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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (19-8-1979 Strandtown Baptist Church)
After laying out the character and responsibilities of different offices within the church, Paul gives us a description of the church, followed by what appears to be a hymn or a creed in which the beliefs of the early church are set out.
(a) God’s household (v15). First and foremost the Church is a family. After great naval activity Nelson described his success to the fact that he had the “happiness to command a band of brothers.” Unless the church is a band of brothers, it is not a true church at all.
(b) The church of the living God. The Greek word ekklhsia means a company of people called out of the world. The church in the New Testament never referred to a physical building, but a spiritual assembly.
(c)
The pillar and foundation of the truth. In Ephesus, to which these
letters were written, “pillar” had special significance. The greatest glory
of Ephesus was the Temple of Diana, one of the seven wonders of the ancient
world, with no less than 127 pillars, each one a gift of a king, and all made of
marble, some studded with jewels and overlaid with gold. The idea of the word
pillar here is not so much for support but display. Often the statue of a famous
man is set on top of a pillar, to stand out, to set him above ordinary things,
and be seen clearly from a distance (c.f. Nelson’s Column). Paul is speaking
of the church’s duty to hold up the truth in such a way that all men can see
it. Hold forth the word of life (Philippians 2:16). In speaking of the
“foundation” also, Paul also intends the church to support the Word, and be
a custodian of spiritual truth.
In summary, the Church is universal and local. It is a group of called out people, God’s family, and by its teaching and the lives of its members, the truth is set forth. In other words, the truth is not just contained in a book, but it is believed, and practiced and taught by men. The truth will never make an impression till embodied in human lives and testimony. One of the main purposes of our existence as a Church – to preach and display the truth.
One of the exciting things in New Testament studies is
the unearthing of hymns or creeds in the New Testament epistles. Here the writer
is quoting something that was used in the services of the early church. Their
identity is given away by the wording of sentences and also by the rhythm,
detectable in English as much as in the Greek sometimes.
This creed is introduced with
the comment: Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great (1
Timothy 3:16). Then follows six statements all of great significance about the
person of Christ. They give a valuable summary of doctrine, which was either
sung as a hymn or recited as a creed.
He appeared in a body (N.I.V.), or God was manifest in the flesh (A.V.). Christ’s deity is the first statement. Christ was God incarnate, the Divine person seen in the flesh.
“Veiled
in flesh the Godhead seen,
Hail
the incarnate Deity”
Christ did not begin at His birth; He existed eternally
before He came to earth. But Bethlehem was where He first showed Himself to man.
The invisible one was now made visible to men. This is a great mystery, and is
central to our faith. Christ was truly and fully God, yet also fully man. The
One adored by angels was lying in a manger. The One who feeds all the creatures
of the universe knew hunger and thirst Himself. The One who created and sustains
all things slept, suffered and died. This is a glorious mystery and wonderful
condescension. It gives us assurance that He feels for us, understands us, and
knows our pains, trials, griefs and temptations.
He was vindicated by the
Spirit. He was born by the energy of the Holy Spirit, baptised by the Holy
Spirit, wrought miracles by the Holy Spirit (I drive out demons by the Spirit
of God Matthew 12:28), and by the Holy Spirit He was kept sinless. The Holy
Spirit was displayed at His resurrection - through the Spirit of holiness was
declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead (Romans
1:4). So Christ was vindicated in life and resurrection and character and work
by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us also. Have we
responded? Have we experienced His power in our lives?
He was seen by angels. Angels
were prominent in the life of Jesus – present at His birth (speaking to the
shepherds, and later to Joseph), ministering to Him after the temptations in the
desert, ministering to Him in the Garden, announcing His resurrection, and at
His ascension, promising His Second Coming. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
(Revelation 5:12) was their song. Angels were interested in the whole plan of
redemption – Even angels long to look into these things (1 Peter 1:12).
He was preached among the
nations. This is the great truth that Jesus is the exclusive possession of
no race or country, but the Saviour of the world. In the great commission, the
disciples were sent out to make disciples from all nations and all races. Until
Christ came, God’s favour was mainly directed to the Jews. But now men of all
races constitute His people. God so loved the world. Have we responded to
the love of God? The responsibility is with us to respond once we have heard the
truth.
He was believed on in the
world. Here is the response to the preaching among Gentiles. How often we
deplore the lack of response to the Gospel. Yet the fact remains that all down
the centuries, all over the world there have been those who have believed on
Him. In John’s revelation he saw A great multitude that no one could count,
from every nation, tribe, people and language (Revelation 7:9). There are
more believing in Him today than ever before. In many countries the Christian
population is growing more rapidly than the rest of the population. Are we
numbered in that company which have believed on Him?
He was taken up in glory. This
refers to His resurrection and ascension. Christ came from glory, and was
received back into glory. The story begins in heaven and ends there. Heaven has
opened its portals and received back its victorious king. After all the
suffering and shame, the end for Him was glory. Now He is enthroned amid the
praises of heaven, the centre of its praise and adoration. He has been fully
rewarded for all His glorious saving work. There He is preparing a place for
those who in this world have believed on Him.
Fix your mind on the present position of Christ – in glory. This is where this great creed leaves us – with Christ in glory, beyond the reach of harm and danger. Men can scoff, resist His Gospel, and revile His name. But He is beyond their power, and He occupies the highest place in heaven. Nothing can dim the lustre of His crown. Soon He is going to return to manifest that glory and be acknowledged as supreme over all.
The Church is God’s called out people, His household,
to display and be the bulwark for the truth. The truth the church must set out
is contained in the creed that follows. At the centre of the Gospel is a Divine
person who was manifest in the flesh, justified by God’s Spirit. The creatures
of light and glory who wait in God’s nearer presence observed all His
experiences. This Gospel is for all men, and the message is being responded to
in all the world. Now He is lord of glory.
This is a message of hope, assurance, triumph and victory. Have we yet responded to it? Do we know and believe and hold fast to the truth?
