When the Seasons Overlap
For Such a Time as This: Celebrating Seasons of Life • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
In this study we have looked at the spiritual seasons of life and how they relate to the seasons of a year. We have seen that the Fall is a time of nostalgic growth and a time of reflection. Winter is a time of rest and when work is ceased so that one can see the hand of God at work. Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. Summer is a time when a rite of passage takes place and there is a return on that which is planted. All of us experience these phases in our spiritual lives and usually we can see the progression of one season into the other.
However, there will be times when our seasons overlap. What are we to do and how are we to prepare for such a time is this? Scripture reminds in several areas to be ready, in season and out. One such passage gives a charge to do just that, be ready in season and out. It is found in Paul’s second letter to a young Timothy. Whether you are old or young, there are several things for us to consider in this passage.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
The Place of the Charge (vs. 1)
The Place of the Charge (vs. 1)
First, notice the place of the charge. The Bible says in verse 1, that this charge is made in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus. The dedicated source of this charge is from God Almighty and His Son Jesus. This should not be some great surprise as we know that God and Jesus are one and together know all things. God the Father and God the Son not only know all, but they are present everywhere. Everything we do, say or even think, God knows about it. So we should live our lives as if we are in the presence of God and His Son because we are!
Other scriptural support includes Galatians 1:20:
I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
The dedicated source gives way to a determined story. Through out each season we face, God is with us and will remain with us.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
The determined story in making His grace abound, Paul adds credence to his charge with a dictated summons. He tells young Timothy that Christ Jesus will judge the living and the dead then alludes that Jesus will be coming again. The wording indicates that it is future tense. As Christ has been called and anointed, so are we and we are also held accountable to the charge being given.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,
And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
It is in that light that Paul presents this charge to Timothy and I believer it also given to every Christ follower. Look at the particulars of the charge.
The Particulars of the Charge (vs.2)
The Particulars of the Charge (vs.2)
They are listed out in verse 2 of 2 Timothy 4. The first is to preach the word. I was called into ministry at the age of ten and by the age of 17, I felt I was called to youth ministry. I never thought I would be a preacher. God has a way of making things clear in His calling, however, I believe that to a certain extent, every one who calls Jesus Christ Lord is called to preach His word.
Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
If we are followers of the Lord, we are His disciples. One of the characteristics of the disciples was preaching the redemptive word of Christ. No matter where we go, we are going to preach something. The election of 2020 has shown that people are going to preach what they believe. No matter where we go, the example is to preach the word.
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
There are people you know that will not be reached by the gospel any other way unless you share it with them.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
You might be thinking, “I cannot do that!” Of course you because God is going to equip, empower, and enable you to do whatever He calls you to do! God has given you a story to tell about His redemptive love and you need to tell it. If you do not know how, learn how! We can offer classes and I can help you learn just what to share in order to preach the word. The next of the particulars of the charge is simply be prepared. This was the motto of the Christ follower long before it became the motto of the Boy Scouts! We are called to be prepared, in season and our of season. In other words, we are called to be ready. The word that is used in the original manuscript is ephistemi and it means to stand by and be ready. It is implied here for preaching but it also covers the other items listed as well. The key is to be prepared, always ready to give an answer.
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
That is preaching at its best! So how do we stay prepared? The most simplistic way I know to tell you is to cling to the cross, be cleaned by the cross, and stay close to the cross. Recognized what Jesus has done for us for the atonement for our sins, accept Him as personal Savior and live the way He taught . As I have learned to do just that, I have learned that His teachings and others in my life that follow His teaching will help correct me when I am wrong.
That is exactly what is next in our list of particulars for this charge. We must be willing to correct and to be corrected when necessary.
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.
We can correct by changing the behavior we learn that that is not pleasing to God. I promise you as you do, you become stronger, wiser, and closer to God. Listen to the example of what happens when was does not do this:
She obeys no one,
she accepts no correction.
She does not trust in the Lord,
she does not draw near to her God.
The next in the list of particulars of this charge is the word rebuke. This is a word that makes us want to be sick because of the way it has been misused over the years. Rebuke is a verbal expression of blame. I know in my life I feel there has been lots of rebuking and blame. Some of it was justified and some of it was not. The principle here is the it is to be done for our benefit and out of love. The example of Jesus teaches this.
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
This leads to the next item in the particulars of this charge. We are called to encourage. There is a big difference in doing all of these particulars through encouragement or discouragement. These folks who call themselves Christians and do nothing but brow-beat and discourage others seriously make me doubt they truly know Jesus. There are some folks who feel like their spiritual gift is to be a nay-sayer no matter what. God has called us to encourage!
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Even when we cannot meet together, we need to figure out ways to encourage each other.
The example in our text says to encourage with great patience. This is an area in my life that God continues to work on in me and I can tell you He has done miraculous work in my life! I have realized by doing things the way His word tells me to do, I am better at instructing, because I am living it out!
The last of the list of particulars of this charge is instruction. It seems to me that if I go down this list of preaching, preparing, correcting, rebuking, and encouraging, the path becomes very clear for instructing.
Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
To do all of these actions and not give instruction would be quite useless. In doing so, it leaves the cause of the error untouched. How can we instruct? The best way is sharing that which you have come to know. The way we come to know is through careful study, conscious discipline, and implementing that which we have learned. This leads to something peculiar about this charge.
The Peculiar of the Charge (vs. 3-4)
The Peculiar of the Charge (vs. 3-4)
It seems in verses 3-4 that a warning is shared. There will be a deteriotating situation in which sound doctrine will no longer be taught. Mankind will give in to its own desires and they will even come to the point where they have teachers giving half-truths and watering down that which God has called us to be and do through His word. This shallow teaching leads to shallow living.
Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
I have seen in to today and it is prevalent in our own community. Unfortunately, it leads to destruction.
These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings.
This deteriorating situation leads to a desperate scenario. In fact, we cry out like the Psalmist:
Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
The Bible tells us that in times like this, people turn away from truth and they give into their own desires. When this happens, historically is it not a good time for those folks.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
All this leads to a drifting soul. Have you ever been on a hike and gotten lost and you did not even realize it until hours into you being lost? I cannot say that I have, but I am told that is what happens when a person gets lost. They wander and do not even know they have gone away from the right path.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
The word for myths is ektrepo and it points to deviating from the true course. It literally means they wander into the myths with no awareness the truth was left behind. I am sad to say that our churches are filled with folks like this.
Notice though, that Paul practices exactly what he preaches. He has proclaimed the word, he has done all these things and now in verse 5 he instructs. Notice how he gets personal with the charge.
The Personal of the Charge (vs. 5)
The Personal of the Charge (vs. 5)
But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
We are to be dedicated. “Keep your head in all situations.” Stay focused!
For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
Be determined. “Endure hardship.” You are going to have tough times. Jesus said that.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Lastly, be dutiful. “Do the work of an evangelist.”
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
Whatever season God has placed you in, He has you there to share his love. Even when they overlap, there are others in your life that need to know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is our duty and our calling to show them His way.
You can do it! I can do it! Let’s do so together!