Guard the Trust

Text: 1 Timothy 1:1–2 Series: The Household of God Big Idea: Christ entrusts His gospel to His church, and faithfulness begins with guarding what has been given.

OPENING PRAYER

Our Father and our God, We come before You today grateful that You have not left Your church without truth or direction. You are the living God, and You have spoken to us through Your Word.

As we open the Scriptures, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds by the power of the Holy Spirit. Guard us from distraction, soften us where we are resistant, and strengthen us where we are weak.

Lord, remind us that this church belongs to You—not to any person, preference, or tradition. Help us to submit ourselves gladly to the authority of Christ, who is our Savior and our hope.

As we begin this journey through Your Word, shape us into a people who love truth, pursue godliness, and desire faithfulness above all else. May Your Word do its good work among us today.

We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

INTRODUCTION: WHY THIS LETTER MATTERS NOW

Church family, every generation of believers faces the same question: Will we faithfully guard what has been entrusted to us, or will we quietly drift from it?

The New Testament tells us that truth does not erode all at once—it erodes slowly, subtly, and often sincerely. Churches rarely abandon the gospel intentionally; they simply stop protecting it carefully.

That is why the Apostle Paul wrote this letter we call 1 Timothy. It is not a letter about programs. It is not a letter about trends. It is a letter about truth, godliness, and order in the church of the living God.

Paul will later say in this very book:

“These things write I unto thee…that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God.” (1 Timothy 3:14–15)

So as we begin this series, understand this: This book teaches us what the church is, what the church believes, and how the church lives.

And it all begins with a sacred responsibility—to guard the trust.

1 Timothy 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

I. THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE CHURCH

Paul does not begin with casual familiarity. He begins with authority.

1. Paul’s Authority Is Given, Not Assumed

Paul identifies himself as:

An apostle — one sent with divine authority

By commandment — not by preference, vote, or ambition

This church does not belong to Paul. This church does not belong to Timothy. This church belongs to Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),

The authority of the church does not rest in culture, tradition, or personality—it rests in Christ’s command.

2. Christ Is Both Savior and Sovereign

Paul names:

God our Savior — the source of salvation

Christ Jesus our hope — the object of our faith

Notice what Paul does not say. He does not say Christ is our option. He says Christ is our hope.

Everything the church is flows out of who Christ is.

Colossians 1:18 NKJV

18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Transition: If Christ gives the authority, then we must ask—how is that authority exercised in the life of the church? Paul answers that by pointing us to spiritual leadership.

1 Timothy 1:2 NKJV

2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

II. THE ASSIGNMENT WITHIN THE CHURCH

Timothy is not Paul’s biological son—but he is his spiritual son.

1. The Church Is Built Through Spiritual Reproduction

Paul led Timothy to Christ and trained him in ministry.

2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV

2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

This is how the church grows strong:

Truth passed down

Faith lived out

Leadership developed intentionally

Timothy is pastoring in Ephesus—a difficult church in a confusing culture. Paul writes to strengthen his hands and steady his heart.

2. Leadership Exists for Faithfulness, Not Fame

Timothy’s role was not to innovate the church—it was to guard what had already been given.

This matters for us because God never asks the church to create truth—only to protect it and proclaim it.

1 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV

2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Transition: So Paul has established authority and assignment. But now he moves to the atmosphere that must surround all ministry—grace, mercy, and peace.

III. THE ATTITUDE THAT SUSTAINS THE CHURCH

“Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” (v.2)

This greeting is not formality—it is theology.

1. Grace — What God Gives That We Do Not Deserve

Grace saves us. Grace sustains us. Grace keeps us from pride and despair.

Ephesians 2:8 NKJV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

2. Mercy — What God Withholds That We Do Deserve

Paul uniquely includes mercy in letters to pastors.

Why? Because ministry is hard. Leadership is heavy. Shepherding souls requires divine compassion.

Hebrews 4:16 NKJV

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

3. Peace — What God Produces When Grace and Mercy Rule

Peace is not the absence of conflict—it is the presence of Christ’s rule.

When truth is guarded and grace is applied, peace follows.

IV. THE APPLICATION FOR THE CHURCH TODAY

Church family, this opening greeting teaches us something essential:

1. The Gospel Is a Sacred Trust

We are not free to alter it. We are not free to dilute it. We are not free to ignore it.

Jude 3 NKJV

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

2. Leadership Is a Stewardship, Not an Entitlement

As we walk through this book together in the coming weeks, God will show us:

What faithful leadership looks like

What godly character requires

How His church is to be ordered

We will not rush. We will not pressure. We will pray, discern, and obey the Word of God together.

3. Every Believer Has a Role in Guarding the Trust

This is not just for pastors or deacons. This is for every believer who loves Christ and His church.

CONCLUSION: WILL WE BE FAITHFUL?

One day, every church will give an account—not for how popular it was, but for how faithful it remained.

Paul handed the gospel to Timothy. Timothy handed it to faithful men. Now the trust has been handed to us.

2 Timothy 1:14 NKJV

14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Church, may we guard the trust—until Jesus comes.

CLOSING PRAYER

Heavenly Father, We thank You for the gospel that has been entrusted to us—not because we deserved it, but because You are gracious and merciful.

Help us to continue to be faithful stewards of what You have given. Guard our hearts from drifting, our minds from compromise, and our church from anything that would diminish Your truth.

As we walk through this book together, give us wisdom, unity, and discernment. Teach us how to live as Your household, ordered according to Your will and empowered by Your Spirit.

Lord, prepare us for the days ahead. Raise up faithful servants, humble leaders, and godly men who love You, love Your Word, and love Your people. Above all, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, who is our hope now and forever.

We commit ourselves to You and to Your truth, trusting You to lead us in every step.

We pray this in the strong and saving name of Jesus. Amen.