GUARDING GOD’S TREASURE

TEXT- 1 TIMOTHY 6:20-21

INTRODUCTION

This morning I am going to conclude my series of messages from the book of First Timothy and our text is found in 1 Timothy 6:20-21. The title of my message today is, “Guarding God’s Treasure.”

We have already learned in this book that the church is “the pillar and support of the truth.” Down through the centuries the Lord’s churches have clung to the truth even in times of persecution. Countless thousands of martyrs have paid the ultimate price rather than abandon or compromise the truth of God’s word.

The Lord’s churches today have received that legacy of truth and it is our responsibility to proclaim it and hand it down to those who will come after us. But in order to do this we must guard the treasure God has given to us. (Prayer)

A little boy had a horse he wanted to sell. A man found out about it and expressed and interest in buying it. He wanted to know more about the horse and asked the boy what it was able to do. “Is he able to run fast?” the man asked. “No” the boy replied. “Is he able to trot fast?” the man asked. “No,” said the boy, “he can’t even walk fast.” “Well,” the man inquired, “what can your horse do?” “To which the boy replied, “he can stand fast.”

The most important yardstick by which a church can be measured is not how large it is, how good its fellowship is, or how interesting the pastor is. Neither should a church be measured by how good the music is, how well the grounds are kept, or how respected it is in the community. The most important measure of any church is whether it is standing fast upon the truths of God’s word and proclaiming them to those who are lost.

As we consider these last two verses that Paul wrote to Timothy I would like us to look at three things that are involved in guarding the treasure of God’s word.