It Starts Small

4 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: ² Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching. ³ For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. ⁴ They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. ⁵ But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

 I solemnly charge you

Paul is fervently preparing to deliver a profoundly serious instruction to Timothy. Just as a sheriff empowers his deputies to uphold the law with unwavering conviction, Paul’s words resonate with urgency. When he says, “I charge you…”, it’s not just a phrase; it’s a powerful call to action. “Listen closely! What I’m about to share is of utmost importance. You must absorb every word and act upon it with determination!”

The profound gravity of Paul’s charge to Timothy resonates with even greater intensity through the powerful witness he calls upon. He boldly declares that this instruction is delivered in the very presence of God! It is similar to a judge compelling a witness to swear on the Bible. It is also like a couple fervently making sacred vows before the Almighty.

Paul fervently reminds Timothy that God Himself is intently watching over him, holding him accountable for every instruction received! Even more profound is the truth that Jesus stands as a witness to Timothy’s journey. Jesus will be seated on His glorious throne. He will ultimately judge Timothy on whether he has wholeheartedly embraced this sacred obligation. What truth or duty could hold such monumental significance that Paul feels compelled to emphasize it with such fiery passion?

Preach the word

This was Paul’s profound calling, a divine mission shared by Timothy. Preaching the Word was not just a task; it was the very essence of Timothy’s ministry! Throughout the pages of this powerful book, this theme resounds with intensity. Time and again, Paul passionately urges Timothy to surge ahead in his ministry, to stand firm and never lose heart! What is this ministry that ignites such fervor? Numerous verses illuminate its significance (2 Timothy 2:15). It is a call to boldly proclaim the Word and to empower others to take up this sacred mantle!

⁸ They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.

Nehemiah 8:8

They passionately read from the Book of the Law of God, illuminating its meaning so that the people fully grasped what was conveyed. Preaching isn’t just a task; it’s a fervent calling to proclaim, explain, teach, and share the incredible message of salvation. Each of us is summoned to preach (2 Corinthians 5:20, Mark 16:15). Some may share their faith boldly from the pulpit, while others may connect one-on-one with friends or strangers. Yet, we are all chosen messengers of God, entrusted with His divine message. We are heralds, fervently proclaiming the glorious good news of Christ to a world desperately in need. Too often, we mistakenly lean on others to fulfill this mission. We believe they possess a greater ability. We also think that we lack the qualifications.

Imagine an urgent crisis in an apartment complex. The complex consists of four towering buildings. Each building soars with 28 floors and has 6 units on each level. In this room, just the ten of us hold the knowledge of this emergency! We’re racing against time to warn every soul to flee their homes. What’s the swiftest route to get the word out and save lives? Should we dispatch our quickest runner to alert the masses while the rest of us escape? Or should we divide our forces, each taking a building in our valiant effort? No matter our speed, every single one of us must join in. We need to raise the alarm. Lives are hanging in the balance! We cannot do this alone. We must spread the word. It is essential to ignite a chain reaction of courage. This will compel everyone to join us in this vital mission!

Preaching the gospel is a profound calling! The world is teeming with billions of souls yearning to hear the life-changing word. We cannot afford to be passive, waiting for God to “send somebody else.” Instead, we must boldly declare, “send me!” And let us not stop there—let’s empower and inspire others to join this transformative mission too!

be ready in season and out of season

We may find it challenging to continue preaching or sharing at times. Yet, in those precise moments, we must summon our strength. We need to remain prepared and fiercely persevere!

• When the response isn’t what we hope it would be, let us cling to our faith with fervor!
• When we face persecutions, may we stand strong and united, rising above the challenges!
• When we face spiritual opposition, we fight back with the power of our convictions!
• When we are tired, let our spirits ignite with renewed energy and determination!
• When we are sick, we draw upon boundless strength and hope that heals!
• When unexpected opportunities come, seize them with passion and courage!
• On the bus, train, subway, etc., may we transform every moment into a divine encounter!
• When we don’t have a Bible handy, we become warriors of the Word—memorizing verses, creating presentations on our phones, and standing ready!
• ALWAYS! To be ready, we prepare ahead of time, like the grandmother who carries everything in her purse “just in case,” embodying wisdom and foresight!

correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching

Why is great patience and instruction absolutely essential? Every teacher understands that patience stands out as one of the most vital qualities of an exceptional mentor. Mistakes abounded, and progress often unfolded at a pace slower than we wished. Our attitudes weren’t always perfect, but these experiences cultivated our patience just as much as they nurtured the skills of others.

