Monday, June 28, 2010

Pass it on

2 Timothy 2:2 {2} The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Foundation for a Better Life is a good group of folks. This non-profit corporation creates public service announcements which communicate values that make a difference in our communities. Its founder, Philip Anshutz is ranked by Forbes as the 123rd richest man in the world. An Evangelical Christian, Anshutz created a $700 million endowment to produce public service campaigns “… to communicate the values that make a difference in our communities – values such as honesty, caring, optimism, hard work, and helping others.” Most people have seen them either on TV or billboards. There is a short inspirational statement or story and then a simple statement, “Pass it on.” The message seems to be that there are good values in life and that it is important for all of us the pass on values that constructive and wholesome. There are some things in life that are worth passing on to others.

 The Apostle Paul here reminds Timothy of one of the most important functions of the church. Guarding the Gospel must be the passion of the church. However, there is a need for the passion of our heart to be fleshed out in a practical means. The formula for passing on the truth of the Gospel is here spelled out.

The truth of the Gospel is be passed on
{2} The things …
The things that Paul is describing are the tenets and teachings of the Gospel. The Gospel is defined as the whole story of Jesus, his life, his teachings, his death, his resurrection and his coming. This story is not just the telling of historical facts. The facts are told also with a passionate call for all people to accept God’s free gift of salvation and eternal life to through his grace.

The truth of the Gospel is best cared for and passed on in the fellowship of a church
{2} … which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses,…
Paul’s mention of these other individuals is a reminder of Timothy of the communal nature of the Gospel. Christians are gathered together in the community of the Bride of Christ, the Church. It is within the Church that the story of the Gospel is passed on. There in front of witnesses the story is told and retold. Part of the responsibility of the community is to witness with each other to make certain that the story does not change, that the truth of the Gospel is guarded and protected for the next generation.

The truth of the Gospel should be given to faithful followers of Christ
{2} … entrust these to faithful men …
What does it take to be one whom the story of the Gospel is entrusted to? It takes faithfulness. Scholarship and academic acumen, although important and should be strived for, are not on the top list of requirements to be a passer on of the faith. If we are faithful to the task, God blesses our efforts. This is not an excuse for lackadaisical teaching. Faithfulness itself is a call to excellence.

The truth of the Gospel must be passed on from one generation to another
{2} … who will be able to teach others also.
Here is the purpose of 2 Timothy. Each generation needs to hear the truth of the Gospel. It is not enough that we hear it and understand it. We must commit ourselves to those who would come after us in the days to come.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to know the Gospel. Convict me that knowing the Gospel is not just the knowing of historical facts. Convict my heart with a passion to pass on your truth to others and to the next generation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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