What is the Work of AnEvangelist?2 Tim. 4:1-8

2 Tim. 4:1-8

 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and

his kingdom; 2 preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of

righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall

give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

God Chose “The Foolishness of Preaching”God Chose “The Foolishness of Preaching”

I Cor. 1:21I Cor. 1:21

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

KJV

I Cor. 1:18-21

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishenss of preaching to save them that believe.

Why Is Preaching Called “Foolishness”?

• Not the proclamation of it (KJV, ASV)Not the proclamation of it (KJV, ASV)

• The message that is preached (NKJV)The message that is preached (NKJV)

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (KJV)

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. (NKJV)

Viewed as foolish / ridiculous to someViewed as foolish / ridiculous to some

Why The Message is Thought FoolishWhy The Message is Thought Foolish

Does not fit what man thinksDoes not fit what man thinks

Prov. 16:25Prov. 16:25 – way seems right – lead to death – way seems right – lead to death

Often run truth through human reasoning to Often run truth through human reasoning to determine if they will accept it or notdetermine if they will accept it or not

Examples Of MessagesThat Seemed “Foolish”

Dip 7 times in Jordan to cure leprosy (2 Kings 5:10-14)

March around a city 7 days and walls fall down (Josh. 6)

Look at a brass serpent and be healed (Num. 21)

Dip in pool and be cured of blindness (John 9)

Preachers of the Bible

Isaiah Isa. 55:8-11 God’s ways are not our ways.

Amos Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Hosea Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”

Solomon Ecc. 12:13-14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man!”

God’s church—Organized by God! Shown the beauty of God in giving the Church its mission! 1. Preach the Gospel to the lost. 2. Edify the saints. 3. Work of the ministry Eph. 4:11-12

Matt Taylor showed scriptures that tell us what the individual Christian is obligated to do And what the local church does.

Matt Burns pointed out the absolute\ Necessity to have scriptural authority for all

that we do. We must have an Apostolic Example, A direct Command or Necessary inference for that which we do.

Al Burns showed us our responsibility to the elders that are over us. ,We are to honor and obey the Elders that are over us so long as they lead us by the scriptures.

Jay Looney will tell us tonight about the Qualifications of Deacons in the local Church. I have sought to emphasize the teaching of God

concerning Elders, their qualifications and their work.

What is the work of the Evangelist? Primary: “Preach the Gospel” That God wants preachers and for them to preach the gospel is

evident abundantly in the Bible:

I Cor. 9:16 ..’woe unto me, if I preach not the gospel.”

I Cor. 9:14 “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel”

Mark 16:15,16 “Go ye into all world and preach the gospel…”

2 Cor. 11:8 “I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.” (preach to them!)

A Solemn Charge given byPaul to Timothy

The Lord is coming and there will be a judgment..2 Tim. 4:1

In view of this..‘preach the Word’

Charge: Preach the Word!

Preach the word! Paul's emphasis on the word of God has been constant.

There are some 36 references to the true gospel in this letter

and some 17 references to false teachings.

Paul emphasizes this over andover to Timothy!  ·1.  Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord (2 Timothy 1:8)

·2. Hold fast the pattern of sound words (2 Timothy 1:13)

·3. The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men (2 Timothy 2:2)

·4. Rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)

·5. A servant of the Lord must be . . . able to teach (2 Timothy 2:24)

·6 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16)

Preach the Word: As an Evangelist,Timothy was required to know the word (John 8:32) and love the word (Psa.119:97) and approve of the word; (2Tim.2:15) AND he was required to preach the word. The word of God must be preached by

Timothy; it was to be the content of his message.

Evangelist work: Preaching that pleases God!. A. PREACHING THAT IS EVER READY Be ready in season and out of

season: This tells us when the preacher should be ready to preach the word. He should be ready always.

He should preach it when it is easy and preach it when it is hard. He should preach it to those who are receptive and those who

reject it. . He should just preach it.

1. Be ready in season and out of season - 2 Tim. 4:2 2. Preaching that shows he has prepared… a. One has given attention to reading, and to doctrine - I Tim. 4:13-16 b. One has been diligent in their learning – 2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Tim. 3:14 3. Preaching that is ready on all occasions a. in season b. out of season ALL THE TIME!

REPROVE (Convince), rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching:

In his preaching Timothy was to direct his teaching to those to whom he spoke!

. He was not to treat the word as if it were filled

with interesting ideas or fascinating theories. He was to hold up the Word of God against

the lives of his people and let God do His work.

PREACHING THAT CONVINCES

1. convince – 2 Tim. 4:2 a. reprove (KJV, NASB) b. correct (NIV) 2. As Paul did in the synagogues – for example:

Follow Paul’s example!!

Acts 17:2-3  and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

Acts 19:8  And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

C. PREACHING THAT REBUKES

1. rebuke – 2 Tim. 4: 2 2. Thayer: “to admonish or charge sharply” – 3. So Paul likewise charged Titus – Titus 2:15 “These things speak, and exhort,

and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”

PREACHING THAT EXHORTS

1. exhort – 2 Tim. 4:2

2. Thayer: “ to encourage and strengthen by consolation “

Example: “I Cor. 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong

I Cor. 15:58

PREACHING THAT IS LONGSUFFERING

1. with all longsuffering - 2 Timothy 4:2 2. Thayer: “patience, forbearance,

longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs –” For example:

3. Shown toward both the a.faint-hearted I Thess. 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that

are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be

patient toward all men. .and hardhearted – 2 Tim.2 :24 And the servant of

the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

PREACHING THAT IS DOCTRINAL

and teaching -2 Tim. 4:2 a. doctrine (KJV) b. instruction (NASB) Always answering with a ‘thus saith the

Lord” (Matt. 7:21-23)

Warning: PREACHING THAT DISPLEASES GOD

PREACHING UNSOUND DOCTRINE 1. The time will come when some will not endure "sound doctrine“ 2 Tim. 4:3 2. Times of which Paul had already warned Timothy a. When people will give heed to deceiving spirits – I Tim. 4:1-2 b. When people will be lovers of self and pleasure -2 Tim.3:1-2 3. They will want to hear things according to their own desires – 2 Tim.

4:3 a. That justifies their sinful behavior, rather than rebukes them for it b. When guilty of things contrary to sound doctrine – I Tim. 1:10 c. Not being told such things are "unhealthy" to their soul –I Cor. 6:9-

11 “Be a doer of His Will, not ours or to appease the people”!

And be turned aside to fables: Once people leave the Word of God they often then embrace fantastic fantasies.

“When a man rejects God’s truth it isn’t that he believes in nothing; he will believe in anything!” For example:

Preach the Word: 1. The truthfulness of these words can easily be seen today

a. People will reject the Word of God, but believe in witchcraft, UFOs, channeling, etc.

b. People will reject the Gospel of Christ, but accept religious traditions

of men

c. People accept unhealthy teaching endangering body and soul

2. The problem is the type of preaching people want to listen to

a. They listen to be entertained, to justify fulfilling the lusts of the flesh b. They do not listen to be saved, to learn the way of righteousness c. What about us?

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do

the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

But you: This is a word of contrast against the people mentioned in the previous sentence.

Though others turned aside to fables, Timothy was to be even more dedicated to doing what God wanted him to do. Their presence was to make him more dedicated, not more discouraged.

b. Be watchful in all things: Timothy could not fulfill his ministry unless he kept careful attention, being watchful in all things.

Every good preacher has his eyes open.   c. Endure afflictions: Ministry is just like life - there are

afflictions to be borne with. For some this is a disturbing thought because they thought that the ministry would be one beautiful spiritual experience after another. There are plenty of wonderful blessings in serving God but there are also afflictions to be endured.

 d. Do the work of an evangelist: Timothy still had to faithfully do that work as a preacher of God's Word.

Every preacher, as every Christian should remember to do as much as he

can for others: Matt. 25:31-46 1. I was hungry…and you fed me. 2. I was thirsty…and you gave me drink 3. I was a stranger..and you took me in 4. I was naked..and you clothed me 5. I was sick..and visited me 6. I was in prison..and ye came unto me

Gal. 6:10 As we have opportunity…let us do good unto all men…especially those of the house of faith.’’

Lk.10:29-37 1.A certain priest—v.31 ‘ Passed by on the other side’ 2.A Levite – v. 32 came and looked on him,and

passed by on the other side. 3.A Samaritan – v.33 Took care of him. v.36 ‘which now of these three, thinkest thou, was

neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? V.37 ‘.he that shewed mercy on him. Then said

Jesus unto him, “Go, and do thou likewise”.

A Preacher is to also…

1. Take care of his own family. I Tim. 5:8 ‘provide for his own.’ 2. Pay his debts…be honest!. (Rom.13:8) 3. Be a good example. Matt. 5:16 ; I Pet.

2:21.

The church is to support thepreacher…

The churches of Macedonia – (The churches of Macedonia – (Helped supply Helped supply Paul’s necessities Paul’s necessities) - 2 Cor. 11:8,9) - 2 Cor. 11:8,9

The church at Thessalonica (The church at Thessalonica (Went Went everywhere preaching the word of the everywhere preaching the word of the LordLord)– 1 Thes 1:8)– 1 Thes 1:8

The church at Philippi – (The church at Philippi – (At one time was At one time was alone in helping Paul – sent aide to him alone in helping Paul – sent aide to him “time & again“time & again”) - Phili 1:3-5; 4:14-18”) - Phili 1:3-5; 4:14-18

The church at Antioch – (The church at Antioch – (Sent Barnabas & Sent Barnabas & SaulSaul) - Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27 ) - Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27

The church at Jerusalem – (The church at Jerusalem – (Sent Barnabas Sent Barnabas out as far as Antiochout as far as Antioch) - Acts 11:19-23 ) - Acts 11:19-23

What is the work of an Evangelist? 2 Tim. 4:1-8

Fulfill your ministry: Paul gave this same command to Archippus:   (Colossians 4:17), 17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry

which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.   There may be many reasons why someone's ministry goes unfulfilled and each must be

earnestly battled: ( I Tim. 4:16 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this

thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. “ Some things that confront young and older preachers:   ·        Fear ·        Unbelief ·        The cares of the world ·        The fear of man ·        Criticism and discouragement ·        Besetting sin

. The time of my departure is at hand: Paul felt that he was in the airport and his flight to heaven was ready to depart. He waited for his boarding call.

  Paul's exhortation to Timothy is therefore even more meaningful

because he knew he was passing from the scene and Timothy must carry the torch.

God's workmen pass on, but God's work continues. (Wendell Watts - carry on Al and Matt!)

  . I have finished the race: Throughout his ministry Paul used the

picture of the race and the Christian being an athlete running that race (Philippians 3:12-14, Acts 20:24, 1 Corinthians 9:24, Hebrews 12:1). Now he knew his race was just about finished.

God wants Preachers!!

Their work is hard sometimes…it is hard To balance your time, your money, and Your family life. Preachers are to always: Matt. 6:33

What a reward if we are found faithful in the end! 2 Tim.4:7-8

What is the value of one soul?

Matt. 16:24-26  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

If you keep ONE soul out of hell…it is worth The whole world and all the effort that you have

expended in preaching the gospel of Christ!