"Remain Faithful" (1 Timothy 6.20-21)

1 Timothy 6.20-21 “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," 21for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.” (ESV)

The Duty

• Charged to Timothy: a Pastor, but more importantly, a Christian (applies to all Christians)
• Guard: keep safe, cherish- a place of importance implied; keep wholly to the truth as it is under attack from the world.

The Deposit

• “entrusted to you” – the Word of God
• Preach the Word, be prepared, use it with integrity and LIVE IT
• “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4.1-5 ESV) (v.3-4 emphasized)
• “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1.22 ESV)
• On the church level- “The most important measure of any church is how it handles the Word of God.”
• On the Christian’s level it is similar; how do we cherish and respond to the Word of God?

The Danger

• Avoid:
• irreverent babble- not just language, but devaluing the godly; idle words, gossip, slander, hurtful words, lying
• contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge much of what passes for truth is not truth, but convenience: abortion,
• Many prefer lies- foretold: 2 Timothy 4.3-4; “How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?” (Psalm 4.2)
• Accepting lies leads some to “swerve form the faith”: When lies are accepted and the Word of God is compromised, people are led astray.

We are to guard and cherish the Word of God. It is what leads to eternal life. It’s not just a concept or thoughtful words, but powerful words: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1.16 ESV)

C2C: God has entrusted us with His Word. He requires commitment- it’s time to reject lies, and be faithful to His word and calling.