Tag: preach the Word
Keeping focus!
Scripture reading for May 13: Acts 6
“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” Acts 6:1-4
The early church grew quickly and brought growth pains to the church leadership. There were needs among widows and different nationalities felt that there was favoritism and neglect. To solve the problem, the disciples and other leaders gathered together to find a solution. The head of the ‘Twelve’, most likely Peter, stated that preaching the Word and prayer must have priority from apostolic leadership. The recommendation was to pick from the many disciples seven men of good reputation who were filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom. These men would be assigned to take care of all the widows and report back on the progress.
It is not always easy to keep focus as a disciple of Jesus. Many good works present themselves and compete for our attention. People with needs can be demanding and stir up strife. Compassion for hurting people is the heart of Jesus and we are to minister without partiality. But those in leadership must make wise choices in the use of their time. Prayer is an absolute priority for effective use of time. Ministry of the Word is the calling of pastors, prophets, evangelists, teachers and apostles. Others with the calling to serve should be empowered to use their gifts in these needy areas of ministry.
Have you ever had to wrestle with your calling and the use of your time? What kind of priorities have you set up to keep your focus on the calling you have from the Lord? What place does prayer have in your life on a daily basis? Are you called to minister God’s Word?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your calling to me to preach Your Word and pray. It is comforting to know that there are others in Your family who have different gifts and talent to do compassion ministry and help. Give me the Holy Spirit and wisdom to set godly priorities based on my calling. Amen.
Preach the Word
Scripture reading for December 6: 2 Timothy 1-4
The second letter of Paul to Timothy is widely believed to be the last written by the apostle before his execution in Rome. His final words of encouragement to this young man should also be encouraging to us. Living in these last days requires focus. We can easily be overcome by fear at the events unfolding around us. Let’s listen with our hearts open to the Lord to Paul’s final words.
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
Timothy came from good stock. His mother and grandmother were both Jewish believers. They had faith which was alive in them. They were not timid but were filled with power and love because of their personal knowledge of God. Paul had sensed the call of God on Timothy and had prayed over him for God’s gifts to come forth. One gift was that of pastor and teacher.
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:12-17
Paul warned Timothy of coming persecution and deception. The best defense was continuing in the Word of God. This is the Word that was taught him by his mother and grandmother as well as his mentor, Paul himself. It is the best equipment for a man or woman of God.
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who will judge the living and the dead and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.” 2nd Timothy 4:1-2
The presence of the Lord with Paul and his understanding of God’s judgment of each person at Christ’s appearing caused him to give Timothy a simple charge. He told him to preach the Word of God. It should be used to correct people, to rebuke those in sin and to encourage them to prepare for Christ’s coming. Take this simple charge to your heart today and let it move you to action! It’s the season!
Preaching, faith, baptism!
Scripture reading for April 29th: Acts 18
Key Scriptures: Acts 18:5-8 “When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the Word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.”
The apostles were always sowing God’s Word to those who would hear. God never forces anyone to believe, but gives opportunity through testimony, preaching and teaching. People are responsible for the condition of their hearts to receive. When the Jews opposed Paul and his workers, they shook out the dust and moved on, just as Jesus had instructed. Here we have them moving right next door to the local Corinthian synagogue in the house of a “God-fearing” Gentile, Titius Justice. Then the synagogue ruler believed and he and his whole household were saved and baptized! The Word and the dust are powerful witnesses! Household salvation strikes again!
Acts 18:9-10 “And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are My people.””
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I hear Your encouragement to preach Your Word. Our call is to be faithful and trust You to bring forth those with faith. Deliver me from fear of rejection and concern of acceptance. Teach me to fish for men and let me see household salvation in my own house!
Mark 6:11 “And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.”
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for September 5th: Ezekiel 2-6
Key Scriptures: Ezekiel 3:17-19 “”Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from Me. When I say to a wicked man,’You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.””
Ezekiel was called by God to be His spokesman to Israel. God told Ezekiel that Israel was rebellious and stubborn, but that his responsibility was to speak every word God would give him to His people. What they did with that word would determine their fate. It was a message of individual responsibility and accountability. Ezekiel would be held accountable to deliver God’s word, not for the response.
Preach the Word: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears wan to hear.” (2nd Timothy 4:2-3)
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for October 6th: 2nd Timothy 4
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Timothy 4:1-5 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
Paul’s final instructions to Timothy were plain and to the point! As a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Timothy must preach the Word and fulfill the calling that God had placed on his life. Paul reminded Timothy that Jesus would judge all men and would appear suddenly to manifest His kingdom. He warned Timothy that preaching would be more difficult in the last days. He must not scratch ‘itching ears’ but give them the truth with great patience.
Observations for over-comers: The last days will be difficult for believers who are preaching and living the truth. Press on to fulfill your calling because the reward will be worth it when Christ appears! “Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom and all rulers will worship and obey Him.” (Daniel 7:27)
The necessity of preaching!
