Preach the Word- 2 Timothy 4:1–8

There are passages in the Sacred Scriptures which are calm and inviting, passages such as Isaiah 55 where we are invited to partake of the gospel. There are other passages that open up the sorrows of the human heart, such as Job chapters 1–2. There are chapters that cause us to bow before the majesty and divine glory of God, such as Isaiah 40.

There are some passages in the Sacred Scriptures, however, that cause us to feel the importance and solemnity of the event or occasion. Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane and Moses before the burning bush would be two examples of such passages.

Our present text, 2 Timothy 4:1–8 is such a passage. As we step onto this holy ground, we see a charge given by the aged apostle on the doorstep to eternity exhorted to his spiritual son in the faith, Timothy.

This charge is, despite the challenges and difficulties you will face, Timothy, preach the Word.

“The preacher must present, not book reviews, not politics, not economics, not current topics of the day, not a philosophy of life denying the Bible and based upon unproven theories of science, but the Word. The preacher as a herald cannot choose his message. He is given a message to proclaim by His Sovereign. If he will not proclaim that, let him step down from his exalted position.” Kenneth Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies From the Greek New Testament for the English Reader Vol. 2: Philippians–Hebrew–The Pastoral Epistles–First Peter, 154

If we are to know God and make Him known through suffering and steadfastness, pastors must preach the Word knowing that they face judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I. The Pastor and the Second Coming- 4:1

Paul, the completely changed man, knows that his time on earth is coming to its end (our last point). Knowing this causes Paul to solemnly charge the young pastor Timothy.

Paul raises God the Father and God the Son as His witnesses, if you will, no doubt emphasizing the solemnity of this charge. But Paul reminds Timothy of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, a consistent theme that runs through this epistle.

1:12 “...until that day...”

1:18 “…on that day...”

2:12 “…we will also reign with him...”

3:9 “…for their folly will be plain to all...”

Paul has encouraged Timothy, and we would do well to follow, to live in light of the second coming of Christ. He will come to judge the quick and the dead, the living and the dead. None can escape the reckoning of the Lord Jesus.

“According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth…and Christ will judge all men in righteousness.” Baptist Faith & Message 2000

We all would do well to live with one eye on this life and one eye on the Lord Jesus. For Timothy, this enables him to preach the Word.

For you, it may enable you to be a better father, mother, husband, wife, child, church member, worker, and so forth. Jesus is coming again, will you be found faithful? Will you be ready?

II. The Pastor and the Word- 4:2

In light of the coming of the Lord Jesus, Paul commands Timothy to preach the Word. Like the heralds going forth and telling the message of the king, pastors are ambassadors heralding God’s Word to all people, both believers and unbelievers.

Paul describes how Timothy should preach the Word and I summarize these thoughts with three words: wisely, surgically, and patiently.

A. Wisely—in season and out of season

Pastors should be ready with it is time to preach and when it is not time. There are many opportunities that come when it is least expected, but the pastor who studies to show himself approved unto God is a pastor who is ready in season and out of season.

But the pastor must wisely preach the Word, tailoring the proclaimed Word to the individual or group. You cannot minister the Word of God at a funeral in the same way you do at a wedding. Nor can you be blunt with a meek individual or soft with a stubborn person.

The pastor needs the Holy Spirit to be with him in season and out of season so that he can preach the Word wisely. You do as well!

B. Surgically—reprove, rebuke, and exhort

The pastor must also be a surgeon of the soul. He is not to be a demolition expert, blowing up the entire structure. He is to take the Word of God and apply it according to the need.

The surgeon cuts, but only what is necessary. The pastor, likewise, must reprove or rebuke at times. This causes pain at times, but only what is necessary to remove ungodly aspects of our lives.

Additionally the pastor should exhort, that is, to encourage. A pastor should encourage people to follow Christ, to come along with him on the journey to Christlikeness. And are we not called to do the same, church?

He must wisely and surgically preach the Word, but he also needs patience!

C. Patiently—with complete patience and teaching

The work of a pastor is hard, and the fruits of the pastor’s labors are often unseen. The woodsman sees the felled timber and stacks of cut wood. The fisherman cooks his catfish, the hunter his deer, and the teacher her graduates.

2 Timothy 2:1–6 “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.”

The pastor must preach the Word wisely, surgically, and patiently. *Each sit

The pastor knows the Lord Jesus is coming again and therefore must preach the Word, but why? Paul tells us people will have “itchy ears.”

III. The Pastor and Itchy Ears- 4:3–5

We see a connection here and 3:1 between the seasons of increasing wickedness alongside those who have itchy ears. They want to hear what they want to hear, not what the Word of God says. And Timothy is charged to preach the Word anyway!

Paul tells Timothy there will be a time when people will not endure sound or wholesome teaching. These are people that would be in Timothy’s church. They won’t permit it, they won’t allow it.

Rather, these itchy ears want something new and novel, something that will not make them feel bad for their “own passions.” They don’t want to hear about sin, they just want someone to salve their consciences.

They will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. The pastor preaches the Word despite the itchy ears. Why?

Because of the solemn charge, the coming judgment, and his place in the King of kings service. He preaches the message of God! He should offset the itchy ears with sober minded, enduring, gospel-preaching ministry.

We as a church must follow Timothy’s example. Even if all other churches forsake the truth of God’s Word we must proclaim it wisely, surgically, and patiently. *corporately and individually*

IV. The Pastor and the Prize- 4:6–8

How could Paul remain faithful? How could Timothy? How can we? We are again reminded of the absolutely need to focus on the Lord Jesus. He will come back, and if we keep this in mind our fight for the faith, though difficult, will bring us to our reward.

Paul received his reward, and I have no doubt that Timothy did as well. Will you? Do you find yourself longing for the return of the Lord Jesus? Do you love it?

Or are you more like Demas, move in love with this world than you are with the Lord Jesus?

Every point we have considered this morning is in light of the return of Jesus Christ. Paul and Timothy, pastors, and Christians committed to following the Lord, live in light of eternity.

The itchy ears live for the here and now. Unlike Moses in Heb. 11:25, they choose to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin rather than being mistreated with the people of God.

If we are to know God and make Him known through suffering and steadfastness, pastors must preach the Word knowing that they face judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you want to know God and make Him known? Preach the Word knowing you will face the judgment of the Lord Jesus.