In last week’s bulletin we studied Paul’s charge to Timothy: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2). Timothy was to speak God’s word as a faithful herald, making the message plain and clear, adding and subtracting nothing. He had to always be ready for this important work, remaining patient with those who were listening and learning.
What motivates a man to give his life to preaching the gospel? Each preacher needs to answer this question for himself. In fact, it would be good for preachers to ask themselves this question on a regular basis. There are numerous Scriptural reasons for a man to be devoted to this work, but our text (2 Tim. 4:1-4) reveals some motivations Paul gave Timothy.
1. Apostolic Charge. “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ…” (2 Tim. 4:1a). Timothy received a charge from Paul to preach the word. In the original language, the word “charge” is courtroom language meaning to solemnly affirm or testify.
The seriousness of this charge is seen in that it was made before God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Both members of the Godhead will be watching Timothy as he carries out this charge. He must work diligently to present himself as a worker who will not be ashamed (2 Tim. 2:15).
Preachers today are not receiving such an apostolic charge, but we are continuing a work they started (2 Tim. 2:2), and our efforts are being watched by the Lord.
2. Judgment is Coming. “…who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom” (1 Tim. 4:1b). While it is true that the preacher’s work will be judged by the Master, judgment is coming on everyone. The work of gospel preaching is urgent because it addresses mankind’s need to prepare for this judgment. “For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:13-14). Paul made it his aim to take the gospel to as many as he could (Rom. 15:20-21). It is always the season for preaching because the fields are white unto harvest but the laborers are too few (Matt. 9:37-38).
3. Laboring in the Kingdom of God. Gospel preaching is not a noble profession in the eyes of the world. It is respected by some in the church, but not all. There are Christians who would prefer their sons not become preachers or their daughters not become preacher’s wives. Regardless of what others think, preaching is kingdom work. The affairs of this world will transpire as they always have, and eventually all these works will be burned up (2 Pet. 3:10), but the kingdom of God will last forever. This does not mean preachers are more important than other Christians. Preachers must remain humble. However, the work of an evangelist is important and must be continued until the Lord returns.
4. Some Will Lose Their Desire for the Truth. Timothy must preach the word, in season and out of season, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).
Timothy was already facing the challenge of teachers who were peddling unsound doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3-4; 6:3-5). Paul warned him that perilous times were on the horizon (2 Tim. 3:1-5). He is now told that some Christians would reach a point that they would no longer endure sound doctrine. This word means to hold up with a thing. The NIV renders it as “will not put up with.” Sound doctrine will be unwelcomed by these soft brethren because the demands of God’s holiness will be too great for them to bear. No longer desiring to hear the truth of God’s word, faithful gospel preachers will be discarded in favor of teachers who will scratch their ears and satisfy their curiosities. When God’s people develop a taste for soft preaching, they will no longer be willing to endure sound preaching. Because of this, Timothy must continue to preach the word – convincing, rebuking, and exhorting with all longsuffering and teaching.
In an age where members have access to all kinds of messages that pass as preaching and Biblical instruction, faithful preachers must continue to herald forth the plain and distinctive message of the Master. In a time when the preaching in some churches of Christ sounds no different than the sermonettes and peptalks offered by denominations, we must demand that our evangelists “Preach the Word!”
Timothy had a difficult task. He had to carry on the work begun by the apostle Paul. Those were enormous shoes to fill, but Paul knew he was up to the task. Preachers today have important kingdom work to accomplish. May we encourage them in their efforts, pray for their work, and maintain ears and hearts that demand and appreciate the pure gospel of Jesus Christ.