2 Timothy 4:1-8 (1)

How can we live faithfully as Christians?  We must have an eye out for those things that will help us fulfill the service our Master has called us to perform. We will someday give an account to our Master (4:1) so we must fulfill our ministry.  Paul challenges Timothy to do this (v1-5) and does it himself (v6-8).

Ministry refers to whatever our Master calls us to.  It may be local church ministry but it will also be ministry in our homes, community, workplace and so forth.  He gives us something to do, leaves us here to do it, and promises us we will give account when He returns (4:1; cf. Matt. 25:14-30).  Fulfill means to fill up.  Our ministry must not be empty; it must be substantial, which in Biblical terms means it must be fruitful according to the Master’s standards (John 15:16).

Having said that, the specific encouragements Paul gives Timothy are critical for all who shepherd the flock of God.

·        Preach the word!  This is the one thing that Timothy must do.  This IS his ministry.  Not preaching his ideas; not preaching what people want to hear; but preaching THE WORD!  

·        Be ready in season and out of season.  Ministry needs to be at hand for us.  We never know when an opportunity for service will arise.  So we are always walking in the Spirit, always ready for the Master’s call. 

o   One reason for this is that we need to serve while we have open doors.  Paul knew the time was coming when the ministry of the word would be less appreciated (v3-4).  I believe he knew this because over the course of his life Paul already saw this disturbing trend.  The unity of the Apostles and the first church was being replaced with a ministry of myths and fables that Paul speaks of so often in the Pastoral Epistles.  These other ministries gave church-goers a choice between very Bible-based ministries tied to the Apostles and ministries that were easier to join, easier to follow, less demanding.  Remember, Jesus called us to bear a cross.

o   Living 2000 years later we see this today, where there are heaps of self-proclaimed Christian teachers who are trying to become the fastest growing church in town.  Those who succeed usually (!) preach that which best tickles the ears.  Amazingly, as I was writing this, a video advertising a particular ministry was brought to my attention.  The 2-minute ad, filled with exciting graphics, telling about a 3-week program, aiming to bring great spiritual change into your life, although specifically what it says is: Dare You See With New Eyes Who You Really Are?  And I am simply saying, this has all the ear-scratching elements: short, easy to watch, promising a lot for very little, and centered on ME.  It doesn’t sound much like a cross.  Maybe that comes later.  But even then, wouldn’t that be false advertising.