Sermon of the Week
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NIV)
"Preach The Word"
1In 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: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For 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. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Message Introduction
If you look at this title and think to yourselves that this is a good sermon to the preachers in the pulpit, you are going to miss the message. It says preach the Word! Meaning The Word is of great importance in this message. So if you have to change the title in order to relate, then call it Share The Word or Teach The Word! Just understand that it is about The Word!
As Christians, we have been charged to “Preach The WORD, Share The Word and Teach The Word”. Some are called to Pastor (overseer) the flock, but all are called to deliver the Gospel. Webster’s definition of the word “preach” is to advocate or in-cul-cate (religious, moral truth, and right conduct) in speech or writing. Any type of communication in reference to our LORD and SAVIOR would be considered preaching.
If I ask someone to tell me why they drive a particular car . . . they would give me an explanation . . . even if it is because they like the look! Or it gets the best mileage! Has a great performance! It’s a status thing! Maybe even because that all that they could afford! Either way they would be able to give me an explanation on why they drive that particular car! If I ask about your decision on choosing the neighborhood you live in, your spouse you married, or the clothes you have on right now . . . you would have an explanation! Even if it is a light-hearted reason . . . you would be able to share with me why!
But here is the question that cripples a lot of Christians . . . one that should not be answered light-hearted, yet should come straight from the heart! Why do you believe in JESUS? This very question hinders Christians from preaching, teaching, and sharing GOD’s Word! A more dangerous thing is when people are preaching, teaching, and sharing GOD’s Word without knowing why they believe or not believing at all! Not all of us will have the same textbook answer on why we believe, but there should be some sound doctrine to what we say! If we ask some followers of a false religion why they believe, they usually will start with the history of it’s foundation and how it has evolved and delivered them to be who they are . . . as long as they do certain things! It will sound real convincing, but here is the thing . . . all lies seem logical when they first start out, but only the truth stays the same from the beginning to the end! This is why I believe in the Alpha and the Omega! The Author and the Finisher of my faith!
It amazing how easy it is for some to believe a lie, even when the Word of GOD tells us that the truth will set us free! I mean, there is a religion out there because someone was dared and made a bet that it couldn’t be done . . . and people are walking around believing that very lie! It is amazing how easy it is for some to tell a lie rather than the truth, even when the Word of GOD tells us that HE is the Way, the Truth and the Life! No one can get to the FATHER unless they come through HIM! All these lies about others ways to GOD is why we as Christians must Preach The Word! Because the only way to the FATHER is through the Truth that is preached from the word!
Why do we believe in JESUS? Is it because our parents are Christians! Is it because we enjoy the Sunday morning worship service? Is it because we need someone to blame for the way the world is? Because these are some of the reasons others have given!
Each of us should know why we believe, but don’t get discouraged because the best way to answer that question is with The WORD! Don’t let someone stump your belief because you can’t provide a five-paragraph essay on why you believe in JESUS! When you know that you know that you know that JESUS is real . . . The Word will give you an answer that is pleasing to GOD and man . . . that’s if the man is really looking for an answer! Sometimes folks just want you to doubt what you believe, because they don’t want to believe. The pharaisies were always questioning JESUS! Not because they wanted an answer to believe, but because they wanted others to stop believing! HE is the spoken Word, yet they did not believe . . . so don’t get frustrated when others don’t believe your answer . . . but always be prepared to answer . . . In and out of season!
1. Be Prepared In/Out Of Season
2 Tim 4:2 starts with, 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season. In the King James translation of the bible, 2 Timothy 2:15 says, Study to shew thyself approved unto GOD, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of truth.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for Christians is the fear of being embarrassed when asked, Why we believe. We start to feel like Moses . . . we get slow of speech! So we think, if we don’t preach, then no one will ask! Because we just don’t have that logical answer that will make sense! But if the Word is in us, then the Word will come out of us when asked why.
a) This is accomplished thru the expected learning of GOD’s WORD, by attending a healthy worship service where the WORD is being spoken, attending a good bible study where the WORD is being taught, and a personal devotional time with GOD HIMSELF where the WORD becomes truth in your life!
b) In and out of season means, whenever GOD blesses me and my family with vacation time, we factor in bible study and worship, just like we factor in your travel time, rest stops, and hotel reservations. When you give GOD the time to be taught . . . HE will teach!
