Subject: The Charge - Fulfill Your Ministry
Scripture Lessons: Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jeremiah 23:3-4“And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.”
2 Timothy 4:1-5 "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully."
Introduction: I wanted to read these passages from Jeremiah because the word “pastors” occurs eight times in the Scripture, seven of them are in Jeremiah, the longest book in the Bible. Probably no other Old Testament captures the obligations of a pastor as did Jeremiah. He clearly defines both the blessing wrought by a good pastor and the destruction of a people brought on when a pastor neglects his duty. The perilous times faced by Judah and Jerusalem were the result of pastoral negligence. Their restoration could only come from God through His gift of proper pastoral leadership.
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy describes the end times as perilous times, troubled times or grievous times. Young Timothy was being called to serve God and live out his ministry in a time filled with persecution from without and within a church filled with corruption within. Paul describes the coming season as a time when men (leaders and members) love to gratify their own lusts; love to please themselves rather than to please God and do their duty.
A time when men were eager for gain, to get all they can for themselves at any cost, and they become anxious about keeping all they gain. The spirit of greed causes men to become dangerous to themselves, to one another and to the world. It is a time when men do not fear God, they do not value or regard mankind. A time when children are disobedient to their parents and will disrespect every level of authority. These conditions make the times “perilous.”
Paul could foresee a day when men would be unholy, ungodly, and ungrateful. 2 Timothy 3:2-5, “For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, profane. They will be disobedient to parents, thankless, irreligious, and destitute of natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers. They will have no self-control, but will be brutal, opposed to goodness, treacherous, headstrong, self-important. They will love pleasure instead of loving God, and will keep up a make-believe of piety and yet live in defiance of its power. Turn away from people of this sort.”
Every follower of Jesus Christ must carry out their ministry in the midst of perilous times. These are words of a death doomed man to his faithful son in the ministry. How can Paul expect Timothy to be successful in ministry in times like these? What does it take to fulfill your ministry in these times? First there must be some agreement on what ministry is. What has God called us to do? How do we go about doing it?
In a day when people (leaders and members) will turn away from the truth, when many will grow weary of hearing the plain gospel of Jesus Christ; when others will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them, we must be clear about our assignment. In these first five verses from 2 Timothy 4, Paul gives his understanding of what ministry really is. Those who desire to fulfill their ministry must give heed to the words of Paul. We are grateful for every year of faithful service you have rendered. Your task, should you choose accept it, will not become easier in the future. Listen to our text again!
2 Timothy 4:1-5 "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully."
Apostle Paul's final words of exhortation show what he felt was the calling, obligation and ministry of the Church. The church must anchor its roots, protect its shoot and produce its fruit, this three-thought combination takes us from our basis in faith to our daily life in the world. Our message is anchored in the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 which reveals that through faith in Christ, a believer becomes a new creation, with a transformed identity and spiritually alive. Their sins are forgiven and they are reconciled to God. God provides this reconciliation and gives believers the "ministry of reconciliation," meaning they become Christ's ambassadors, tasked with sharing this message and pleading with others to be reconciled to God. This transformation is a gift from God, not earned by the individual, and it means adopting Christ's life and purpose as their own. All of this made available because God so loved the world. John 3:16 reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". This verse from the Gospel of John is central to Christianity because it explains God's plan for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, offering eternal life to all who believe in him. The church must anchor its roots in God’s provision, protect its shoot by embracing God’s word and produce its fruit by making Christian disciples.
In perilous times, many will abandon this plain truth, neglect the assembly of the saints, abuse others and suffer abuse in family relationships, church relationships, community relationships and business relationships. What is Paul's advice to wounded people, abused saints and misused saints in perilous times? What is Paul's advice to those who must fulfill ministry in unfavorable time?
1. Proclaim the Message. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. We must proclaim God’s Message.
In perilous times, God’s people need a word. Our message must be a balanced message that people can live by. Our ministry requires us to believe the Scriptures, embrace the Scriptures, live out the scriptures and proclaim the Scriptures. When people are properly fed “they shall fear no more; they shall not be dismayed; and neither shall they be lacking!
Let others push psychology and positive thinking. Let others minimize the value of preaching, but as for you......you do something else. Preach the Word! There will always be "others" who pursue another road, an easier way, but our way is straight and narrow. God’s message is a balanced message that will sometimes reprove, reprimand, encourage and admonish. A balanced word will rebuke: stop, censure and chastise. A balanced word will exhort and encourage according to sound doctrine. Others may take a different road that may possibly lead to their destruction. Paul says, "Others will go "from bad to worse" as they are "deceiving and being deceived." But as for you...proclaim His Message. Timothy must continue in what he had been taught from the Scriptures.
