Edit — The Portrait of the Faithful Preacher

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Body: **4**I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: **2**Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. **3**For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. **4**They will reject the truth and chase after myths. **5**But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 1 The Preacher’s Accountability The Bible is very explicit about what God expects from the preacher. Second Timothy 4:1-5 contains nine commands. It presents demands, not suggestions, ideas, or points of discussion. It’s the pattern Timothy and all who follow after him are responsible for fulfilling. The preacher’s role is vital, for God has designed that His people be taught by gifted men and women. Much of the believer’s spiritual growth directly relates to the effectiveness of the preaching he or she is under. So, it’s a serious issue with God for preachers to live by God’s standards and for believers to hold them accountable. And it’s vital that people respond in obedience to proper preaching. 2 The Preacher’s Portrait The English preacher John Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress, an allegory about the Christian life. He wrote that story from Bedford Jail, where he was imprisoned for preaching. Bunyan depicted the Christian life through Pilgrim, who was embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage. Pilgrim was first taken to Interpreter’s House because there were some things he needed to know to make his pilgrimage successful. Inside Interpreter’s House he was shown the painting of a preacher that he might realize the importance of the preacher’s office. The portrait "had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the law of truth was written upon his lips, the world was behind his back. [He] stood as if [he] pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over his head" ([New York: Simon and Schuster, 1957], p. 28). In 2 Timothy 4 the apostle Paul also paints a preacher’s portrait. Only his painting was inspired by God, so it’s more than instructive—it’s binding. And it describes the preacher’s role in unmistakable terms. 3 The Preacher’s Faithfulness Paul wrote his final letter as a prisoner and recognized that his earthly ministry was near completion. He was able to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7). He wanted Timothy to be able to say the same thing, so he encouraged him to be faithful. In doing so Paul set for us the divine standard by which faithfulness is measured. Second Timothy 4:1-5 summarizes Paul’s hope for every Christian pastor. Timothy had a difficult task ahead of him, and because the ministry ahead of him was not easy, it was imperative for Timothy to be faithful. So, in his parting words Paul gave Timothy the portrait of a faithful preacher. 4 The Preacher’s Commission Understanding the seriousness of ministry. The aged warrior Paul sought to arm young Timothy in the faith with a keen sense of his weighty responsibility. Such seriousness is characteristic of a godly individual committed to serving Christ. Paul was like the Reformer John Knox, who said, "Give me Scotland or I die!" When compelled to preach, it is well reported that Knox locked himself in a room and cried for days because he feared the seriousness of his calling. Timothy was to take his calling just as seriously. The ministry is a serious place for those who regard its tasks in earnest. Nothing will develop accountability like the pastor’s realization that he or she is not primarily responsible to a church, but to God. Timothy needed to understand the seriousness of his commission because he was going to receive much pressure to compromise his ministry. The teacher must answer to the Lord, and so must all those that he or she teaches. The faithful teacher and preacher will pay attention to whatever sustains the quality of his or her spiritual life. Although those qualities may never become public knowledge, they are under the watchful eye of God, who will evaluate all things. 5 Paul ministered in light of that coming evaluation and wanted Timothy, his son in the faith, to do the same. We too are to manifest spiritual excellence before God and others. That comes by adhering to the portrait of a faithful teacher. The Preachers Command "Preach the word." Although that command is brief, it states the essence of the teacher’s task. Timothy was to preach "the word" (2 Tim. 4:2): God’s Word. Timothy was also told to "retain the standard of sound words" he received from Paul (1:13). Paul also said, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth" (2:15). Timothy was to guard the truth (1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:14) as well as proclaim it. That two-fold responsibility is so basic, yet many preachers teach something other than God’s Word. In Romans 10 Paul carefully explains the importance of emphasizing Scripture: "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? 6 Just as it is written, ’How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!’