1. PREACH THE WORD
2 Timothy 4:1-5

2. BACKGROUND & INTRODUCTION
Before we consider our lesson text in 2 Timothy 4:1-5, I want to briefly notice some things Paul said to Timothy both before and after our lesson text
In CH3:1-9, Paul warned Timothy that in the last days perilous times will come
He wore no clothes, did not live in a house, but in the tombs (graveyard)

3. BACKGROUND & INTRODUCTION
In CH3:10-13, Paul reminded Timothy of his manner of life and the things Paul had endured as an apostle and preacher of the gospel
In CH3:14-17, Paul encouraged Timothy to continue in the things he had learned and from childhood Timothy had known the Holy Scriptures, which would make him wise unto salvation
He wore no clothes, did not live in a house, but in the tombs (graveyard)

4. BACKGROUND & INTRODUCTION
Just after our lesson text in CH4:6-8, Paul declares his realization that the time of his departure was at hand
He had fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith
A crown of righteousness was laid up for Paul, which the Lord would give him on that day
He wore no clothes, did not live in a house, but in the tombs (graveyard)

5. BACKGROUND & INTRODUCTION
In the midst of Paul’s discourse to Timothy, he issues an important charge to Timothy as recorded in 2 Timothy 4:1-5
It is the elements of this charge we will consider in our study today
He wore no clothes, did not live in a house, but in the tombs (graveyard)

6. A CHARGE IS ISSUED (V1) Q: What is a charge?
A responsibility or obligation to perform a task in a prescribed manner
This charge carries the weight of a command
Whether they realize it or not, like Timothy, all preachers and teachers of the gospel today have been given this same charge

7. A CHARGE IS ISSUED (V1)
This charge was issued before God and the Lord Jesus Christ
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ were witnesses to the issuing of the charge
They would be watching Timothy
Preachers and teachers today must also recognize God and Jesus are carefully watching and listening

8. A CHARGE IS ISSUED (V1)
A reminder, Jesus will one day judge the living and the dead
Timothy, like all men, will one day stand in judgment before the Lord
To give an account of his stewardship
Likewise, preachers and teachers of today will one day stand in judgment before the Lord and give an account of their stewardship

9. A CHARGE IS ISSUED (V1)
A reminder, Jesus will one day judge the living and the dead
Preaching and teaching the word of God is a very serious matter
Recall the warning in James 3:1
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment”

10. SPECIFICS OF THE CHARGE (V2)
Preach the word
“The word” informs us that a specific word is under consideration
Boundaries are established for what a preacher can and cannot teach
This deals with the subject of authority
“The word” is a reference to the word of God

11. SPECIFICS OF THE CHARGE (V2)
Preach the word
Preachers and teachers must adhere to the standard of God’s word, without adding to it or taking away from it (Revelation 22:18,19)
Preachers and teachers must prepare themselves to teach through reading, study and meditation (2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:12-16)

12. SPECIFICS OF THE CHARGE (V2)
Preach the word
Excludes preaching the doctrines & commandments of men
There is no salvation in the doctrines & commandments of men
Preaching & teaching that saves souls must be based on the word of God
The gospel is God’s power to save (Romans 1:16, James 1:21)

13. SPECIFICS OF THE CHARGE (V2)
Be ready (instant, KJV)
To be an effective preacher or teacher, one must be prepared (2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Peter 3:15, Ephesians 6:14,15)
May be called upon at a moment’s notice to deal with some spiritual subject
Dealing with a subject instantly and effectively requires preparation and familiarity with God’s word

14. SPECIFICS OF THE CHARGE (V2)
In season and out of season
Generally, to be prepared to preach and teach the word of God at all times
There is never a season that the word of God (the gospel) is not needed
The urgency is always there, particularly among God’s people, because the ever present danger of apostasy

15. SPECIFICS OF THE CHARGE (V2)
In season and out of season
Whether it is seasonable for men or not (Thayer)
Regardless of whether the listeners think it is convenient or not
Regardless of whether the people are receptive to the message or not
The preacher or teacher is not relieved of his responsibility to teach

16. SPECIFICS OF THE CHARGE (V2)
Convince, rebuke, exhort
Convince (Reprove, KJV & NAS)
To find fault with for the purpose of correction (Thayer)
To convict (convince) one of their error
Rebuke
To tell a fault

17. SPECIFICS OF THE CHARGE (V2)
Convince, rebuke, exhort
Exhort
To call or summon to one’s side (Thayer)
To encourage
To urge someone to pursue a proper course of conduct (Vine)

18. SPECIFICS OF THE CHARGE (V2)
With all longsuffering and teaching
Longsuffering is a necessary quality of effective teaching
Preaching and teaching can at times be difficult and challenging
Discouragement, frustrations from resistance & opposition
Consider Moses, the OT prophets, Jesus (Matthew 23:37), Paul, etc.

