I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. – II Timothy 4: 1-4
One major warning all the writers of the New Testament and apostles gave was warnings against false teachers and their teaching. The apostles and the early church fought vehemently against these false teachings such as legalism, esoterism, and asceticism. These issues are still prevalent in our modern-day churches but sadly we do not fight against these false teachings that mask themselves as truth with the same vigor that the early church did. Paul’s admonition to Timothy gives us a way in which we can combat this problem — Preach the word at all times, Convince, Rebuke, Exhort, and Teach Patiently.
Paul speaking to the Corinthian church mentioned that Christ and Him crucified is the start and the end of His message. This is the goal of sermons, to make believers see Jesus more clearly every day. This is because what one beholds he becomes. Believers hearing about the character of Jesus and seeing His work on the cross in its fullness will in turn be transformed by that word to become more like Jesus and in the process give ultimate glory to God.
This is the mark of sound doctrine, teachings that make you see God for who He is as revealed in scripture and teaching that makes us fashion our lives to live for God’s glory alone. When doctrine is soaked in the fullness of Jesus’ sacrifice, a believer begins to exude Christ-like attributes that become the aroma of welcoming others into the embrace of God. Sharp distinctions will then innately surface, separating the Gospel from abstract human philosophy and region-specific cultures that commonly get tangled with God’s denotations.
The apostle Paul talked about itching ears which are usually hinged on the desires of man solely and not the teachings of God. People are led by their lusts and therefore gravitate towards teachings that magnify their lusts. Paul emphasizes that these teachings are a pernicious distraction from the true tenets of Christian living. They offer temporal satisfaction that stirs up the ceaseless pursuit for more instead of contending with God’s intentions and sealing their joy. This is contrary to God’s wisdom taught through genuine ministers.
The faithful are enjoined to be alert, paying a keen ear to messages preached, and assessing the alignment with the word of God. Not only should believers be ready to refute false doctrine, but they are called to also show the love of Christ by gently leading misguided believers back towards truth.
Do The Work of an Evangelist
The admonition of Paul to Timothy highlights the crucial role of those entrusted with the task of delivering God’s message, often referred to as the work of an evangelist. The evangelist’s role, as understood from Paul’s teachings, is multifaceted.
Firstly, Paul underscores the importance of “preaching the word,” the central responsibility of an evangelist. This doesn’t simply mean reciting verses, but deeply understanding the Gospel’s messages and meticulously conveying them to the congregation. Reaching out to people with the Good News of Jesus Christ is fundamental to the evangelist’s mission. In doing so, they must share the profound depth of God’s love, the extent of Jesus’ sacrifice, and the promise of eternal life that His grace confers.
Next, Paul instructs Timothy, and by extension all evangelists, to “be ready in season and out of season.” This means that an evangelist must be prepared to preach the truth of God’s word at all times, irrespective of circumstance or convenience. They must be steadfast believers, actively countering false teachings whether they are in the spotlight or not.
Along with the duty of spreading the Gospel, Paul’s words emphasize the need to “Convince, Rebuke, and Exhort,” which encapsulates a significant portion of an evangelist’s role. They must be able to persuasively articulate the truths of God’s word, correcting misconceptions (rebuking) and encouraging (exhorting) their listeners towards spiritual growth and devotion to the Gospel. This involves a balance of challenging correction and nurturing encouragement, always rooted in deep knowledge of the scripture and a genuine love for the congregation.
Lastly, Paul speaks about the need for “longsuffering and teaching.” An evangelist’s duty isn’t a fleeting commitment, nor is it something to be carried out in haste. Patience, perseverance, and a dedication to educating others about God’s word are essential virtues that evangelists must embody. These characteristics equip them to guide their listeners down the narrow path of truth, helping them navigate life’s challenges with a robust understanding of their faith.
Therefore, pastors and others delivering sermons should take these responsibilities to heart. It’s not merely about standing at a pulpit and delivering a message, but about guiding, nurturing, and protecting the faith of their listeners. It is about standing firm as a steadfast beacon of truth against the tide of falsehood.
Given the essential role of the evangelist, as described by the apostle Paul, it is only fitting that sermons serve as the first line of defence against falsehood. Sermons, as vehicles of truth, must be direct confrontations of misinformation and false doctrine. As Paul advised Timothy, the faithful need to be armed with authentic teachings to stand against ideologically skewed interpretations. Pastors and other spiritual leaders, in their capacity as evangelists, are therefore at the frontline of this spiritual warfare against deception.
In a world where information—true or false—is easily accessible and quickly distributed, the potential for falsehood to spread and take root is high. False teachings, which could stem from misinterpretation, misrepresentation, or an outright denial of biblical principles, have the power not only to mislead individuals but to derail entire communities from the path of righteousness.
Therefore, it becomes evident that sermons—and the pastors, ministers, and evangelists who deliver them—play an indispensable role in safeguarding the faith against the infiltration of false teachings. They serve not only as guides but also as guardians of the doctrine, making them the first line of defence in the fight against falsehood.
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