In a word, Scripture is the basic source of our Christian life. We are people shaped by the Scriptures—instructed by them, exhorted by them, encouraged by them, corrected by them. They are an inexhaustible well from which we must often drink. Only the truth can set men free. Stay with a balanced message. Proclaim the Message! Jesus proclaimed himself to be the way, the truth and the life. We dare not proclaim our truth nor an alternative truth. We proclaim Jesus As God’s revealed truth.
2. Stand Firm on Sound Doctrine in Good and Bad times. Choose to stand on God’s Word. Our posture must stand firm with patient endurance. Literally this text speaks of "Standing firm on sound doctrine” in good and bad times. When the time is not "convenient", we must be found standing firm. The Gospel must be proclaimed in all seasons. Others will waver, leaning to one side and then the other, but you stand firm.
2 Timothy 4:3, 4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
To "stand firm on sound doctrine" means to hold fast to core, truthful teachings of Jesus Christ and not to compromise or deviate from them, even in the face of opposition or changing opinions. It involves having a discerning spirit to identify and reject false teachings, remaining rooted in foundational texts, and living out these beliefs in a way that demonstrates faithfulness. This Gospel is so full of life that it can be successful in season and out of season. With all patience, keep preaching because it takes time for seed to take root, for shoots to develop and for fruit to grow. The exhortation for enduring patience runs throughout the text. We are called to have utmost patience in teaching. At a time when people are fickle, the preachers must fight off weariness and frustration. Many give up, others refused to give their best, yet others begin to wonder, if it is worth all the effort. Choose to stand on the word…It will not return back void! God’s message must be clearly proclaimed; our posture must Stand Firm on sound doctrine in Good and Bad times and finally, Our Actions must be different.
3. Live and Walk soberly in a drunken world. Our walk Must Be Different. "As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully." In order to fulfill this glorious ministry, Paul gives three suggestions. First, we must decide to "be sober"... The word "be sober" which means “be watchful, diligent, level headed, balance thinking and living, self-discipline, and avoid intoxication. At a time when society is drunk on prosperity, fame, and power; others are drunk on grief, poverty and pain; still others are drunk on self exaltation and pride, you be sober, be rational, don’t allow yourself to get drunk.
Secondly, we must "endure suffering". There just isn't any other way to say it—genuine Christians will suffer…not just inconvenience or setbacks or mean people in life, but actual evil. We are not only told that this will happen, but we are exhorted to let it happen to us. Don't be surprised when opposition comes, when evil and not just inconvenience, enters your life. It is here, be prepared to endure by standing on the word, standing with each other and standing up for each other. You choose your fight and then fight on a different level, with different weapons, and a different enemy.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
Finally, we must "do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully." Whatever God is doing in this ministry, you have a part to play. Take your stand and become an asset; Feed on the word and develop your gift. Be fruitful! When we fully carry out our ministry, we produce fruit for the kingdom. We are called to make Christian disciples for the kingdom. Our work is too valuable to leave or neglect. I must do my part. You must do your part. God is calling us to fulfill our ministry.
If I fail to proclaim the message, God’s people will be dominated by fear, discouragement and lack. The only remedy given in perilous time is the Word of God. If I fail to stand firm on sound doctrine, whatever I am leading may stray from the path and even collapse. My firm stand gives credibility to my message. I must courageously lead when times are favorable or unfavorable. I must do the work of an evangelist! It is my main task. It’s the reason I am called. I may give counsel, perform ceremonies, raise money, organize ministry, but my calling is to proclaim the message!
The concern of the writer is that we be "equipped for every good work" and that we “equip others for every good work”. The world still needs a Church that can remain sober in a drunken society; a church that can endure suffering when others are abandoning the work; and a church that will carry out the ministry fully regardless of the cost.
The Church still needs a preacher sent by God who can remain sober in a drunken community; a preacher that can endure suffering when others are abandoning the work; and a preacher that will carry out the ministry fully regardless of the cost.
Every Christian need a shepherd who will feed them the word. The word will drive out fear, drive away discouragement and depression, the word will drive away lack and poverty.
Jeremiah 3:15 “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding”. Jeremiah 23:4 “And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.”
Jeremiah describes God’s divine promise to replace corrupt leaders with faithful "shepherds" who will care for the people, ensuring their safety, security, and restoration, so they no longer live in fear or get lost. This prophecy offers hope for future, righteous leadership, ultimately pointing toward the coming of a righteous King (Jesus) who will perfectly shepherd His people in a restored land. We must do our part until our Lord Returns. Can God Count on You? Do the work of an evangelist. Amen
