The Church: Serving the Community

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scripture Text:  1 Timothy 5:1-25

1 Timothy 5:25

So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

(ESV)

Last Wednesday the study of 1 Timothy 4 focused on the Church serving Christ.  In the study, we discovered the need to reject false teaching through the study of truth and being an example of Godliness in how we live and serve Christ.  James 2:20 reminds us that faith without works is dead.  Some have erroneously interpreted James 2:20 to mean Christians must earn their salvation or right standing with God through good works.  However, Jesus secured our salvation through His work on the cross (Ephesians 2:8).  Therefore, the biblically sound interpretation of James 2:20 is that Christians are not to just sit back in anticipation of eternity with Jesus but to actively spread the Love of God through good works, bringing others to the knowledge of Jesus as their savior.  1 Timothy 5:1-25 provides specific instruction on the good works the church is to perform to show the love of God.  These good works include,

1)      Charity (Matthew 25:40) – The comparison of Peter and Judas provides an example of Jesus’ forgiveness of sins no matter how much we have rejected Christ.  While Peter represents the grace of God to extend complete forgiveness after total rejection (John 21:15-19), Judas hung himself out of guilt instead of seeking forgiveness (Matthew 27:3-10).  Simon, the one that carried the cross for Jesus demonstrates why Christians extend charity to others, not to be seen as performing good works but doing good works as if we were extending Charity to the Lord (Matthew 27:32; Matthew 25:40).  A modern example of this level of service for Christ is the ministry of Mother Theresa. 

2)      Preaching and teaching biblical truth (John 8:32) – The truth contained in Scripture is what sets people free for it sets them free from sin that would condemn them to eternal separation from God.  Therefore, the most charitable thing one can do for another is to share the freedom giving truth of Scripture.  The church should be charitable and address the physical needs of the poor in their community but they must also share with these individuals the truth of how they can be saved and live with God for eternity because of what Jesus did on the cross.  Those in dire physical need suffer from a lack of hope due to their condition.  Therefore, along with supplying food, water, or clothing, Christians should share the hope provided through Biblical truth.

3)      Living a life of purity in an impure world (James 2:20) – Our good works must also include the example of Godly living in our own personal lives.  1 Timothy 3:1-13 list the qualifications for elders and deacons.  These individuals as leaders in the church must provide an example for other Christians to follow for in so doing, they back their teaching with a life of purity.  Their good example also illustrates the possibility of living righteously for Christ in an unrighteous world.  However, it is not just these leaders in the church that must strive to live righteously for people outside the faith watch anyone professing faith in Jesus as Savior.  Living righteously supports the truth one professes to live by from the Bible and results in charitable works from a love for Christ and not one striving to appear charitable for self-aggrandizement. 

While everyone professing faith in Jesus as their savior receives salvation and forgiveness from sin, their faith is dead if not accompanied by good works.  However, a Christian does not perform good works for self-aggrandizement but instead out of love for Jesus and a desire to help those in need and provide eternal hope.  To bring revival to a world in need, the church must move outside the comfort of their church and go out into the world offering charity to those in need and the hope of eternal life.  Christians must back their good works by living righteously bringing genuineness to their motives. 

If you are reading this and have no hope because you have not asked Jesus to forgive your sins, Jesus is waiting for you to call upon Him.  No matter what you have done in your life, Jesus died on the cross for you and stands ready through His resurrection to provide the hope of eternal life.  If that is you, please pray with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

If you just prayed with me, I encourage you to begin putting life to your faith by sharing this blog and telling others what has just happened in your life.  This also includes those that already know Christ but have been sitting on the sidelines allowing their faith to die.  Revival in this world begins with the children of God as they go out and share through charity, teaching, and righteous living the hope of John 3:16.