2. Be Prepared To Correct, Rebuke and Encourage
The second part of 2 Tim 4:2 tells us to correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 1 Peter 3:15 says, 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,
Listen, the correction, rebuking and encouraging will not always be for someone else! Sometimes it is for you! I know I have read GOD’s Word and had to say “ouch” and there have been times when I have been able to say Thank You LORD! There will be times when GOD’s Word will rebuke you . . . but it is always in love and gentleness
a) As Christians we are not suppose to judge each other, Romans 14:13 says, “Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stublingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way”, but listen . . . we must hold each other accountable. And we must preach in a way that is true and relatable for those who listen and receive.
b) We must “Preach The WORD” with gentleness and respect … even when we must correct and rebuke. Always let love lead correction and discipline. Because many will not want to hear the truth!
3. Be Prepared For The Itchy Ears
Verses 3 & 4 says, 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.
It says a time will come. Guess what . . . that time is here! So many people want to hear about all the promises of prosperity from GOD’s WORD, but don’t want to hear about the accountability and consequences in GOD’s WORD. If I was to give each one of you a $500 dollar bill, you would find great value in it. But if you were to turn it over and find that only had one side had been printed, the value would be worth nothing. The only way a $500 dollar bill can have any value is if it has been printed on both sides! It is even more so with the WORD of GOD! You must have both sides … the promises and the accountability. You must be willing to go thru the storm as well as the quiet walks on the beach! For GOD’s Word to be of true value in our lives and in the lives of others we must preach both sides! Just know that the itchy ears will not want to hear, but you must continue preach, teach and share!
2 Timothy 4:5 commands us, 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
4. Be Prepared To Evangelize Thru Ministry
Don’t become discouraged in evangelizing! Keep your faith in all situations. I was part of an evangelizing ministry and it helped me grow in GOD’s Word in an unbelievable way! First, it required me to have an answer before the question! Not all the answers, but at least an answer on why I believe! Think about it . . . Who goes out to evangelize and not be prepared for the very question that they are asking others? How would that look if you ask someone why they believe and they say, “I don’t know” and when they ask you the same question you say, “I don’t know either, I was hoping you had the answer!”
Don’t become discouraged when GOD gives you a ministry to evangelize through! This church has bible study on Wednesday, there is men’s choir, there is a men’s fellowship here at the church every 2nd Sat, there is a men’s community fellowship hosted at my house every 3rd Sat . . . yet we have men who say, the church doesn’t have anything for them! But be faithful to those few that do come! Preach the Word thru ministry! Teach the Word thru ministry! And continue to share the Word thru ministry! Even though the physical number may be few . . . I can tell you . . . that GOD will still be glorified!
a) Evangelizing is taking people as far as they want to be lead to CHRIST. Preaching The WORD of truth in all situations will lead others to CHRIST and draw you closer to CHRIST
b) Refuse to be offended and be obedient to GOD … even when you can’t understand it. In other words, if you are going to be a servant, you must be prepared to be treated like a servant! Keep your head in all situations and focus on the ministry GOD has appointed to you.
Conclusion
- Romans 10:17 says, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by The Word of GOD!
- The only way we can make disciples . . . the only way we can delivered The Word . . . is to be prepared
- For someone to hear the WORD of GOD. . . someone must be prepared to deliver the WORD of GOD, but we all must first ACCEPT THE WORD OF GOD for ourselves, so we can testify why we believe
Prayer
GOD, YOU have commissioned us to preach and teach YOUR Word, so we ask that YOU give us a clear understanding of what we are to say and how we are to say it! Thank YOU for giving us a mouth to speak and a heart to believe! Prepare the way LORD, and we shall follow. Light our path, so that we will no longer walk in darkness. Tune our ears so that we will only hear what is true, what is right, and what is just! May we first accept YOUR Word and worship YOU in the Spirit and in truth! It is in the name of JESUS we pray. Amen!
We pray that those who are deployed, sick and shut-in, find this word to be well with their souls! It doesn't matter where you are . . . preach HIS Word. Be bold for the LORD, yet gentle as a dove in your speech! If you do not have a church home, we encourage you to get involved with a local worship service. If you have any questions in reference to this sermon, please contact us at nhishand@comcast.net or speak with your local pastor.
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