SERMON OUTLINE:
We must preach the word (vs 1-2a)
We must correct the incorrect (vs 2b-4)
We must discharge the duties (vs 5)
We must run the race (vs 6-8)
SERMON BODY:
Reading: 2 Timothy chapter 4 verses 1-8.
Ill:
• A man wrote to a pastor of a large Church saying;
• “I am visiting your city and I would like to preach in your Church”.
• The pastor wrote back saying;
• “Thank you for the offer but we are already sorted for in this area”.
• He then wrote again saying:
• “I feel I ought to preach because I am one of the top ten preachers in the UK”.
• Once again the pastor wrote back saying:
• “Thanks but no thanks and by the way who are the other 8!”
In 2nd Timothy chapter 4 verses 1–8, the great apostle Paul imparts two duties to his young protégé Timothy:
• (1). Preach the Word.
• (2). Fulfil your ministry.
• These verses can be summarized in this statement:
• ‘Preaching isn’t perfect until it’s practiced’.
Ill:
• There were two doctors with the same name who lived a few doors apart.
• One was a Christian and a lay-preacher the other made no profession of faith.
• One night a rather sick person, who was also a Christian,
• And wanting help from a fellow believer,
• Knocked mistakenly at the door of the non-Christian doctor.
• “Are you the doctor who preaches?” he asked.
• “No”, the medic replied, “I am the doctor who practices”.
• “Oh”, said the sick person, “I’ve always understood the two things were inseparable”.
• Good doctrine should always lead to good practice;
• 2nd Timothy chapter 4 verses 1–8
• Can be summarized in this statement:
• ‘Preaching isn’t perfect until it’s practiced’.
(1). We must Preach the Word (vs 1-2a):
“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”.
• N.I.V.: “I give you this charge”:
• N.L.B.: “I solemnly urge you”
• The Message: “I can’t impress this on you too strongly”.
• It should read: “I solemnly witness”
The charge was extremely serious because:
• (a). Paul was facing death;
• And a great persons last words are often very significant.
• (b). More important than that;
• Because both Paul and Timothy would be judged one day when Jesus Christ appears.
Note:
• It would do us all good as Christians (both preachers & non-preachers);
• To remember that one day we will face God;
Ill:
• A young minister went to the famous British preacher Charles Spurgeon;
• He complained that he did not have as big a Church as he deserved.
• Spurgeon asked him; “How many do you preach to?”
• The man replied; “Oh about a hundred”.
• Spurgeon solemnly said:
• “That will be enough to give account for on the day of judgement”
• It would do us all good as Christians (both preachers & non-preachers);
• To remember that one day we will face God;
• And ALL our works & ALL our service will be judged.
• This realisation would encourage us to do our work carefully and faithfully.
Ill:
• In my itinerant work as an evangelist;
• I come across many a Christian who wants to ‘work/volunteer’, get involved in ministry;
• Sadly their quality of input is poor and their commitment is shabby;
• I will be honest - if we were a secular business they would soon get the sack!
• Now, poor commitment and shabby work is not acceptable in business;
• And it should not be acceptable in the Church!
It would do us all good as Christians (both preachers & non-preachers);
• To remember that one day we will face God;
• And ALL our works & ALL our service will be judged.
• So let us seek to do our work/service carefully and faithfully.
Note: Paul’s charge (vs 2). “Preach the Word”.
• “Preach the Word” is the main responsibility that Paul shares in this section.
• Everything else he says is related to this.
Ill:
• The word ‘preach’ means ‘to preach like a herald.’
• In Paul’s day, a ruler had a special herald who made announcements to the people.
• A herald was not an ambassador sent to negotiate;
• Instead he was a messenger of the king;
• Sent to make a proclamation.
Ill:
• In the Hundred Years' War, French heralds challenged King Henry V to fight.
• During the Battle of Agincourt, the English and the French herald, Montjoie,
• Watched the battle together from a nearby hill;
• Both agreed that the English were the victors,
• And Montjoie provided King Henry V,
• Who thus earned the right to name the battle, with the name of the nearby castle.
• A herald was a messenger of the king;
• Sent to make a proclamation.
• And to make that proclamation/announcement;
• In a loud, clear voice so everyone could hear.
Ill:
• England is one of a number of countries that still have active official heralds;
• In England and Scotland most heralds are full-time employees of the sovereign;
• And are called "Heralds of Arms in Ordinary".
