The Pillar and Ground of the Truth

TEXT:  1 Tim. 3:14-15

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE CHURCH'S MAIN FUNCTION - UPHOLD THE TRUTH.

B.      GOD'S PLAN - TRUTH DEPENDS ON THE CHURCH.

          1.       Buildings in Paul's day in Ephesus, roofs supported by great rock columns.

          2.       Illustrates the function of the church.

I.      WHY MUST THE TRUTH BE UPHELD?

A.      NOT TO MAKE IT TRUE.

          1.       Still true if the church fails it.

          2.       Still true if the whole world rejects it( Rom. 3:3-4 ).

          3.       Will be true to the end( Matt. 24:35 ).

B.      THE TRUTH MUST BE UPHELD, NOT FOR TRUTH'S SAKE, BUT FOR THE

          SAKE OF THE WORLD( James 1:21;  John 8:32 ).

II.     TRUTH DEPENDS ON THE CHURCH FOR PROPAGATION.

A.      TRUTH DOESN'T SPREAD ITSELF( Rom. 10:13-15 ).

B.      THE GREAT COMMISSION( Matt. 28:19-20 ).

C.      Phil. 2:15-16.  CHURCH MEMBERS ARE LIGHTS IN THE WORLD.

D.      AN INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY

          ( Phil. 1:3-6;  1 Thess. 1:8;  Eph. 3:10-11 ).

E.      ANTIOCH, BARNABAS AND PAUL( Acts 13:1-3;  14:25-28 ).

III.    FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT.

A.      PAUL'S COMMENTS ON PAID PREACHERS( 1 Cor. 9:5-14;  Gal. 6:6 ).

B.      HIS REBUKE OF THE CORINTHIANS( 2 Cor. 11:8-9 ).

C.      THE PHILIPPIANS( Phil. 1:3-5;  4:14-19 ).

IV.   FOR MORAL SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

A.      ATTENDANCE( Acts 11:26;  Heb. 10:24-25 ).

B.      COOPERATION IN THE TEACHING EFFORTS( Phil. 1:27;  Eph. 4:15-16 ).

C.      PRAYERS( Eph. 6:18-20 ).

D.      GODLY BEHAVIOR OF ITS MEMBERS( Matt. 5:16;  Titus 2:7-8 ).

V.    FOR ITS DEFENSE.

A.      THE TRUTH HAS ENEMIES( Acts 20:29-30 ).

B.      Jude 3;  2 Tim. 1:13-14;  Prov. 23:23.

CONCLUSION:

A.      GOD'S WORD IS THE TRUTH( John 17:17 ).

B.      1 Pet. 1:22.  WILL YOU OBEY IT?

C.      WILL YOU HELP TO UPHOLD IT?