Stewardship of God’s Gospel.

Introduction:

As we come to the conclusion of this letter, we are reminded why Paul wrote this letter in the first place. From (3:14) so that if he was delayed, Timothy would be able to teach the church how one ought to behave in the household of God which is the church of the living God. As a result of wolves that had risen to leadership in the church, they were devouring the flock. Timothy as under shepherd had a duty to remove the false teachers and their heretical teachings from the church. And to replace them with qualified men who would care for the flock and feed them the true spiritual food of God’s word. Here in our passage today, Paul again restates this in that Timothy has a responsibility to guard the deposit which is the gospel and its doctrines. He is to avoid the demonic teachings and their teachers who have swerved from the faith.

This is exactly what Paul stated in (1:4) if we continue. These wolves have devoted themselves, given themselves over to teaching myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations which divide the church instead of properly stewarding the gospel faith given by God.

As we looked last week in being good stewards of our possessions, the pastor and elders in a church are to properly steward the gospel which was given by Jesus to Paul, then given to Timothy, which from Paul’s 2nd letter to Timothy (2:2) we read “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” The glorious gospel was meant to never be tampered with, but kept pure and undefiled for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes ().

To steward or manage God’s gospel is the main point of today’s message. This is vital for leadership in the church as well as for you as the congregation for we all make up the church. I am no more special than Bree or John or Kiersten. We all make up the body but as Luke writes in his gospel (12:48b) Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. To be entrusted with the care of the apple of God’s eye is a huge responsibility. You are the Bride of Christ, you are most precious to Jesus, so as the pastor, like Timothy much is expected.

48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

So for the three points to support this I will be looking at first of all the encouragement of Paul for faithful guarding of the gospel, secondly, that guarding includes what to avoid, and lastly the source of strength needed to fulfill these duties for the glory of God. As we go through this passage, I want you to think about why there is so much emphasis on guarding truth and avoiding anything that is false.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Point #1 - Guard the Gospel by Professing it Truthfully.

King Hezekiah had visitors from the king in Babylon and showed off all his wealth. He revealed his pride in possessions of gold and silver which he should have kept secret for Isaiah the prophet told him that all would be hauled off in the f

In we have the parable of the man who was going on an extended trip. He had 3 servants brought to him and he entrusted his property to them. To the first he gave 5 talents, another 2 talents and the 3rd he gave 1 talent. Each according to their ability. When he left, the servants who were given 5 and 2, effectively used the money and wisely doubled it. However, the servant who had 1 talent dug a hole and buried the talent in the dirt. Now after a long time had passed the master returned and called in his servants to give an account for what they did with what was given to them.

The servants who were wise in using the talents came forward showing how they had doubled their master’s money. To which the master responded “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” Then came the servant who was only given one talent. He said to his master

Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ()

English Standard Version Chapter 25

Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

English Standard Version Chapter 25

Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

In this parable we can see that good stewardship is rewarded. No stewardship leads to devastating results. But notice what the two good servants did with what they were entrusted. They used their God given ability to make more money for their master. The wicked servant buried the money and did not use it.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

English Standard Version Chapter 25

Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

This can be helpful for us in understanding what Paul is getting at in our text. By guarding the deposit entrusted to Timothy, it does not mean that he takes the gospel into some hidden ivory tower. Worried that if someone finds it, then it will be corrupted. What it does mean however is that he is to defend, protect, teach, preach and feed the flock these glorious truths of Christ. He is to use what has been given to him to fight the good fight of faith.

You could almost hear Paul saying in the most loving and tender encouragement “O Timothy, my child in the faith, guard the sanctity of the true gospel by telling the world how they might be reconciled to God and receive eternal life. That because of God’s perfect redemptive plan the lost sheep in the world will know through the preaching of the gospel that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Do not be timid Timothy, remember your King, remember your gifts that God entrusted to you, remember God’s Spirit who lives in you to empower you to be an overcomer.”

Would you feel encouraged

Some may think of themselves as being a man like Paul who seemed to be so resilient in strength that he never needed someone to encourage him. He was always doing the exhorting and teaching and spurring on the pastors/elders to fight the good fight. But upon closer examination of his letters you see how often he recognized those like Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila, Timothy, Mark, Luke and a host of others encouraged and strengthened his resolve to keep pressing on. How in his discouraged soul, the Lord Jesus comes to Paul in a vision as he comes near Corinth. He says to him “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” He then continues there for a year and a half and many are brought into the kingdom just like Jesus said.

Transition:

Therefore, as a father in the faith, Paul exhorts Timothy to remember what to do as the pastor in Ephesus. Protect the truth of God’s gospel by proclaiming it to the world, discipling the flock with good stewardship for the glory of your King. Now Paul again reminds Timothy of his duty in how to protect the gospel from the evil of Satan.

Point #2 - Guard the Gospel by Avoiding Evil Doctrine.

