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"Preach the word!"

Text: 2 Timothy 4:2

THE CHARGE TO PREACH THE WORD OF GOD

The content of the solemn charge the apostle Paul gave to Timothy is succinctly written here.

“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
2 Timothy 4:2

1. The Ministry of Preaching

a) This was the ministry John the Baptiser faithfully sought to fulfil.

i) He preached to the masses.

ii) He preached repentance.

iii) He preached about the coming of the Messiah (Matthew 3:1).

b) The Lord Jesus Christ also faithfully preached the Gospel.

i) Jesus began His ministry preaching the gospel (Matthew 4:17).

ii) The ministry of preaching was of paramount importance.

c) The Lord Jesus sent His disciples out to preach the gospel.

i) He called them.

ii) He gave them authority and then sent them forth to preach (Mark 3:14).

2. Underscoring the importance of the preaching ministry

a) Paul deemed preaching as of even greater importance than baptising (1 Corinthians 1:17).

b) He testified that Christ had sent him to preach (1 Corinthians 1:17).

3. “Preach the word”

a) This was the heart of the solemn charge.

b) The word of God was central.

i) The man of God has to be fully trained and equipped first (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

ii) He must then be deeply committed to preaching the word of God.

ESTABLISHING THE MINISTRY OF PREACHING THE WORD OF GOD

It is of utmost importance that we establish the importance of preaching the Word of God in the ministry of the church! The message of the cross must be preached with fullness of faith and conviction. Other ministries like fellowship, music, good deeds are not unimportant, but they play a secondary role. Let us seek to appreciate the solemnity of the charges given not just to Timothy but to the church today!

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18