19. SPECIFICS OF THE CHARGE (V2)
With all longsuffering and teaching
In spite of these challenges and difficulties, the preacher and teacher cannot afford to quit
The work is much too important
He must stay the course and keep teaching the truth (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

20. WHY THIS CHARGE (V3 & V4) They will not endure sound doctrine
Sadly, a failure to endure (unfaithfulness) has plagued God’s people from the beginning of time
OT: Adam & Eve, Israel (in the wilderness, during the Judges & Kings)
NT: Jews, Ephesian elders (Acts 20:28- 31), Galatians, Hebrews, 5 of the 7 churches of Asia (Revelation 2 & 3)

21. Imparts spiritual life and regulates our spiritual health (James 1:27)
WHY THIS CHARGE (V3 & V4)
They will not endure sound doctrine
Sound doctrine: Wholesome (healthy) teaching from God’s word
Imparts spiritual life and regulates our spiritual health (James 1:27)
Promotes fellowship with God and prepares us to meet Him in judgment (1 John 1:1-4, John 12:48)

22. Directs our path to heaven (Psalm 119:105)
WHY THIS CHARGE (V3 & V4)
They will not endure sound doctrine
Sound doctrine: Wholesome teaching from God’s word
Fosters proper relationships with our brethren and with those of the world (1 Peter 1:22, Colossians 4:5)
Directs our path to heaven (Psalm 119:105)

23. WHY THIS CHARGE (V3 & V4) They have itching ears
They have an itch they want someone to scratch (tickle their ears, NAS)
False teachers are ready and willing to scratch their itch
Telling them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear
This is nothing new (Isaiah 30:8-11, Jeremiah 8:10-12)

24. WHY THIS CHARGE (V3 & V4) Will heap up for themselves teachers
Those who place their personal desires above the will of God will find there are many false teachers willing to support them in their error
Heap (Thayer): Accumulate in piles, to choose for themselves and run after a great number of teachers
False teachers exist in large supply

25. WHY THIS CHARGE (V3 & V4)
They will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables
Sadly, some willingly exchange God’s truth, His soul saving gospel, for fables
In spite of the best efforts of faithful preachers and teachers
They reject God’s preventative medicine against such behavior

26. WHY THIS CHARGE (V3 & V4)
They will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables
Fable: That which is fictional, an invention, a falsehood as opposed to spiritual truth
See 1 Timothy 1:3,4; 2 Peter 1:16-21
Turning aside to fables will cause people to lose their souls, unless they repent

27. THE CHARGE REINFORCED (V5)
But you be watchful in all things
Be watchful (sober, NAS)
Be on guard because dangers to God’s people abound (1 Peter 5:8)

28. THE CHARGE REINFORCED (V5)
Endure afflictions
Stand for the truth even if it comes with a price
The truth won’t always be popular
The truth may bring with it a negative backlash from those who resist and oppose the truth
In spite of these things, continue to stand for and proclaim the truth

29. THE CHARGE REINFORCED (V5)
Do the work of an evangelist
Evangelist: Ev = Good + Angelist (Angel) = Messenger
Be a good and faithful messenger of God and continue to proclaim the good news/good message (the gospel)

30. THE CHARGE REINFORCED (V5)
Fulfill your ministry
Completely (fully) carry out your responsibility (charge) as a minister of God’s word
Don’t leave any part of the work undone. Q: Why?
The eternal destiny of souls is at stake

31. IN CONCLUSION
In 2 Timothy 4:1-5, we are reminded of the great and serious responsibility placed upon preachers and teachers of the gospel to “preach the word”
Paul did not directly address those who would hear Timothy’s preaching, however they also bore great and serious responsibilities in this matter
Responsibilities that are applicable to us today as listeners of the gospel

32. IN CONCLUSION As gospel listeners we have a responsibility to…
Demand our preachers and teachers speak the truth and only the truth as revealed in God’s word
Following after a lie will not get us to heaven

33. IN CONCLUSION As gospel listeners we have a responsibility to…
Hold our preachers and teachers accountable for what they teach
Challenge teaching not in agreement with God’s word (Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1, Matthew 15:14)
Requires we do some studying on our own (2 Timothy 2:15)

34. IN CONCLUSION As gospel listeners we have a responsibility to…
Be willing to accept convincing (reproving), rebuke and exhortation as revealed and mandated in God’s word
These are administered for our spiritual and eternal good
Don’t despise the chastening of the Lord, He loves us (Hebrews 12:5,6)

35. IN CONCLUSION As gospel listeners we have a responsibility to…
Endure sound doctrine
It is only those who endure faithfully until the end who will be saved (Matthew 10:22, Revelation 2:10)

36. IN CONCLUSION As gospel listeners we have a responsibility to…
Guard against the danger of having itching ears
Instead of seeking out and encouraging false teachers, we must soundly reject them and their doctrine
Place the will of God above our own, crucify self (Galatians 2:20, 5:24)

37. IN CONCLUSION As gospel listeners we have a responsibility to…
Be thankful for preachers and teachers willing to stand for the truth and declare to us the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27)
Express our gratitude to our preachers and teachers when they adhere to the truth of God’s word

38. IN CONCLUSION
Thus, I hope from this study we can see the importance and the urgency of the charge to…

39. “PREACH THE WORD”