2Tim4:1-5 Preach the Word

# Preach the Word
## 2 Timothy 4:1-5
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/c333d6YEhi0 "caption")

>>>
+ **committee** / group project:
  + waste **time**, effort
  + not getting anything **done**
+ ⇒ get back to **mandate**:
  + school proj: **assignment**
  + committee: **terms of reference**

---

# What is our **mandate** as people of God?

>>>
+ for individual: purpose, **calling**
+ usu. think of **passion**, dream, skill
  + **self**-selected
+ but our **Creator** calls us
  + given us fruitful **labour**
  + **together** as body of Christ

******
[1](# "ref")
I charge you in the presence 
of God and of Christ Jesus, 
who is to judge the living and the dead, 
and by his appearing and his kingdom:

[2](# "ref")
preach the word; 
be ready in season and out of season; 
reprove, rebuke, and exhort, 
with complete patience and teaching.

[2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV) (p.1/3)](# "ref")

******
[3](# "ref")
For the time is coming when people 
will not endure sound teaching,

but having itching ears they will accumulate for 
themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

[4](# "ref")
and will turn away from listening to the truth 
and wander off into myths.

[2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV) (p.2/3)](# "ref")

******
[5](# "ref")
As for you, always be sober-minded, 
endure suffering, 
do the work of an evangelist, 
fulfill your ministry.

[2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV) (p.3/3)](# "ref")

---

## Preach the Word [(2Tim4)](# "ref")
1. **Communicate** the Message [(v1-2)](# "ref")
1. **Correct** Opponents with Gentleness [(v3-4)](# "ref")
1. Stay **Centred** on God's Work [(v5)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Paul: **mentor** to Timothy
  + "true **son** in the faith"
+ 1 Tim: instr regarding **church** (Ephesus)
+ 2 Tim: more **personal**
  + about Timothy **himself**
+ repeated **structure**:
  + **tasks** / charge for Timothy
  + **warning**: those who oppose gospel
  + **focus**: "but you", persevere in mandate
+ ch4a: **climax** of letter, 
  + **strongest** distillation of struct
  + focus mostly on **action** (v1-2)
+ in v1, Paul uses a 
  + strong + personal **imperative**:

---

I **charge** you

in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, 
who is to judge the living and the dead

[2 Timothy 4:1 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Raphael, "St. Paul Preaching in Athens", 1515](http://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=34558 "caption")

>>>
+ intensified form of root, **testify**
  + proclaim / attest to **truth**
  + learned through **experience**
  + w/aspect of **personal** stakes
+ not "I **tell** you to do this", but
  + this is **who** you are: obj **truth**
  + I see it **personally**, too
+ by what **authority** is this command given?

---

I charge you

in the presence of God and of **Christ Jesus**, 
who is to **judge** the living and the dead

[2 Timothy 4:1 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **judgment**, appearing, kingdom
+ so not only for "**super**"-Christians
  + pastors, those "called" to ministry
+ inasmuch as none of us are **exempt**
  + from facing **judgment**
+ the challenge given is not **optional**
  + a **hobby**, when I have **time** to
+ **this** is the **reality**:
  + Christ **will** return
  + He **will** judge every person
  + each one **must** repent, turn to Him
+ we **must** proclaim this!

---

**Preach** the word; 
be **ready** in season and out of season; 
**reprove**, **rebuke**, and **exhort**, 
with complete **patience** and **teaching**.

[2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/1EbsMYrAu-s "caption")

>>>
+ Primary **imperative** is "preach"
  + **what** to preach
  + **when** to preach
  + **actions** how to preach
  + **attitude** how to preach
+ Paul **charges** Tim:
  + solemn **declaration**
+ you were **made** to do this
+ what is our Lord's **command**?

---

**Preach** the word

[2 Timothy 4:2a (ESV)](# "ref")
[Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA. USAF / Areca T. Bell](https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1184301/national-police-week-defenders-remember-fallen/ "caption")

>>>
+ preach: proclaim, **herald**
  + **ambassador** in **foreign** land
+ speaks only what **king** sends
  + but with full **authority** of king
+ **citizenship** not of this world
  + but earnestly **care** for it
+ our job is not to **convert** people
  + but to **proclaim** God's message
+ **what** content do we preach?

