### Summary

Good morning, everyone. It's a joy to gather together in the house of God. Today, we delved into 1 Timothy chapter 3, exploring the responsibilities and behaviors expected of the church. Paul wrote to Timothy, guiding him on how the church should function and behave. The church is not just a building but the pillar and ground of truth, tasked with upholding and living out the gospel.

We discussed three main truths about the house of God: its identity, its message, and the proper behavior within it. The church is the assembly of the living God, and its message is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our behavior should reflect this truth in our daily lives. Paul emphasized the importance of standing against false teachings, being fervent in prayer, choosing godly leaders, caring for others, and living a godly life.

Paul's letter to Timothy also highlighted the need for the church to be a place of prayer, especially for our leaders, and to be led by godly individuals. We are to care for one another, treating each other as family, and to live lives that are distinct from the world, focusing on eternal treasures rather than earthly gains.

As we go about our lives, we must remember that we are representatives of Jesus Christ. Our actions and words should reflect the transformative power of the gospel. We are called to be the light in this world, standing firm in the truth and living out the gospel in every aspect of our lives.

### Key Takeaways

1. **The Church as the Pillar and Ground of Truth**: The church is not merely a building but the assembly of the living God, tasked with upholding the truth of the gospel. This means standing against false teachings and doctrines, ensuring that what is preached and taught aligns with the Word of God. We must be vigilant and courageous in defending the truth, knowing that if we do not stand for it, no one else will. [51:04]

2. **The Importance of Prayer**: Paul emphasizes that the church should be a house of prayer, especially praying for our leaders and those in authority. This is crucial for leading a peaceful and godly life. Our prayers should be offered with holy hands, free from anger and doubt, trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness. This reflects our dependence on God and our desire for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. [53:18]

3. **Choosing Godly Leaders**: The church must be led by individuals of high moral character and godliness. Paul outlines the qualifications for bishops and deacons, emphasizing the need for leaders who are blameless, of good behavior, and full of faith. Encouraging young people to aspire to these roles is vital, as godly leadership is essential for the church to function as the pillar and ground of truth. [56:10]

4. **Caring for One Another**: The gospel calls us to be the most generous and caring people on earth. We are to treat each other as family, showing respect and care, especially for those who cannot care for themselves. This includes supporting widows and ensuring that the church can focus on those truly in need. Our generosity and care for others reflect the love of Christ and uphold the truth of the gospel. [58:12]

