By Pastor Dave Hentschel | June 1, 2025
Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-16
What does it mean to be a faithful pastor? It’s a question that has shaped my own heart for ministry—and one that Paul addresses so powerfully in 1 Timothy 4. In this chapter, he reminds Timothy—and all of us—what matters most for spiritual leaders in the church.
You might wonder: “I’m not a pastor. Does this even apply to me?” Yes! Because while this chapter is about pastors, it’s really about spiritual leadership. Every small group leader, every elder, every Sunday school teacher carries this charge: to shepherd those entrusted to their care.
So what does that charge look like? Paul lays out three essential responsibilities:
- Protect the Sheep (1-5)
Paul begins with a sober warning: “The Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith.” False doctrine isn’t just an intellectual issue—it’s a spiritual battle. Paul says it’s the work of “deceitful spirits” and even “teachings of demons.”
That’s a strong statement! But it underscores the stakes. When leaders fail to correct false teaching, people’s faith is on the line. Some may “depart from the faith,” turning from the truth of Jesus to embrace distortions that can never save.
As pastors—and as people of faith—we are called to discern truth from error. That’s not about paranoia, but about clarity and courage. Just like a shepherd fends off wolves, a spiritual leader must guard against teachings that pull people away from Christ.
In Timothy’s day, some false teachers taught that marriage and certain foods were inherently unspiritual. But Paul counters with the truth: “Everything created by God is good.” God’s good gifts—like marriage and food—are to be received with gratitude. False teachers, by contrast, impose rules that look holy but ultimately deny God’s good design.
This matters for us today, too. We live in a world awash with spiritual confusion. Many Christians can’t clearly explain the gospel or essential truths of the faith. Studies show that even in Bible-believing churches, key doctrines—like the deity of Christ and the reality of original sin—are often misunderstood.
That’s why Paul tells Timothy: protect the sheep by teaching the truth. False teaching will always find a platform, but faithful shepherds stand as a line of defense, upholding the gospel and safeguarding the souls of God’s people.
- Lead the Sheep (6-12)
Shepherds don’t just guard the sheep from danger—they lead them forward in faith.
Paul says, “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus.” Spiritual leadership isn’t about being impressive—it’s about faithfully pointing people to Jesus.
How does a pastor—or any spiritual leader—do that? By setting an example in both doctrine and life. Paul tells Timothy to “train yourself for godliness.” This is more than head knowledge; it’s a daily practice, like an athlete training for a race.
Paul contrasts physical training with spiritual training. Physical fitness is valuable, but godliness is even better—it has “value in every way,” for this life and the life to come.
I love that Paul acknowledges that spiritual maturity isn’t tied to age. “Let no one despise you for your youth,” he tells Timothy. Spiritual leadership is about character—about speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. It’s about living in a way that models the gospel.
That’s a challenge for all of us, no matter our role. Whether you’re leading a Bible study, raising kids, or just trying to live as a faithful witness at work—ask yourself: “Am I training for godliness? Am I growing in the kind of character that reflects Jesus?”
- Feed the Sheep (13-16)
Finally, Paul tells Timothy to devote himself “to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” The shepherd’s ultimate task is to feed the sheep with the word of God.
Why? Because God’s word is life. In a world full of distractions and half-truths, only God’s word can truly nourish the soul. As H.B. Charles once said, “We don’t come to church to hear a preacher’s opinion—we come to hear news from another network: heaven.”
A pastor’s job isn’t to entertain or impress. It’s to open the Scriptures and show people Jesus. And that’s not just for preachers—every believer who opens God’s word with someone else is helping to feed the flock.
Paul urges Timothy: “Do not neglect the gift you have… Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.” The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Day by day, as we stay rooted in God’s word and apply it to our lives, we grow in Christlikeness.
Finally, Paul’s charge is for all of us: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.” Right doctrine and right living go hand in hand. It’s possible to be doctrinally sound but cold in heart—or full of passion but off-base in belief. God calls us to both: to be humble about what we don’t know, and firm in what we do know.
A Call for All of Us
What does all this mean for our churches today?
It means we need leaders—pastors, teachers, mentors—who will protect, lead, and feed the flock. Leaders who will stand firm in the gospel, lead by example, and nourish people with the living word of God.
But it also means each of us has a role. Because every believer is called to pursue godliness, to test what they hear against Scripture, and to live out their faith with love and integrity.
Behind every faithful pastor stands the Chief Shepherd—Jesus, who laid down his life for the sheep. He protects us, leads us, and feeds us by his Spirit. And as we follow him together, we become a church that reflects his heart to the world.
So let’s pray for our pastors, let’s support them, and let’s commit to being a people shaped by the truth of God’s word. Because when Christ is at the center, and his word is our guide, we will be a healthy, thriving church.
Amen.
