Guarding the Faith by Passing it On

2 Timothy 2:1-7 Guarding the Faith by Passing it On

Introduction: Election. How do we guard the Christian faith. Will political parties save us?

2 Timothy is all about guarding the gospel. Paul is instructing Timothy to be loyal to the truth. Paul presses Timothy, his faith-child, to guard the apostolic deposit – God’s word - by passing on what he had learned of Christ to others who will pass it on (2), and in being willing to endure in doing that (3-7). In other words, the Holy Spirit tells us that a firm and courageous dedication to gospel training is something that Christians should pursue with courage.

You, therefore, my son, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus… And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful people who will be able to teach others also.

First of all, your/my ministry is dependent on God’s grace, both to be saved but also to serve others with the gifts that God gives. Thus the passive command – ‘be strengthened.’ If you are a Christian you have this grace by virtue of your relationship with Christ. (1 Peter 4:10, Just as each one has received a gift, use it for serving one another, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.’) This is not a strength that you have to find inside of you. 2 Cor. 12:9 ‘My grace is sufficient for you…’ Phil.4:13 ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’) What God requires from us he always gives us the means to do.

God’s command is to be strong, strong in God’s strength, a strength supplied by his Spirit. What for?

The strength we receive, in this context, is to pass on the Gospel truths - spiritual convictions, theological content and biblically informed manner of ministry -to others.

As a church that values the Bible highly and expects accurate teaching, this should interest us. But too often our love of correct doctrine never leaves the Sunday services, mid-week Bible studies or Bible college training. Paul’s passion is far wider than that. The many witnesses here reassure others that what is being taught is accepted and verified truth given to recognised teachers. But, it can’t stop there.

It is worth quoting Mr Calvin at length here because some of us who admire him are prone to think that the passive preserving of the faith is enough. We think that the answer to protecting Christian values and heritage is by legislating or protesting against sinners. Calvin wrote, ‘Paul … exhorts Timothy, not only to preserve the gospel’s shape and features, but likewise to hand it down to godly teachers, that, being widely spread, it may take root in the hearts of many; for he saw that it would quickly perish if it were not soon scattered by the ministry of many persons.’

Calvin sounds Arminian! Whatever it is, he didn’t want people sitting around reading the Bible, commentaries and books on theology and doing nothing with them. If we don’t ‘scatter’ the truths we have received, to our families, neighbours, workmates, and random people on FB and WhatsApp, then it will perish.

However, there are two aspects to ‘scatter’. There is telling everyone and anyone about Jesus, which may seem random, and then there is the strategic passing on of the gospel truth to train others. It shouldn’t be a random process – just grabbing whoever is around, whoever looks mildly interested. Have you made that mistake?

These are ‘faithful persons’. People of faith, who are reliable. Firstly believe the gospel, the most essential step of discipleship. Secondly, church leaders should look for men and women who show by their life and words that they are committed to the truths of the gospel. They are competent and compelled. That should be all of us, but unfortunately, we know that this is not always the case. But thirdly, they can be trusted to tell others what they hear. They count the cost and do the work. They have made the Lord Jesus their highest priority in life, and they want others to know and be trained to tell others. Again, that should be all of us, but sadly, it is not true. So, let not pretend it is and lets not hold back others who are faithful from being more fully trained.

Today’s Timothy’s and Tabitha’s today need this. We need trained, recognised and faithful Christians who are generous with their time. We might call them trainers. This requires intention, planning and stickability. As someone said, ‘The most successful evangelistic outreach will only last a generation if we do not diligently teach others to “obey everything” Jesus commanded (Matt.28:20).’

Traditionally, churches haven’t done a good job at this. Even though protestant churches have dispensed with the priests, we have replaced them professionals. The pastor! He does everything.

Paul is telling Timothy that his church was the place to find and train self-replicating Christian workers, Why? Because it isn’t just about reading a few books or attending some lectures. It is about passing on a lifestyle to people that you know. It is about handing on the baton to someone who runs with you.

Our church is the first port of call for training gospel workers – pastors and all kinds. Trinity is where the faithful Christians are. That is where you will find competent believers to pass on God’s word. Train them – and they will pass it on again.

They will welcome Paul’s invitation in 3-7. The two command words here are ‘share in suffering’ (one Greek word) and ‘consider.’ As we guard the truth of the gospel by training others, we are reminded that we need to endure – suffer, reflect deeply. This isn’t necessarily persecution, but may be. The suffering comes from being engaged in the struggle – a soldier, an athlete and farmer. They are all required to push against obstacles and barriers in order to receive their rewards.

Conclusion: Maybe God wants you to be trained to minister? Regardless of male or female, do you long to be more deeply used? Maybe you are a man who should think about being a pastor. Or, maybe you can partner in seeing other trained – GTC, Multiply, camps. Above all, God wants us to pass on to others what we have learned. If we don’t, it will die.