5. **Living a Godly Life**: The church is called to live lives that are distinct from the world, focusing on righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. We are to flee from the desires of this world and pursue a life that reflects the character of Christ. This means storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, living for eternity, and being controlled by the Spirit of God. [01:00:13]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[06:07] - Announcements
[06:52] - Opening Prayer
[32:36] - Introduction to 1 Timothy 3
[33:22] - Introduction of Summer Interns
[34:15] - Paul's Letter to Timothy
[35:05] - The House of God
[51:04] - Standing Against False Teachings
[51:55] - The Church as the Pillar of Truth
[53:18] - The Importance of Prayer
[54:19] - Praying for Leaders
[55:33] - The Church as a House of Prayer
[56:10] - Choosing Godly Leaders
[57:41] - Characteristics of Church Leaders
[58:12] - Caring for One Another
[59:40] - The Truth of the Gospel
[01:00:13] - Living a Godly Life
[01:02:05] - The Church as the Body of Christ
[01:04:29] - Proper Behavior in the House of God
[01:10:01] - Prayer for Students
[01:11:43] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Timothy 3:14-15 (ESV) - "I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth."
2. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV) - "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
3. 1 Timothy 6:11-12 (ESV) - "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Timothy 3:14-15, what is the purpose of Paul's letter to Timothy? How does Paul describe the church? [34:15]
2. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, what types of prayers does Paul urge believers to make, and for whom? What is the intended outcome of these prayers? [53:18]
3. What qualities does Paul encourage Timothy to pursue in 1 Timothy 6:11-12? How does this relate to living a godly life? [01:00:13]
4. What are some of the behaviors Paul instructs the church to avoid, as mentioned in the sermon? [51:04]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the church as the "pillar and ground of the truth"? How does this responsibility impact the church's role in the world? [51:55]
2. How does praying for leaders and those in authority contribute to a peaceful and godly life, according to 1 Timothy 2:1-2? What might this look like in practice? [53:51]
3. What does it mean to "flee the desires of this world" and "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness" as stated in 1 Timothy 6:11-12? How can this pursuit shape a believer's daily life? [01:00:40]
4. How does the sermon describe the importance of choosing godly leaders within the church? What characteristics should these leaders possess? [56:10]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any false teachings or doctrines you have encountered? How can you stand firm in the truth and address these issues within your community? [51:04]
2. How often do you pray for your leaders and those in authority? What specific steps can you take to incorporate this practice into your daily routine? [53:18]
3. Think about the leaders in your church. How can you support and encourage them to maintain high moral character and godliness? Are there any young people you can mentor or encourage to aspire to these roles? [56:10]
4. In what ways can you show care and generosity to those in your church and community who are in need? Identify one specific action you can take this week to help someone. [58:12]
5. Examine your own life: Are there areas where you are more focused on earthly gains rather than eternal treasures? What changes can you make to align your priorities with godly living? [01:00:13]
6. How can you be a light in your workplace, school, or community, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel? Share one practical way you can demonstrate this in the coming week. [01:02:05]
7. Are there any behaviors or attitudes in your life that do not align with being the "pillar and ground of the truth"? What steps can you take to correct these and live a life that upholds the gospel? [01:04:29]

Day 1: The Church as the Pillar and Ground of Truth
The church is not merely a building but the assembly of the living God, tasked with upholding the truth of the gospel. This means standing against false teachings and doctrines, ensuring that what is preached and taught aligns with the Word of God. We must be vigilant and courageous in defending the truth, knowing that if we do not stand for it, no one else will. The church's role is to be the foundation and support of the truth, providing a stable base from which the gospel can be proclaimed and lived out. This responsibility requires a commitment to sound doctrine and a willingness to confront and correct errors when they arise. [51:04]

1 Timothy 3:15 (ESV): "If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively defend and uphold the truth of the gospel in your daily interactions and conversations?


Day 2: The Importance of Prayer
Paul emphasizes that the church should be a house of prayer, especially praying for our leaders and those in authority. This is crucial for leading a peaceful and godly life. Our prayers should be offered with holy hands, free from anger and doubt, trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness. This reflects our dependence on God and our desire for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Prayer is not just a personal practice but a communal one that binds the church together in unity and purpose. [53:18]

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer for your leaders and those in authority into your daily routine?


Day 3: Choosing Godly Leaders
The church must be led by individuals of high moral character and godliness. Paul outlines the qualifications for bishops and deacons, emphasizing the need for leaders who are blameless, of good behavior, and full of faith. Encouraging young people to aspire to these roles is vital, as godly leadership is essential for the church to function as the pillar and ground of truth. Leaders set the tone for the congregation, and their example can inspire others to live lives of integrity and faithfulness. [56:10]

1 Timothy 3:2-3 (ESV): "Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money."

Reflection: What qualities do you see in your current church leaders that align with Paul's qualifications, and how can you support and encourage them in their roles?


Day 4: Caring for One Another
The gospel calls us to be the most generous and caring people on earth. We are to treat each other as family, showing respect and care, especially for those who cannot care for themselves. This includes supporting widows and ensuring that the church can focus on those truly in need. Our generosity and care for others reflect the love of Christ and uphold the truth of the gospel. By caring for one another, we demonstrate the practical outworking of our faith and the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. [58:12]

James 1:27 (ESV): "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Reflection: Who in your church or community is in need of care and support, and how can you extend Christ's love to them this week?


