Iron on Iron – Keep a Close Watch
Rob Conti : Iron on Iron : 1 Timothy 4:6-16
Paul calls Timothy to train himself for godliness, ensuring that everything about who he was would be characterized by devotion to Jesus. We must keep a close watch! This is huge for us as pastors and student pastors. Our speech and actions must display our love and allegiance to God. Our mission is to toil and strive for other’s godliness. Our joy is the gift of watching them grow in grace and remain faithful to God until the end.
Gospel ministry is hard work. There is no place for lazy pastors in the church. The stakes are too high.
Thankfully, we are able to work through the perfection and completeness of Christ’s work on the cross. We can and must strive to grow in godliness and aid the growth of the students He has entrusted to our care. At the end of the day, there is no substitute for a deepening love for the Savior. This is the fountain of holiness, purity and real ministry. Real ministry will be the overflow of our relationship with Jesus — not our intellect, giftings, wisdom or experience.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
– 2 Timothy 2:15
Passages: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 15:10; Philippians 2:12-13; James 3:1-7; Colossians 1:21-23
