Faithful in the Fundamentals

1 Timothy 4:6-16
After a bad first half of football, Vince Lombardi is said to have begun his half-time talk by holding up a football. He said, “Gentlemen, this is a football.” His point is that if you’re going to play the game right, then you must have the fundamentals down. In this passage of Scripture, Paul says much the same thing to elders, “Keep a close watch on yourself and the teaching.” God doesn’t want creativity and coolness; He only desires shepherds to be faithful in the fundamentals. This passage examines the basic components of the pastoral calling and role.