Day 5: Living a Godly Life
The church is called to live lives that are distinct from the world, focusing on righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. We are to flee from the desires of this world and pursue a life that reflects the character of Christ. This means storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, living for eternity, and being controlled by the Spirit of God. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, drawing others to Christ through our example. [01:00:13]

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (ESV): "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to pursue a godly life and reflect the character of Christ in your actions and decisions?

1. "But there's much more to church than just outward behavior. And this morning, we're going to consider three truths regarding the house of God. What is the house of God? What is the message of the house of God? And what is the proper behavior for the house of God? So we've seen that we're the house of God. We've seen what the message of the house of God should be. So how should that affect our lives? How should that affect the way that we live on a day to day basis?" [35:05] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


2. "We are to be the salt. We are to be the light that influences our world. We're not to just see ground. We're not to just sit by idly and say oh yeah I'll just let them go off. We are to stand for the truth of the word of God. If we don't stand for the truth. Who will? Who will? We are to stand against false doctrines. Paul was even willing to call out. By name. Those who are problem makers." [52:37] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


3. "The church of God is to be a house of prayer. God's people need to be people that pray. Our prayer meetings on Wednesday nights at 7 o'clock should be packed. Because God's people should be a people that pray. We should be a people as the pillar and the ground of the truth. That lift up our voices to God. And pray for God to work in this world. We need to be a fervent people who pray. The church of God should be full of people. Who pray." [55:33] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


4. "We should encourage our young people. To want to be pastors. To be desires to be pastors. And if they have that desire. Encourage them to pursue it. If any man desires the office of a pastor. He desires a good work. I tell people all the time. I have the greatest job on the face of the earth. I have the privilege. Of preaching God's word. I have the privilege. Of telling other people about Jesus Christ. And you guys pay me to do it." [56:42] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


5. "God wants the people of the house of God. To be generous and kind to other people. And as we do so. We uphold the truth of the gospel. And what is that truth of the gospel? That it makes us like God. That's the truth of the gospel. Jesus saved us to make us more like himself. Jesus Christ. The most generous and loving person that ever lived. And that's how we uphold the truth of the gospel. Is by living it. By a transformed life." [59:40] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


6. "We are to live for eternity and for heaven. We don't live for now. That's not the focus of the church of the living God. We live to be godly. And holy. And righteous. Focusing on the life to come. Not on covetousness. And the things of this world. Which go away. These are the ways that we should behave ourselves as the house of God. Standing for truth. Praying. Selecting godly leaders. Caring for others. And living a godly life." [01:01:37] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


7. "You are the assembly. Of the living God. You are the body. Of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ went to heaven. He is not here physically. He has left you to be his representative. Each of us. Are his body. To live as Jesus Christ. In our respective part of the world. And that truth. That reality should impact. The way we live. That Jesus Christ. Saved us. To make us more like him. He died for us. And that is what the gospel is all about." [01:02:05] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


8. "We should speak the truth. I am not denying. We should stand up for the truth. But we should not just speak it. We should live it. It should be followed. If you do not live it. Your words do not have much impact. But man when someone who lives a godly life. Who loves Jesus Christ. Then says you know what. The truth changed me. This is what the truth looks like. This is why we believe the truth. Because the gospel is powerful." [01:03:29] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)


9. "Shine your light today for Jesus Christ. And allow him to allow you to make a difference for his glory. And so we're going to have a word of prayer together with you guys. And then we'll dismiss the service. Father, we're so grateful for your goodness. Lord, we love you. And we just pray, Father, that you will bless these young people. God, would your hand be upon them? We know that Satan desires to destroy them. Wants to introduce their hearts and their minds to ungodly and wicked things." [01:11:43] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

All right, well good morning. It's good to see each of you out this morning. I'm so glad that you're here to be able to worship in the house of God. And so thank you for coming this morning.

We have a couple of announcements as we start our service. Wow, that's some feedback going on there. That's really loud. All right.

