This Week: Guarding the Gospel

We kicked off a new series this Sunday. First Timothy. Paul’s letter to a young leader in a church that wasn’t collapsing, but was starting to drift.

We spent time in chapter 1. Four movements. Four things Paul wanted Timothy (and us) to hear.

First, that faithful teaching isn’t about being impressive. It’s about stewarding what’s been entrusted. The test is simple: does it build love? Not buzz. Not influence. Love.

Second, that the law still has a job. It exposes what’s broken. Not to shame anyone, but to open the door to grace. And sometimes our compassion tempts us to board up that door. Paul says don’t.

Third, Paul told his own story. Blasphemer. Persecutor. Violent. And then: mercy. If mercy reached him, it can reach anyone. That’s not just theology. That’s hope.

Fourth, the charge. Hold faith with a clean conscience. Not with volume. Not with cleverness. Just faithfulness. Because drift doesn’t start with a dramatic departure. It starts with small, quiet compromises.

Something to sit with this week:

What does it look like, in your everyday life, to guard what matters most?

This week’s passage: 1 Timothy 1:1-20