Preach the Word

Introduction:

The backdrop of Chapter 4 is Chapter 3

In the last days...

People being lovers of themselves

People taking advantage of others

Persecution rising

False teachers are rampant

Imposters will get worse

But you remain faithful...

Today:

Do what the Lord has called you to do!

Don’t get sidetracked, distracted, fearful, discouraged…

We don’t have time to waste, and the above things waste time.

I have found that often times when I am studying for Wednesday or Sunday, is when the enemy really fights…

Often times, it distracts me from what I need to be doing.

Vs. 1-2 - Do what is most important!

I solemnly charge you…

There is a seriousness here - Paul doesn’t have time to waste on not being direct. This is a command, an order, etc.

Before God and Christ Jesus… who will judge the living and the dead.

Again, this is no little matter - In light of the One who will judge

There is judgment coming:

1 Peter 4:4–5 “They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander you. They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.”

Romans 14:10 “But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.”

1 Corinthians 3:10–15 “According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.”

The Great White Throne - For unbelievers

Revelation 20:11–15 “Then I saw a great white throne and one seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. I also saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged according to their works by what was written in the books. Then the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; each one was judged according to their works. Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

The Bema Seat - Believers rewarded for their service to the King

2 Corinthians 5:6–10 “So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

Because of His appearing and kingdom.

Good News Translation - “… Because He is coming to rule as king, I solemnly urge you.”

Because He will judge, Because He will return, Because He will rule… He is coming back and He has authority.

So, what will we be doing when He comes back?

Will we have been ready; will we have been faithful?

The contrast we see here is between those who are lovers of self over God and those who remain steady and true despite what is going on around them.

You Timothy… Preach the Word!

Do what is most important in the life of a pastor… preach.

Why not worship, why not pray, why not fellowship… all of these are important… extremely important, but what is of most importance?

What is of most importance is for people to hear the Word of God being taught.

Do we get that we have the remedy, the medicine for anxiety, fear, worry, sin, etc?

We actually have what people desire and want… TRUTH!

I believe that there will come a time when people who are tired of political hype and lies will see that the church has what can anchor them in tough times.

There are a lot of crazy things that can happen at some epic worship and prayer nights… in fact, a lot of false teachers can put on a good emotional show…

The Word of God is going to be the avenue of correction, rebuking, training, etc.

People need to hear the word of God.

Our stories and illustrations should always point back to the Word.

Be ready in season and out of season.

You never know when the Lord will present an opportunity.

Paul was ready. He was ready in Athens (Acts 17), and he was ready in Jerusalem (Acts 21-23)

We must be ready in the good times and bad times, easy times and hard times, the encouraging times and the correcting/rebuking times, the fruitful times and the seemingly unfruitful times.

The pastor from CC Riverbend was teaching while his host went to get a haircut… he just kept on teaching.

We are to preach, but what does that entail?

Rebuking, correcting, and encouraging with patience and teaching.

Our standard for preaching should be the Word of God - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Why? Because it is the Word that speaks into every part of our lives

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Is rebuke needed? Yes! Is correction needed? Yes! Is encouragement needed? Yes!

All of these should be done in patience and with teaching.

Why should we be patient? Because the Lord is patient with us.

How patient was the Lord with the Israelites? Very!

Why should we teach? Because the Word of God teaches us.

We are patient when we teach others… or we should be.

If people don’t know… how can we get mad at them?

Female private at BCT who was racking her M16 every time she shot it.

We do these things (rebuking, correcting, encouraging) in patient instruction. Why?

Because becoming like Christ takes time.

The harvest takes time to grow to maturity.

As a side note, this is why I love the Calvary Chapel way of teaching through the Bible - verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book.

Because, as stated above, the Word speaks to every part of our lives, and people need the Word more than my or any other pastor’s opinion.

What should our motivation be?

Our motivation for patience and teaching should be one of restoration and hoping for repentance.

2 Timothy 2:25–26 “instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”

Does it make a difference when you are corrected by someone who loves you and desires your best? It may still hurt, but it does make a difference.

We don’t want to be people who simply show others their wrongdoings without love, gentleness, or patience.

Vs. 3-4 - Why should we preach the Word?

There is a reason why the Lord commands things, and here Paul gives us the reason for the importance of preaching the Word.

The reason is because people need it.

Romans 10:14 “How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher?”

The reason is because people won’t tolerate sound doctrine

Tolerate > endure > to bear with > to listen

Sound doctrine > The objective truth of the Scripture - The gospel message

What are they going to do?

They... because of their desires... they will multiply teachers they want to hear… They will turn away from the truth… they will turn to myths.

They will turn away from those very things of the Word that nourish us and bring us closer to the Lord.

They desire to hear what pleases them, not what they need.

What do we see today in this vein? What is in front of us as people who turn away? What is the fruit of this?

One big glaring obvious thing is this whole “love and tolerance” gospel.

If we don’t affirm your lifestyle - then people go down the road and find a church that will.

What is the fruit of this - what is an example of turning away from sound doctrine.

