Greater Women

So, we've been discussing um sister um sister Salone and Lauren and Stacy and finally me um talking about wisdom building a house um and so this lesson and we talked about the pillars we talk about experiences and things like that um tonight is pillars great purpose like I said so the arch scripture is found 1 Timothy 3:14 and 15 and Timoth Paul is writing to Timothy. And he said, "These things I write unto you, hoping to come to you shortly. But if I tar long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church, the living God, church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth, the pillar and ground of the truth. So in other words, the church, the church of God is a dwelling place constructed of people who together form the pillar and ground of truth. Okay. So here's the introductions. Okay. So we'll examine the purpose behind the building activities. We we've discussed following God's blueprints, his master plan, and that includes more than just the vision of the building itself or what it would look like. The most important aspect of the building program is the intended end use of the building. Right? if if we you know build this wonderful edifice and erect it and no one occupies it for its intended purpose and it's it's a waste of time right so in every building program there does come a day of occupancy and I'm sure that you guys all know about building plans and occupying different different church buildings and things like that right in our first three lessons we've been studying how to build But now we're going to turn our attention to the subject of why we build and that is the end result. So in the arch scripture we find Paul telling Timothy that he hoped to visit him in the near future but if he was unable to do so he wanted to tell him how he ought to behave or how we ought to behave when we come into the house of God. I'll get to that a little um further down in the lesson and um bring out some of the points that he that he gave to Timothy. Um, so we're again she reiterates a lot so I will reiterate a lot just to kind of help it stick. Um, we've been talking about wisdom building her house, right? And we've been personifying wisdom as a woman. Obviously, we know it's, you know, it's just personification. Um, so it talks about us, the church being the pillar and foundation of truth. So the pillar is the support system, right? The foundation is like the base. All right. So we are that of truth. Um the house that wisdom built is Christ's church. Right. That spiritual edifice is the very pillar and foundation of truth. The house of God is his church. Right? But we are the church. Right? Okay. So it doesn't refer to a tangible building. The New Testament church did not go to a brickandmortar building um or sanctuaries like we have today. Right. that we are so blessed to be in today. Um it was not the place where believers met like we do today, right? It was and continues to be the believers themsel. We are the church. So we got to separate ourselves from the building. This is a place where we come to worship, but we are the church. Um so

let's see. Acts 2:38. So that includes you and me obviously if we've um if we've responded to the gospel in Acts 238 message and then I inserted this when Jesus took ownership of us he took up occupancy in our house our bodies through the spirit. We became the church pillar support and ground for the truth. We can build all the buildings we want like I said but until the building is occupied in activities performed that relate to its purpose it's useless. So again, taking this on a spiritual level, if we don't allow the Lord to take occupancy in us, then one, we're not his because Romans 8 says, if you have not the spirit of Christ, you are none of his, right? But then what activities are we supposed to do once his spirit lives in us? That's where the what you how you ought to behave comes in. So we're not just um vessels that he indwells. There's also a purpose in that just like the purpose of every building. Right? So let's talk about ought or not. The words in 1 Timothy 3:15 are important because in them the church is told how to behave or how we ought. And ought is a strong word. It's not just a suggestion. It's not an idea. Um it is actually a helper verb and it's used to express duty or obligation or what's morally right and what's required because obviously God has commandments, statutes, he has his words, he has um his law and things that we are supposed to follow if we call oursel his children. So we do have an obligation and a duty to fulfill the word of God and his plan and purpose for our lives. Right? So because we're the church, we ought to behave. Okay? The word behave means our whole lives and that includes all of a person's conversation and character. Buildings are created for occupancy and use. We were created for occupancy and use. Right? And then there is a um you and I are the church of the living God. God we are the dwelling place of God. We are where God lives. We are pillars and foundation of truth. So we support the truth. Right? First Corinthians, if you need this, if if you need me to repeat it, just say it, let me know.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Paul speaking what know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which you have of God and ye are not your own again we're the temple God infills us he has a plan and purpose for our lives first pen first Peter 2:es 5 and 6 King James I love this one ye are ye also are lively stones are built up a spiritual house and holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in scripture, behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect precious, and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. What I love here is they're talking about an holy priesthood. And we know in the Old Testament only the Levid the Levites were the the priests, right? They could only be the priests. And if you had to be of that um tribe to be able to be a priest, but here he's saying we are also priests. That is uh first Peter chapter 2:es 5 and six. So offering up spiritual sacrifices. Now we know the what they did the sacrifices they did in the Old Testament but ours are spiritual sacrifices. So that makes us he said he makes us kings and priests in the earth. Like wow that's powerful that we can also be kings and priests. Um God has gone to through to a lot of effort to build his church. This place where truth dwells. What is the truth the church has been entrusted with? So we only need to work look at the next verse. So we that arch verse was 1 Timothy 3:15. So