. . . So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (vv. 13-15, 17). By applying human reason, logic, and wisdom, gifted orators can move audiences by the power of their persuasive speech. But no man or woman can be a faithful preacher without preaching the Word. When we preach the Word of God, we are not preaching the word of man. Men can say things that are entertaining, interesting, informative, or even helpful. But it’s imperative that you and I allow God to speak through His Word, and one way God gives voice to His Word is through the preacher. He or she will preach passages that convict the preacher as well as those who hear. That produces integrity in their ministry, and it promotes biblical literacy. The preacher’s wisdom, voice, or demeanor might carry a certain amount of human authority, but it’s no match for the divine authority of Scripture. If you want the Spirit to use you to compel people toward obedience, proclaim God’s Word because it’s the ultimate authority, and it transforms the preacher. 7 The power of the Word is what the Holy Spirit uses to transform lives. If preachers only preached sermonettes, book reviews, entertaining stories, or simply rehashed the same message, God’s Word wouldn’t have an opportunity to interact with and transform the life of the preacher. And transformed preachers lead to transformed congregations. The Preacher Is Always Ready to Minister (v. 2b) "Be ready in season and out of season." Some translate the command "be urgent" or "be watchful." It pictures a military guard who is always at his post. It speaks of eagerness and describes someone who goes beyond their expected duty. The preacher has no set office hours but is always at their post ready to seize opportunities to serve, and since there is no closed season on proclaiming Christ, we must make the most of every opportunity to serve and tell others about Christ (cf. Eph. 5:16). Charles Spurgeon, a great preacher in London in the 1800s, said, "If I were asked—What in a Christian minister is the most essential quality for securing success in winning souls for Christ? I should reply, ’earnestness’: and if I were asked a second or a third time, I should not vary the answer. Success is proportionate to the preacher’s earnestness." 8 (Lectures to My Students, rev. ed. [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978], p. 305). To preach you must have an earnestness and zeal that never dies. But earnestness isn’t a quality that comes naturally for the preacher or his listeners. After years of being exposed to sound preaching the novelty of hearing God’s Word can wear off, and the fire in the believer’s heart can die out. The teacher and the listener should keep discovering new things in God’s Word. But we must not take preaching for granted and allow our hearts to become hard. The pastor is to be ready to preach "in season and out of season" (2 Tim. 4:2). He or she is to preach when it’s convenient and when it’s not. This eagerness to preach must not depend on the receptivity of the audience to the message. Nothing is to constrain or silence him or her from preaching of the Word. The Preacher Exposes Sin (v. 2c) "Reprove, rebuke." The preacher is not only to be ready to preach, but also to reprove and rebuke sin. As 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable . . . for reproof, for correction." 9 In 2 Timothy 4:2 "reprove" speaks of being made aware of sin, while "rebuke" refers to the guilt that results from that awareness. Reproof uses God’s Word to unveil sin. Rebuke is the Holy Spirit’s convicting work through His Word. Jesus forcefully preached against sin (e. g., Matt. 15:1-9). John the Baptist was thrown in prison for doing so (Luke 3:19-20). We are to follow in their steps by exposing sin through the proclamation of God’s Word. Ephesians 5:11 says not to "participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them." Titus 1:13 says to "reprove [rebels] severely that they may be sound in the faith." The Preacher Encourages Right Behavior (v. 2d) "Exhort." The Greek term translated "exhort" (parakalço) means "to encourage" and speaks of restoration. After confronting someone you know about sin, come alongside that individual and encourage positive steps toward change. That is what Paul did: "We were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory" (1 Thess. 2:11-12). And that’s what we are to do. 10 The Preacher Is Patient (v. 2e) "With great patience." Paul said to reprove, rebuke, and exhort "with great patience" (2 Tim. 4:2). Here "patience" (Gk., makrothumia) is used in connection with people, not events or circumstances. It’s necessary to be patient with people because spiritual change usually takes time. If the recovery process takes longer than we like, it’s tempting to be hard on the person or to give up on him or her entirely. But the believer isn’t easily annoyed or irritated. He or she won’t give way to bitterness or despair. Patience is a spiritual grace—a gift from God that reflects His very nature. Paul asked, "Do you think lightly of the riches of [God’s] kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Rom. 