Ordination of Andrew N. Loginow

2nd Timothy 3.14-4.2

Introduction 

Today for me personally stands in a line of meaningful worship services. As a pastor there are some services that are a unique blessing because of their personal nature. I had the privilege of preaching my 102-year-old grandfather’s funeral in December 2018. I rejoiced officiating the weddings of Andrew and Chrissy and Dustin and Heidi. It’s hard to put into words the deep joy of baptizing Alex Jr. and Jack last summer.

Today is one of those happy days for me as I preach the ordination and installation of my brother Andrew Loginow as an Elder at Christ Community Church. There’s a sense in which this sermon is specifically for Andrew. It is a charge for him. But it’s also broader than that. Paul’s charge to Timothy is for all of the Elders of Christ Community Church. It is for all here who aspire to be an Elder some day.

And this sermon is for every member of Christ Community Church. This is for all of us because it is the Word of God and Scripture is for all of God’s people for all of time. There is not a single text in sacred Scripture that only applies to certain people in certain times. There is no passage that is only for ethnic Jews either in the past or the future. There is no pericope that is only for pastors, or men, or adults, or any demographic. All of the Bible is for all of God’s people for all time.

This text is for Christ Community Church because you’re not only called to submit to your Elders, but you’re also called to hold Elders accountable. If an Elder is teaching heresy or living in disqualifying sin it is your responsibility to go to your brother and call him to repent. If that fails, it’s your responsibility to go to the Elders with your concerns. If you don’t know the qualifications and calling of Elders, then you won’t know if Elders are failing. So this text is for Christ Community Church.

Why Elders Must Preach the Word

This sermon is divided into two sections: (1) why Elders must preach the Word; and (2) To whom Elders must preach the Word. In 2nd Timothy 3.14-4.1, the Holy Spirit gives us three reasons why Elders must preach the Word: (1) because Jesus saves; (2) because Jesus speaks; and (3) because of Jesus’ second coming.

Jesus Saves (2nd Tim 3.14-15)

First Elders must preach the Word because Jesus saves. Look again at 2nd Timothy 3.14-15:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it  and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

There’s much continuity between the 1st century pastor Timothy and Andrew, who is being ordained today. Both have learned the faith from childhood and both have firmly believed. Paul reminds Timothy that he has been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make him wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. The same is true for Andrew.

It’s important to note that under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, when St. Paul refers to the sacred writings; he’s referring to the Old Testament. When Timothy was a child there was no New Testament. In fact, this letter he has received from Paul is part of the New Testament that the Spirit is writing. Scripture here affirms that the Old Testament is all about Christ. Paul says the Old Testament (another way to say that is Jesus’ Bible) is able to make Timothy wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

That’s because the Old Testament and New Testament, the whole Bible, is about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The word gospel means good news. This is the good news that the eternal second person of the Holy Trinity, the Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a truly human life yet without sin (Heb 4.15). Jesus died on the cross bearing the wrath of God for the sins of his people. He was buried and on the third day he rose again from the dead inaugurating the new creation. Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father where he now rules the world and intercedes on behalf of his church.

Elders must preach the Word because the gospel is in the Word and the gospel is the only news that saves. It is only when you trust in Jesus alone and repent of your sin that you can experience the forgiveness of sin and a right relationship with your creator. This is the message that saved Paul and Timothy. It is the message that has saved Andrew and all of the Elders of Christ Community Church. It is the message that saved you if you belong to Christ. Elders must preach the Word because Jesus saves.

Jesus Speaks (2nd Tim 3.16-17)

Elders must preach the Word not only because Jesus saves, but also because Jesus speaks. Look again at verses 16-17:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work

The phrase, inspired by God is the Greek word θεόπνευστος. It’s a compound adjective made up of the word θεός, which means God and πνεῦμα, which means Spirit. So θεόπνευστος, inspired by God, literally means, “God Spirited.” It’s conveying the theological ideas of the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture. The Holy Spirit inspired everything from Genesis 1 – Revelation 22. St. Peter wrote it this way:

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2nd Pet 1.21).

The Holy Spirit used the minds, experience, research, memory, and teaching of all of these men, from Moses to John, to write the perfect Word of God. Because that’s true, the entire Bible is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. Not only that, but the author of Hebrews wrote:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son (Heb 1.1-2a).