When trying to lose weight, we are told to avoid certain things that will put on pounds. Like anything that tastes good… If you avoid sweets, greasy foods, bread and buns, they will help you to shed some pounds. In like fashion, if you are entrusted to guard the gospel, you need to avoid certain things. You need to avoid the irreverent babble or godless chatter. You need to avoid the contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge”.

The hardest thing for Timothy to do was to remove that which is in opposition to the glorious gospel. The teachings of demons and the teachers of this garbage. Timothy as the pastor along with elders are to clean up the church from heretical teaching that constantly tries to slither into the church by soothing and mesmerizing the elders with their sinful nature. What hinders us from doing the hard work is the indwelling sin in us. Whether it is the desire for money, the fear of man, or thinking someone else can do the difficult work. It is much easier to just pray isn’t it?

The irreverent babble is corrupted unstable nonsense and conspiracies that take the eyes of the flock off of the truth. It leads people to wander into silly myths and endless genealogies that are not helpful at all. These contradictions falsely called knowledge is more that likely dealing with the gnosticism of the day. This popular teaching was of some secret knowledge that some could attain if they were spiritual enough, elitism of sorts. These teachings were in direct opposition to Christian doctrine and the gospel so they needed to be removed from the church.

Paul goes on (21) to state that by these teachers professing these evil doctrines that contradict the gospel, some have swerved from the faith. Swerved is to wander, go down a different path. A path that leads to a shipwreck of their faith and utter ruin. It is like someone driving a car on a mountain road at 100 km/hour when signs say 50 km/hour. The next hairpin corner will let that driver know who was right. In similar fashion, biblical truth is like that sign. If we wander from it and think that we know better we will end up just like that driver and car.

Let us think for a moment about the importance of guarding the gospel entrusted to elders and avoiding the nonsense of the world and its deceptions. Why is it essential for us to heed these exhortations and warnings? Why does Paul remind numerous times for Timothy to remove what is false from the midst of the church and hold fast to the true gospel?

This is where we answer the question I posed in my introduction of why is this guarding and avoiding the theme of this letter? If a pastor teaches falsely stating that there is many ways to God, that by your good works you can earn your way to eternal life. Or he tells you that a certain race of people are God’s people, that it does not matter who is a leader in a church as long as the culture is happy with you. Maybe he teaches about universalism in that all will be saved and there is no such thing as hell. Maybe he encourages you to make lots of money to indulge yourself in, have no regard for the poor for they are getting what they deserve. Maybe he even says there is no such thing as Satan or evil and there is really no spiritual fight but that it is just in your minds. Is that the gospel? Does that teaching line up with biblical orthodoxy? Is that why Jesus came to earth to die for sinners? So that we could fill our bank accounts and live for this present day? That we could live sinful lives without having to worry about what judgement looks like?

Brothers and sisters, salvation of souls is at the heart of the gospel. Another gospel does not reconcile sinners to God. Our key passage in the bulletin

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Fighting for truth is of utmost importance because only God’s gospel in Jesus Christ saves sinners from eternal wrath in hell. Satan wants to deceive, tempt and use our sinful nature against us so that the truth will be tainted and then if not corrected by holy Scripture will lead the church down a path to where they no longer resemble any NT church. This is why this letter is given to us. To encourage us and to make us aware what is at stake here…the gospel.

In like fashion, a bad pastor is one who teaches falsely stating that there is many ways to God, that by your good works you can earn your way to eternal life. A good pastor is one who holds to the truth of the gospel in Jesus as the only solution for the real problem of this world which is sin. To be reconciled to the one true living God and receive forgiveness of sin so that you enjoy eternal life. If you choose to deny this truth, you are still guilty and under the wrath of God. A bad pastor preaches a different gospel, which is no gospel at all and one who believes this nonsense is still condemned and will suffer the eternal wrath of God in hell.

A good pastor is one who holds to the truth of the gospel in Jesus as the only solution for the real problem of this world which is sin. To be reconciled to the one true living God and receive forgiveness of sin so that you enjoy eternal life. If you choose to deny this truth, you are still guilty and under the wrath of God. A bad pastor preaches a different gospel, which is no gospel at all and one who believes this nonsense is still condemned and will suffer the eternal wrath of God in hell.

Answer question of why defense of the gospel is so important.

Guarding the deposit of the true gospel and its doctrines is vital for the church to be the church of Jesus Christ. Because if it is not protected, both the teacher and the listeners to this irreverent babble are lost still to the prince of this world who is Satan.

Transition:

Therefore, in order to be good stewards of God’s gospel we need to guard the deposit of the true gospel and its doctrines. Because if it is not protected, both the teachers and the listeners to this irreverent babble are still lost to the prince of this world who is Satan. So now you know why Paul wrote this letter to Timothy to teach, command, urge, persist and keep close watch on these things that he has been entrusted with. The difficulty as you know is that this work is extremely hard, painful and discouraging. Yet…it is the most rewarding, joyful and beautiful labour when you see a lost soul turn to Christ and be set free from their guilt and shame. To serve the Lord with whatever gifts he has entrusted you with I encourage you to use with all your heart, soul and strength out of your love for God. Now, because it is extremely hard to do this, we need God’s Spirit to help.