let's read 1 Timothy 3:16. And most of us can quote it without reading it. Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory. So, what is the truth that we've been entrusted with and that we are keepers of? The truth that there is one God. One God and his name is Jesus. Right? So we're the keepers of the truth. We are the place. We are the place this truth lives because Jesus is the way, the truth, the life. He inhabits us. Then we have that truth residing in us. And we have to keep it. We have to defend it. We have to live for it, pursue it, desire it, hunger for it, and always pray to stay in that path because many spirits have gone out into the world. It's a lot of deception, a lot of twisting of scripture. And unfortunately, a lot of people who don't know the word of God, they get sidetracked and they believe it. And I'm just amazed at some of the stuff people believe. I'm like, do you not read your Bible? Like, where in scripture is that? I don't want to go down a rabbit trail. Anyway, we are the truth truth seekers. All right. And then um then um then it says here I don't know if this is a song maybe sister Sloan might know or a poem but it says one foundation the church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her lord she is his new creation by the water and the word from heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride with his own blood he bought her and for her life he died. Does that sound familiar? Okay. I'm not good at all the songs. Okay, Lauren's not in here, right? None of the singers, but it's beautiful. It's beautiful. Whether it's a poem or a song, it's beautiful. Okay. So, as temples of God in his dwelling place, the spiritual church,

we have been given a moral mandate to be holy. 1 Peter 1 15 and 16. But as he which hath called you is holy, be ye holy in all manner of conversation. And what is meant there by conversation. By all manner of conversation does it actions. That's right. That's right. Your conduct, your behavior, your lifestyle. So in our conduct, our behavior, our speech, our dress, our attitudes, our lifestyle, we are to be holy because it is written, "Be ye holy, for I am holy." Right? So as the house of God that wisdom built and as the the um the vessel if you will the building that the Lord houses then we have a moral mandate to be holy. Okay? And that verse is taken from Leviticus 19:2 where God told Moses to speak to the children of Israel and say unto them, "You shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy. reference. Certainly. Which one? First Peter 1 uh verses 15 and 16. Leviticus. Leviticus 19:2. So when we talk about being holy because people ask us, well you guys always talk about holy, holy, holy. What is holiness? All right. Well, it comes from the Greek hagias. Hagios. And it literally means a saint, someone who's pure or morally blameless. So this is what we ought to be. And God knows we're not perfect. Even though the scriptures be perfect, meaning mature, you know, but we strive for that because he knows obviously we make mistakes. We sin. We, you know, but they we fall down, but we get back up, right? We don't stay down there. But we strive for perfection. We try we strive for purity and to be morally blameless, right? And so as the house of God, we have um moral obligation to behave a certain way. All right? So

