1 Tim 4-11 These things command and teach 2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. Things Preachers Must Do With the Biblical Text 1Teaching the biblical text means that we take our hearers on a journey to another world - the world of biblical authors and their hearers/readers 2Apply it when we understand the text well, we can bridge the meaning to today. But let's not stop there. Because in the midst of applying the biblical text to life, we must give some flavor and color to the picture and that's where the next thing comes into play, 3Illustrate can be a useful and even powerful tool for helping our people not only understand but also feel. If we only show here is what this means and here is how this connects to everyday life then we're shortchanging our hearers because we're only staying on the interstate. And you and I both know that to get the best views, we must get off the interstate and go hiking. When we illustrate the truth, we help people connect the truth to their emotions. In other words, the path from the head to the heart often happens when we're taken on a journey where the truth was applied (or not applied) in someone's life. 4Distinguish it, by applying it, looks at what the truth looks like lived out today, then distinguishing it looks at a couple things: (1) how we often miss the mark on living the truth out, and (2) how we can misapply the biblical text to life. The Christian life is not a life lived through will-power, but through the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling the Christian and leading them to righteousness along the road of sanctification. 5Preach the good news Portable-ize it. Everything in our messages ought to be driving toward one BIG idea. And we must make that big idea portable. In order to portable-ize the truth of the biblical text, we should boil it down into a memorable statement. Make it rhyme. "There's no win in comparison." - Andy Stanley. Preach one point and make it sticky to the heart and mind. Why We MUST Proclaim the Gospel (Acts 8:4-25) 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were (a spirt possessed with them): and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. Stop 8 And there was great joy in that city. 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and [in] the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. 1 Tim 4-11 These things command and teach Those who teach by their doctrine, must teach by their life. Their discourse must be edifying; their conversation must be holy; they must be examples of love to God and all good men, examples of spiritual-mindedness. Ministers must mind these things as their principal work and business. The doctrine of a minister of Christ must be scriptural, clear, evangelical, and practical; well stated, explained, defended, and applied. But these duties leave no leisure for worldly pleasures, trifling visits, or idle conversation, and but little for what is mere amusement, and only ornamental(show). This two-fold command to preach and teach was common in the New Testament In Paul's letter to Ephesians 4:12, Ep 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: In the family, church, and world; which should be as becomes the Gospel of Christ all who are in office in the church, especially in the ministry, whether old or young, should be examples to the flock, and that in the following things: "in word"; meaning either the word of truth, the doctrine of the Gospel; by delivering that which is according to the rule of God's word, showing in it incorruptness, gravity, and sincerity, and by holding it fast The people are to receive the pure doctrine and retain it: or rather this may respect common discourse; which should not be corrupt, filthy, nor foolish; but should be always with grace, Seasoned with salt, (story of Morton box Change, but inside still the same) or should be grave and serious, wise and prudent, pleasant, profitable, and edifying. In conversation about the Gospel; 1 Cor 12;1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. To exercise spiritual gifts; in spiritual talk and conversation; and in fervency of holy spirit. But be thou an example of the believers - One of the constant duties of a minister of the gospel, no matter what his age. Isaiah 61;1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; Thus preaching the gospel is sometimes called preaching the kingdom (19:8; And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 20:25; And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 28:23, 31). And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. "The name of Jesus Christ" refers to all that He is. When you proclaim the gospel, stay focused on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Tell people who He is, God in human flesh. Tell them why He came to earth, to offer Himself as the sacrifice that God's justice requires as the penalty for our sins. Show people from Scripture that we cannot add our good works to what Christ accomplished on the cross. We can only receive His salvation from our sins by faith in Jesus Christ. The ABC's of Salvation A Acknowledge you are a sinner. ( Romans 3;23). B Believe Jesus died on the Cross (and rose again) for your sins. (Rom 6;23). C Confess Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. (Rom 10;9-10) 2