---

Preach **the Word**

[2 Timothy 4:2a (ESV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/y02jEX_B0O0 "caption")

>>>
+ ambassador carries **letter**
  + from king to foreign country
+ "but I don't **know** what to say!"
  + Bible too **hard** to understand
+ only for **seminary** grads?
  + seminary only **grad school**
  + sermon, SS, BSF not **enough**
+ **lifestyle** habit of regular study
  + **daily** personal devotions
+ not in **isolation**, but
  + learned by **example**, mentorship
  + **Paul** to Tim in ch1:

---

Follow the **pattern** of the **sound words** 
that you have heard from me, 
in the **faith** and **love** that are in Christ Jesus.

[2 Timothy 1:3 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Legenäsgatan, Sweden. Jon Flobrant](https://unsplash.com/photos/C2PvO6dOORY "caption")

>>>
+ **pattern**: type, tracing
  + **sound**: healthy, cf 4:3
+ follow **example**
  + of **healthy**, grounded doctrine
+ not just **content** of Scripture
  + but **attitude** towards Scripture:
+ take it **seriously**
  + not as **fable** / allegory
  + or **art** whose meaning is **constructed** by viewer
+ **message** from King to foreign land
  + **ambassadors** carry message
+ **when** do we deliver the message?

---

be **ready** in season and out of season

[2 Timothy 4:2b (ESV)](# "ref")
[Vancouver, BC.  Aditya Chinchure](https://unsplash.com/photos/ghbepAO7BCs "caption")

>>>
+ at **good** / opportune time, and
+ when there is **no** time
  + not **convenient**
+ ready: **stand** upon, be present
  + "half the battle is **showing up**"
+ we like to **schedule** HS to move
  + special **Christmas** outreach
  + evangelistic meetings, **altar call**
+ standing **ready** means being **present**
  + wherever God **wants** us to be
  + anywhere, anytime, even **grocery**
+ e.g., praying at **Save-On**
  + not for **her** sake, but **mine**
  + be **prepared**: to pray, to **speak**
+ **how** do we proclaim God's Word?

---

**reprove**, rebuke, and exhort

[2 Timothy 4:2c (ESV)](# "ref")
[Ricardo Gomez Angel](https://unsplash.com/photos/-lYk9rDI2UU "caption")

>>>
+ 3 **imperatives** that expand on 
  + the **actions** of how to preach
+ **reprove** (ἔλεγξον): expose, convict
  + **lay out** evidence clearly
  + judge: finding of **fact**
  + determine what **happened**
+ not that **we** are the judge! **God** is
  + not that we are **perfect**:
  + we illustrate being **forgiven**
+ who **God** is: his **holiness**
  + who **we** are: made to be **holy**
  + **fallen**, rebel to His authority
  + what **Christ** has done: **grace**
+ **holiness** ⇒ **sin** ⇒ **grace**

---

reprove, **rebuke**, and exhort

[2 Timothy 4:2c (ESV)](# "ref")
[Angelina Litvin](https://unsplash.com/photos/K3uOmmlQmOo "caption")

>>>
+ (ἐπιτίμησον): root is **honour**
  + to **esteem**, assign **value**
+ e.g., teacher handing back **exams**:
  + "great job! great job! **meh...**"
+ **we** do not **judge** anyone
  + God has already **revealed** 
  + what He **requires** of man
+ **rebuke**: apply God's standard
  + to **our** actions + priorities
+ **warn** + direct **back** to right path
  + to **encourage**:

---

reprove, rebuke, and **exhort**

[2 Timothy 4:2c (ESV)](# "ref")
[Joshua Clay](https://unsplash.com/photos/VNjNtdu0yCw "caption")

>>>
+ (παρακάλεσον): **encourage**
  + advocate, defend, implore
+ be **called** alongside (passive):
  + by those who are about to **fall**
  + **carry** burden, **walk** beside
+ **call** alongside (active):
  + **invite** into community
+ not forever **label** as outsiders
+ **join** with the **family** of God
  + and the **work** of His kingdom

---

with complete **patience** and **teaching**.

