proclamation of the Gospel at worship is the promulgation of the truth, then we need to be there! Truth from God’s Word is present! Worship is not one helpful thing among others, to be chosen if/when we feel like it. Weekly worship is exposure to Him who is True.
It is this concern for the future of the Gospel and for the generations who have the responsibility to zealously guard it, faithfully live it, and earnestly pass it on, that leads us to the study of 1 Timothy. In this book, we will read of the priority of prayer, the godly manner of public worship, the biblical basis for world evangelism, the pursuit of faithful ministry, the church’s responsibility to care and pursue justice, and the call to radical holiness. All this and more will flow from the Apostle Paul’s words to his young protégée, Timothy. But, underlying it all is the confident assertion by Paul that the Gospel is, above all else, true, and its truth should be kept, embraced, and shared with others.
In his letter to Timothy, Paul exhibits an unambiguous commitment to the truthfulness of the Gospel. Amid our present society, with its relativistic approach to all truth and the popular assumptions that all faiths and ideologies are valid, there is a refreshing character in hearing Paul proclaim that the church is “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (3:15); that false teachers have “wandered away” and “oppose the truth” (1:6, 6:21); that sound doctrine is that which is “in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God” (1:11).
Yes, come to worship this week to be helped in your daily life—but know that the truth is present by the Word of God, and we will celebrate and worship the Author of Truth, Jesus Christ Himself.
For this Sunday, read 1 Timothy 1:1-2.
1. Read Acts 16:1-3 to read more about Paul and Timothy. What do we learn about Timothy from that passage? What is the relationship between Paul and Timothy based upon?
2. In 1 Timothy 1:1, Paul refers to himself as an “apostle.” What is meant by that term? Why is it important for Paul to call himself that?
3. Paul’s claim to be an apostle is “by the command” of God Himself. Why would this make a difference? Why does Paul stress this?
4. Notice who is “Savior” in verse 1. Why is this important, and perhaps, different than what we normally think?
5. What does it mean to you that Jesus is “our hope.” What “hope” might Paul mean? How might Christ as “hope” impact your daily life?
6. What do you think is behind Paul’s identification of Timothy as “my true child in the faith” (vs. 2)?
7. The phrase, “grace, mercy, and peace,” might simply be a catchphrase, or, it might carry great weight. What might Paul be stressing by using each term in his “welcome” to Timothy?