Jesus is the true and final Word of God. Jesus is the Word of God who created the world (John 1). That means that the entire Bible is the Word of Christ. When the Bible is read, any time, anywhere, it is as if Jesus of Nazareth himself is speaking these words to us. As Russell Moore once said, “whenever the Scripture is read it is always read with a Galilean accent.” 

Elders must preach the Word because Jesus speaks. He still speaks today whenever the Word is read. He speaks new spiritual realities into existence when he saves his people through his gospel. He speaks words of warning and encouragement to his people. Jesus speaks through the Word so Elders must preach the Word.

Jesus’ Second Coming (2nd Tim 4.1)

Elders must preach the Word because Jesus saves, because Jesus speaks, and because of Jesus’ second coming. Look at verse 1 of chapter 4:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom.

Elders must preach the Word because Jesus is coming again to raise the dead, judge the world, and make all things new. Preaching is eschatological. We must warn sinners that apart from faith in Christ they remain under the wrath of God. We must encourage saints to run the race because someday sin and death will be no more and their faith will be made sight. Elders must preach the Word because King Jesus is coming to judge the living and the dead.

To Whom Elders Must Preach the Word

These are the reasons why Elders must preach the Word, now let’s spend some time on to whom the Elders of Christ Community Church must preach the Word.

To Yourself

First, Andrew, preach the Word to yourself. Elders of Christ Community Church, preach the gospel to yourselves. Tim Keller said that “the gospel is not the doorway into Christianity, it is the home in which we live. The gospel is not the ABCs of Christianity, it is the A-Z of Christianity.” The gospel is not something we do once when we first become Christians, the gospel is our daily bread. It sustains us. 

Every believer needs to preach the gospel to themselves everyday. We all need to rehearse the truth of grace and mercy daily. How much more important is this for the Elders of the local church? The men who feed the sheep must be well fed themselves. Elders will be disqualified if their teaching and their lives do not line up with the gospel. Preach the Word to yourself.

To Your Family

Second, Andrew, preach the gospel to your family. Elders of Christ Community Church, preach the Word to your family. Men of Christ Community Church, disciple your family. Whether you’re a newly wed, or you’ve got young kids, or teenagers, or you’re empty nesters, grandkids, whatever your situation, preach the Word to your family. Every married man here, every man here with kids, is called to pastor his home. 

The Elders of Christ Community Church, Andrew included now, are called to pastor your home and your church. Shepherd your flock. Don’t be lazy. Don’t pawn spiritual leadership off on your wife. Lead your family spiritually. Bring them to church every week. 

The discipleship of your children is not on kids Sunday school teachers, or on our youth pastor Mike Champoux. The discipleship of your children is your responsibility. Charles Spurgeon said, “Jesus became a man for you, be a man for him.” Men of Christ Community Church man up and lead your family.

To the Church

Third, Andrew, preach the Word to Christ Community Church. Elders, preach the gospel to Christ Community Church. Sam Storms said, “The two main responsibilities of local church Elders are doctrine and discipline.” Elders are responsible to defend and dispense the doctrine of the church. Teaching is the one skill qualification among a list of character qualifications given for Elders in 1st Timothy 3 and Titus 1. 

Whether you are preaching in this pulpit as the saints gather on Sunday morning around the Word and sacrament, or whether you’re teaching a class or Bible study, whether you’re leading a small group, or counseling one-on-one, preach the Word to Christ Community Church.

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

To the World

Finally, Andrew, preach the Word to the world. Elders of Christ Community Church, preach the gospel to the world. Members of Christ Community Church, preach the gospel to your neighbors. Jesus’ final words in the Gospel of Matthew have historically been referred to as the Great Commission. Jesus said:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matt 28.18-20).

The church has been commissioned with making disciples of all nations. We do that by baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, and by teaching them the Word of Christ. Some believers are more gifted in evangelism, but every believer is called to evangelism. So for Andrew and all the Elders of Christ Community Church, live a life that is well thought of by outsiders (1st Tim 3.7) and declare the good news of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ whenever God gives you opportunity.

Conclusion

Today is a special day for the Loginow family. It is a special day for Christ Community Church. God has blessed us with another qualified shepherd for this flock. He has blessed us with another Pastor, Elder, Bishop, Overseer. We have another teacher, another counselor. We are blessed with another faithful man who will preach the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. For that may we say, “Thanks be to God.”