A long, slender, vertical structure used to support a superstructure; a column.
Yes we know what one is.
We also know this too:-
A few years ago I had the immense joy and privilege to return to pastoring a church for 4 months. It was simply the best of times. I recall this morning how one Sunday I approached 2 ladies and said, “you are real pillars of this church aren’t you?!” Their response was to laugh and call themselves something else humorously.
In calling them pillars I was pointing them to how the church (the people) are really the building of the Lord. They are as the Apostle Paul calls them the Temple in progress (Ephesians 2) rising to become a dwelling place for the Lord. These 2 ladies were part of the main support structure of the church that I was pastoring.
Of course I have known many over the years of pastoral ministry. These names come rushing to the forefront of my mind this morning; some were leaders some not, some were intercessors and some unsung wonderful servants. They supported, held together, stood for the church in all seasons without fail.
In these next verses this morning Paul uses the term pillars for 3 leaders in the church at Jerusalem.
“James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.” (Galatians 2 v 9-10)
These are great verses to see the insight on how important strategy is for the church. They agreed on a course of action. The gospel needed to go to the circumcised and the uncircumcised. Whatever that actually meant we don’t really know because it didn’t actually stop Paul preaching to the Jews in the synagogues. Perhaps it was a geographical strategy it is hard to determine. But it was a strategy with one condition. Paul and Barnabas had come to Jerusalem with a gift of money from the Church in Antioch to be given to the poor. The condition was not that they told the gentiles that they also needed to be circumcised (which is what the false preachers in Antioch were calling for) but that they continued in showing the heart of God towards the poor, something which is timeless.
Who was at this meeting giving these instructions? 3 pillars of the church. James, Peter and John. From the many names floating through my mind this morning and how God used them I am reminded of the role that these 3 men played in the life of the Jerusalem church. The question is that will I/you be remembered for being a pillar in the Church and in His Kingdom?
So are there traits that can be seen in a pillar? Here are a few but only based on the verses we have read. There are more I am sure.
- A pillar stands and carries the weight of the season that the Church is going through.
- They encourage even though others may be criticising.
- A pillar is open to new things that the Spirit is doing.
- They see God in people and open doors for them to thrive. They are not controllers dominating what God is doing. They are sensitive to the Spirit’s agenda.
- A pillar is recognised for grace, they look for grace, they speak grace, they call out grace when they see it.
- A pillar realises that the church is not centred around them, though they are important, they are keen to give ‘the right hand of fellowship’ meaning they see others as their equal, everyone belongs and everyone is needed. They welcome others.
- A pillar is generous.
- They look to those outside the church within the city, towns and villages who are in need and they take action to do something about it.
Do you know these people? Are you one of them? Pillars of the Church, thank God for them!
Missions Paul 