INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. There are five things he mentions to Timothy. The word "solemn" means "seriousness."
2. They are all found in this text: “authority, urgency, substance, duration, and vigilance.”
3. We will discuss them individually as we move through this lesson.
4. There is no higher calling in the faith, saving one (eldership) for one to aspire unto in the work of faith, than "The work of the Ministry."
Introductory Remarks.
1. We will present what one could call: "Paul's solemn appeal to Timothy." His final message gives him a solemn appeal before God and the Lord Jesus Christ: "To preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine," 2 Timothy 4:2. In this text, Paul provides Timothy with the authority, urgency, substance, duration, and vigilance for his "work of the ministry," 2 Timothy 4:5.
2. Background of this lesson. Paul is reaching out to Timothy to come to him before winter sets in. He asks him to bring his cloak and the parchments, which would enable him to be warm and continue his Letter writing to the churches.
3. I remember the solemn words of my mentor: "Not this weekend, son, but next weekend." I was later informed that he had passed away by his wife. "Quietly in the night, that weekend, he advised me not to come." Pray with me before we begin. Remember the Maffit’s Family. Let’s consider Paul’s solemn appeal to Timothy.
BODY OF LESSON
THE FIVE SOLEMN APPEALS
1. Authority. "Preach the word," 2 Timothy 4:2a. Timothy was urged to limit his message to the word of God. Timothy’s “mother and grandmother teaching,” 2 Timothy 1:5-6. Recall,
a. From a child thou hast: "Known the holy scriptures, which were able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith which is in Christ Jesus," 2 Timothy 3:15-17. "Study, to" 2 Timothy 2:15.
ILLUSTRATION: It is not "through faith" but "through the faith" in Christ Jesus. The “definite article” or “the faith” makes it definite; it is the faith and obedience to the gospel that Paul refers to in this appeal to Timothy. You preach the “word of the faith,” which will permit others to be saved through your preaching of the Word!
b. As an evangelist, "preach the word" and "make full proof of thy ministry," 2 Timothy 4:5.
c. Paul commanded Timothy to:
1) First, "Charge some that they teach no other doctrine," 1 Timothy 1:3.
2) Second, "Put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained," 1 Timothy 4:6.
3) Third, "Hold fast the form of sound words," 2 Timothy 1:14. Here is the reason,
4) Fourth, "Take heed unto thyself and the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee," 1 Timothy 4:16. Hear what? "Preaching the word." It will be your preaching of the scriptures that will enable men and women to be saved!
2. Urgency. "Be instant in, and out of season," 2 Timothy 4:2a. He must be ready to preach in any season and, under every condition, the word of truth. His message must be timeless. It must be delivered with urgency. In the following two verses, Paul explains why:
a. First, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears," 2 Timothy 4:3. These members are those who desire to be tickled and teased regarding their misguided faith.
b. Second, "They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables," 2 Timothy 4:4. These are those who depart from the faith or "the word of truth!" Some Departures!
c. Third, "The Spirit speaketh expressively…some will depart from the faith," 1 Timothy 4:1-5.
ILLUSTRATION: Marriage, eating meat. A Holiday Review, Romans 14:1-5; Hebrews 5:12-14.
3. Substance. "Reprove, rebuke, and exhort, in preaching the word," 2 Timothy 4:2c.
a. First, the word to reprove, in the Gr., is elegcho, which means to confute, admonish: to convict, convince, tell of a fault, rebuke, reprove. There will be those who require our chastening, Titus 1:9-10. The elders and ministers do it with love and compassion. Remembering themselves!
