Preach The Word

II Timothy 4:1-5

Having a love for making things, I also developed a love for tools, like many other guys. Not having much money, I became interested in old and obsolete ways of doing things before power tools were available. Over the years I learned to build many of my own tools, and was interested to learn that most modern power tools use a modified form of the same processes the hand tools use.
The action may appear different, the principle is the same.

There is little more gratifying than building a tool that can be used to accomplish some other job. I became interested in machine tools such as metal lathes and milling machines. I obtained plans and information on hand scraping and began to build a metal lathe. The first one was not very accurate, but it was obvious the task was possible, and I built others. I now have a good lathe I built, capable of accuracy to a thousandth of an inch over the length of an eighteen inch shaft.

I surprised to learn that while the hand techniques I learned are considered obsolete by most machinists, they are used in the most exacting work to finish what is done by the best modern tools, being capable of producing accuracy to a millionth of an inch or better. No modern machine is capable of producing such accuracy.

Because modern methods are faster and easier, the tendency has been to settle for less accurate work, resulting in tools and machinery that is less capable of precision production. Labs and other precision builders often have to build their own tools because those manufactured by commercial processes are not adequate for their requirements.

The same tendency to choose the easier or faster metnod is often found in churches. It has resulted in Christians who are less solidly grounded in the faith and less able to function in a manner pleasing to God. While they may appear nearly as good initially, when it comes to day by day service, their lack of sound preparation begins to show. For example, the current rate of divorce among Christians indicates a lack of proper teaching in the churches. It is much easier to read a book about marriage than it is to find and study more than one thousand verses that contribute to what the Bible teaches about the subject.

Paul has spent considerable effort instructing Timothy to study the Scripture, stating that it provides everything the Christian needs to be pleasing to God. Now he stresses the importance of teaching the same thing to those who hear them. The word he uses ‘preach’, means ‘to herald.’ A herald was an official messenger. He was responsible for delivering the message accurately. Since an inaccurate rendering could in some cases result in death, he could be executed if he was found guilty of changing the message by so much as a single word. The preacher has that same responsibility before God.

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (II Timothy 4:1-2)

Both the preacher, and his hearers will stand before God for judgment. They cannot please God if they do not know exactly what he wants. He is to preach God’s word when it is popular and when it is unpopular, when it suits everybody, and when it contradicts accepted beliefs. It is a responsibility to show people what is wrong. When they knowingly do wrong, it may be necessary to scold sharply, while other times only encouragement is needed. As time passes, there will come a time when most people will begin to seek churches and preachers that make them feel good about what they are doing, rather than those who make them aware of their short comings. Traditions, rituals, and entertainment will take precedence over the truth of God’s word.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (II Timothy 4:3-4)

The preacher must not allow himself to be caught up in the trends and fashions of the day. God’s requirements have not changed. Seemingly obsolete teaching may be required to enable people to do what is required. We must not neglect any area of ministry.

“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (II Timothy 4:5)

The pastor must be willing to maintain his own spiritual and moral standards, even when it produces hardship for himself. He must also reach out to the unsaved with the gospel. He cannot leave evangelism to professionals. It is part of his job. He is responsible for the whole job.

Matthew 28:19-20 describes the job. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations(disciple, cause to become Christians), baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost(get them to be baptized): Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you(teach them everything God has said): and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world(we will have his power and guidance to do what he wants). Amen. Until all three parts are done, the job is not finished.

My Brother-in law is a pipeline welder. His first day, he was embarrassed at how much slower he was than the other welders. He fell far behind. That night the testing crew x-rayed all the welds done that day. The next morning, he was the only welder who did not have to go back and repair any of his welds. Some of the welders were fired because their welds were unsatisfactory. Taking the time to do the job satisfactorily paid tremendous dividends, including a permanent position with the company. My brother-in-law had made full proof of his workmanship.

The ministry is to be approached the same way. As I Corinthians 3:13 warns, “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.”