Remember the Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

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14 Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. 2 Timothy 2:14, 16-18

Have you ever wondered why there are so many arguments in the church over things that seem meaningless in the long run. We have seen churches split over the preference of a particular pastor's personality. The type of music. I.e. Traditional vs Contemporary. Hard rock vs. soft rock. You get the point. Church members have even ended their friendship because of a difference of opinion on the color of the pews. Or, some there should be no pews at all. Some people get angry if people have coffee in the sanctuary. Some churches design their worship space to look more like a coffee bar. 

What is the common thread in all of these examples? They have nothing to do with the gospel. Paul knew Timothy would be tempted to get involved in these petty squabbles, which can often divide the church. 

"The church is constantly tempted to get its focus off of the message that really matters, and is tempted to become an entertainment center, a social service agency, a mutual admiration society, or any number of other things. But this temptation must be resisted, and the church should constantly remember these things." Guzik

Many people want the pastors to talk more about politics taking a stance on the left or the right. Many have issues with sins they feel should be called out from the pulpit. Of course their sin is not as bad as the ones they feel the pastor needs to focus on. Some people think pastors don't preach enough about hell. Most people don't need to be told how bad they are, they need to hear the Good News of the God who loved them and gave His only Son for them so that they might live forever. 

Paul told Timothy to guard the deposit which was entrusted to him through the laying on of hands.  The deposit entrusted to him was the Good News about Jesus Christ. Jesus was truly God and truly man. His primary message was to repent for the kingdom of God was at hand and he brought God's kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. To those who accepted Jesus, He gave them the right to become children of God and bestowed on them the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will give life to our bodies when we die. And we will live in eterniy with him forever. 

This is the Good News and Paul says to Timothy, "Don't do anything that will dilute this message, or let anyone's opinions became a distraction to the main thing!" 

"Man’s opinions, man’s teachings, man’s opinion polls, man’s stories, man’s programs, are all profane and idle babblings compared to the simple Word of God. When these things become the focus of the message from the pulpit, it will increase to more ungodliness." Guzik

Why it is so important keep the main thing (the gospel) the main thing? Because unbelievers need to hear to come to faith, and believers need to be assured that they are saved not by their righteous deeds but by faith in Jesus. Every week they need to be reminded of it in the Word preach and the sacraments administered (Baptism and Communion). 

People can turn on the news if they want to here arguments about this, that, and the other. People come to church to hear the Good News. They come to be surrounded by "Good News". We need to enjoy the family me as we receive the bread and the wine, the real presence of Jesus with us today! A foretaste of the feast to come.  

After serving the bread and wine, the means of grace, the pastor says, 

"Whenever we eat from this bread and drink from this cup we proclaim the Lord's life, death, and resurrection until He comes back in great and promised glory!" 

Let's remember what Paul told Timothy 2,000 years ago. "The main thing is to remember to keep the main thing, the main thing." The main thing is the Good News of Jesus who died for sinners like you and me!