What’s in a Name? – A Sermon from 2nd Timothy - Part 3

The following is Part 3 of a series prepared for an ordination service in the life of the church based on selected texts from 2 Timothy. You can access the other parts here:


I. Introduction
II. Fan
III. Guard
IV. Entrust
V. Preach
VI. Flee and Pursue
VII. Conclusion


Guard
2Tim 1:14 “By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”


Paul then tells Timothy that he is to “guard the good deposit” that has been entrusted to him. What is this “good deposit?” Most simply put: the gospel. Timothy is the recipient of the gospel truth which he must guard against false teaching and perversions. The gospel was not given to make people rich, get them a better job, or even to make them happy. The gospel was given to reveal the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, and the pathway to reconciliation that has been made available through Jesus Christ. And as ministers of this gospel, we are called to be gatekeepers of truth and guardians of gospel fidelity. Nothing must encroach upon these magnificent truths. Nothing should be used for one’s own personal gain, but the true gospel begins and ends with Jesus Christ. Anything that falls short of this is a false gospel. And a false gospel is a non-gospel and a non-gospel will send people to hell.