Preaching The Word (2Tim [4]1-5)
Preaching The Word
Text: II Timothy 4:1-5
Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)
Date Preached - (06/10/01)
Introduction:
This chapter contains the last words of the Apostle Paul.
Under Nero’s Tyranny the savage persecution of Christian’s had spread empire-wide.
1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
What are the Marks of a Faithful Man of the Word?
Why is this so essential? Because of the close relation of the spiritual life and faithfulness of a pastor to that of the congregation.
Paul’s life was one of spiritual excellence, not earthly success.
Great contrast between excellence and success.
INSERT thoughts MAC – pg 166-167
May we strive for excellence and not success!!
I. The Seriousness of the Commission vs.1
“I charge thee therefore before God”
A. Serious because it is carried out in the presence of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We are under His constant, watchful eye.
Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
There are things that men can see (the outward appearance) – we must be concerned.
There are things that only God can see (the heart) – we must be most seriously and supremely concerned.
One day (if not already) our faithfulness in the things that only God can see will be manifested in our faithfulness in the things that men can see.
B. Serious because there will be an accounting given at the judgement seat.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
LOOK UP & READ I Corinthians 3:12-15 if necessary
ALSO SEE James 3:1-2
What is revealed in God’s court is more accurate than the findings of any human court, than the opinions and expressions of others, than our most honest and candid attempts at self-evaluation!!
1 Corinthians 4:4-5 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
We often do not realize the imminency of this judgment.
II. The Content of the Commission vs.2A –“Preach the Word”
PREACH – to herald, to proclaim publicly.
Not lofty oratory, not motivational speeches, not worldly wisdom.
The spiritual power does not rest in the speaker, but what is preached – the Word!
EXAMPLES:
Noah – Walked with God, found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
2 Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
Jonah –
Jonah 3:4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
John the Baptist -
Matthew 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
PREACH THE WORD means the entire Word!!
Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
INSERT Def. Of exp preaching MAC pg. 174
Reasons why faithful and full proclamation of the Word is the only right way to preach.
Why I preach expositorally.
A. Such preaching lets God speak rather than man.
Because it declares God’s own Word.
B. It brings the preacher into direct contact with the mind of the Holy Spirit.
He is the author of Scripture.
What about commentaries? What is the best commentary on the Bible?
C. It forces the preacher to proclaim all of God’s truth.
Even truths that are difficult to learn, or difficult to apply or accept.
D. It promotes Biblical literacy in the congregation.
Should increase the desire of the people to study Scripture for themselves.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
E. It carries ultimate authority.
Matthew 7:29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
F. It is the only kind of preaching that will transform the preacher and the congregation.
“Changed Into His Image” & “Building Better Lives”
G. God has called preachers to proclaim His own Word and only His Word.
QUOTE Wm. Taylor MAC pg. 175
III. The Scope of the Commission vs.2B
A. Be Ready
Speaks of urgency, eagerness, preparedness, readiness. On a moment’s notice.
Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
B. In and Out of Season.
Whether it is convenient or not.
Not dictated by culture or tradition. By the propriety or esteem of society.
But dictated by a mandate from God.
C. Reprove
Correction of misbehaviour or false doctrine
D. Rebuke
Seeking to bring the erring person to repentance.
E. Exhort
To call out to someone, admonish, to encourage. To come alongside the person in love.
What a Pastor says and does are important, but it also important how he says or does them.
With All Longsuffering
Patience, perseverance. Not to be exasperated or angry.
With All Doctrine
It is not the Pastor’s personal authority that convicts of sin and produces change, but the very Word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
IV. The Urgency of the Commission vs.3-4
He will eventually face opposition for faithful preaching and teaching.
The more the message is rejected, likely the more it is needed.
Jeremiah 5:30-31 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Preach what people need, not what they want to hear.
V. The Attitude of the Commission vs.5A
“Watch thou in all things”
The idea is sober, vigilant, stable, stedfast.
Like the athlete of I Cor. 9:25-27
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
VI. The Cost of the Commission vs.5B
“Endure afflictions”
2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
A spiritually excellent ministry will have hardships.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
VII. The Extent of the Commission vs.5C
“Do the work of an evangelist”
The word is used only here and two other places in NT.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
What is an evangelist?
VIII. The Goal of the Commission vs.5D
“Make full proof of thy ministry”
Bring to completion, give full measure, wholeheartedness.
So like Paul he could say…..
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Conclusion: (Review)