Preach the Word - Part II - The Charge of Preaching

First of all, let us notice the CHARGE of preaching in verses 1-2. Paul says, "I charge you...preach the word."

Preaching is a charge. It is a command. The first person verb in verse 1 ("I charge you...") is the Greek word diamarturomai. It is a powerful word. It refers to a solemn charge that is attached to a binding duty. The verb indicates that preaching is a command of God.

Also, note that the verb in verse 2 ("preach") is in the imperative mood, which means that it is a command, a charge. This imperative verb is from the Greek word kerusso, which means to proclaim or to herald.

So then, here is Paul's meaning. He is solemnly charging Timothy to proclaim the Word of God. In other words, preaching is not an option for the Christian. It is a command. In fact, it is the command of God for the gospel minister.

Sometimes, "Christian" writers and speakers will say something clever like this, "Our message never changes, but our method changes." In some ways, this sounds extremely wise, and in some ways, this is true.

If, for example, "methods" include the style of music, then it would be true that the style of music may change, even though the message must remain the same. However, if "methods" include the act of preaching, then this would be a perversion of Scripture. For the Scriptures prescribe the method for the minister to communicate God's truth. The method for the message is preaching.

Furthermore, according to the Bible, preaching is the method that is best accommodated for the message of the gospel. Thus, the phrase "preach the word" is a charge. If we do not begin here, then nothing else will make sense to the reader. This is a foundational teaching of Scripture.

Preach the Word - Part I - Introduction

"Preach the Word" (2 Timothy 4:2). No imperative is more important for the minister of the gospel. No command is more grave. No exhortation is more sobering. At the end of his life, Paul writes to Timothy from a Roman prison. As the Apostle dictates his letter to an amanuensis, he contemplates his inevitible execution, pauses, collects his thoughts, and relates them through the scribe for young Timothy, who will receive the words in Ephesus: "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come" (2 Timothy 4:6). Paul is aware that he is about to die. He is conscious about the fact that he is about to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the one God has appointed to judge the living and the dead. And what does Paul say to Timothy, this young pastor, as Paul awaits his sure and certain death and considers his life in light of eternity? Paul simply says, "Timothy, preach the Word." Remarkable. It is beyond an indictment of the modern church growth strategies and the postmodern assault on the proclamation of the Word. It is a bell that rings from Mt. Zion and echoes throughout the history of the church: Preach the Word. Some pastors have heard the bell, and so they preach. But many have become dull to the Word of God and its commandment to proclaim the truth of God. Some pastors have hardened their hearts to Paul's clarion call to preach the Word. If we study 2 Timothy 4:1-5, we will discovery the importance of this solemn imperative of preaching. Although a pastor-teacher has many responsibilities, this is paramount. This sacred command must never be overlooked or underappreciated by the servant of God. It must continually ring into the minds and hearts of those who have been duly called of God to stand in the pulpit and proclaim the Word of God, which is able to make sinners wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, it is for these reasons--and there are many more reasons--that we enter into a humble exposition of this passage of Holy Scripture. We should pray for the illumination of the Spirit as we seek to understand the Scripture he inspired. So then, having provided these words of introduction, let us enter our subject with reverence.

Thank You, William Tyndale

William Tyndale was an English Reformer, Bible translator, and Christian martyr. In the words of John Foxe, Tyndale was "a true servant of God" and "a faithful minister of Christ." He was born about the borders of Wales, and he was raised in the University of Oxford. From the University of Oxford Tyndale then moved to the University of Cambridge, and he increased in his knowledge of the Scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although Tyndale was a servant of Christ, he was a menace to the Roman Catholic Church, and he was a thorn in the side of the papacy. How did Tyndale become this English Reformer, Bible translator, and Christian martyr? The answer is simple. It was his love for the written Word of God. This may be surprising in a church culture where many Christians refuse to bring their Bibles to church. This may be astonishing in a church culture where many Christians do not read, study, and meditate upon Scripture on a daily basis. However, this was true for William Tyndale, and by the grace of God I want this to be true in my life. I was to develop an increasing love for the written Word of God so that I am willing to die for its preservation and propagation. What happened to William Tyndale? He was burned at the stake. What was his crime? He wanted to translate the Bible into the English language. Why did this frighten the Roman Catholic Church? For one reason: if ordinary people could read the Bible for themselves, then they would soon discover that there was no biblical support for the papacy or sacramentalism (salvation by automatic ritual) or purgatory or sacred tradition or the veneration of saints and on and on it would go. If Christians had the written Word of God, then Rome would lose her power, and the gospel of the grace of God would triumph over the sacramentalism and superstition. How did Tyndale have the strength to stand for Christ even when he faced death? Well, again, the answer is simple. Tyndale had a vision. He said that he looked forward to the day when "the boy that driveth the plough will know more of Scripture than the pope himself." Praise God!

ELCA - Now This is Interesting

You must read this.

Woe to the ELCA!

This morning I received my copy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and I was saddened by the news about the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). By a vote of 559-451 the ELCA voted in favor of allowing homosexuals in committed relationships to serve as clergy. Interestingly enough, the Post-Dispatch even calls this a "shift." Yes, indeed, it is a shift. And since it is a shift from the gospel, I call the ELCA to surrender its use of the word "Evangelical." And since it is a shift from the historic position of the church, then I call the ?LCA to surrender its use of the word "Church." And since it is a shift from the views of the great Reformer, Martin Luther, I call the ?L?A to surrender the term "Lutheran." And when all the shifting is complete, we only have A, which stands for America. Yes, the ELCA has compromised so much that it now looks exactly like the godless society it should seek to transform with the gospel. Well, congratulations, ELCA, you have become the world. Brothers, we should pray for the 451 who stood strong for Christ when the vote was cast to place the stamp of approval on sin. We should pray for the Lord to stand by them, encourage them, and strengthen. They will need such strength in the days to come.

Practicing the Presence of God

I recently finished reading Brother Lawrence's Practicing the Presence of God for the third time. Although I am not a mystic, I am challenged by the basic premise of the book: Christians should develop a moment by moment awareness of presence of Christ. In many ways, Lawrence discovered the reality of 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which says, "Pray continually." It is extremely difficult to maintain this awareness of the presence of God, but when I have maintained focus on Christ, I have experienced unspeakable joy. What if we could discipline ourselves to maintain a constant awareness of Christ at all times? Think about the blessing of such a disciplined and devoted life!