Guard the Deposit

In one paragraph

Pastor Mark closed out the study of First Timothy and opened the book of Titus, working to show that these letters are not religious theory but real correspondence between real people in real places at a real point in history. He traced the chronological arc of the New Testament from the life of Jesus through Paul's missionary journeys and imprisonments, landing on the pastoral epistles as the...

Read together

1. Psalm 33:22 quoted as an opening verse before the first song
2. John 11:35 mentioned as the shortest text delivered, 'Jesus wept'
3. Acts 1:8 quoted to describe Jesus telling disciples they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts
4. 1 Timothy 6:20-21 closing verses of first Timothy, guard the deposit, avoid irreverent babble, grace be with you all
5. Galatians 1:8-9 cited to warn that if anyone preaches another gospel let him be anathema
6. 1 Timothy 1:5 quoted as the aim of the charge: love from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith
7. Ephesians 2:8-10 quoted to show salvation is by grace through faith, not works, but we are his workmanship created for good works
8. Titus 1:1-5 read and expounded as the introduction to the letter, Paul's purpose and greeting to Titus
9. 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 paraphrased during communion, words of institution over bread and cup
10. John 17:3 quoted at the close as the doxology sending, 'this is eternal life that they may know you'

Talk about it

1. The pastor walked through the chronological order of the New Testament books and where they fit in real history. How does knowing that these letters were written by real people in real places, at specific times, affect the way you read them?
2. The pastor said that adding to the gospel or taking away from it makes it no longer the gospel, and that Galatians calls down a severe warning on anyone who does that. Where do you see pressure today, from inside or outside the church, to add something to or subtract something from the plain gospel message?
3. He pointed out that Paul wrote differently to Timothy than to Titus because he knew each man personally and knew what each one needed to hear. What does it say about how God works that He uses specific people with specific personalities for specific tasks?
4. The book of Titus is largely about good works, and the pastor was clear that good works do not save anyone, but that those who are saved are created for good works. How do you hold those two things together in your own life, and where do you find yourself leaning too far toward either legalism or license?
5. The pastor said that even if you have no interest in church leadership, you may be the best example of a Christian that someone in your life has ever seen. What does that responsibility look like practically in the relationships you have right now?