August 2, 2017
Stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer. 1 Timothy 1:3 (NIV)
When Paul speaks about false doctrines, it shows that right from the earliest days of the church, there were doctrines taught by the apostles and received by the churches as true.
Notice, the Bible also mentions:
- The faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3)
- The pattern of sound teaching (2 Tim. 1:13)
- The good deposit that was entrusted to you (2 Tim. 1:14)
Q: What is ‘the’ faith, ‘the’ pattern, ‘the’ good deposit? A: It is the gospel. “Timothy, here’s what you need to do: Guard the gospel. Keep it front and center in the church. Preach the gospel. Live the gospel. Advance the gospel. And, if necessary, die for the gospel.”
Here’s the problem: There are many people who believe in Jesus, but their lives have never been gripped by a passion for the gospel. They are bored with their faith, and they are looking for something else to get excited about.
Notice the effect: “These [people] promote controversies rather than God’s work which is by faith” (1:4). Brothers and sisters, we are not here for ourselves. We are not here to advance our own cause or ministry or passion. We are here for Christ! We are here for the gospel!
What are you excited about? Ask (and keep on asking until he answers) God to reignite your passion for Jesus Christ and for the advance of the gospel.