[2 Timothy 4:2d (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **patience** (μακροθυμίᾳ): long/slow **inflammation**
  + **long time** before getting **angry**
  + cf easily **set off** by small obstacles
  + James 1:19 **slow to anger**
  + **fruit** of Spirit: pursue **HS**, not fruit
+ **teaching**: **rl** of teacher-student
  + not just "**sage** on stage"
  + train **whole** person
  + with **principles** (Scripture, study) +
  + **practise** (example, apprentice)
+ this is the primary **charge** 
  + Paul the **mentor** describes
  + to Timothy the **apprentice**:

---

**Preach** the **word**; 
be **ready** in season and out of season; 
**reprove**, **rebuke**, and **exhort**, 
with complete **patience** and **teaching**.

[2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/1EbsMYrAu-s "caption")

>>>
+ what / when / actions / attitude:
+ as a **herald** in a foreign country
  + deliver **msg** from our King
+ **stand** ready, whether or not
  + we feel the time is **opportune**
+ **lay out** the facts,
  + show what is **ok**/not-ok, important/not
  + **encourage** + invite 
  + into **restored** rl w/God
+ be **slow** to anger
  + train the **whole** person

---

# Will I **proclaim** the message from my **King**?

>>>
+ live as **ambassadors** in foreign land
+ not **optional**: imminent **return**
+ need to **know** the message
  + **read** the Bible
+ so we can **discern** falsehood
  + and stay **focused**
  + amid **opposition**

---

## Preach the Word [(2Tim4)](# "ref")
1. Communicate the Message [(v1-2)](# "ref")
1. **Correct Opponents** **with Gentleness** [(v3-4)](# "ref")
1. Stay Centred on God's Work [(v5)](# "ref")

>>>
+ invest **personally**: mentor, example
  + honest about our **failures**
  + point to God's **holiness** + grace
+ but don't **take** it personally
  + when you meet **opposition**
+ our job is to **proclaim**
  + not to **change** / fix
  + not to **condemn** or
  + judge as **irredeemable**

---

For the time is coming when people 
will not **endure sound teaching**,

[2 Timothy 4:3a (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ v3-4 pair of **contrasts**:
  + **teaching**
  + **turning**
+ Paul **warns** Timothy
  + so he won't be **alarmed**
  + or **faint**, or **frustrated**
  + when he encounters them
+ e.g., 1st time **SkyTrain**:
  + if don't **hold on**, will fall
  + if **warned**, won't be **surprised**
+ in our **society**, we should **expect**:
  + first, a war of **principles**
+ **sound teaching**: healthy, proper
  + how our lives+rl were **meant** to be
+ **endure** (ἀνέξονται): bear, put up with
  + can't **stand** it, too much
+ so what **voices** will they listen to?

---

but having **itching** ears 
they will **accumulate** for themselves 
teachers to suit their own **passions**,

[2 Timothy 4:3b (ESV)](# "ref")
[Brandi Redd](https://unsplash.com/photos/6H9H-tYPUQQ "caption")

>>>
+ **passions** (ἐπιθυμίας): flame, upswelling of desire
  + for **pleasure**, fun, thrill
  + for **pride**, admiration, power
+ **accumulate**: pile up, surround
  + w/wall of overwhelm **majority**
  + **loud** enough, **numerous** enough
  + to **drown out** healthy teaching
+ **itching** (κνηθόμενοι): tickle, scratch
  + not to pursue **truth**, but
  + to **satisfy** own need for validation
+ "I'm **happy** with that explanation"
  + "This author really **appeals** to me"
+ rejecting God's **teaching** leads to
  + a willful change of **direction**:

---

and will **turn away** from listening to the truth 
and **wander off** into **myths**.

[2 Timothy 4:4 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Alex Jones](https://unsplash.com/photos/p0W9Q9gei4g "caption")

>>>
+ turn **away** from truth
+ wander off: turn **out** / aside
  + any other **dir** off main **road**
  + 1 **truth**, infinite **falsehoods**
+ **myth**: speech, tall tale:
  + fiction **pretending** to be truth
  + "movie inspired by true events"
+ e.g., The **Shack** (William Young):
  + **fiction**, but claims to **represent** what God would say
  + made up based on **own** exp
  + rather than **Scripture**
+ how to **discern** truth vs mythology?
  + be **immersed** in truth
  + e.g., bank tellers
+ **expect** our society to turn to these!
  + **orientation**: turn away fr truth,
  + **natural** path: continue further
  + takes **deliberate** effort to turn **back**
+ How should we **respond**?
  + earlier in ch2:

---

The Lord's servant must not be **quarrelsome**

but **kind** to everyone, able to **teach**, 
patiently **enduring** evil,

[25](# "ref")
**correcting** his opponents with **gentleness**.

