REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor David Kwon who heads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, was first posted on June 13, 2014. He is a graduate of Drexel University (BS) and Columbia International University (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Foundational ‘Skills’”
1 Timothy 3:14-16
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, [15] if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. [16] Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Learning the foundations or the basics of a sport or a skill often determines one’s future success. For example, my oldest daughter is now learning how to read, learning the basics of what each letter sounds like. These foundational skills will be important for her to be a successful reader. In the sport of basketball, if you do not learn how to shoot or dribble, most likely you will not succeed in that sport.
Paul calls the church “the pillar and buttress of the truth” (v. 15). Other translations use the word “foundation” in place of buttress, which means that as the church faithfully obeys the Scripture, it lives out the truth and supports its claim that the gospel brings real change. The church is responsible to hold the truth steady against the storms of heresy and unbelief. It is the pillar and the foundation, the support, the defense, and the buttress of truth. As its foundation, it is to hold the truth firmly so that it does not collapse under the weight of false teachings. Furthermore, as a pillar it is to hold the truth up high so that it is not hidden from the world. In other words, we are to boldly proclaim the truth of the gospel message to the world. These are such challenging words that Paul gives to young Timothy.
As you reflect on these verses this morning, take time to pray for the preaching and teaching ministries in your church so that they would be effective in gospel transformation in the lives of people. Also pray that in our own individual lives, we would hold on to the gospel truth with integrity, along with boldness to proclaim it to the people around us.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that we see Paul’s heart for the gospel message. Our prayer is that we would hold on to the foundational truths and at the same time that we would declare the message of Christ unashamedly. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 47
Lunch Break Study
Romans 1:16-17: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Questions to Consider
- Where does Paul’s confidence come from when it comes to the gospel?
- Do we see this type of boldness and assurance in lives?
- How is the Lord challenging you through these verses?
Notes
- Having confessed his fervent desire to preach the gospel at Rome, Paul goes on to give a reason for his zeal. He has no reservations about his mission.
- The gospel is not a message to be ashamed of even if the world finds it foolish. The Greek word for “power” (dunamis) is where we get the word “dynamite.” Paul is saying the gospel has power like dynamite! Do we have this kind of boldness for the gospel?
- Pray for greater boldness and urgency.
Evening Reflection
We have been reflecting on the importance of biblical truth and boldness in the gospel. Let’s ask the Lord that we would live out these truths.