Be Urgent In Season and Out of Season (2 Tim. 4:1-5)
1
A certain unbeliever went to an outdoor revival rally where already many people gathered to hear George Whitfield(1714-1770), a famous British preacher in the 18th century. He decided only to watch him moving but not to listen to his sermon. As there were so many people, he could not see the preacher well. So, he climbed a big tree to see him well. Yet, he blocked his ears with his hands and watched only the preacher's motions. Then, a fly was flying here and there around him. And it sat on his nose. He shook his head to drive the fly away. But it did not fly away, As he detached one hand from his ear to drive the fly away, he could hear the preacher saying, "He who has an ear, let him hear."
George Whitfield continued to deliver his sermon, rebuking those people who rejected Jesus Christ clogging their ears. The unbeliever's mind was touched and opened when he heard his sermon. And he became a new creation in Christ on that day.
When Rev. H. W. Beecher (1813-1887), pastor of a Congregational Church, became old and was preaching on Park Street in Boston, a person came out from the crowd and asked him what the secret of his church's success was.
Beecher answered:
"I preach on Sundays. Then, the 450 church members spread the Word of God that they heard to other people from Mondays to Saturdays."
Those who acknowledge the truth of the Good News want to spread. If there are some people who think that their faith is okay or good, and yet don't feel like to spread it to others, then they must have some problems in their faith. And they need to change their attitude in their faith.
There was an American missionary named Adoniram Judson (1788-1850) in the early 19th century in Burma. He spread the Good News diligently there for almost six years but could not bear any fruit. Yet, he did not lose his confidence, believing "As God has sent me here, He will let me bear the fruit of evangelism." He continued to witness Jesus Christ to the people living there. And finally he earned a person who decided to accept Jesus as his personal Savior. Judson baptized him in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. He was the first fruit in that land as a result of Judson's efforts of six years. However, one century later, there were more than fifty thousand believers there.
When we witness Jesus, we don't have to worry about the result. We just plant the seed of the Good News and water, then God gave the growth (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6).
D. L. Moody (1837-1899), a famous evangelist and a pastor of a Baptist Church, approached a young man and asked him: "Do you believe Jesus Christ?"
The young man said to Moody:
"I don't need him. Mind your own business."
Moody answered:
"This is my business."
Moody made it a rule to witness Jesus at least a person a day. One day in Chicago he had been very busy and tired with his other church activities. When he went to bed, all of a sudden he remembered that he did not witness Jesus today to any person. He got up from the bed and went out to a street. It was almost midnight. After a few minutes, he came across a policeman and witnessed Jesus Christ to him.
Moody could become a great evangelist with his enormous love of God and enthusiasm for the lost souls.
George Whitfield continued to deliver his sermon, rebuking those people who rejected Jesus Christ clogging their ears. The unbeliever's mind was touched and opened when he heard his sermon. And he became a new creation in Christ on that day.
When Rev. H. W. Beecher (1813-1887), pastor of a Congregational Church, became old and was preaching on Park Street in Boston, a person came out from the crowd and asked him what the secret of his church's success was.
Beecher answered:
"I preach on Sundays. Then, the 450 church members spread the Word of God that they heard to other people from Mondays to Saturdays."
Those who acknowledge the truth of the Good News want to spread. If there are some people who think that their faith is okay or good, and yet don't feel like to spread it to others, then they must have some problems in their faith. And they need to change their attitude in their faith.
There was an American missionary named Adoniram Judson (1788-1850) in the early 19th century in Burma. He spread the Good News diligently there for almost six years but could not bear any fruit. Yet, he did not lose his confidence, believing "As God has sent me here, He will let me bear the fruit of evangelism." He continued to witness Jesus Christ to the people living there. And finally he earned a person who decided to accept Jesus as his personal Savior. Judson baptized him in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. He was the first fruit in that land as a result of Judson's efforts of six years. However, one century later, there were more than fifty thousand believers there.
When we witness Jesus, we don't have to worry about the result. We just plant the seed of the Good News and water, then God gave the growth (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6).
D. L. Moody (1837-1899), a famous evangelist and a pastor of a Baptist Church, approached a young man and asked him: "Do you believe Jesus Christ?"
The young man said to Moody:
"I don't need him. Mind your own business."
Moody answered:
"This is my business."
Moody made it a rule to witness Jesus at least a person a day. One day in Chicago he had been very busy and tired with his other church activities. When he went to bed, all of a sudden he remembered that he did not witness Jesus today to any person. He got up from the bed and went out to a street. It was almost midnight. After a few minutes, he came across a policeman and witnessed Jesus Christ to him.
