CUSTODIANS OF THE TRUTH
Rom. 2:13, 11-29

A. Now and then we hear of someone falling heir to some massive fortune without having any
concept of the importance or value of what he has, and then proceeding to be irresponsible in
his custodianship of the thing.
I was once in the home of a brother who beamed with pride as he showed me his expensive library of books — None of which had never been read.
a. Acts. 19:35, tells about the people of Ephesus who were proud of their custodianship of the
temple and the image of Diana.
(A) The Jews were proud of their “custodianship” of the Law and Word of God.
Paul asks in, Rom. 3:1-2., “What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God” The answer? Great and honored advantages.
Beyond that Paul says, “Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen” Rom. 9:4-5.
But “the essence of knowledge is, having it, to use it” (Confucius). That was the condemnation of the Jews. The Jews did not do with the word of God what they should have, Rom. 2:17?24.
Do we have this same problem of seeing ourselves as the “custodians of the truth” without acceptance of the attendant responsibilities?
(a) In fact we are “custodians” of God’s Truth.
Like the song says, “Into our hands the gospel is given.”
The apostles were stewards of the gospel in the strictest sense. And that’s what Paul says in, 1 Cor 4:1?2, “Let men consider us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required that those who have been given such a trust must prove faithful.”
In the same way we (the church) have been given the same responsibility.
2 Tim. 2:2, passed that charge on to the church, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
1 Tim. 3:15, Paul speaks of, “...God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
In a world where the Bible is twisted and bent to fit every imaginable religious idea, we must determine to be those who reverently and accurately handle the saving truth of the gospel, 2 Tim. 2:15?16, “Present yourself approved to God as one who does not need to be ashamed by correctly handleing the word of truth.” Again that’s talking about you and me.
As custodians, guardians, the pillar and support, of God’s Word It is our duty to maintain and uphold a genuine respect for the truth and authority of the holy Scriptures.
We are not only guardians of God’s Word. We are also thedispensers of that Word. The great commission was given to the church, that’s you and me.
Mark 16:15, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
Matt. 28:19-20, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
b. This beings up a word of caution. We must not “guard” the truth without doing the truth.
(1) We must not be hypocrites who preach but do not practice. Matt. 23:1?4.
(1) “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” Jas. 1:22.

(1) You cannot guard the Word if you don’t know what the Word is. And you cannot know what the word is without using it.
(2) Truth is not a museum relic to be preserved. It is a tool meant to be used.
(3) Eph. 6:17, says, “We are to use “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
(2) Elders are spiritual teachers and leaders in the church. One of the most important qualifications for an elder is found in 1 Tim 3:2, “apt to teach, “ (Skilled in teaching God’s Word) We are told why in Titus 1:9, “He must hold fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who teach false doctrine.”
(4) We are to follow the life and teaching of Jesus
(b) Be like Jesus in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
(B) “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a
forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” Jas.
1:25.
(2) That’s God’s promise to His church every where and He seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth----with a right heart and according to His Word.
(3) “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deut. 29:29.
(1) May we always up hold God’s honor and dignity as we fill our God given role of being the Pillar and Support of the truth.
(2) Acts 20:32

Spur - 07/22/2001 pm