2:4). Since God is patient with us, we must learn to be patient with each other (cf. Eph. 4:32). The Preacher Teaches Sound Doctrine (v. 2f) "Instruction." Paul said to expose sin and encourage others "with great patience and instruction" (Gk., didachç). We will help the unbeliever not only by pointing out their sin, but also by pointing them toward faith in God’s Word. 11 We will help another Christian not only by reproving his sin, but also by instructing him in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). Rebuke without instruction leaves people in the dark about what spiritual direction to take. Rebuke tells people where they shouldn’t be, while instruction in doctrinal truth tells them where they should be. The preacher serves as a model of what we are to be. What they do in their unique way we are to do in our unique way. We all are responsible to the Judge, who will evaluate our faithfulness, so together let us fulfill our glorious privilege of preaching the Word! 12 A Call to Spiritual Commitment In 1 and 2 Timothy Paul gave a long list of responsibilities to Timothy. Timothy was to correct those who taught false doctrine. He was to call people to a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. He was to fight for divine truth and God’s purposes. He was to pray for the lost and lead those in the church to do the same. He was to call women to fulfill their God-given roles of rearing godly children through faith, love, and holiness. Timothy was to exercise care in selecting godly men for church leadership. He was to nourish believers continually through preaching God’s Word. He was to discipline himself in godliness so that others could follow his example. He was to read, explain, and apply the Scriptures publicly. He was to progress toward Christlikeness. He was to be gracious and gentle in confronting sin. He was to give special consideration and care to widows. He was to honor faithful pastors who work hard and not receive an accusation against any of them unless it was substantiated by two or three witnesses. Timothy was to care for his health that he might have strength to minister. He was to flee the love of money, but pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. He was to fight for the faith in the midst of hostile opposition. 15 He was to obey the Lord’s commandments and guard His Word as a sacred trust. He was to keep his spiritual gift fresh and useful and not be timid. He was not to be ashamed of Christ or those who serve Him. He was to reproduce himself in faithful men. Timothy also was to expect and willingly accept suffering and persecution for the sake of Christ. He was to always keep his eyes on Christ. He was to exercise leadership with authority. He was to interpret and apply Scripture accurately. He was to avoid useless conversations. He was to be an instrument of honor by setting himself apart from sin. He was to flee sinful desires. And He wasn’t to be contentious, but teachable, gentle, and patient—even when wronged. I would like to close this morning with, in my opinion and I think that most of you will agree with me, “the portrait of the faithful preacher.” For those of you listening by radio or CD, I am holding a portrait of our very own preacher, pastor, and minister Dr. Cheryl Benson. 16 THE COST OF THE PREACHER’S COMMISSION (v. 5b) "Endure hardship." Expect Suffering Many preachers want a ministry free of difficulties. However, I believe faithfulness to God’s Word and the endurance of trials are the marks of an effective ministry. A preacher has the choice of either enduring or compromising a difficult situation. That’s why Paul told Timothy, "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. . .. Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:1, 3). Timothy knew that "difficult times" would come (2 Tim. 3:1) and that some would "fall away from the faith" (1 Tim. 4:1). Nevertheless, he was to follow in the steps of Paul and fight "the good fight" (2 Tim. 4:7). Accept Suffering Timothy not only expected suffering, but also willingly accepted it. The writer of the book of Hebrews said, "Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I shall see you" (13:23). Here the Greek verb translated "released" (apoluô) speaks of releasing someone from prison. Apparently, Timothy was imprisoned for preaching Christ. 13 Like Timothy, we also are to endure whatever rejection, hostility, and persecution that come from following Christ. THE GOAL OF THE PREACHER’S COMMISSION (v. 5d) "Fulfill your ministry." The Greek term translated "fulfill" (plçrophoreô) means "to accomplish" and speaks of doing something wholeheartedly. Wholehearted ministry was certainly characteristic of Paul, who said, "I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me" (Col. 1:29). It’s no surprise that at the end of his life he could say, "I have finished the course" (2 Tim. 4:7). Do you have a strong desire to finish your spiritual course? Endeavor to serve the Lord "with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deut. 6:5). 14

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