Preach The Word

2 Timothy 4

​Paul says there is only one standard by which a church is to properly function: God’s Word. The Bible—and only the Bible—is the final authority for Christian individuals, families, churches, and even the broader culture. (Dr. Tony Evans)

“I 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, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:1–2
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What does it mean to preach? Dr. Tony Evans says that, “The action of preaching calls to mind the role of a herald who was responsible for receiving the message of a king and delivering it the king’s subjects. To preach is to declare what God has to say to his people and to exhort them to act on that by believing and obeying it. Biblical preaching confronts us with God, through the Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit, through the personality of a preacher, so that we will understand and respond to God. Preaching includes reading the Word, explaining the Word, and applying it.”

In a world that has been blinded by sin and Satan, and that claims everything is relative and that there is no absolute truth, people ought to be able to hear the absolute truth of the Word of God preached in “the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15). Each person might have his or her own view. But when we come to church, we need to hear God’s view from God’s Word; be it sang or spoken.

According to Warren Wiersbe, “Paul’s plea, ‘Come before winter’ (2 Tim. 4:21), is a reminder to us that opportunities do not wait forever. Once the winter season began, Timothy could not travel easily to Rome and see his beloved friend for the last time. ‘Before winter or never!’ said Dr. Clarence Macartney in his famous sermon “Come Before Winter.” He continued, “There are some things which will never be done unless they are done ‘before winter.’ Are there opportunities you are neglecting today that may soon vanish forever? Are there people you should contact and decisions you should make? Today is yours; tomorrow may be too late. Come before winter.”

Wiersbe goes on to tell us in His Word Commentary that “Christ is coming, Apostasy is coming, Departure is coming, and Help is coming.”

In view of this, we must know our task and be faithful “to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom.”

“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.” 2 Corinthians 5:9–11 (ESV)

“And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.... See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 2:28–3:2

“preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:2–5 (ESV)

Indeed, it is now here. Many professed Christians have no “ear” for the Word of God. They prefer religious entertainment and sermons that will tickle their ears instead of cut their hearts. In some countries, it is claimed that sin has abounded so much that there is no guilt; therefore, God does not exist and His Word is void. Despite what we think on this, there is definitely a blindness to spiritual and truthful things. Many gauge truth on a continuum only to choose what to see and hear in the moment as it fits personal desires and benefits.

“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 race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth 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.” 2 Timothy 4:6–8 (ESV)

Here, Paul saw his approaching death as the offering of a sacrifice to God, the ending of a difficult race, and the gaining of a glorious crown, similar to the victor’s crown given to winners at the Greek Olympic Games. He was sitting in a Roman prison, awaiting execution.
It’s not enough to start the Christian race. It’s not enough to run the race. You must finish the race. Your goal in life must be to finish well. Paul didn’t reach the end of his days to contemplate the things he hadn’t done. There was no regrets. He left everything on the “track” of his journey. He had no sense of incompleteness. Christ can get you to the finish line, but you must focus your attention on him and lean on the Holy Spirit. Even if you have fallen, get up, and keep running.

“Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10 (ESV)

In his final words to Timothy, the Apostle Paul was greatly disappointed when the people he had ministered to turned away from him and were ashamed of his bonds. He asked Timothy to come as soon as possible and to bring Mark with him. But best of all, the Lord came to Paul and encouraged him! No matter what His people may do, Jesus will never leave you or forsake you.
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“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Acts 18:9–11 (ESV)

Are you running the race with endurance? Are you preparing to preach the Word? Are you prepared to preach the word? Are you preaching the Word? Are you obedient to sound doctrine?
Today, know that regardless of who had abandoned Paul, the Lord consistently stood with him and He will consistently stand with you in trial or tribulation. Practice and Preach His Word.

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