So we've got community groups that are happening tonight at 5:30 here at the church. If you are not a part of a community group, we encourage you to come back and be a part of that. We're going to be doing a little bit of worship in the evening as we spend time fellowshipping and discussing the word of God as we go through the sermon and how it applies to our life.

The Ladies Craft Circle is happening on August 26th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A great time of fellowship as well as working on some of those different projects and learning things.

And then on August 25th, which is next Sunday, we have our food donation. So make sure you grab those green bags that are out here in the fellowship hall. Take those. Bring them back here. And a great opportunity to be able to minister to our community, to show them charity and love.

So let's go ahead and go to the Lord in prayer this morning.

Father, we're grateful for your goodness. We're thankful that you love us, you care for us, and it's such a privilege to know you as our God. We pray, Father, that you will meet with us this morning as we take time to worship and gather in your house.

Lord, I pray that you'll clear our hearts and minds of things that might distract us from focusing on you. And that, God, as we sing, as we study your word, that you will grab a hold of our hearts and our attention, that we might uplift Jesus Christ this morning.

God, we need you. We're in such desperate need of you. And, Father, I pray that you will speak to us in a mighty way and we'll give you thanks for what you accomplish in our lives. And it's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Aren't you looking forward to that day? Amen. Wow, because he loved us, he died for us, and he saved us, and he's coming back. And what a wonderful, wonderful day. What a wonderful day that will be when we see Jesus Christ face to face.

Let's turn our Bibles this morning to 1 Timothy chapter number 3. 1 Timothy chapter number 3. There will be a QR code on the screen behind me as well as in your bulletin. Well, maybe there won't be a QR code on the screen behind me. I forgot that. But it's in your bulletin.

And to be able to follow along with the sermon. And this morning I have invited our two summer interns to preach the sermon with me. These men, Joshua and Daniel, have been a great blessing to our church. They have worked hard and done a lot of work.

If you walk around the outside of the building, you will see all the landscape work that they have done, all the bushes they've removed, and dirt they've hauled out, and rocks that they've installed. They have done a lot of work.

And on top of that, they've ministered to our teens, to our kids. They've been involved in VBS. They have been such a great asset to me and to Community Baptist Church. And I am so thankful for these two young men. They have been a tremendous, tremendous blessing.

And this morning I've invited these young men to join me in preaching a sermon. And we will be considering some important truths regarding the responsibility of God's church from 1 Timothy chapter number 3.

Paul is writing this letter to a man that he has spent a lot of time with. A man that he's invested a lot of time in. Timothy is now overseeing the church in Ephesus. And Paul writes this letter to Timothy and he declares in verse 14, "These things I write unto you, hoping to come unto thee shortly. But if I tarry long, that thou may knowest how thou oughtest behave thyself in the house of God."

Paul wanted the church to know how it was to function in this world. And these behaviors that he was encouraging Timothy to focus on were a little bit different than the rules that we often teach about, about behavior in the house of God nowadays.

Rules like don't run or don't talk during the message or no food in the auditorium or no gossiping. Silence your cell phones. Now that's a good rule. Go ahead and do that if you haven't done that yet. And a better one, don't sleep during the message, okay? Stay awake.

These are rules of behavior that we often focus on when talking about the rules of the house of God. And these are good things. But there's much more to church than just outward behavior.

And this morning, we're going to consider three truths regarding the house of God. What is the house of God? What is the message of the house of God? And what is the proper behavior for the house of God?

So we've seen that we're the house of God. We've seen what the message of the house of God should be. So how should that affect our lives? How should that affect the way that we live on a day-to-day basis?

Well, that's what Paul was writing to Timothy about. He said in verse number 14, "These things I write unto you. I'm hoping to come to you shortly. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to. So I write these things to you that you may know how you ought to behave in the house of God."

The church is the pillar and ground of the truth. And what is that truth? How should we behave? Well, in chapters 1 and 4, Paul said that the proper behavior of the house of God is to fight against false teachers and false doctrines.

