I Timothy 3:15 –But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1. Introduction:
1. Many do not understand the importance of this local church in their daily lives, seemingly believing church services and activities can be taken or not taken.
1. We understand God has not given to all this knowledge, but we that do understand these truths should be praying that God will open their eyes to this wonderful truth.
2. If God has saved people and caused them to join IBC, it should be a given that he desires to open their eyes, and that he will use us as earthly aids.
2. Elisha praying for eyes to be opened.
1. 2 Kings 6:17 - And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
2. 2 Kings 6:20 - And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
3. Acts 26:18 - To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Jesus desires for eyes to be opened to his eternal truths.
4. Luke 24: 45 - Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, The context reveals there are greater things ahead.

 

2. Serving Jesus is a way of life, not an idle pastime.
1. There are many scriptures that use the word "way" which reflects a manner of life, or a lifestyle.
1. Matthew 7:13 - Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
2. Romans 14:13 - Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
4. 1 Corinthians 12:31 - But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
5. Hebrews 10:20 - By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
6. James 1:24 - For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
2. The good way.
1. Acts 5:20 - Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
2. Acts 9:2 - And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
3. Acts 22:4 - And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
4. You go your way, I’ll go mine.
1. Acts 24:14 - But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
2. Acts 24:22 - And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
3. The bad way.
1. Romans 3:12-17 – three "ways" meaning paths of life.
2. James 5:20 - Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
3. 2 Peter 2:15 - Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
4. 2 Peter 2:21 - For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

 

3. Why is church truth important?
1. We ought to know all we can know about proper service to God in the church.
1. Ephesians 3:21 declares Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
2. I know all of God’s children want to give God glory, so we must understand what the church is, so we can give him proper glory and honor.
2. Because Jesus Christ is the head of the church.
1. Ephesians 1:22,23 - And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
2. Colossians 1:17-19 declares that Christ is have the preeminence above all things. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
1. Believers want Christ to have preeminence in their lives, but cannot because of misunderstanding the importance of their new life, and how "church" fits into their new life.
2. Some believers will not ever learn because they do not submit themselves to doing what they know they ought to do.
3. Those that understand this vital truth should be in much prayer concerning those that do not understand.
3. As we struggle to give God glory and honor in this life, understanding what the church is that Jesus organized becomes increasingly important.
1. Christ is the head of his kind of church, therefore for us to know that the head is saying, we ought to get in that body, and be obedient to all his commands.
2. These are some of the reasons we are studying this subject.
3. So saved people will understand more and more how they can be faithful to God in this increasingly sinful world.