Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from 2 Tim. 3,4. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Our text is addressed to Timothy, a young pastor who was taught and ordained by the Apostle Paul. The instructions that Paul provides are excellent instruction for us as well.
- What Paul says directly pertaining to the ministry are also instructions to us – so that we may know what to expect from proper pastors, preachers, and teachers. We are also warned as to the kinds of temptations that are coming, not only so that proper pastors are prepared for rejection, but also that we contemplate the foolishness that will come upon many and avoid it!
- So what do you think? It often seems that all of life is an ever changing and ever evolving experience, and that innovation is both necessary and enjoyable. “Conserving” often seems boring to us, and old-fashioned and perhaps even stupid. But the teaching of Holy Scripture is that:
I. When It Comes To Spiritual Life And Health, It Is A Very Good Thing, An Essential Thing, To Be Conserving God’s Word, God’s Truth
A. We Are To Conserve What We Have Learned From Holy Scripture
Text: “As for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings. . . . All Scripture is breathed out by God.”
1. This especially is true when it comes to the good news of God’s gracious love, mercy, forgiveness and salvation in Christ Jesus
Text: “As for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
2. It is also true in regards to what is good, loving, healthy, and safe – the wisdom from God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures
Text: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
B. This Enables The Pastor To Be Competent And Equipped For Every Good Work, And For Him To Also Provide The Same Instruction And Equipping To Other Christians
Text: “that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”
Statement: But in order for this to happen it is essential that “the man of God continue in what he has learned,” that is, that he be absolutely committed to “conserving” the teachings of Holy Scripture. In so doing he conserves the correct and unpolluted Gospel, which “makes us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.” What could be more important! And in so doing he keeps in place that which can prepare and equip us “for every good work.” What could be more blessed?
Application: All of this is so important! So it has been committed to Scripture! So we are to see it, and ingest it, and “conserve” it ourselves! We are to insist upon it from our pastors – for our own good, for our pastors’ good, and for the good of our neighbors and fellow believers! For our salvation, and for our blessedness in life, God’s Word must be “conserved” in its purity and taught and practiced by God’s people!
Transition: And this is of even greater importance considering what Paul predicted was coming, and what indeed is clearly already here! What Paul says of the ministry is important for pastors, and also for us – so that we know what to expect of our pastors and also how to help and support them. For:
II. Pastors And Christians Are To Be Ready At All Times To “Preach” The Word Of God
A. Paul Solemnly Charges That There Must Be Competent Teaching – Reproving, Rebuking, Exhorting – With Complete Patience
Text: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and his kingdom: preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
B. This Will Be Especially Essential Given What “Innovative” Attitudes Will Plague And Afflict People
Text: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
C. And So We Must Be Focused On Conserving God’s Word – With Utter Seriousness, Willingness To Suffer For It, Focused On This Conserving Ministry
Text: “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Statement: You have seen how compelled and stubborn many people are today in rejecting the Biblical Word of God, and insisting on hearing teaching and instruction that is more consistent with and pleasing to our sinful nature! And it has infiltrated, corrupted, and perverted even some churches! And its presence and power is felt even in our own denomination!
Application: These things were written for me – and for all pastors. We are to be prepared to fight these battles, in conserving the Word of God. They were also written for you – so that you not be among those lusting for “innovation” and “modernization” of the church and ministry! They were written for you also – so that you might know what to expect from a faithful pastor. They were also written for you, so that you might be of greater help and assistance in keeping your pastor faithful to conserving the Word of God!
Conclusion: “As for you.” These instructions are directed to Timothy, but also to each and every one of us! Especially to pastors, but also to faithful Christians who love enough to insist upon the same things within the church, who will stand for nothing less!
Yes, we are conserving. Yes, we are stubborn and hard-headed about it! We are like all of God’s servants of old. Listen to what God’s servant said, in the book of Isaiah: “I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near.” [Is. 50:6-8]
This is a matter of love, such love that maintains in the face of all evil that opposes the Word of God, His love and goodness. God grant us an abundance of pastors just like this! God grant that each of us adopt the same conserving and loving commitment to His Word, and the same martial willingness. Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.