He said in chapter 1, verse number 3, "As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine." Don't let them teach something that's false. Don't let false teachers come in. Don't let people who stand against the truth of the word of God come in. Stand against them. Fight against them.

As Daniel has stated, the church is to be the pillar and ground of the truth. When someone teaches or preaches something that is not true, we as the church have the responsibility to stand up for what is true. We are to be the salt. We are to be the light that influences our world.

We're not to just sit by idly and say, "Oh yeah, I'll just let them go off." We are to stand for the truth of the word of God. If we don't stand for the truth, who will? Who will?

We are to stand against false doctrines. Paul was even willing to call out by name those who are problem makers. He said in verse number 20 of chapter 1, "Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."

How would you like your name to be recorded for all of eternity in a negative sense? The word of God is eternal. It's going to last forever. And these two guys for eternity are going to be known as false teachers who didn't promote the truth.

But when we know and we see people that preach something that is not true, we must be willing to stand up and call them out by name. That what they're saying is not true. We are the pillar and ground of the truth.

In chapter number 2, Paul states that the proper behavior of the house of God is to pray. He said in verse 1, "I exhort therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty."

We're to pray for all men, but we're especially to pray for those who are over us, our government leaders, those who have the responsibility. Why? So that we can lead a purposeful life, a quiet life.

God's desire, God's plan is for things to be restored back to the way he created it. At the garden of Eden, it was perfect. It was wonderful. And just like man always does, we messed it up. We sinned. And everything has been deteriorating ever since.

And God's desire is for it to be restored. And that's what we should be praying for. We should be praying for our government leaders so that we can live an Eden-focused life.

And our prayers must be offered by a people who are holy and full of faith. He says in verse number 8, "Lifting up holy hands without wrath." As you pray for your government leaders, are you angry with them? Is it anger that's driving you to do those things? Without wrath and full of faith, without doubting.

We're to be faith-trusting God. Man, it looks bleak around here. Man, things just keep getting worse. Man, how can we elect people like that? God, what are you doing? But we trust God. We lift up holy hands without wrath, without being angry, without doubting.

The church of God is to be a house of prayer. God's people need to be people that pray. Our prayer meetings on Wednesday nights at 7 o'clock should be packed because God's people should be a people that pray.

We should be a people as the pillar and the ground of the truth that lift up our voices to God and pray for God to work in this world. We need to be a fervent people who pray. The church of God should be full of people who pray.

That is how we behave as the pillar and ground of truth.

In chapter number 3, he says that our proper behavior is to be led by godly leaders. We should choose godly leaders. In these verses, he states that the leaders in verse number 1, "This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop."

Let me just state this real quick. For moms and dads and young people, it doesn't say if God is someone is called to the office of a bishop. If he desires of it. If your kids desire to be a pastor, that is a good thing.

If any man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good thing. We should encourage our young people to want to be pastors, to desire to be pastors. And if they have that desire, encourage them to pursue it.

If any man desires the office of a pastor, he desires a good work. I tell people all the time, I have the greatest job on the face of the earth. I have the privilege of preaching God's word. I have the privilege of telling other people about Jesus Christ. And you guys pay me to do it. That's unbelievable to me.

I hesitate to say this, but I do it for free. I love it. It's the greatest thing in the world to be able to preach God's word. And it's a wonderful thing. We should be encouraging our young men to say, "God, here am I. Send me" to be pastors.

And then he says the other office that he's established in verse number 8 is likewise must the deacons be grave. So two offices: pastors and deacons within the church.

And then if your eyes skim through these verses, he talks about the characteristics of them. They must be blameless. They must be of good behavior. They must not be greedy or brawlers or covetous. They must be men of character, godly men.

We must choose people to lead our church. If we're going to be the pillar and ground of the truth, that are led by godly people. Not just people that speak well, not just people that are friendly, but godly people who love Jesus Christ, who are full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.

The deacons they choose, that is how we're to be the pillar.

