Be a Part of a Faithful Church

"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-5 NKJV

As is the custom at our church after the first worship song is sung, the congregation was encouraged to step out of their pews and greet one another, especially those individuals that might be visiting for the first time. It was while doing this that my eyes and ears caught the interaction between my friend, Kyle, and a young family that I had never seen before.

"This is our first time coming to this church," the man said as his wife and two children looked on. "What can you tell me about this church? Specifically what makes it a good one?" As my ears perked up at the questions, I turned around and smiled at Kyle who could tell that I was getting ready to speak. "Well...." I began. "First and foremost, I will tell you that we are a Bible believing church who stands ten toes on the Gospel and won't compromise on the truths laid out in the Word no matter how offensive or outdated it might be to the world."

I then went on to say, "Oh, and we have a great kids ministry and some very active other ministries that you can get involved in." Later, after the introduction period ended, we had two baptisms that caused me to consider how blessed I was to be a member of a faithful church with a pastor who was unwilling to water down the Gospel in any way. 

You see, while it's great to belong to a church that has a great praise team or might have a hundred different programs, it's not a genuine "church" if it doesn't teach "truth" and "sound doctrine."

This is something that Paul clearly understood and a truth he wanted to pass on to Timothy-- a young pastor Paul was mentoring--before his death. Hence the reason he said, "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

In saying this, the Apostle Paul delivered an urgent final charge to his protege, Timothy, that echoes with timeless urgency for leaders today. Standing on the brink of his own martyrdom, Paul called upon the highest authority—God and Jesus Christ—to command Timothy to relentlessly preach the Word, regardless of whether the timing was convenient or difficult. 

This heavy warning stemmed from a sobering reality: a time was coming when people would reject sound doctrine, driven by "itching ears" to seek out comfortable teachers who would merely validate their desires rather than challenge them with truth. To combat this slide into modern myths, Paul outlined a clear blueprint for endurance. Leaders, he said, must remain sober-minded, willingly embrace hardship, share the good news, and fully complete the ministry they have been given.

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20

And, as we can see by looking around, the time that Paul was talking about has come. People, in record numbers, are rejecting Biblical truth and true teaching. Because of this, they are flocking to "churches" and "pastors" who preach half-truths and outright incorrect doctrine that calls their evil deeds good and their good deeds evil. 

"These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." Acts 7:11

"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:18-20

Which is the very reason that it's never been more important for every believer to be a part of a faithful church. And to not only be a part of it, but to do their part in searching "the Scriptures daily" to ensure that "sound doctrine" is being taught and praying for their pastor every day to "boldly make known the mystery of the gospel" in a world that's growing increasingly hostile to the Truth of God's Word and to all those who preach it boldly.

"not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

So, make sure you're part of a faithful church my friend and doing your part to keep it that way. The "Day" that Paul spoke about is closer than it ever was and you and I will need one another to stay faithful until the end. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the most important thing that we are to look for in a church is that it teaches "sound doctrine" that adheres to the Truths laid out in the Bible and preaches the Word without fear of the world. Help us to understand Lord that we are all called to be evangelists and to fulfill our calling to share the Message of the Gospel that all would come to repentance and inherit eternal life by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 
Happy Running!