Timothy was to herald God’s word with the authority of heaven behind him.
(a).
• The word of God is of course what non-Christian people need to hear;
• i.e. Romans chapter 10 verse 17:
• “Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God”.
• “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
• In other words it is through the message of the Bible people come to real faith!
(b).
• The word of God is of course what Christian people need to hear;
• i.e. Acts chapter 2 verse 42.
• “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…”
• No matter where believers are in their spiritual development,
• They need sustenance to grow and keep on growing.
• i.e. Babies need milk; adults need meat – and the Bible supplies both.
• Sadly some Churches have substituted other things for the preaching of the word;
• Things that may be good in their place,
• But they become wrong when they replace the proclamation of God’s word.
Notice:
• In this passage, it’s worth noting that Paul doesn’t say “Preach the gospel”;
• Or even “Preach the kingdom,”
• Both of course are important and needed;
• But notice what he actually says is: “Preach the Word.”
• This links back to what Paul said in chapter 3 verses 16-17.
• Regarding “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God”
• So wise is the individual or Church that reads and teaches ‘ALL scripture”.
(2). We must correct the incorrect (vs 2b-4).
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
• Having given the command: “Preach the word”;
• In the rest of this verse Paul fleshes out what good preaching should consist of.
(a).
• We are to “be ready in season and out of season”
• Two Greek adverbs used here mean “conveniently” (eukairos) and “untimely” (akairos)
• Which means we are to preach; “whether it is convenient or inconvenient.”
• In other words, we must preach the Word when it’s popular and when it’s not.
• We must preach the Word when it’s politically correct and when it’s not.
• Note: three other instructions are mentioned in verse 2;
• They related to the various aspects of a preachers task in preaching the Word.
(b1).
• To “Correct” or “Reprove”.
• This means “to convince one of wrong.”
• Whenever the Word is properly communicated;
• It should confront, convict, and convince its hearers of God’s truth.
• You and I should leave this place with a clearer understanding of right & wrong!
• With a clearer understanding of how to live for God in the coming week/
(b2).
• The imperative translated “rebuke”;
• Carries a slightly higher degree of intensity than the word “correct/reprove.”
• It means to warn those who have already been reproved.
• We have a responsibility to inform individuals;
• About the urgency of responding to the preached Word.
• It is a dangerous thing to ignore or put off responding to the message of God!
• ill: Wise & foolish builders – disaster awaits those who ignore God’s word.
• Quote: Vance Havner:
• “Preaching should disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed”
(b3).
• The next imperative is “encourage/exhort”;
• This command means to come alongside and build up believers with the Word.
• Those who have been reproved and rebuked need encouragement and comfort.
• A preachers sermon should ‘build’ up people in their faith;
• It should inform, inspire and show folks how to move on in their faith.
Note:
• Paul closes his solemn charge with a reminder;
• That these five imperatives must be carried out;
• “With great patience and careful instruction.”
• Preachers need great patience because not all in the congregation yield to God’s Word.
• As messengers of God’s Word we often minister to people who show no response!
• But the preacher is not to give up and think he is wasting his time.
• True spiritual growth occurs over a period of time,
• Through the patient teaching and application of God’s Word.
Ill:
• We are planting seeds of truth;
• Waiting for God to germinate them by his Holy Spirit.
• i.e. The Parable of the Growing Seed – Mark chapter 4 verses 26-29
Notice: Verses 3-5:
“For the time will come when people 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”
• Verse 3 is a reminder to all preachers that they should be teaching sound doctrine;
• Sermons should have some meat to them,
• They should have some depth to them,
• They should contain content to them – i.e. sound (healthy) doctrine!
• ill: As you know I use illustrations, jokes, video clips etc.;
• All sorts of things to help me communicate my message effectively.
• But they are not a substitute for doctrine;
• They are merely helps in communicating sound doctrine.
• Quote: “True preaching is the explanation and application of Bible doctrine;
• Anything else is just religious speech making or religious entertainment!”
Now having given Timothy an instruction, a command to ‘Preach the word’:
• Paul the apostle now tells him why;
• In verses 3-4 he gives him the reason he is to be a word centred preacher.
• Because some Christians want what one commentator calls ‘religious novelties’;
• That is preaching that ‘tickles their ears’.
Ill:
• Dogs are good examples of those who have ‘itching ears’.
• In a crowded room they will often go from person to person;
• In pursuit of someone who will scratch & tickle them.