Scripture reading for March 9th: Luke 4
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 4:42-43 “At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for Him and when they came to where He was, they tried to keep Him from leaving them. But He said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.“”
Jesus based all His ministry on prayer. He often withdrew from the crowd and His own disciples to seek the Father’s will and direction. People were motivated by His ministry to seek Jesus out. They tried to keep Him with them and begged Him to stay with them longer.
But Jesus had a good grasp on the mission given Him by the Father. He must seek out and save lost people and give all a chance to see and hear about the kingdom of God and the good news of repentance and forgiveness of sins. (Luke 19:10) He did not let crowd pressure determine His agenda, but followed the Father’s plan to reach out to all men. He set an example for all His followers and for us today! God chose the foolishness of preaching to save those who would believe! (1st Corinthians 1:21)
Observations for over-comers: We must be careful of crowd pressure and the desire to please men. Prayer and obedience to God’s call to preach the good news must always take precedence! “”. . .but let the one who has My word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. “Is not My word like a fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:28-29)
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for October 7th: 2nd Timothy 4
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. but you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (2nd Timothy 4:1-5)
As Paul concluded his final letter, he reminded Timothy of Christ Jesus’ return and His judgment of the living and the dead. All believers will stand before the Lord to give an answer for the deeds done in the body at the judgment seat of Christ described in 2nd Corinthians 5:10. All the lost will stand before Him at the Great White Throne described in Revelation 20:11-14.
Because of this, Paul charged Timothy to preach the Word of God tirelessly. Patience and careful instruction would bring salvation and healing to those who listened and believed. Others would turn away from the sound doctrine of God’s Word and want to hear something that would tickle their ears. These truths keep us informed about today and the times we live in. Believers and especially ministers must preach the unadulterated Word of God. The work of evangelism must go on until Christ appears. May He find us all doing what He called us to do!
Avoid tickling ears!
Scripture reading for December 8th: 2 Timothy 1-4
The second letter of Paul to Timothy is widely believed to be the last written by the Apostle before his execution in Rome. His final words of encouragement to this young man should also be encouraging to us.
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
Timothy came from good stock. His mother and grandmother were both Jewish believers. They had faith which was alive in them. Paul sensed the call of God on Timothy and prayed for God’s gifts to come forth in him. One gift was that of pastor and teacher which required holy boldness.
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:12-17
Paul warned Timothy of coming persecution and deception. The best defense was continuing in the word of God. This was the word that was taught him by his mother and grandmother as well as Paul.
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.” 2nd Timothy 4:1-2
He told Timothy to “preach the Word” of God. It should be used to correct people, to rebuke those in sin and to encourage them to prepare for Christ’s coming. Take this simple charge to your heart today and let it move you to action! It’s in season no matter what time of year!
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for October 25th: 2nd Timothy 4:1-22
Paul’s closing instructions to Timothy encouraged this young pastor to use a simple strategy of ministry. “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage– with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn to myths.” (2nd Timothy 4:2-4) There is never a season when the Word of God will not be appropriate. The Word is the complete prescription for correcting and encouraging the people of God. It is full of sound doctrine and if patiently taught is able to save and equip people for works of service and prepare them for the coming of the Lord.
However, in the last days, many will not receive sound doctrine. They want to design their own god and make their own spiritual program. People will find teachers that will tickle their ears with things that sound good to them, but are really false doctrines of demons. This teaching will only lead to bondage and death. Timothy was to keep his eyes on the Lord and the Word and fully preach the Word.
Paul, knew that his departure was near. He was ready to meet the Lord. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” (2nd Timothy 4:7-8) Paul was soon to face the guillotine. He spoke of being poured out like a drink offering! Yet he also knew by faith that his head would wear a crown in glory! His journey through life was a fight of faith. He had finished well and was expecting a reward from his Lord!
Paul’s attitude and final instructions to Timothy model the way to victory for those still fighting the good fight. Death brings reward, and is nothing for the Christian to fear. We must continue to preach the Word and live by faith! The best is yet to come!
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for December 8th: 2 Timothy 1-4
The second letter of Paul to Timothy is widely believed to be the last written by the Apostle before his execution in Rome. His final words of encouragement to this young man should also be encouraging to us. We can easily be overcome by fear at the events unfolding around us.
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7) Timothy came from good stock. His mother and grandmother were both Jewish believers in Jesus Christ. They were not timid but were filled with power and love because of their personal knowledge of God. Paul had sensed the call of God on Timothy and had prayed over him for God’s gifts. Timothy’s gift was that of pastor and teacher.
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:12-17) Paul warned Timothy of coming persecution and deception. The best life strategy was applying the word of God in daily living and ministry.
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.” (2nd Timothy 4:1-2) Paul gave Timothy a simple charge: “Preach the Word.” The Word is always in season. It should be used to correct people, to rebuke those in known sin and to prepare for Christ’s coming. Take this simple charge to your heart today and let it move you to action! It’s the season to listen to reason!