[2 Timothy 2:24-25 (ESV)](# "ref")
[Nancy, France. Rémi Walle](https://unsplash.com/photos/UOwvwZ9Dy6w "caption")

>>>
+ God may perhaps grant them **repentance**
  + turn **back** toward God's truth
+ but more **time** will not help:
  + w/o a change of **direction**,
  + they will only wander **farther** away

---

# How do I **respond** to those who **turn away** from the truth?

>>>
+ majority will reject **healthy** teaching
  + pile up teachers that **appeal** to selfish desires
+ **turn** to fiction and away from truth

---

## Preach the Word [(2Tim4)](# "ref")
1. Communicate the Message [(v1-2)](# "ref")
1. Correct Opponents with Gentleness [(v3-4)](# "ref")
1. **Stay Centred on God's Work** [(v5)](# "ref")

>>>
+ return to **Timothy**:
+ now you **know** there will be **opposition**
+ don't let that **paralyse** you
  + or **frustrate** you
+ stay **focused** on your task:

---

As for you, always be **sober**-minded, 
endure **suffering**,

[2 Timothy 4:5a (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ two **pairs** in v5:
  + **mental** fortitude
  + **mandate** of work
+ sober: opp. **drunk**
  + coping w/**hurt**/stress via
+ dissociative **numbing**
  + ice cream, **video games**
    + (Candy Crush)
  + obsessive **work**, reading news
  + sleep, **avoidance**, checking out
+ this dulls our **judgment**
  + not **aware** when we're drunk
  + 2:22 flee youthful **passions**
+ **suffering** (κακοπάθησον): 
  + **evil** / malicious attacks
  + **pathos** / deep anguish of soul
+ this is also what we should **expect**
  + earlier in ch3:

---

Indeed, all who desire to live a **godly** life 
in Christ Jesus will be **persecuted**,

[13](# "ref")
while **evil** people and **impostors** 
will go on from bad to **worse**, 
**deceiving** and being deceived.

[2 Timothy 3:12-13 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ if your **goal** in life is to be **happy**
  + you will be **disappointed** + bitter
  + when you realise the **cost** of
  + living a **godly** life in Christ
+ have **mental** fortitude:
  + not **dissociating** from problems
    + but remaining **sober**
  + prepared for **pathos** 
    + deep **anguish** of the soul
+ also stay focused on our **mandate**:

---

do the **work** of an **evangelist**, 
fulfill your ministry.

[2 Timothy 4:5b (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **evangelist**: proclaim **good news**
  + this is **all** of us, not just **pastors**!
  + **angel**: messenger, mailman
+ job is to **deliver** message clearly
  + not to **persuade** others to believe
+ work of **atonement** done on cross
+ work of **changing** hearts is **HS's** job
  + not ours
+ so what **work** is there for us to do?
  + **proclaim**: herald, ambassador
  + **teach**: mentor, example, invite
+ not only in **words**, but also a lifestyle of **serving**:

---

do the work of an evangelist, 
**fulfill** your **ministry**.

[2 Timothy 4:5c (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **serve** (ministry): waiting tables
  + e.g., Stephen: **deacons**
  + voluntary action to **assist**
  + **strengthen** the weak in faith
  + **restore** those who have **stumbled**
+ not just what we **ought** to do
  + this is **who** we are
+ e.g., resp to **care** for JJ
  + also resp to **care** for others
  + by showing God's **love**
  + proclaim God's **word**
+ God has already **called** us to this
  + given us our **vocation**
  + now let us **carry** it through
  + to **full** measure

---

# Have I become mentally **drunken**, neglecting my **ministry**?

>>>
+ **mental** fortitude:
  + not **drunk** / avoiding problems
  + prepared for **suffering** from evil
+ **mandate** of our work:
  + proclaim **gospel**
  + fulfill being a **servant** in the kingdom of God

---

**Preach** the word; 
be **ready** in season and out of season; 
**reprove**, **rebuke**, and **exhort**, 
with complete **patience** and **teaching**.

[2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)](# "ref")

---