Holding Out the Word of Truth

Holding Out the Word of Truth

Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NIV)

1 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: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 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. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

I.        Introduction:

II.      Be Assured of the Accountability for the Word: The Preacher is Expected to Answer to God

A.      A Personal Responsibility

1.       Standing in the Presence of God

2.       Standing under the Judgment of Christ

B.      An Expected Return

1.       The Return of the King

2.       The Reign of the King

III.   Be Attentive to the Delivery of the Word: The Preacher is Enlisted to Preach for Effect

A.      Preaching From God’s Word

B.      Preaching With Preparation

1.       Prepared to Preach when Convenient

2.       Prepared to Preach when Inconvenient

C.      Preaching For Results

1.       Preaching for a Purpose

a)       Preaching to Correct: Effective Against Falsehood

b)       Preaching to Rebuke: Effective Against Sin

c)       Preaching to Encourage: Effective Against Quitting

2.       Preaching with a  Method

a)       Using Great Patience

b)       Using Careful Instruction

IV.    Be Alert to the Popularity of the Word: The Preacher is Elected to Contend with Fables

A.      The Problem Of Selective Teaching

1.       The Rejection Of Sound Teaching

2.       The Collection of Selected Teachers

B.      The Problem Of Selective Hearing

1.       Turning Off the Truth (Illust., Turning Off Hearing Aids)

2.       Turning Out for Lies (A Great Audience Doesn’t Equal Great Preaching)

V.      Be Aware of the Ministry of the Word: The Preacher is Entrusted to be Unwavering In Purpose

A.      Staying Levelheaded

B.      Showing Persistence

C.      Sharing the Gospel

D.      Satisfying Responsibilities

VI.    Conclusion: