Title: Preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:1-8)
Contents
On May 29, along with the Hanbit Love Festival, we invited faces we wanted to see and held a thrilling worship service.
And through the whole school outing on June 5th, we rejoiced, rejoiced, and proud that we were a united family.
It is truly fortunate to be able to glorify today's evangelism committee devotion worship while having an important awareness to go out and evangelize.
And I think it's the right time.
The 4th chapter of 2 Timothy we read today records the mission, ordinance, and blessing of evangelism, which should be given the most weight among the work of the saints.
These words can be said to be the last testament left by the Apostle Paul, and it can be seen that the content is consistent with the last command that Jesus left.
Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Apostle Paul did his best to live the life of a preacher in obedience to Jesus' commands.
(2 Timothy 4:5) But be sober in all things, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your duties.
Perhaps after meeting Jesus, Paul devoted his entire life to evangelism and missionary work.
Even when faced with hardship, tribulation, and persecution, he was not afraid, and even when danger, crisis, and death were imminent, he was not anxious.
Because this was the best as a preacher.
(2 Timothy 4:7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Today, we have been given the same mission as the Apostle Paul, and we have a responsibility to fulfill that mission.
How should we fulfill our mission as evangelists?
1. We must preach the Second Coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
Whenever Paul preached, he presupposed Christ to be judged, Christ to appear again, and the kingdom of God.
If we do not base this eschatological belief in our religious life, we cannot be bold or strong.
The eschatology contains first the forgiveness of our sins and transgressions, the atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross, and the resurrection that came out of the tomb.
And the hope of the kingdom of God for us and the mystery of eternal life are wriggling.
(2 Timothy 4:1) I solemnly charge you before God and before Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, by his appearing and his kingdom.
The Apostle Paul is already admonishing Timothy to be strong and courageous.
A servant of Christ is called to be a soldier, so do not spare your body, time, and material in preaching, and do your best.
(2 Timothy 2:1) Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 2:2) And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men, that they may teach others.
Therefore, we must always strive, whether in season or out of season.
Times and seasons belong to God.
We should not cling to time and opportunity and do our best in what we preach.
Giving is neither a defensive attitude nor a passive attitude.
Your message should be aggressive and active.
(2 Timothy 4:2) Preach the word, be persistent in season and out of season, rebuke, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching
Why should we be zealous and aggressive with the gospel we preach?
Because evangelism is a battle.
The strategy to win on the battlefield is attack.
The best offense is the best defense.
It is keeping the kingdom of God and faith waiting for the return of Jesus Christ.
2. We must not be swayed by false stories.
While carrying out the mission of preaching, there are times when I hear various confusing words.
There are times when we have to listen to false doctrines, worldly, worldly fashions, and prejudices that are biased toward greed.
Sometimes it becomes hardship, conflict, and wandering.
We have to win and get out of here.
There is no shame in being ridiculed and ridiculed while doing good.
The envy and jealousy you receive while sharing the Gospel are nothing to fear.
While we preach the truth, we encounter many hindrances.
You will encounter confusion due to wrong belief habits, challenge due to incorrect doctrine, and obstruction due to personal greed and self-esteem.
(2 Timothy 4:3) The time is coming when people will not receive sound teaching, but because they have itchy ears, they will accumulate many teachers to suit their own desires.
On the other hand, it is degenerated by nonsensical, nonsensical stories and subtly boasting to reveal one's self-confidence.
We should not be afraid of such a phenomenon, nor should we be shaken.
(2 Timothy 4:4) And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and listen to myths.
In evangelism, my will, effort, and zeal are important, but we must receive God's grace, guidance, and help.
To do this, you must first have faith, be disciplined in all things, and have certain convictions about your work and the mission you have been given.
Evangelism is not about waiting for opportunities with a defensive attitude, but about going forward with an aggressive attitude and opening your mouth.
A defensive posture is swayed by circumstances and circumstances, but an aggressive posture is on the contrary, it is strong and daring, courage, trust, and confidence.
(2 Timothy 4:5) But be sober in all things, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your duties.
3. We must wait for God's promise.
The effectiveness and fruit of evangelism can be produced through faith in waiting.
Faith with perseverance is the fruit of the Holy Spirit and is the gift and power of the believer.
You should not give up after preaching once or twice, nor should you avoid it because you are tired and tired.
If you don't have any experience and don't even try, you're helpless.
Neither the gates of life nor the gates of heaven can be opened if you stop because you are not confident and shy.
We are mature Christians when we can do our best and wait for God's promises at the same time.
Paul does his best as a preacher even when his last breath stops, and he has the faith to wait and leave the rest to God.
(2 Timothy 4:6) I have already been poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
(2 Timothy 4:7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
I have to wait for the righteous Judge to give me on that day in the final judgment of the end times.
Whatever it is, it is glorious and precious if it is given by God.
If we have it, we have everything.
Therefore, whatever we give or whenever we give, we should not cling to it and do the best we can.
And we have to wait for God's promise.
(2 Timothy 4:8) From now on there is prepared for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
We must preach the kingdom of God with longing hearts and testify of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We must preach the Second Coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of God.
Don't be swayed by false stories.
We must wait for God's promise.
The crown of righteousness and the crown of life will be given to me.
Hallelujah