2 Tim. 4:1-8

The Priority and Urgency of the Faithful Preaching of God’s Word

Paul is in Prison in Rome and he sensed that He is nearing the end of his life - He is near to the finish line…and so for the last time, Paul wrote to Timothy to bring him encouragement to persevere in his calling and to prioritize the faithful preaching of God’s Word - that the Word of God must be the central source of doctrine and truth for the Church.

2nd Timothy helps us to see the church’s task and mission until Christ returns.

The Priority and Urgency of the Faithful Proclamation of God’s Word - for the salvation of the lost and the maturity of the believers.

I. The Priority of Preaching the Word (4:1-2)

A. The Motivation and Urgency to Preach the Word (4:1)

2 Timothy 4:1–2 NASB95

1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

solemnly charge = to assert with deep sincerity to do something...

v1. Paul mentions witnesses (God and of Christ Jesus) to impress on Timothy the utmost seriousness of the charge.

Paul uses the reality of the coming of Christ as motivation and reason for urgency to do what needs to be done.

The command: Preach the Word

Preach

κήρυσσω (kēryssō). vb. to preach or proclaim.

to preach, proclaim, tell, often urging acceptance of the message, with warnings of consequences for not doing so

What is Gospel-Centered preaching?

Is a preaching that declares TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD, it is the PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Declaring that Jesus is both Lord and Christ (Savior)

Acts 5:42 NASB95

42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Declaring the call to Repentance

Mark 1:15 NASB95

15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Acts 3:19 NASB95

19 “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Why preach the Word and not human wisdom or philosophy?

a. This is what God commanded (2 Tim. 4:1)

2 Timothy 4:1 NASB95

1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:

Mark 16:15 NASB95

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

b. This is what the people need, salvation for the lost (Rom. 10:14-15)

Romans 10:14–15 NASB95

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

c. Equipping and Spiritual Maturity for the believers (Eph. 4:11-12, 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NASB95

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Ephesians 4:11–13 NASB95

11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

B. The Readiness to Preach the Word (4:2)

2 Timothy 4:2 NASB95

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Another command = To be always ready at all times (in season and out of season)

be ready - to be present, to be ready to discharge a task, stand by and be ready.

it means that Timothy must be fully prepared to speak the TRUTH (Good News)

Every believer must be fully prepared to speak the TRUTH of the Gospel of Christ

1 Peter 3:15 NASB95

15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

In every situation, whether good or bad, the Word is to be proclaimed.

A Preacher / believer must be ready to give an answer....

2 Timothy 4:2 NASB95

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

How to Pastorally Preach the Word (4:2)

to reprove

to rebuke

to exhort

with great patience

and instruction

reprove = to express strong disapproval of someone’s action,

to convict - to prove or show to be guilty

Used: John 16:8

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of Sin.

rebuke = to admonish or warn forcefully (as expressing strong disapproval)

Used: Mark 8:32

Peter rebuked Jesus and then Jesus rebuked Peter because he thinks only for his self-interest (he does not want Jesus to suffer and die, therefore not fulfilling Jesus’s mission on earth which is to die for our sins)

exhort - to earnestly support or encourage, comfort.

with great patience - Paul emphasizes not only preaching with right content, but right manner as well.

“It matters to God what is preached. And it matters to Him how it is preached. No man is free to preach whatever and however he so chooses.” ― Steven J. Lawson, The Kind of Preaching God Blesses

II. The Reason to be Always Ready to Preach the Word (4:3-4)

2 Timothy 4:3–4 NASB95

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

false teachings and false converts are present in the church of Ephesus...

people will not endure sound/correct doctrine

people will be selective of doctrines that they like to support their evil and selfish desires

people will turn their ears away from the truth (that Jesus is the Christ)

people will pursue non-sense myths (fables, stories) and deviate from the right path. (apostasy)

Example of people turning away

2 Timothy 4:14–17 NASB95

14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. 16 At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.

2 Timothy 1:15 NASB95

15 You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

How can Timothy be ready?

III. The Preparations for Effective Ministry (4:5)

2 Timothy 4:5 NASB95

5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

The need to be Spiritually Alert

Be sober/calm/vigilant

The need to embrace suffering as part of our holy calling

Endure hardships/sufferings for Christ

Continue in evangelism even in the presence of opposition

do the work of an evangelist - evangelism is a mark of faithful christian/church

Complete the ministry that the Lord began in you (not partial)

fulfill your ministry (complete not partial)

IV. The Example of Perseverance that we can Emulate (4:6-7)

2 Timothy 4:6–7 NASB95

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

Willingness to Sacrifice

Poured out as a drink offering (sacrifice) (part of OT sacrificial offering)

Willingness to give all and endure until the end

Fought the good fight of faith (gave his all)

Willingness to live in obedience to God

Kept the faith (obedience)

V. The Future Hope of Every Believer (4:8)

2 Timothy 4:8 NASB95

8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Awarding of the Crown of Righteousness by the righteous Judge Jesus Christ

Conclusion:

The faithful Preaching of God’s Word is the primary means that God uses to bring salvation to the lost and sanctification for believers, and God empowered His redeemed people to cooperate with Him and accomplish this mission.