DEAR TIM,

JESUS’ BIG

MIRACLE… THE

CHURCH!

I Timothy 3:14-16

1 Tim. 3:14-16–The New Living Translation

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, [15] so that if I can't come for a while, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of the truth.

1 Tim. 3:14-16–The New Living Translation

[16] Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:

Christ appeared in the fleshand was shown to be righteous

by the Spirit.He was seen by angels

and was announced to the nations.

He was believed on in the worldand was taken up into heaven.

1 Tim. 3:14-16–The Message Translation

I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I'm delayed, I'm writing this letter so [15] you'll know how things ought to go in God's household, this God-alive church, bastion of truth.

1 Tim. 3:14-16–The Message Translation

[16] This Christian life is a great mystery, far exceeding our understanding, but some things are clear enough:

He appeared in a human body, was proved right by the invisible Spirit, was seen by angels.He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.

TAKE HOME

• By Jesus all things hold together…life, the universe, the future, the church …everything!

• Listen to Paul and you’ll hear it in a dozens of ways… For me to live is Christ!

• The church finds her life, purpose and her future in Jesus.

• The church is more than an organization …a marvelous, loving, living organism.

Lord, I want to Lord, I want to give myself to give myself to you today. I will you today. I will love your body love your body (your church) (your church) and serve you and serve you with my life.with my life.

Lord, I want to Lord, I want to give myself to give myself to you today. I will you today. I will love your body love your body (your church) (your church) and serve you and serve you with my life.with my life.

Commitment:

ANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTSANNOUNCEMENTS

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

LISTEN TO PAUL’S POWERFUL ASSERTIONS REGARDING THE SUFFICIENCY OF JESUS

CHRIST

LISTEN TO PAUL’S POWERFUL ASSERTIONS REGARDING THE SUFFICIENCY OF JESUS

CHRIST

● To the Ephesians: Jesus fills everything in every way. -1:23 ● To the Colossians: In Him all things hold together. -1:17

● To the Corinthians: I resolved to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ 2:2

LISTEN TO PAUL’S POWERFUL ASSERTIONS REGARDING THE SUFFICIENCY OF JESUS

CHRIST

LISTEN TO PAUL’S POWERFUL ASSERTIONS REGARDING THE SUFFICIENCY OF JESUS

CHRIST

● To the Galatians: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. --6:14

● To the Philippians: For me, to live is Christ… --1:21

● To the Hebrews: Jesus…by whom God made the Universe… --1:2

• The Palestine of long ago

• The Father’s right hand

THERE IS A TENDENCY TO LOCALIZE JESUS TO…

THERE IS A TENDENCY TO LOCALIZE JESUS TO…

PAUL’S VISION SAW JESUS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

PAUL’S VISION SAW JESUS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

• The Alpha and Omega

• The Beginning and the End

• The Author and Finisher of our Faith

IT STANDS TO REASON:IT STANDS TO REASON:

• He holds Creation together

• His Story holds the Bible together…all roads lead to Him: The Pentateuch, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels and Epistles

• He holds the Church together

• His message binds Doctrine together

• He holds Fellowship together

JESUS SUPPLIES WHAT WE NEEDJESUS SUPPLIES WHAT WE NEED

Pardon! God, for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. --Eph 4:32

Purpose! To live is Christ --Philippians 1:21

Power! I can do all things through Christ. --Philippians

Plenty! All things are yours.

Prospect! Where I am there you may be also

SO WE RECITE THE OLD HYMN, QUOTED BY PAUL:

SO WE RECITE THE OLD HYMN, QUOTED BY PAUL:

I Timothy 3:16

He appeared in a human body, was proved right by the invisible Spirit, was seen by angels.He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.

COMMUNIONThis table is always open to

every believer!

Confession:I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord Jesus is my Lord and Savoir.and Savoir.

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

AN AMAZING MIRACLE…THE CHURCH!!

AN AMAZING MIRACLE…THE CHURCH!!

EMPOWERED IN AND CALLED OUTEMPOWERED IN AND CALLED OUT

• “…hope to come to you soon…”

• There is a supernatural bond that empowers believers in community

• The Spirit leads us to yearn for our next encounter

EMPOWERED IN AND CALLED OUTEMPOWERED IN AND CALLED OUT

• “…if I am delayed…”

• Despite the comfort of good company we may be called away

• God empowers us to strengthen His Church and share His Word

CHURCH OF THE LIVING GODCHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD

• We look to Acts for our Ecclesiology ~ Early Church

• Acts begins with the gift of the Holy Spirit

• The Works and Acts of the Early Church were thus Acts of the Holy Spirit

CHURCH OF THE LIVING GODCHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD

• This Spirit is God’s Presence and the true construct of the Church

• It is a relational experience with God and man through Jesus Christ

• “The pillar and foundation of the truth…”

CONDUCT IN GOD’S HOUSEHOLD

CONDUCT IN GOD’S HOUSEHOLD

• Cathedral v. Church ~ Organization v. Organism

• Cathedral~ Bound by brick and stone

• Church ~ Bound only by the Holy

Spirit of the Living God

CONDUCT IN GOD’S HOUSEHOLD

CONDUCT IN GOD’S HOUSEHOLD

• Cathedral ~ Structurally Physical

• Church ~ Spiritually Relational

• Cathedral ~ Remove your hat

• Church ~ Love and Worship

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

PRAYER & PRAISE

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

Your Offering:Your Offering:

““Seek the Kingdom of Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and God above all else, and live righteously, and he live righteously, and he will give you everything will give you everything you need.”you need.”

--Jesus--Jesus

Your Offering:Your Offering:

““Seek the Kingdom of Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and God above all else, and live righteously, and he live righteously, and he will give you everything will give you everything you need.”you need.”

--Jesus--Jesus

Worship in SongWorship in SongWorship in SongWorship in Song

TAKE HOME

• By Jesus all things hold together…life, the universe, the future, the church …everything!

• Listen to Paul and you’ll hear it in a dozens of ways… For me to live is Christ!

• The church finds her life, purpose and her future in Jesus.

• The church is more than an organization …a marvelous, loving, living organism.

Lord, I want to Lord, I want to give myself to give myself to you today. I will you today. I will love your body love your body (your church) (your church) and serve you and serve you with my life.with my life.

Lord, I want to Lord, I want to give myself to give myself to you today. I will you today. I will love your body love your body (your church) (your church) and serve you and serve you with my life.with my life.

Commitment:

He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

--Paul to Timothy

Go and help others know Jesus.