In chapter 5, Paul states that the proper behavior of the house of God is we care for people. The gospel changes us. We're to be the most generous people on the face of the earth.

He said in verse number 1 of chapter 5, "Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father." We should treat the elderly with respect. We should care for other church members. He said in verse 2, "The elder women as mothers, and younger as sisters with all purity."

We should treat other church members as brothers and sisters of the family of God. We should love one another. We should care for those who can't care for themselves.

He said in verse 16, "If any man or woman that believe has a widow, let him relieve them, and let not the church be charged." And so what that means is if your mom or dad, if your mom is a widow, you have the responsibility to care for them. It's your job. Not the government's, not the church's. It is your job to care for your parents if they're widows.

He says, "That may relieve them, that the church be not charged, that it may relieve them that are widows indeed." So the church can focus on helping those whose kids are reprobates, he calls them, who don't care for their parents, who don't love them.

So the church can step in and really focus on them. The church is to care for them and minister to those who can't care for themselves.

We shouldn't fight with other people. He said in verse 22, "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins. Keep thyself pure. Keep thyself pure."

God wants the people of the house of God to be generous and kind to other people. And as we do so, we uphold the truth of the gospel.

And what is that truth of the gospel? That it makes us like God. That's the truth of the gospel. Jesus saved us to make us more like himself.

Jesus saved us to make us more like himself. Jesus Christ, the most generous and loving person that ever lived. And that's how we uphold the truth of the gospel is by living it, by a transformed life.

In chapter 6, Paul indicates that the proper behavior of the house of God is to live a godly life. We must be different than the world around us.

He talks about in chapter 6 how the world loves money, which is the root of all evil. He talks about in chapter 6 how the world loves money, which is the root of all evil. They're driven by money.

You know our world is driven by money. The education they pursue, the jobs that they pursue is driven by the fact can they make more money. We always want more. We always want the newest and the best stuff.

But God says his people should be different. We should flee the desires of this world. He says in verse 11, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things and follow after." Notice this: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness.

He says as this world does, we're to pursue to become more like Jesus Christ and to be controlled by his spirit. And as we do that, we store up treasures in heaven.

He says in verse 17, "Charge them that are not rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in a living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy."

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up for themselves in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life.

We are to live for eternity and for heaven. We don't live for now. That's not the focus of the church of the living God. We live to be godly and holy and righteous, focusing on the life to come, not on covetousness and the things of this world, which go away.

These are the ways that we should behave ourselves as the house of God: standing for truth, praying, selecting godly leaders, caring for others, and living a godly life.

And so Paul, writing to this young pastor Timothy, wants him to know as the church that he is leading, what should they be focusing on? They are the symbol of the living God. Never forget that. You are the assembly of the living God. You are the body of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ went to heaven. He is not here physically. He has left you to be his representative. Each of us are his body to live as Jesus Christ in our respective part of the world.

And that truth, that reality should impact the way we live. That Jesus Christ saved us to make us more like him. He died for us. And that is what the gospel is all about.

How are you behaving in the house of God? I ask you, are you upholding the truth of the word of God? Not just with your words.

So many get, it is so easy for them to get bombastic. I mean get on Twitter or Facebook. And Christians, they are the most, they fight. Oh how dare they say that. And how dare they do that. And they get so angry about everything.

And their words, and we should speak the truth. I am not denying we should stand up for the truth. But we should not just speak it. We should live it. It should be followed.

If you do not live it, your words do not have much impact. But man, when someone who lives a godly life, who loves Jesus Christ, then says, "You know what? The truth changed me. This is what the truth looks like. This is why we believe the truth."

Because the gospel is powerful. And so we should live for God. We should preach the truth of the gospel. And we should love other people.

And that is what the gospel is. It makes a difference. And are you upholding the truth with your words and your life? Are you boldly proclaiming the wondrous story that man, or that God became man and died for us?

Are you allowing the gospel to impact every area of your life? Are you behaving as the house of God, the church of the living God, the pillar and the ground of truth?

