For decades, Charles Richter’s namesake scale has been used to measure the strength of earthquakes. But the magnitude of Richter’s work might just as easily be measured in lives saved because of the information he shared.
The magnitude and intensity of an earthquake is greatly dependent upon the depth of the fault lines and their location, explained Caleb Turner, senior pastor of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church in his hometown of Mesquite, Texas.
“The same can be said about the ministry and the calling [of a pastor]. It’s not always dependent upon the depth of one’s theological vocabulary nor the distance by which we can reach people via our social media followers. … Plainly put, we have more power when we are in closer proximity to the Provider. … Measure your magnitude by who you lead to the Master.”
Speaking June 8 in Dallas during the first session of the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention Pastors Conference, Turner began the exploration of the conference theme, “Worth Following,” based in 2 Timothy.
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Preaching from 2 Timothy 1:1–7, Turner noted the spiritual foundation laid by Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother, Eunice. The “sincere faith” exhibited by Timothy “dwelt first” in them (v. 5). Sincere faith is part of who Lois and Eunice are, Turner said.
“Here’s something we need to know,” Turner said. “If you want faith to live in your children, let it live in you first.”
Dwelling versus visiting
“Dwell means to reside,” he said. “I don’t know if you know this or not, but there’s a difference between an Airbnb and a mortgage. Some of us are Airbnb Christians, where we only seek God whenever we need something from Him.”
Mortgage saints, on the other hand, know God has given them the ability to fulfill their calling and will see that calling through to the end, Turner said.
Sincere faith is not predicated on politics, not connected to sinful convictions nor relegated to religion without relationship.
“A sincere faith rejoices in the fact that because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, I can have confidence in knowing that I am saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit, and I have a calling on my life,” Turner said.
‘Three-against-one’
The Spirit is “not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (v. 7) — it’s “three-against-one,” Turner said.
“When this trifecta works together alongside the will of God, nothing is impossible.
“So I say, do not be afraid. Fan the flame of evangelizing the lost and caring for the less fortunate and see the power of God do work alongside the love of our risen Savior to enable us to make soul-minded, sound-minded decisions that bring Him glory.
“It is then and only then that we will truly see the true magnitude of ministry, when God is glorified, Jesus is magnified and hell is horrified.”