For a time will come

I truly believe that the time of reckoning is upon us! This isn’t merely a stark contrast of white turning black. It’s a slow and insidious shift. It creeps into our lives unnoticed. We can’t yet predict how much deeper this darkness may plunge. One thing is undeniable: it is unfolding right before our eyes. We witness congregations casting aside pastors who dare to speak boldly about sin, hell, and judgment. Meanwhile, mega churches focus on the shiny, appealing aspects of the gospel. They gloss over the essential truths of sacrifice, persecution, and sin. It’s shocking to see blatantly false teachings, like the prosperity gospel, embraced by tens of millions! Why is this happening? Because it’s exactly what people crave to hear, nourishing their desires while leaving the truth in the shadows.

People crave comfort over the stark and sometimes harsh truths that challenge their beliefs. A pastor once stated that his mission was to ensure his congregants felt at ease. But is this truly reflective of Christ’s intention? Was this the mission of Paul or John the Baptist? What were their true objectives? The essence of their messages often called for more than mere comfort; they demanded profound transformation and unwavering conviction.

At the same time, many places in the world offer many choices. In Bible times, there was likely one local church in one city. Now a large city may have hundreds or thousands of churches. When people get uncomfortable because they don’t like to face the truth their church is teaching, they leave. They just go find another church that will be more tolerant.

We must passionately love the truth! It is vital that we embrace the truth even when it inflicts pain. We should fervently seek out a fellowship and a church that boldly proclaim the truth, regardless of the consequences. Telling others the truth is essential, even if it makes them uncomfortable; we have to be brave! Moreover, we must wholeheartedly listen to our friends and our brothers and sisters in Christ. They uplift and inspire us with the Word of God. This happens even when those words are hard to digest.

people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires

What desires are people turning aside to?

• Prosperity gospel ignites the belief that abundance is within our grasp.
• Speaking in tongues is a fervent manifestation of our spiritual depth.
• My happiness is paramount; it fuels my very existence and purpose.
• I absolutely deserve all the blessings that life has to offer.
• Everyone is a cherished child of God, born to shine and thrive.
• There are countless paths to heaven; sincerity is the compass that guides us home.

But as for you

Timothy was destined to rise above the crowd, to stand firm against the tide of falsehood. He would not waver from sound doctrine or be swept away by the seductive whispers of myths and half-truths. And we, too, must hold fast and refuse to succumb to these perilous traps! Let us rally our spirits and fortify our hearts against the distortions that threaten to lead us astray! How can we steadfastly guard our faith and remain anchored in the unwavering truth?

do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry

These themes pulse vibrantly throughout this book! Timothy exemplified faithfulness, pouring his heart into the work before him. Paul’s fervent desire was to inspire him to maintain that momentum. So, I ask you—are you laboring diligently as an evangelist (because it truly is work)? Are you pouring every ounce of passion into fulfilling your ministry?

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Cross-References

On Being Ready

• 1 Peter 3:15
• Proverbs 20:4
• 2 Timothy 3:17

On Preaching

• Exodus 4:10-12
• 2 Timothy 2:15
• 1 Corinthians 2:4

Discussion Questions

• What does Paul mean “I charge you?”
• What additional reasons does Paul imply in verse 1 as to why Timothy should preach the word?
• Are we to preach the word?
• How could Timothy be ready? How can we be ready?
• What does “in season” and “out of season” refer to?
• In a world where most people preach tolerance, what is the basis for us to reprove or rebuke others? When should we do this?
• What attitude should we have when we reprove or rebuke?
• Why would someone not want to listen to sound teaching?
• What are itching ears?
• What might be some signs that we are suffering this same problem of finding teachers or counselors that “go easy on us?”
• Can you think of any examples in the Bible where the people tried to find teachers or leaders who would agree with their point of view?
• What kind of myths are taught these days in some churches?
• What is the work of an evangelist? Are you doing it?

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