• If you scratch a dog for a while and then stop,
• He will simply move on to the next hand to try to get a scratch.
• He doesn’t care who it is as long as he gets scratched!
• The apostle Paul uses the same image here of Christians;
• Wandering from teacher to teacher trying to find someone who will scratch their itch.
• Some Christians want what one commentator calls ‘religious novelties’;
• That is preaching that ‘tickles their ears’.
• Preaching that is entertaining but does not make demands on their lives.
(3). WE MUST DISCHARGE THE DUTIES (vs 5)
“But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
• That expression; “Discharge all the duties of your ministry”
• Simply means: “Whatever God has called you to do – do it!”
• i.e. If God has called you to be an evangelist then evangelise!
• I hope at the heart of all we do inside and outside of the Church;
• Soul-winning – evangelism is at the heart of it!
I think the principle here is broader than just Timothy and evangelism:
• i.e. If God has called you to be an evangelist then evangelise!
• i.e. If God has called you to be an teacher then teach!
• i.e. If God has called you to be an gardener then garden!
• i.e. If God has called you to be a mother/housewife then do it!
• “Discharge all the duties of your ministry”
Notice:
• Paul says; “Don’t give up in tough times”.
• N.I.V.: “Endure hardships”
• N.L.B.: “Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord”
Ill:
• Those words were spoken by the apostle Paul;
• Who suffered tremendously for the gospel:
• He was shipwrecked three times, stoned, beaten with rods three times,
• In constant danger, jailed, rejected by his own countrymen,
• Experienced hunger, thirst, fasting, fear, destitution, sleeplessness.
• Yet he could write (Romans 8:18):
• "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time;
• Are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
Ill:
• A Bible College lecturer to his students:
• "In this Bible College you will learn your lesson and then go out and do it.
• In God's Bible College,
• You will go through your experience and then learn your lesson."
The apostle Paul says:
• “Don’t give up in tough times”.
• “Discharge all the duties of your ministry”
(4). WE MUST run THE race (vs 6-8)
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.”
• In these verses, Paul shares the importance of finishing well.
• He knows that his time on earth is almost up.
• So he wants to pass the torch to Timothy while he still has time;
• And, in so doing, to reassure Timothy that he's not afraid to die;
• if anything, he sees dying for the sake of Jesus as the ultimate fulfilment of his calling.
Note:
• Verse 6-8 is a great verse of personal testimony;
• In it you find Paul looking in three directions.
(A). HE LOOKS AROUND – and realises his time is short.
• Verse 6:
• “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, & the time for my departure is near”
• He is on trial in Rome;
• Chapter 4 verses 16-17 tell us he has already been through the first hearing.
• Now Paul fully expects the Emperor to hand him a death sentence;
• At any moment.
• But Paul is not trembling at the prospect of death;
• Look at what he says – two words speak of his confidence;
• “Offering” and “Departure”.
(a).
• i.e. “Offering” - His life was an offering to God;
• Therefore Caesar would not determine his death date – God would!
• When the time was right God would allow Caesar to give the order.
(b).
• i.e. “Departure” – this word has many meanings;
• One of them is to ‘release a prisoner.
• Paul maybe playing-on-words with this expression.
• For him he was facing release not execution.
• His death meant he would be with his Lord in glory - truly free at last!
(B). HE LOOKS BACK (VS 7):.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race”.
• i.e. Like a determined wrestler or boxer,
• He had fought a good fight.
• i.e. Like a runner,
• He had finished his lifelong race victoriously.
• Paul could say that he had kept the rules;
• And was deserving of a prize.
• ill: We saw in the recent Olympics what winning that Gold medal meant to the athletes.
(C). HE LOOKS AHEAD (VS 8).
“Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.”
Ill:
• A Greek or Roman athlete who was a winner in competitive sports;
• Was rewarded by the crowds,
• And they usually got a laurel wreath or a garland of oak tree leaves.
• But the problem with this reward was;
• It soon faded or withered away.
Notice:
• The apostle Paul would not be given a fading crown of leaves as his reward;
• He would receive a crown of righteousness that would never fade.
• Paul’s Roman judges were not righteous;
• Otherwise they would have released him.
• But Paul says he is looking ahead to seeing THE ‘righteous judge’.
• Jesus Christ.
• The one who judges all men fairly;
• The one in whom Paul has placed his trust and is certain of his future!
