Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Faith”
Our Bible verse for today: “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name. By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith.” 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “We have to guard our faith.”
Young Timothy was a protégé of the Apostle Paul. He had traveled with Paul, studied under him, and he had been mentored not only in the faith, but also in the role of Pastor. Through it all Timothy had been well-instructed in sound doctrine.
At the time Paul wrote the letter 1 Timothy the young man was a Pastor, evidently in a Christian community which included some false teachers. These were men who were preaching and teaching false doctrine, often for their own gain. Throughout the letter Paul urged Timothy to stay focused on the sound doctrine he had been taught, and to guard himself against being drawn in by the subtle lies of the false teachers.
Today we also live in a Christian culture contaminated by many false teachers spouting unsound doctrine. Television preachers with big hair, fake smiles, opulent mansions and private jets, preach a perverted gospel that Jesus Himself wouldn’t recognize. And they destroy the faith of many.
Jesus warned us that this would happen. In Matthew 24:23-28 He told us that the closer we get to the end times the more false preachers and teachers there will be. I love the way Eugene Peterson relates this passage in his paraphrase of the Bible “The Message”:
“Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. But I’ve given you fair warning.”
The people of God have to be prayerful and wise regarding the teaching and preaching they listen to. Just because a person has a title and a degree, or a show on television, doesn’t mean he is a faithful and trustworthy teacher of God’s Word. The faith of many has been destroyed by false teachers with impure motives. As Paul instructed Timothy, we have to guard our faith.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 