ILLUSTRATION: Compliment before all, convict or counsel, behind closed doors. Our goal will always be to "help save, or win our brother or sister."
b. Further, the word rebuke, in the Gr., is epitimao, which means to tax upon, i.e., rebuke or admonish; by implication, to forbid: —(straitly) charge, rebuke. Paul told Titus to admonish and "rebuke the opposition sharply," Titus 1:13. Paul’s rebuke of Peter, in Galatians 2:11.
c. Finally, the word to exhort or (encourage), in the Gr., is parakaleo, which means call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, or consolation): —beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray. Paul uses each of these words in 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14. This is the softest word in his appeal to Timothy and others! Let’s see how Paul used them,
4. Duration. "Preach with all longsuffering and doctrine," 2 Timothy 4:2d. Preach tirelessly with patience and the doctrine given to you. Paul wrote earlier: "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them," 2 Timothy 3:14. Commit these words to faithful men, 2 Timothy 2:2. Be gentle to all men, 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
5. Vigilance. "But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry," 2 Timothy 4:5. Many elders and ministers are "asleep at the wheel." Paul told Timothy: "to watch thou in all things," and to Ephesus’s Elders: "Therefore, take heed to yourselves…watch and remember…So, now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified," Acts 20:28-32. Elders and leaders "watch over the flock," Hebrews 13:7; 17; 24.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. There are five things he mentions to Timothy. The word "solemn" means "seriousness."
2. They are all found in this text: “authority, urgency, substance, duration, and vigilance.”
3. We discussed them individually as we move through this lesson.
4. There is no higher calling in the faith, saving one (eldership) for one to aspire unto in the work of faith, than "The work of the Ministry."
B. Introductory Remarks.
1. This solemn appeal given to Timothy was to preach the word and to remain steadfast in the doctrine. He was to do this in the sight of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Ministers and leaders might want to remember that God and the Lord are taking care to review our labor of love in this work of faith. Do it with faithfulness! Paul’s final words: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing," 2 Timothy 4:6-8.
3. Remember: "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do," Hebrews 4:13.
4. Let’s consider now this faith in our "call to service." Matthew 11:28-30.
C. Invitation. Present God's pattern of conversion. Jesus said: "Come unto me, all ye that labor," Matthew 11:28-30. [Explain the POC, i.e., hearing and believing the gospel; repentance of all past sins, Luke 24:44-47; confessing faith in Christ, as the Son of God, Matthew 10:32-33; and then, by obeying the gospel, Romans 10:16-18; Romans 6:17-18; that is to: "repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31-32; Ephesians 1:13-14].
D. Exhortation. "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved," Jeremiah 8:20.
E. Motivation. Do as Peter directed: "Save thyself," Acts 2:40; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 2:41.
Consultations and Commendations
I submit this verse unto you that I may: "Render therefore to all their dues: tributes to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; and honor to whom honor, (is due)," Romans 13:7. I acknowledge my consultation with these distinguished authors in this dissertation.
References
1. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible in One Volume, by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49506, Copyright Marshall, Morgan & Scott, Ltd, 1960; Copyright 1961 by Zondervan Publishing House.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
4. "My Dissertation," by Franklin, Roland E., Rev. Dr., Esquire, (REF)-FIBI@Wwm.org, Los Angeles, CA 90044, TM 2024.
5. The BlueLetterBible.org (BLB's) Interlinear, Textus Receptus; and the Morphological GNT, © 2022, by the Blue Letter Bible. This tool enables you to access the Greek New Testament in both manuscript forms. http://www.blb.org/. The BLB also provides tutorials to help you navigate it.
A word of thanks to BLB.org.
Thank you for providing this valuable study tool, BLB.org. The Interlinear has been an excellent tool for me to learn and use, bringing my sermons to life for the audience. Thank you very much for this great Application to help study the scriptures.
Contact Information
Ron Freeman, Evangelist
wwmcoc@earthlink.net
https://wwmchurchofchrist.org/
Website: https://en.gravatar.com/refreeman
Visit and worship with the Church of Christ at Pickensville, AL (on their Conference Line). Worship services are held on Sunday at 11:00 AM, and Mid-week Bible Study meets on Wednesday at 6:00 PM. The call-in number is 1-302-202-1110, and the PIN is 214733. Tell them Ron Freeman invited you to join them in worship. You will be truly blessed! These men "know the Shepherd!" The Lord.
