Well, we’re starting a new series this Sunday. We’ll be looking at “discipleship in action” from 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. These are known as the Pastoral Epistles because in them, the Apostle Paul is teaching his protégé, Timothy, how to pastor. And that’s because Paul is sending Timothy out to go pastor a church. But not just any church, the church at Ephesus. This is one of the most well-known churches of New Testament times. You might think this is a prestigious assignment, however, it’s mostly known for everything it does wrong.

And it will be up to Timothy to set it right. Sounds like fun, right? Probably not. But nonetheless, when the Apostle tells you to go, you go. And so Timothy is getting some instructions first. And Paul gives him three primary duties …

1) Show everyone in the church the power of the gospel to save sinners. Which means that first we have to acknowledge we’re sinners who need saving. And that’s something our culture has a really hard time with.

2) Correct the false teaching and confront the false teachers. I don’t know if you’ve ever had to correct false teaching, but let me assure you, people generally don’t take kindly to it. And that’s made even more difficult today by a culture that believes everyone gets to pick their own truth.

3) Show everyone the great value of personal piety. Later in the letter, Paul writes, 1 Timothy 6:11b, that we are to “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” And as we will see, these things sound easy, but are hard to live out in the face of a culture who looks on such things with abject disdain.

So, we’re in for quite a ride. Should be interesting. See you Sunday, Dr. Dave

P.S. Don’t forget to welcome back Frank Wang this Sunday as he returns from a well-deserved sabbatical.