Point #3 - Guard the Gospel by God’s Grace.

Have you ever felt as though you could not move another step? That your ability to accomplish a task was almost too hard for you or way over your ability? Maybe you just felt too weak or intimidated to make the right decision? Then along comes mom or dad, or a brother or sister in the Lord and looks you squarely in the eyes, holding you by your shoulders and they say “You can do it! Press on for I know you are capable.” This can be all that is needed for us to gather up our courage and finish what we started.

This is what Paul is doing not only for Timothy but the whole universal church. The “you” here in the ending sentence of this letter is plural. Paul loves Timothy and he loves this church. He knows that what this body is tasked with is no walk in the park. To do all what Paul instructs for a church to be a true church of Christ is a daunting one. It should cause us to tremble at the responsibility for not only the leaders of a church, but the whole body to hold the leaders accountable to be faithful shepherds and not be led astray themselves.

“Grace be with you.” Grace, the power of the Almighty God is needed to be faithful and grow in spiritual maturity. Grace is vital for us to be wise, to stand against evil powers that look to divide the church through silly myths that contradict the truth of God. Grace is needed to encourage us when we feel that the fight is too hard, too painful and too tiring. It would be so much easier to just coast and let the past victories carry us. To rest on our heritage or traditional conservative values and find that as sufficient enough. This is the temptation that we all wrestle with. This is because our sinful human nature still has the old man sin lingering. Daily, our enemy is launching nuclear missiles at us, tempting us that we do not need spiritual food of the word. He is constantly placing snares in the grass so as to deceive us into believing that a confession of faith is good enough and fighting for truth is not worth the turmoil it causes. “Doctrine divides” is his whisper in our ear, “so rather be unified in love without all this truth mumbo jumbo. Just put together a good motivational speech together each week and everyone will love you more.”

This is not only the fight of your pastor, but you are all at war as followers of Christ. You know that this is your fight. So press on dear brothers and sisters! Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called. It is daily battle but take heart, the Lord has won the war. You do not fight to win the war but you fight as victors in Jesus who has won it all on the cross. Your faith ensures your redemption. Put on your armour each day, for in Christ, His grace is made perfect in our weaknesses. Trust the Lord for He will see you through for His glory because He says He will never leave you nor forsake you. Grace be with you! Stand therefore and resist the devil in the power of God’s supernatural grace!

Application:

I have sprinkled some application throughout this message. But I would like to highlight a few areas we can work on. First, as we saw Paul encourage Timothy to be faithful with the gospel, try to be intentional in encouraging your leaders to press on, to fulfill their responsibilities as caregivers of the flock. To stay faithful in spite of opposition. Pray for us as we seek to defend the truths of scripture against the attacks from culture as it can be easy to make compromises. Encourage us and remind us of the promises of God.

For us as leaders, we have a great responsibility to help you to fight the good fight of faith as well. Let us be reminded that in your day to day activities, Satan wants to mess you up so let us continue to pray for your protection. That you will grow in the love of Christ and obey the Lord because you know the love of Christ that brought you from death to life.

Hold us leaders accountable to be faithful to God. We are not perfect, but you have a responsibility as our brothers and sisters to come to us in love and challenge us if we are straying from the truths of God’s word and the gospel. Please do this because we have blind spots and are just as susceptible to sin because of our sinful nature.

Consider what you believe to be true. Does it stand in accordance to the bible? Have some good sounding books influenced our minds where maybe the author has misinterpreted scripture? Let us remember that tradition does not always mean truth. Let us be careful to test all things according to truth. Will it be found wanting, or will it endure and prove edifying to our walk with the Lord?

Conclusion:

Paul ends this letter in a profound way. A reminder of the duty of a pastor. In 2,000 years, nothing has changed. False teachers of the doctrines of demons in Paul’s day, heretics proclaiming legalism, prosperity and health as a guarantee in our day. Indeed, wolves from among you would seek to devour the flock as Paul said. Therefore, let us be vigilant in guarding the truth of the gospel by removing what is false from our midst. Let us be encouraged to do this for the glory of God Almighty who sent Jesus as a sacrifice so that we would receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Let us be good and faithful stewards of God’s gospel! May the power of God in His amazing grace empower us to fight for truth and encourage one another to press on. Amen!

English Standard Version Chapter 53

4  Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

5  But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

6  All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the LORD has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

15  I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

English Standard Version Chapter 53

4  Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

5  But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

6  All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the LORD has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

4  Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5  But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. ().

4  Surely he has borne our griefs

and between your offspring and her offspring;

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ().

English Standard Version Chapter 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

and carried our sorrows;

he shall bruise your head,

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” ()

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

yet we esteemed him stricken,

and you shall bruise his heel.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

smitten by God, and afflicted.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

5  But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

6  All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.