"The Church: Why we do what we do." - 1 Timothy 3:14-16

How do you think about "the church"? What comes to mind when I ask you about the "House of God"?

On Sunday, we might imagine getting dressed up nicely because we are going into the "House of God". And the church? Well we have a wonderful church set back in the woods with lots of wood and light and a big cross at the back of the stage. That's our church, right?

Wrong! Now don't get upset. You have been handed a way of thinking about the house of God and the church. But the Bible gives us a much, much different picture of the "house of God" than the one I presented here. In fact, "house" doesn't mean "building". Rather, it is the word for "household, family, community, or tribe." That's a much different picture.

I don't know if you have developed a low view or a high view of the church, but Paul is taking the time to write extensively about men praying, women being modest, and the quality of both male and female leadership. Why does he spend the time on this? Why does it matter? Because of who the church is and the role we have in the world.

Paul gives Timothy three ways to understand the church. Knowing what the church is helps us understand why Paul takes such pains to make sure the leadership is of a certain quality.

What is the picture of the church? Why does it even matter if we are just coming to a building to be entertained for an hour once a week? If that's is how you see church then maybe it doesn't matter. But if, in fact, the church truly is something much more meaningful and powerful, and the church plays an incredibly important role on planet earth, then the way we think and live is far more important.

Why do we do what we do, and why is it important? I guess you will have to....

.....VIEW AND SEE!

Steve