Young People's Group

The Centrality of the Doctrine of Christ in the Church

by Mitchell Tan
September 16, 2016

KNOWING THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST WELL

Who should be central in the Church? It should be none other than the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. He should be central in all that we do and say. In 1 Timothy 1-3, Paul had written different aspects concerning who the Lord Jesus is to us. Firstly, He is the Lord of our life (1 Timothy 1:1-2). It is from Him and the Father that we have grace, mercy and peace. Secondly, the Lord Jesus is the one who calls us and enables us for the ministry as He did in Paul’s life (1 Timothy 1:12). Thirdly, the Lord Jesus is our Saviour, who came to this world to die for our sins (1 Timothy 1:15). Fourthly, He is also our meditator with God (1 Timothy 2:5). Last but not least, Christ is known as the “mystery of godliness”.

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness”
1 Timothy 3:16

The apostle Paul was writing about the kind of conduct that leaders should have in the Church. It was crucial that Timothy understood this in the light of the Lord Jesus. What is a mystery? A mystery is a truth that lay hidden but has now been revealed. The embodiment of Christ and His demonstration of godliness is something that causes us to stand in wonder. He came to show to us what godliness truly is. The word “godliness” in the Greek means “piety and devotion towards God”. It demonstrates how a person seeks to revere and honour the Lord God. Christ is the epitome of godliness and more. Let’s never lose this sense of wonder at the person of Christ.

THE WONDER OF CHRIST BEING MANIFESTED IN THE FLESH

“God was manifested in the flesh”
1 Timothy 3:16

One of the greatest wonders concerning Christ is with regard to Him coming to earth and taking on the form of a human being. How can that which is divine manifest itself in the form of flesh? This continues to stagger us.

1. BEHOLDING THE GLORY OF THE SON OF GOD

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14

The Lord Jesus as the living Word became flesh. He was with the Lord God in the beginning and He was the agent by which all things in the universe and on earth were created. And yet he became flesh. The infinite became finite. He dwelt in the midst of humanity. What a great privilege to know this! The disciples of Jesus were able to see the glory of God in His only begotten Son. He is indeed full of grace and truth. Let’s exercise faith to behold and appreciate the glory of God in Christ.

2. BEHOLDING THE GREAT HUMILITY OF CHRIST

“Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”
Philippians 2:6-7

The Lord Jesus is in essence the same as God; omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. When He became man, He emptied himself of rights and privileges due to Him. He became like us, only without sin. He took on the form of a bondservant and was obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. The Lord Jesus humbled himself greatly and submitted Himself to the will of the Father. What great humility! What devotion to the Father! Let’s stand in awe!

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