Timothy Sermon Timothy 4:2: \"Preach

Timothy Sermon

Timothy 4:2: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." (King James Bible)

Tim 4:2 teaches us how to live in this world. It is a proactive passage, one that focuses on the footwork we must do to help create God's kingdom on earth. Here we are urged to speak with and from our heart of hearts the good news of the gospel. To be instant suggests spontaneity: the joy that derives from expressing the instantaneous glory of God. Moreover, we become instantly available as reliable messengers. The people around us respond when we come from the heart and thus we help spread the gospel.

In season and out of season" we shall enunciate the word of God. The term season serves as a metaphor with multiple meanings. First, it suggests the social seasons and the ebbing and flowing of values and cultural ideals. Yet no matter what political or social climate we live in, we must remain willing to act as channels for the truth. In season or out of season we still must be instant messengers willing to speak from the heart the truth of the gospel. When in season, for instance, our message is a current trend or happens to be particularly popular in a specific location. Although preaching in season seems simple it puts us at risk for laziness and complacency. We must not forget and we do not presume. To be instant in season means keeping the gospel at the forefront of our consciousness and remember how quickly the tides turn.

Out of season we become willing to swim against the tide, delivering the word of God even when it seems no one is listening or even that no one cares. In the current day and age, the moral and spiritual climate may appear out of season. It is in times like these that our work is most important. Being instant in this case signifies swiftness of spirit: the willingness to jump at any available opportunity to offer aid or assistance in the name of Christ. Though the gospel may be out of season, out of fashion, or out of place, the word of God still resonates within you. Therefore, preaching the word and being instant in season and out of season entails both inner and outer work. In the world, we take these words literally by speaking frankly about the gospel of Christ. For ourselves, we read, we re-read, and we re-apply the principles of the gospel in everything we do, say, and think. Even when you do not preach formally you can still be a role model that proves how God works through mankind.

Similarly, the phrase "be instant in season, out of season" also pertains to the seasons of your own heart. Trends may change and your tastes may change with them. Still, the word of the gospel has remained unchanged for centuries. We must remember this always: that the word of the gospel has been preached in season and out of season since Christ. Those who have gone before us carried the word of God, delivering it through their words and deeds. Participate in this process; perpetuate the word of God in your own way by forever remembering how the gospel applies to your life. Therefore, we can all "go preach" in any and all seasons. We can all make a difference even if just in our own mental outlook.

Second we are told to "reprove" and to "rebuke." These two harsh words underscore the enormity of the efforts we are about to make. Also, they illustrate further the proactive nature of this passage. These are active verbs, suggesting direct ways to deal with sin in the world. Reproving and rebuking, like preaching, are communicative words. This passage is about how the word of God can and should be delivered from generation to generation throughout the world.

To reprove and rebuke, we must ourselves be pure of heart. Aim to purify your mind so that your actions reflect God. Then in recognizing the sins of others we can see opportunities to preach the word. Reproving and rebuking may take on the spirit of scolding but we do not seek to judge others. Rather, we reprove and rebuke indirectly and tactfully. In some cases, we can reprove and rebuke literally. With our children, for example, we are responsible for shaping their spiritual values. However, when we move through the world we must take care to reprove and rebuke in mature and thoughtful ways. The first step here would be to become aware of the sin at hand. What does it represent? When have we exhibited that behavior in our own lives? Through self-scrutiny we become compassionate and open our hearts to receive the healing of the gospel. The second step is to clarify the sin perhaps by writing it down for ourselves or by speaking about it to a trusted friend, family, or clergy member. Communication, remember, is the essence of this passage. By silently reproving and rebuking we are therefore bringing other people closer to God. We share our thoughts and feelings to instill spiritual values in others. We bring the world closer to God when we are able to reprove and rebuke in a manner consistent with the Bible. Sometimes you may find it appropriate to outwardly reprove or rebuke. When our loved ones stray from the path we have the right, even the obligation, to reach out and offer our assistance in the name of God.