2 Timothy4:2 preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
There is little doubt we are experiencing this passage in churches today (why wouldn't we; it is the Bible after all). Yes, there are many who have turned to (and are drawn to) watered down preaching that may or may not have anything to with the Bible. But we must remember the hope found in verse 5.... the end result of the "work of an evangelist" is a harvest of souls for Jesus Christ!
Our great God call us to His great work. Not in vain but to bear fruit for His Kingdom and glory. I think too often we have pictured the opening passage of 2 Timothy 4 as a dismal scene. Where a lone man of God, stands there holding on to the pulpit for dear life as droves of people flee from the words he is preaching... But folks, that's not how God works. When we preach Christ crucified, when we lift Him up, when we preach the Way, the Truth, and the Life, people will hear and they will be saved.
On a personal note, over that past year I have seen more people coming to our church because of the preaching than any other time in the 15 years I have been a preacher. In fact, let's put it bluntly- the Minneapolis Metal Church is growing despite our choice in music not because of it.
Preachers, I guarantee you there is an audience for solid Biblical doctrine. Church folk, encourage your preachers to preach the Word!
2 Timothy 4:2 was the inscription on my ordination cake 15 years ago. I wish I could say I always stuck to it... but I can't. However, I am overwhelmed by the grace of our God to give me chance after chance to prove His Word. I will leave the pop culture references, water cooler topics, and anecdotes to the other guys... As for me, I am going to keep preaching the Bible, the whole Bible and nothing but the Bible.