UCC Bishop Yvette Flunder (Oakland, CA) “We need a third testament because the Bible has become problematic… slaves obey your masters, women remain silent in church and if you have questions, ask your husbands… I’m frustrated the way the text speaks about a vitriolic God… people say it’s in the book… we need to pull those pages out… words about God… they are not the Word of God.”

This is 100% the fruit of not tolerating sound doctrine, but turning away from the truth.

Others include:

The prosperity gospel, the social justice gospel, the political gospel, legalism, etc.

Turning away from the truth of Scripture and to myths.

Biblehub - “Teachings that are more palatable or entertaining that those that are true.”

What about the church, what are we susceptible to?

Legalism, cheap grace, etc.

Note: Again, not everyone who leaves a church is leaving because of “itching ears.”

Application:

What do we do here?

We pray for those who have turned away.

God is in the revenge business and His revenge is getting the heart of those opposed to him.

We engage in conversation by asking legitimate questions.

Vs. 5 - Fulfill your ministry!

What are we to do?

But you.…

Exercise self control

Keep your head (NIV), Keep a clear mind (NLT), Be watchful (NKJV), use self-restraint (NASB), be sober (BAB).

As a shepherd watches his sheep, so Timothy should watch over the church:

Watch for danger

Watch for changing conditions

Watch the state of the flock… what do they need?

Ezekiel 34:4 “You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.”

Endure Hardship:

Ministry will bring hardship - walking in the calling the Lord has for you will bring hardship.

From friends, people, family, ungracious people, the world, the enemy, even ourselves.

David brought hardship upon himself because of his pride and lust.

Do the work of an evangelist

Perhaps Timothy was timid and didn’t have the gift of evangelism.

Perhaps Timothy was timid and given to fear of how people would respond.

He was still called however, to share the gospel of Jesus with those around him.

We are still called to be a witness (Acts 1:8) for Jesus.

We are still called to be ready to give a defense for our faith (1 Peter 3:15)

We are still called to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20)

We are still called to be salt & light (Matthew 5:13-16)

Fulfill your ministry:

Ministry - diakonia - various forms of service that build up the body of Christ.

How do we do this:

Be faithful and endure

If you are called to serve - then serve, teach then teach, give then give, lead then lead, etc.

A great example here is Nehemiah - He stayed alert and watchful; he endured hardship from the outside and from within, evangelized (pointed people to the Lord), and fulfilled his ministry (saw it through to the end). He was faithful.

Vs. 6-8 - An Example of Faithfulness & Endurance

Paul turns once again to the example of his life and his imminent death.

I am being poured out as a drink offering.

The idea is an offering poured out in conjunction with a sacrifice which represents a complete pouring out of oneself in devotion and service (Biblehub).

First seen in Genesis 35:14 with Jacob.

The idea is total surrender.

Can we say this? Can we say… Lord here we are in total surrender to You and Your plan for our life?

Spurgeon - Paul is resolved to show his thankfulness to Christ, the great sacrifice, and he is willing that his blood should be poured as a drink offering on the altar where his Lord and master was the great burnt offering.”

His departure was near -

The idea of loosing a vessel and preparing to set sail.

Paul knew that this wasn’t the end, but a transition to glory where he would be in the presence of His savior.

You Timothy - must be ready and continue preaching the Word even when I am gone.

The Lord calls His servants home and raises others up.

Our job is to remain faithful.

A look at his life and ministry:

I have fought:

There was an enemy that Paul engaged in battle with - Ephesians 6:10-18; There is an enemy that we engage with as well.

He engaged with demonic forces, he engaged with religious opponents, he engaged with false teachers, he engaged with the enemy.

I have finished the race -

I have endured and played by the rules

I have kept the faith -

I have not waivered in the doctrine of the faith.

Look at his reward:

A crown of righteousness -

I wonder if Paul is thinking that he will be condemned here as a criminal, but will be received and judged by the righteous judge and will be given a crown.

A crown of vindication from the Lord.

How awesome the grace of the Lord and how great is Paul’s assurance.

No thought of life before Christ here, no wavering, just simple confidence in the greatness and power of the blood of Jesus.

This crown of righteousness, this vindication from the Lord should spur us on to endure and remain faithful and ready as we wait and long for His return.

Green - “Faithful stewardship brings full reward; but if we are lazy and careless, allowing others to serve while we live the life of a spiritual hobo, then those who serve will receive the reward.”

To those who long for His appreaing.

Those who are in Christ Jesus need not fear His return because we will be with Him in that moment.

Conclusion:

In spite of being in the last days, no matter how many self-loving people we are surrounded by, no matter how dark the church gets with evil men and imposters…

We have a job to do:

Preach the word!

Even when the world gets darker - we preach the word

Even when people, people we love turn away from the truth - we preach the word

Even when our mentors go home to glory and are martyred - we preach the word

Paul was speaking to Timothy, a pastor, but as seen in the life of Nehmiah…

Nehemiah was not a pastor, but someone who had a burden from the Lord to accomplish something great.

He stayed alert, endured hardship, pointed people to the Word of God, and finished well.

He also corrected, rebuked, and encouraged…

Friends, don’t stop preaching the word.