Keeping the Doctrinal Bus Between the Ditches

Tuesdays with Timothy  #5

I Timothy 1: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

 The goal of a faithful gospel ministry has been charged to Timothy, the men he would ordain in the church, and all of God’s men through the ages. But as long as there have been prophets, there have been false prophets and teachers who do not rightly handle the Word.  False teachers are not very good drivers. These men drive the doctrinal bus down the wrong road then eventually off the road. Instead of driving down Straight Street, they missed the exit and are barreling down Vain Jangling Blvd at a high rate of speed.  Instead of handling the gospel truth, which is the power of God unto salvation and a faithful saying (I Tim. 1:12-15) they are involved in "empty talk." There is no value in their preaching, there is no worth in there sermons. What a tragedy, that a man can be commissioned to declare a message of unimaginable value, inestimable worth, that reaps eternal reward and glory and give it up for a bunch of hot air. 

They desire to be teachers of the law, which is a good thing. It is a good thing to desire to lead others in truth. It is a noble thing to want to stand up, put yourself on the line and boldly declare God's Word. However, these men don't understand what they are supposed to be telling others about and don't understand what it is they say they affirm. 

Sadly, I believe that too many men are allowed free range behind a pulpit without proper training. Men say "they Lord has called me to preach" and then the church says "have at it" is not operating with much wisdom. It is a good thing to desire to be a bishop (I Timothy 3:1) and that is a signal of the call into ministry, but that is not the final say in the matter. If a man desires to be a teacher of the law, then he first has to understand the law himself and this takes time and this takes the care of the church.

If a man feels "called" to preach – great; now let's get to work. The church should help with opportunity to demonstrate their skills, but also with the accumulation of workman tools (books) and the skills necessary to rightly divide the Word of truth. The pastor needs to help these men with their learning and develop their skills. If a man, who desires to drive the bus, doesn’t know the road, where he is going, or why he is going there, the passengers are in danger. When these men are given authority in the church and free range to preach - you get false teachers and you get false doctrine.