“PREACHING THE WORD”

II Timothy 4:1, 2

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: Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.

The man of God has several mandates from God. Perhaps the most challenging of these is the responsibility of proclaiming the Word of God. This is seen in the solemn charge that Paul gives to Timothy in II Timothy 4:1-2. This charge is given in the presence of God and of Jesus Christ, who is the judge of both the living and the dead. The following are elements of the ministry of preaching the Word.

1. What does he do with the Word? Preach or proclaim. People need to hear the Word, not hear about it, but hear it proclaimed with power and conviction.

2. When does he preach? Be ready at all times. In season - when the time is right. This would include regular pulpit ministry. Out of season - when it is not convenient. Times when people don’t particularly desire to hear the Word. The offense of the cross has not ceased!

3. How does he preach? Reprove essentially means “to correct.” There are those in the church who quite easily drift into error. There are those so-called teachers in some churches who would lead others astray doctrinally. God’s man is to correct this trend. Rebuke those who have fallen into sin. The man of God is to rebuke. This requires courage and conviction. Exhort no doubt involves those who are living within the parameters of God’s will. They are to be encouraged to continue their course of action.

So proclaiming, correcting, rebuking, and encouraging are the elements of the major mandate from God to His servant and all of this is to be done with patience and instruction. So often some preach, correct, rebuke, and encourage in less than a patient manner and do it out of human understanding.

Paul says the man of God is to minister with great patience. This involves understanding his own weakness. God’s Word is to be the center of all the man of God does in behalf of God’s people. Therefore churches who have this kind of man are to be thankful and supportive. God bless.

Love to you all.