That is how we are to behave. It is good not to run in church, except if I am chasing your kids. They should not run in church. I get in trouble with that all the time.

We should turn our cell phones off. We should not be talking to the people around us, especially when we are singing praises to our God and we are studying the word of God. We should be engaged. We should be focused.

Those are good things. That is a good way to behave in the house of God. But the main way is to be a pillar in the ground of truth, to stand up for the truth and to uphold the wondrous mystery that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary to make us more like him.

Are you behaving properly as the house of the living God?

Let us pray.

Father, thank you for your word. God, what a challenge that you have given us. What a responsibility that you have placed in our laps. God, we need your help.

God, we are so weak. We are so driven by our own fleshly desires. And Lord, we miss out on the wondrous mystery that you were manifest in the flesh to die for us.

Now that gospel goes all around the world, showing that it changes lives. Oh God, would you help us? Would you help us to respond properly to you this morning?

As you speak to our hearts, God, maybe you've revealed something to us about the way we behave, the way we live, that isn't right. God, would you speak to us and help us to correct that, that we can be the pillar and ground of the truth.

With our heads bowed and our eyes closed, Matt's going to sing through a verse of invitation. Let's just take a few moments this morning, do business with God. Ask Him this morning, "My behavior as the church of the living God? How's my behavior as the house of God? How's my behavior? How's my behavior as the pillar and ground of the truth? God, would you speak to me this morning and help me to be changed?"

Well, this Sunday is, or this week, most of our kids are heading back to high school and school and college. And so I'm going to ask all of our students, if you are going back to school, college, all the way down to kindergarten, if you guys can come on up here, we want to have a word of prayer with you.

And so if all of our kids can come up here. Isn't that awesome? I love seeing all these kids. What a blessing it is. Let's remember them in prayer this year.

Let's pray for them that God will protect them, keep them safe, keep them holy, to guard their hearts and their minds, and that they'll do their best and they'll grow in wisdom and understanding and their abilities.

But most importantly, that they'll grow in their love for Jesus Christ. Young people, we love you guys. We really do. Miss Eric and I, we love you deeply and our church family. And we pray for you.

And we are looking forward to a great year for you guys. We're here for you as a church family. If there's anything you need from us, please let us know. And anything we can do to help in any way. And we deeply, deeply love you all.

And so we're going to have a word of prayer together. And we've got a gift for you guys for this new year. Our theme as a church is "shine your light." And so we've got some merch out there, some t-shirts for you guys.

And I hope you'll wear them to your schools. And if you wear them, live it, okay? Shine your light. You have a great opportunity. Don't wait till you're an adult. Don't wait till you're older. Shine your light today for Jesus Christ.

And allow him to allow you to make a difference for his glory. And so we're going to have a word of prayer together with you guys. And then we'll dismiss the service.

Father, we're so grateful for your goodness. Lord, we love you. And we just pray, Father, that you will bless these young people. God, would your hand be upon them? We know that Satan desires to destroy them.

Wants to introduce their hearts and their minds to ungodly and wicked things. And Father, I pray that you'll protect them. Pray that you'll guard their hearts and their minds, O God.

I pray for their moms and dads, that they will love you and they'll teach their kids in the truths of the Bible, the word of God, that they might raise up kids who won't depart from you as they get older.

O God, would you bless our young people? Would you use them to reach their friends with the gospel of Jesus Christ, to help their friends that are saved, to see how they can grow and mature?

O God, would you bless and use our children for your namesake? God, they need you. O, would you help them today? And it's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

All right, you young people that were in children's church, if you can come down here to the front, moms and dads, if you can come, we're going to all stand together.

Let's all stand up. We're going to sing our closing chorus. The older people, y'all can go ahead and go back to your seats. When we're done singing, if you can come get your children from here, okay? Don't leave them at the church.

We'll watch them for about half an hour. After that, they're on their own. But let's all sing together and let's worship our Lord.