updates

Guardians of the Gospel

The Good News – that Jesus died so we might live has the power to turn our world right side up. Imagine — the creator of the universe (or multiverse!) gave everything he had for you. This is a powerful truth, which is why some people seek to distort it.

In Ephesus there are people who want to distort the Gospel. Paul calls them false teachers in his letter to Timothy (1 Tim 1:3). Paul wants Timothy to make sure there are a bunch of people (called elders) who know the true Gospel who will guard it.

So what criteria will be used to select these guardians of the true faith? Simple! They must be living a life that reflects a heart changed and motivated by the true Gospel (1 Timothy 3:1-13). Paul gives Timothy a list of behaviours that should reflect an inward change. This is not simply a list of things elders do, as they should be doing them before they are made elders. They are a list of proofs of a changed heart.

We know that elders guard the true faith, as this is what Paul asks the Elders at Ephesus to do (Acts 20:28-30).

May we all live lives that bear witness to the inner work of the one true Gospel in our hearts.

– Dave

Taking care of business!

Our church mission statement claims that we exist as a church to help all people draw closer to Jesus. This mission statement is important. It reminds us of the importance and centrality of Jesus to the church, and to the world. It reminds us that we are partnering with Jesus in His work. It is a mission that relates to believers and non-believers.

Sometimes we forget our mission. Some times we allow our mission to be side tracked or even hijacked.

Paul asked his young helper, Timothy, to stay in the church in Ephesus and make sure they stayed on task. He was to deal with false teachers who undermined the centrality and person of Jesus. They wanted to major on issues such as myths and genealogies.

Paul reminds Timothy what their mission was, to have a “love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith”. Paul concludes the letter with the words, “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you… Grace be with you”.

May we be active in each playing our part to help all people draw closer to Jesus. May we go about it with a pure love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith.

– Dave