Keeping to Scripture…Plain and Simple.

At the very heart and center of Christian faith is Christian Scripture.  Scripture itself is not the end of Christian faith – that is our personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit.  But it is the means of Christian faith – apart from which any true and meaningful relationship with him is impossible.  Given that, you would assume that our scriptures would occupy front and center in our lives and in our worship, both personally and corporately.  But both scripture and history tell us otherwise.  There is good reason why Paul’s principle charge to Timothy centered on his faithfulness to scripture: “keep the pattern of sound teaching…guard the good deposit…present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not be ashamed who correctly handles the word of truth…you know how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation…preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 1:13-14; 2:15; 3:15; 4:2).  It was Paul’s principle charge because it would be Timothy’s principle challenge – just as it is has been ever since.  Today we’re taking a close at that challenge in 2 Timothy 2:14-26, in a message entitled, “Keeping to Scripture…Plain and Simple”.