Moody could become a great evangelist with his enormous love of God and enthusiasm for the lost souls.
2
Paul's journey of Christian life is about to end. Today's passage is kind of Paul's last word to his beloved brother or son in Christ, Timothy. He charges Timothy to preach or proclaim the Word of God in season and out of season, that is when the time is favorable or unfavorable.
We should spread the Good News not only when the time is favorable for us but also when the time is unfavorable.
Spreading the Gospel is the most important mission to anybody who wants to be a disciple of Jesus. Thus, we, the followers of Jesus, should not abandon the opportunities that are given by God.
Many Christians suffer from the unbalanced natural tendency to "be ready soldiers" only "at certain times." The usage of the word "season" in verse 2 does not refer to the time of year; but rather it refers to our whole life's journey in this world. This verse says, "Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season." In other words, we should "be ready" at all times, whether we feel like it or not, whether it is popular or unpopular, whether the stream is with us or not. If we do only what we feel inclined to do, or only when things are going well, some of us would never do anything. And that natural tendency doesn't make for a good dedicated and disciplined soldier. The proof that our relationship is right with God is that we do our best for the Lord whether we feel inspired or not, and whether things are going well for us or not.
John Scott, a famous biblical scholar and pastor, points out in his book, 「Guilty Silence」, that "if anyone is silent without telling the Good News to a neighbor who is dying without knowing Jesus Christ, he is guilty of not telling the truth,"
Paul urges Timothy to "patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching."
Listening to the Word of God is essential not only for unbelievers' salvation but also for believers' edification.
We, believers, need to hear the Word of God to be corrected, rebuked, and encouraged. And, thus, we may be sanctified.
Even if the Word of God is sometimes harsh for who do not live according to the Word, the Word of God should be proclaimed boldly.
Paul tells Timothy and us that "a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching and that they will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear."
These persons will reject the truth of the Word and will do whatever they want to do. Yet, the Word of God should be proclaimed more truthfully and more boldly.
What should we do as good Christians, genuine followers of Christ?
As listeners of the Word, we should be sober and ready to be corrected, rebuked and encouraged by the Word of God.
Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
As tellers or preachers of the Word, we should be bold and enthusiastic to witness Jesus Christ to our unbelieving neighbors.
Paul tells us:
"Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you."
We should spread the Good News not only when the time is favorable for us but also when the time is unfavorable.
Spreading the Gospel is the most important mission to anybody who wants to be a disciple of Jesus. Thus, we, the followers of Jesus, should not abandon the opportunities that are given by God.
Many Christians suffer from the unbalanced natural tendency to "be ready soldiers" only "at certain times." The usage of the word "season" in verse 2 does not refer to the time of year; but rather it refers to our whole life's journey in this world. This verse says, "Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season." In other words, we should "be ready" at all times, whether we feel like it or not, whether it is popular or unpopular, whether the stream is with us or not. If we do only what we feel inclined to do, or only when things are going well, some of us would never do anything. And that natural tendency doesn't make for a good dedicated and disciplined soldier. The proof that our relationship is right with God is that we do our best for the Lord whether we feel inspired or not, and whether things are going well for us or not.
John Scott, a famous biblical scholar and pastor, points out in his book, 「Guilty Silence」, that "if anyone is silent without telling the Good News to a neighbor who is dying without knowing Jesus Christ, he is guilty of not telling the truth,"
Paul urges Timothy to "patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching."
Listening to the Word of God is essential not only for unbelievers' salvation but also for believers' edification.
We, believers, need to hear the Word of God to be corrected, rebuked, and encouraged. And, thus, we may be sanctified.
Even if the Word of God is sometimes harsh for who do not live according to the Word, the Word of God should be proclaimed boldly.
Paul tells Timothy and us that "a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching and that they will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear."
These persons will reject the truth of the Word and will do whatever they want to do. Yet, the Word of God should be proclaimed more truthfully and more boldly.
What should we do as good Christians, genuine followers of Christ?
As listeners of the Word, we should be sober and ready to be corrected, rebuked and encouraged by the Word of God.
Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
As tellers or preachers of the Word, we should be bold and enthusiastic to witness Jesus Christ to our unbelieving neighbors.
Paul tells us:
"Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you."
3
What is the ministry God has given each one of you?
It is spreading the Word of God and bringing others to Christ.
How shall you bear this ministry.
You shall bear this soul-winning ministry with your whole heart and with your whole strength as this is a way for you to show your love of God to Him.
It is spreading the Word of God and bringing others to Christ.
How shall you bear this ministry.
You shall bear this soul-winning ministry with your whole heart and with your whole strength as this is a way for you to show your love of God to Him.
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