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"Be ready..."

Text: 2 Timothy 4:2

THE CHALLENGE TO BE STEADY AND STEADFAST

The ministry of preaching is mistakenly confined to the pulpit ministry. It certainly does involve preaching from the pulpit but it is much more. Once again we reflect on what Paul wrote:

“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.”
2 Timothy 4:2

1. “Be ready”

a) The root word simply means “to stand”.

b) We have a compound word here and the following nuances may be noted:-

i) To be established.

ii) To stand firm.

iii) To hold one’s ground.

2. The context is explained:

a) “In season”

i) Literally it means “in good times”.

ii) Where there is no opposition.

iii) The doors of evangelism are opened wide.

iv) There is no resistance.

v) The opportunity of preaching the Word of God should be seized.

b) “Out of season”

i) Literally it means “in bad times”.

ii) There may be opposition.

iii) There may be intense hostility.

iv) Persecution may arise.

v) This is when the preacher must continue to stand fast in his ministry of preaching the Word.

3. What “out of season” does not mean

a) It is not a reference to the preacher going through a bad patch in his personal faith.

b) The preacher cannot use this text as an excuse to be ill-prepared in speaking for the Lord.

c) The challenge to be ready at all times is similar to what the apostle Peter wrote:

“Always be ready to give a defence…”
1 Peter 3:15