Preach The Word

PREACH THE WORD

2 Timothy 3:13,

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 4:2,

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Prayer.

While reading our opening text, we held in our hands the most profoundly important possession one could ever own. We held not just a book, but The Book. This book, though written by men, was authored by God, every word fitly chosen, every story, every utterance, every dot and tittle, ordained and inspired by the almighty God Himself.

Though not a novel, it is a literary masterpiece, a work unparalleled by the writers of this world. Though it is useful for practical living, it is also a work of art and poetic beauty. It was written so even the simple among us can understand it, while, at the same time, the greatest minds the world has ever known could never measure its depths, or unveil all of its wondrous secrets. Though printed on pages made from trees now dead, and bound in lifeless leather, the words it records are alive and powerful, able to manifest life where there was no life, and to give life for all eternity. To know the Bible is to know God Himself, to love the Bible is to love God; to obey the Bible is to obey God.

In the flyleaf of the Gideon New Testament Bible, an unknown writer penned:

“The Bible reveals the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilots compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here, too, Paradise is restored, Heaven is opened, and the gates of Hell disclosed. The Lord Jesus is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. Let it fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its holy contents. Owned, it is riches, studied, it is wisdom, trusted, it is salvation, lived, it is character, and obeyed, it is power.”

But, in our text, Paul warned Timothy the day would come when men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. They will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from truth, and shall be turned unto fables. The day will come, Paul warned, when people will not want to hear the word of God preached. They will not want to hear the truth of God’s word. If that has ever described any generation, it describes perfectly the generation we are living in today. Just turn on your television, or listen to your radio. There are all kinds and types of teachers, making comfortable livings by telling people what they want to hear. You can find someone to tell you everything is alright, when everything is not alright. You can find someone to tell you that God does not care about sin, and that all men are going to be saved in the end; that homosexuality is a “gift of God,” that all roads and religions lead to Heaven; that being a “good person” will save you. Paul said they will “heap” to themselves teachers. “Tell me I’m alright. Tell me I’m good enough. Tell me positive things, and never tell me negative things.”