"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT TO DO IN THESE LAST DAYS"
2nd Timothy 4:1 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:”
2nd Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.”
2nd Timothy 4:3 “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;”
2nd Timothy 4:4 “and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
2nd Timothy 4:5 “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/25/14)
A few background thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:
These are the last words that we have recorded of the beloved Apostle Paul.
It's always said, that it's important to listen to the last words of a man before he dies.
Normally a man's last words are considered to be very meaningful.
I believe this is the case here.
1. We have a charge given us by God.
2nd Timothy 4:1 “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:”
Paul was instructing Pastor Timothy here.
But, in a very real sense, this is instruction for all of us in the body of Christ.
Clearly we are not all called to be preachers.
But, we are all called to serve the Lord.
We serve Him by using our gifts, time, and resources to support the work of God.
May we ponder these words given to Timothy
We have a charge also.
Our charge is before our God
He is one day going to judge the world at His appearing and His kingdom.
2. There is way to carry out our charge.
2nd Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching.”
Now we see the point of the charge.
It has to do with God's precious Word.
It is to be proclaimed.
Preach the Word, that is the charge.
We may not have the gift of preaching.
But let’s, as a team, support by love, by prayer and by service the work of preaching and teaching the Word.
God used preaching to save you if you are saved.
Preaching is God's will.
Let's get behind it.
3. We are also told of a time that is coming (and I believe is here now).
2nd Timothy 4:3 “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;”
2nd Timothy 4:4 “and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
Paul tells Timothy of a time that will come.
When you read these verses, that time is described in great detail.
It has to do with men and their itching ears.
What they will not endure and what they will be interested in (to their own demise).
Men will have the Word available to them.
But they will choose to pursue and listen to fables, or non-truths.
Do you see that happening today?
4. We are told what to do in these last days.
2nd Timothy 4:5 “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Here's a simple vision statement from God for our lives in these last days.
We are to be watchful or paying attention, alert and sober minded.
We are to endure afflictions
They will come, and are coming rapidly now.
But we can endure them.
That's the way to deal with an affliction, just endure it.
Also, we are to do the work of an evangelist.
We are not all gifted with that gift.
But we can still do the work of one.
We can support those who have the gift.
We can fulfill our ministry.
We ought to accomplish the work that God has given us to do.
Jesus is coming back for us.
Let's be busy working for Him while we wait for Him.
Some Questions:
1. Do you personally feel that sense of responsibility from God?
2. Do you want to have that responsibility?
3. Do you still believe that Jesus is coming back again?
4. Can you see the days we are living in, and the interest people have in fables?
5. Will you renew yourself today in your service to God?
6. Do you know that God will readily receive you and use you beyond your wildest dreams?
A Prayer:
Father, thank You for these last and very important words of a man who was called and gifted by You and is now in heaven with You.
We are here with these wonderful words of truth that You gave him for us.
May we take them to heart today through prayer and the submitting of our wills to You.
You have such a love for people and You want to reach them through Your Word.
Lord, help us to hunger for, appreciate, listen to, obey and be supportive of the ministry.
We lovingly long for Your return, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
