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Clarity Over Relevance: The Church’s Call to Courage and Faithfulness
By Dave Jenkins | July 26, 2025 | The Weekly Watch (Part 4 of 5)
In a cultural moment obsessed with being “relevant,” the Church is facing a crisis of clarity. In this episode of The Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins calls believers and pastors alike to reject compromise and embrace courageous, biblical faithfulness.
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WatchEpisode Summary
Many churches today are pressured to be “relevant” at the expense of doctrinal depth. But as Dave explains, relevance without clarity leads to compromise. Drawing from Scripture, church history, and real-life examples, this episode challenges believers to stand firm in truth, even when it costs.
Key Topics Covered
- How the idol of relevance has reshaped modern ministry
- The importance of biblical clarity over cultural approval
- Examples of compromise in popular ministries and denominations
- Profiles in courage: Christopher Yuan and John MacArthur
- What it means to faithfully preach and live the gospel today
Scripture References
- 2 Timothy 4:2–4
- John 6:67
- Titus 1:9
- Philippians 1:27–28
- Acts 4:18–20
- Psalm 119:105
- Hebrews 13:8, 13:17
- Ephesians 4:15
Pull Quote
“The Church doesn’t need more branding—it needs more backbone.” – Dave Jenkins
Takeaways
- Clarity isn’t optional—it’s commanded by God (2 Timothy 4:2).
- Cultural applause is temporary; gospel faithfulness is eternal.
- The Church must teach sound doctrine clearly and courageously.
Apply Today’s Message
- Stay Anchored in Scripture: Let God’s Word guide your life.
- Commit to a Local Church: Choose a church that values clarity.
- Speak the Truth in Love: Be bold and gracious in your witness.
Next Episode – July 29, 2025
Gospel Clarity in an Age of Ambiguity – We wrap up the series with a clear, hopeful look at how the gospel brings light in our confused world.
Resources
Resources- More episodes of The Weekly Watch
- Check out Contending for the Word on YouTube.
Share This Episode
If this episode challenged or encouraged you, please share it on social media, leave a comment, or send us your questions. Let’s stand firm together.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
