We all are following someone and at some point or another we will all lead. So the question is, does our following and our leading consistent with the Gospel? Or is it more consentient with the list in this passage? We are told to avoid those who have an only appearance of godliness and follow gospel-changed examples through the power of the Gospel! Ultimately only Christ can say follow my way of life and actually give you the power and changed heart to do it even if that leads us to persecution and crucifixion!
Today we’re talking about the importance of healthy teaching, and the characteristics of a faithful teacher. People desperately need healthy teaching. Teaching is really the foundation of all that we do as a church. We worship, but our worship is built on sound doctrine; we serve, but Scripture teaches us about serving; we get married,but it is the teaching of Scripture that teaches us about marriage, and so on. Jesus Christ, the Lord’s servant is not only the model for all teachers, but he is also the person who gives us power to accomplish our mission of teaching the Word.
Paul models endurance for us in 2 Timothy. He writes this letter from a prison. He’s an aged, war-torn apostle, but he’s enduring until the end. He is calling Timothy to endure to the end. Remember Jesus Christ! Remember the one who conquered our enemies, is seated at the Father’s right hand, and gives sufficient grace that we may endure hardship. If we endure through him, we will reign with him. And when your faith ends in sight and you hear the Savior say, “Well done,” I promise you that you will not regret passing on the gospel and suffering for the gospel as a good soldier, a disciplined athlete, and a hard-working farmer.
Honor Jesus with Gospel Centered Courage. Don’t be ashamed of the gospel, be willing to suffer for the gospel, and guard the gospel. That is gospel centered courage. As we examine these command and examples, we get a glimpse of the heart of the Apostle Paul. We are also reminded that those who are courageous for the gospel will likely suffer for it. Many around the world endure great suffering and even death for the gospel. Are we willing to do likewise? Do we have that kind of gospel centered courage.
In our pluralistic, relativistic culture, we need churches to declare God’s truth. More people today our concerned with a church’s children’s activities than a church’s doctrine. That’s upside down. Your first concern should be doctrine. Further, I continue to hear about churches who say “we like our pastor but he’s not much of a theologian.” While sound doctrine isn’t the only thing that matters, it’s one thing that a church must have. A pastor must “be able to teach” (1Tim 3) sound doctrine (Titus 1:9). It’s one of the qualifications! Sadly, many have traded the faithful shepherd who can feed the flock for a CEO who can build an institution. Titus and Timothy both call us back to this fundamental need: Healthy Doctrine.
