Proclaiming The Gospel Series

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;