this comes from Philippians 1:27. Let your conversation, lifestyle, right, conduct or behavior be as becometh the gospel of Christ. So we have a moral obligation to be to behave in a way that becomes the gospel of Christ. So let me give it to you in the NLT. We need to and that's the New Living Translation. We need to live as citizens of heaven conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the good news about Christ. So, you know, my mom used to always say, you know, these people out there, you know, call themselves Christians and they're calling themselves saved or bishop this or pastor that. She's like, you know, and they're bringing a reproach on the church with their, you know, because they're they're they're not living in a godly manner. Like, you're smoking, you're drinking, you're partying like, wait, you know, my mom would say, "That just bringing a reproach on God's church." And at that time, I didn't really fully understand it, but I'm like, "Ah, yes, it is." you know, and it can hinder your witness, too. I mean, if you're doing what the world does, how are you going to tell them they shouldn't do it? Like, you know, and I just I I just I don't I don't like it. And there are a whole lot of Christians who do those things. And then they say, well, the Bible doesn't say not to. Well, we are the temple of the Holy Ghost. And he said, if you destroy this temple, him will God destroy. Now, that could be it just hit dawned on me like someone will say, "Well, you know, God's going to destroy the temple." Well, certain foods we eat, certain things we drink, certain things we lifestyle we live, recreational things like that, those things could end up being our demise and that would be destroying the temple of God. So, we have to really be careful. You know, it's not just those sins that we call out, you know, all those things, but you know, it's it's could be anything that we do that's not that doesn't lead us to holiness, you know, or that can hinder our witness that can destroy the temple. So, you know, we just have to be holy and godly in in every area and consider all those other things, too. Okay. No, you are perfectly fine. Um, Philippians 1:27. That's okay. Moral obligation to behave to behave a certain way. That's okay. Okay. And then we have a moral obligation to live a life of godliness.

Second Peter 3:11. Second Peter 3:11. And this is um Peter talking about since all these things are thus to be dissolved and he's talking about like end times. The elements are going to melt away with fervent heat and all that stuff. So we're talking end times, right? He said, "What sort of people ought ye to be in lives of holiness and godliness?" So knowing that all this stuff is going to be done away with one day, the money we make, the the bank accounts we hold on to, you know, the whatever, you know, food and jewels and fame and for, you know, all that's going to be done away with. So he says in that in light of that, what sort of people should you be in holiness and godliness? So let's talk about godliness. It's from usia, the Greek word, and that's godliness, reverence, respect, and piety towards God. So, we have to be reverent. And there's a certain amount of fear we still need to have. We know it doesn't mean like, oh, I'm so afraid of God, but I think we do need to have a little bit of that in our lives because some people say some things that I'd be like, whoa, I'd be afraid to say that. Like I think God says I'd strike you down. Like no. So we have to respect him, but we also need to fear him, you know, because the Bible he does say like don't fear man who can destroy the body, but fear both he who can destroy body and soul in hell. That's who we should fear. Like he has the final say. And in the end, you know, if we're not right, you know, we don't get to live and rule and reign with him forever. So, you know, holiness and godliness go together. We are the temple. And it's like God saw fit to indwell me. I mean, this is sinful. It's like what? You know, now think about this. There are some places we would never want to go. Right. Right. Name some places where you just would never want to go. I wouldn't want to go to a brothel. I wouldn't want to go to a crack house, right? Um, you know, so God, even though we were in worse condition than they were because of our sin, because there's no big sin or little sin. He's a drug addict. I just wasn't saved. I lied. I committed fornication. This, like that. Same thing, right? We'd be like, "Oh, I'm too." And we did go to Vegas one time. My husband's son lives there and on a trip to I think one of the girls, we were taking him to school, so we stayed at his house for that night. No, we didn't. We stayed in a hotel, but we visited with them. And he took us to the strip. I didn't want to go to strip. I didn't want to go to the strip. Everybody else said, "Yeah, let's go to strip." I was like, and I just remember walking down there going, I'm too holy for this. I'm saying to myself, and I didn't mean it as holier than thou, but there were things I just did not want to see. And like, you got to walk down there like this. I'm like, one and done. Never, ever, ever, ever again. I mean, it is I mean, it's horrible. But think, God saw fit to come and dwell in us even in our sinful condition.

Romans 5'8, you know, when we were yet sinners, he died for us. And then not only he died, he came and made his abode with us. I mean, that's something to think about like and it'll keep us on the right track when we're just sometimes we just have to be reminded, you know, oh wait, wait, Jesus, you live in me. I shouldn't be saying that or I shouldn't, you know. Anyway, and then I wrote here, we reflect his glory and our we reflect his glory and our obedience is the light that draws men to him. So that's what godliness and holiness will do. We reflect the glory of God and our obedience to him is the light that draws men to him. So how many times you'd have people come up and say, "Oh, you know, are you a Christian?" Or, you know, I've heard people come to me, it's like, "Oh, you're Christian." "Yeah, Pentecostal." Yeah. Apostolic Pentecostal. Yeah. One is Pentecostal. Yeah. How do you know? Cuz you remind me of my so- and so. And she dressed like you. She was like, "Oh, wow." You know, so that's the light, you know. And there's people out there, they see that light. That's why we're supposed to let the light shine before God.

