Fulfill Your Ministry2 Timothy 4:5

Introduction

Paul wrote Timothy:

2 Timothy 4:5: But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Two key phrases:

“do the work of an evangelist” (cf. Eph. 4:11-12)

“fulfill your ministry” 3

Introduction

Therefore, as your evangelist I have work to do and responsibilities to meet:

The word (doctrine)

The brethren

False teachers/false teaching

Myself

The Lost4

The Word (doctrine)

This responsibility of an evangelist can easily be summarized in three words:

2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word! How important?2 Timothy 4:1-2: I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! 5

The Word (doctrine)

Cannot get anymore serious than that! Why?

1 Timothy 4:16

John 6:45

Romans 10:17; 1:16-17

1 Cor. 1:21; 2:1-13

John 12:48 6

The Word (doctrine)

1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.1 Timothy 4:15-16: Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

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The Word (doctrine)

2 Timothy 1:13: Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Constant alertness that I am teaching “sound doctrine” and all the doctrine!

Titus 2:1: But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

Titus 2:7-8: in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

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The Word (doctrine)

Acts 20:26-27: Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Constant alertness that I am teaching “sound doctrine” and all the doctrine!

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The Word (doctrine)

2 Timothy 1:13: Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (cf. Eph. 4:15; Ezek. 33:7-9)

Requires dealing with people’s sins, false teaching, false teachers, etc.

Unloving? Unpopular? Jn. 3:19-20

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The Word (doctrine)

2 Timothy 4:2-4: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2 Tim. 3:10-11; 3:14)

Fact of life that a certain amount of my time will be spent dealing with problems!

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The Word (doctrine)

Hold my feet to the fire! Demand I always teach “sound doctrine” !

Your salvation and my salvation depend upon it! Jn. 17:17; 12:48

Examine all that I teach in light of the scriptures. Acts 17:11

Flip side: Don’t become my enemy if the truth hurts. Gal. 4:16; Ezek. 33:7-9; Psa. 141:5 12

The Brethren

Exhortation to pray: 1 Timothy 2:1, 8

Proper conduct of women: 1 Timothy 2:9-15

Appoint qualified elders: 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9

Teaching/instruction: Titus 3:14

1, 2 Timothy and Titus have much more to say about responsibility of an evangelist to the brethren than to the lost.

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The Brethren

Older men: 1 Timothy 5:1; Titus 2:2

Younger men: 1 Timothy 5:1; Titus 2:6

Older women: 1 Timothy 5:2; Titus 2:4-5

Younger women: 1 Timothy 5:2; Titus 2:4-5

Responsible to every “class” of Christian:

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The Brethren

Widows: 1 Timothy 5:3-16

Bond servants: 1 Timothy 6:1-2; Titus 2:9-10

The rich: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19

Elders: 1 Timothy 5:3-16

Responsible to every “class” of Christian:

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The Brethren

Be impartial: 1 Timothy 5:21

Not act hastily: 1 Timothy 5:22

Be open and honest: 1 Timothy 5:22

In all these dealings an evangelist must:

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The Brethren

Repetition is the “mother of learning”: 2 Timothy 2:14; 2 Peter 2:13; Titus 3:1-3, 8

Ensure doctrinal integrity and continuity: 2 Timothy 2:2

Humble and patient toward all: 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (cf. 2 Tim. 4:2; 2 Cor. 5:10-11)

An evangelist is constantly in a teaching mode:

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The Brethren

An “example” to the brethren: 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7-8 (cf. Jas. 3:1)

No “namby pamby” preaching: 1 Timothy 1:3; 5:7; 6:2; Titus 2:11-15; 3:8; Nehemiah 8:8; 1 Corinthians 14:8; John 10:12; 1 Corinthians 14:37

An evangelist is constantly in a teaching mode:

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False teaching/false teachers

Very first command Paul gave Timothy concerned false teaching!

1 Timothy 1:3-4: “…remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies,”

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False teaching/false teachers

Error may come from “without” or from “within”:

Acts 20:28-31: Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

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False teaching/false teachers

Brethren need this constant reminder:1 Timothy 4:1-7: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in

latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 

6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.”

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False teaching/false teachers

Brethren unwilling to follow “sound doctrine” must be “marked,” “noted,” “avoided,” “withdrawn from”: 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:5; etc.

Evangelist is always on the “front lines” looking for and engaging the enemies of truth! Ezek. 33:7-9; John 10:12-13

Can’t sweep error under the rug and consider it “dealt with”: 2 Timothy 2:16; Titus 3:9-10

May even involve “naming names”: 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 1:15; 2:17; 4:9, 14

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Himself

Evangelist owes himself certain things that if he cannot summon the energy and courage to provide…don’t preach! Spiritual diligence, strength, stamina! 2 Timothy

2:15; 1 Timothy 1:18-19

Don’t succumb to “battle fatigue”! 1 Timothy 6:12

Summon every ounce of courage! 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 1:5-8

Total devotion to task at hand regardless of obstacles; play by the rules! 2 Timothy 4:5; 2:1-6

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The Lost

Remarkable that in all three letters only one direct reference to the lost!

1 Timothy 2:4: …who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth…

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The “Great Commission” is the obligation of every generation! Mark 16:15-16

The Lost

Every evangelist must reach the lost with the gospel!

Don’t sacrifice the needs of the brethren!

My experiences in teaching the lost:

• Success rate much higher if you already have a personal relationship with the candidate! Matt. 5:14-16

• The “power” is in the gospel, not some “program.” Rom. 1:16-17

• Mistake trying to make the gospel message “palatable.” Jn. 16:8; Acts 2:36; Ezek. 33:7-9

• Make Christians, not members of the “Church of Christ”! Matt. 23:15

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Conclusion

Pledge to do my very best! I ask you to: Pray for me and my family!

Be a Berean! Acts 17:11

Make application of my preaching to yourself! 2 Cor. 13:5

Feel free to ask me Bible questions!

Open to private Bible studies!

Please hold up my hands! Exodus 17:8-13

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“The word of God must be our pillar of cloud by day, and of fire by night; we

move when it moves, and stop when it stops.”

J. W. McGarvey