HEAVY DUTY

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.  (1 Tim.1:1-4 NKJV)

The call to pastoral ministry is heavy duty.  It is a burden thrust upon the man of God.  Paul certainly understood this and wanted to press upon young Timothy the gravity of his responsibility (v.1).  These words have been preserved by the Spirit of God that we may weigh our obligation as ministers of the Gospel today.

Ministry is not a vocation we seek from a number of options of employment, but is one we are compelled to obey.  Only those who have this sense of calling can understand the solemnity of it.  Without it, don't attempt it!

Timothy's primary call was not to service, but to salvation as a "true son in the faith..." (v.2).  His service would arise out of his salvation.  Saved preachers make better pastors!  The "grace, mercy, and peace," we proclaim passionately arises from our own experience of regeneration.

Sound doctrine is foundational to our ministry--both in our commitment to it personally and to what we teach and allow to be taught in the church (v.3-4).  Proclaiming personal opinions and questionable interpretations that take us past the gate of centuries of church tradition will lead us down the path of schism.  Is it likely that we will discover some new insight that great Bible scholars of the past have not found and commented on?  How much better to stick to orthodoxy which builds up the members in the faith!  The pursuit of novelty can bring disaster to the preacher and the people--illustrated by Hymenaeus and Alexander, mentioned by the end of this first chapter (v.20).

Dear Lord, 
May you help each man of God reading these words to relive their call until it rekindles their enthusiasm for ministry.  Let them tarry in the place of prayer until these truths stagger them with the sense of duty.  May they rise compelled to preach the Gospel!  Guard us from the desire to present some novelty, and focus our attention on orthodoxy.  
In Christ's Name and for His glory. 
Amen.