Matthew 5:16. So that he can see our good works and glorify our father which is in heaven. So we let our light shine, right? All right. So the truth rests on the church of God like a house stand on stands on its foundation. The truth of God lives in his temple. You and me individually and collectively. It's Jesus. Jesus Jesus the fullness of the Godhead in Christ. So we create the dwelling place for Jesus for truth. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. You and I forever will be part of the spiritual temple made up of all the saints of God joined together by and in Jesus Christ. We are the church. We are the body. We are the temple. And he is our chief cornerstone. Praise God. Praise God. All right. Um so the final reveal, him that overcomemeth

will I make a pillar in the temple of my God. That's Revelation 3:12. So all of this is for a reason, right? There's a higher purpose in it all. He didn't just die on the cross just to have a dwelling place. There was a plan and purpose from the foundations of the world. So we began our study looking at Proverbs 3:19, how by wisdom the Lord laid the foundations of the earth. While he was working, I believe he saw through time at this moment foretold in Revelation 3:12 when he and his people will be joined for eternity. From the beginning, the architect of creation established pillars or supports as part of his master plan. Obviously, building will not even stand if it doesn't have supports, right? So we are those we are the supports places where heaven broke through time and touched earth and touched people. These pillars were places where memorials were established and covenants were made all pointing to everlasting life with God and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 26. Wisdom built the house. She raised her pillars. This is God's reveal of his inspired inspired eternal design. This is the revelation of the mystery now made known that we, God's church, are to keep for our generation and to pass it on to the next generation. And then through eternity, wisdom builds. Now, I have a couple of questions I want to um actually no, I don't think I'm going to do that because I know sister um Son wants to um she has something she wants to say, but um let's see. Okay. Okay. So, okay. So,

question for meditation or group discussion. Okay. One, the church is the pillar and ground of truth. With that in mind, how ought the church conduct itself. Oh, I didn't even Oh. Oh, I have it here. Okay. I'm like, I It's here. It's here. So, in your own words, it's nothing. You know, you don't have to say, "Oh, I don't remember what." Because I didn't even bring it out. I'm bringing it out here from First Timothy 3. Okay. The church is the pillar, the support and the base for truth. Right? Um with that in mind, how ought the church conduct itself? And remember Paul, so in Timothy, Paul was um Paul was writing to Timothy telling him like remember he said if someone desires an office of a deacon, of a bishop, you know, how their wives should behave, how they should behave. Um so he said you know in case I don't get to see you you'll know how you ought to behave you know in the church. So um some of those things that he said or just in general how are we to behave as a church of God when we come together or you know in the edifice the building or just in life. Should we be out there cursing at anybody who cuts us off? Like, no, right, right. Yeah. So, blameless, vigilant, sober, good behavior, hospitable, generous, patient, peacemakers, good reputation, not gossipers, not greedy, etc., etc., etc., right? Okay. So I know that we did not discuss um a particular lady in the Bible, you know, we didn't highlight highlight a a woman of God or someone who's in the Bible. So because we didn't do that, I just wanted to just say that I think the ladies here are greater women are great women, mighty women, powerful women, and I just wanted to honor you today. So, I thought

I wrote this little little poem just for you, for my dear sisters, because I want to celebrate you. All right. You may not be a Deborah, an Abigail, or a Ruth, but you are a lover and defender of the truth. You may not be a Lydia, an Esther, or a Rachel, but you are faithful and strong, and you have a story to tell. You may think you come up short when compared to Mary. Sometimes you feel discouraged, fearful, and weary. But remember, you were created with purpose and a plan. You are bold. You are brave, always in the master's hand. You're smart. You're witty, passionate, and more. You're prayerful and careful and mer with mercy galore. You're kind. You're gracious. And you don't keep score. Well, maybe just a little. It's just a little. So lift your head, daughter of Zion. Do not worry, fret, or slide. You were destined, shaped, and formed when taken from his side. Now you have a higher purpose, and one day you'll surely see being prepared as the bride of heaven for all eternity. Greater women, his greater women you are now and forever will be. I love you, my sisters. That's it for me.