II Timothy
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2 Timothy 4:1-2:
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and our of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” 
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I love the admonition of Paul to Timothy—preach the Word! Preach means “to cry out, herald, or exhort.” Haddon W. Robinson states, “Preaching should so stir a man that he pours out the message with passion and fervor. Not all passionate pleading from a pulpit, however, possesses divine authority. When a preacher speaks as a herald, he must cry out ‘the Word.’ Anything less cannot legitimately pass for Christian preaching.”
Paul goes on to say in 2 Timothy 4:2,“…be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Like a military officer, the aged apostle gives five important imperatives to young Timothy as he begins his ministry of preaching. -Ministry 127 |
Jim Denison Files
We are inundated with so much information these days that it can be difficult—if not impossible—to sort through all of it to discern what’s true from what’s false, especially when the line between the two seems to blur. What we can’t afford to do, though, is ignore the truth when it’s made known just because we would prefer to believe the lie. Paul spoke to this tendency when he warned Timothy that “the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3–4). As Christians called to serve the God who is truth (John 14:6), it’s imperative that we don’t make that mistake. Every time we do—even when the lie may seem harmless—it harms the credibility upon which we must draw when sharing the gospel. And the truth of the gospel must always be our highest priority.
--Denison Forum; Michael Oher, of “The Blind Side” fame, sues Tuohy family over conservatorship 8.8.23
--Denison Forum; Michael Oher, of “The Blind Side” fame, sues Tuohy family over conservatorship 8.8.23
Every Christian pastor would affirm his call to preach the Bible. Yet, surveys of the evangelical church in America reveal that doctrinal teaching is not the norm. Christian pastors would likewise affirm the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture. But, practices in the Church do not support the reality of the sufficiency of Scripture. Some teach that there are “things” that need to be added to be effective and successful. Programs that address lifestyles are cleverly devised. Preferences in worship music are considered if the church is to “reach” our modern culture. The word “relevant” regularly comes up in conversations concerning one’s church of preference. Relevant is defined today as hearing a “message” that addresses “my” feelings or circumstances. The trend is to design worship for men, women, and children so that chords are struck affirming emotions. Today, church leaders diligently seek to accommodate various life stages to develop a “relevant” message. -Rev. Louis B. Tiscione; Weatherford Presbyterian Church.
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II Timothy 4:3-4:
“The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires . . . they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth.” 
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 Matthew Henry
People will turn away from the truth, they will grow weary of the plain gospel of Christ, they will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them. People do so when they will not endure that preaching which is searching, plain, and to the purpose. Those who love souls must be ever watchful, must venture and bear all the painful effects of their faithfulness, and take all opportunities of making known the pure gospel. --Matthew Henry
Many are becoming more and more confused and even deceived as they are embracing teachings that promise them that everything in society will just get better and more comfortable before the end. Yet this is an hour when God’s judgments will cause multitudes to learn righteousness as God’s shepherds proclaim that truth about them—yes, God’s judgments remove everything that hinders love. -Mike Bickle;Ihop
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II Timothy 4:7:
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." |
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II Timothy 4:10:
For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. |
The Greek word "ecclesia," translated "church," means a "called out company," implying separation. The early church separated themselves from the evils of the world system. This is God's ideal for the church. Every effort to unite the church and the world system is opposed to God's mind and must end in confusion. The church will never convert the world or the world's systems, although the church can get "churchy" and the church can be immensely worldly.
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Sheila Alewine
It sounds offensive to us to think we must hate our own families. Surely this is not what Jesus meant? The word means to detest, but in context, Jesus is telling us that our love for God must be so deep and abiding and surpassing that our affection for our families looks like hate. To hate is to “love less.” Our love for anyone, even our own mother and father, cannot supersede our love for God.
This has practical implications. Jesus is describing the cost of being a true disciple. If we love God most, then we will follow Him in spite of any persuasion or influence that would hinder us. The love for God that Jesus describes causes us to give up anything and everything that deters our passion for Him.
Our love for God must surpass not only our love for other people, but also for the things of this world. John tells us if we love the world, we do not love the Father (1 John 2:15). Demas, one of Paul’s disciples, deserted the ministry to which he was called, because he loved the world more (2 Timothy 4:10). A surpassing love for God can keep us from trading away an eternity with Him for a few short years of pleasure here on earth.
--Sheila Alewine
This has practical implications. Jesus is describing the cost of being a true disciple. If we love God most, then we will follow Him in spite of any persuasion or influence that would hinder us. The love for God that Jesus describes causes us to give up anything and everything that deters our passion for Him.
Our love for God must surpass not only our love for other people, but also for the things of this world. John tells us if we love the world, we do not love the Father (1 John 2:15). Demas, one of Paul’s disciples, deserted the ministry to which he was called, because he loved the world more (2 Timothy 4:10). A surpassing love for God can keep us from trading away an eternity with Him for a few short years of pleasure here on earth.
--Sheila Alewine