1. A solemn charge was given by Paul to Timothy
a. In view of the coming of the Lord and His judgment - 2 Timothy 4:1
b. Pertaining to preaching the Word of God - 2 Timothy 4:2-4
2. It is a charge that should be considered carefully by all
a. By those who preach the Word, in response to the Great Commission - Mark 16:15
b. By those who send and support those who preach - Romans 10:15
3. Our text reveals that not all preaching is the same
4. There is that which pleases God, there is that which clearly displeases Him
A. PREACHING THAT IS EVER READY
1. Be ready in season and out of season - 2 Timothy 4:2
2. Preaching that reveals a degree of preparation
a. One has given attention to reading, and to doctrine - 1 Timothy 4:13,16
b. One has been diligent in their learning - 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:14
3. Preaching that is ready on all occasions
a. in season
b. out of season
B. PREACHING THAT CONVINCES
1. convince - 2 Timothy 4:2
a. reprove (KJV, NASB)
b. correct (NIV)
2. As Paul did in the synagogues - Acts 17:2-3; Acts 19:8
C. PREACHING THAT REBUKES
1. rebuke - 2 Timothy 4:2
2. to admonish or charge sharply - Thayer
3. So Paul likewise charged Titus - Titus 2:15
D. PREACHING THAT EXHORTS
1. exhort - 2 Timothy 4:2
2. to encourage and strengthen by consolation - Thayer
E. PREACHING THAT IS LONGSUFFERING
1. with all longsuffering - 2 Timothy 4:2
2. patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs - Thayer
3. Shown toward both the faint-hearted and hardhearted - 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Timothy 2:24-25
F. PREACHING THAT IS DOCTRINAL
1. and teaching - 2 Timothy 4:2
a. doctrine (KJV)
b. instruction (NASB)
A. PREACHING UNSOUND DOCTRINE
1. The time will come when some will not endure "sound doctrine" - 2 Timothy 4:3
2. Times of which Paul had already warned Timothy
a. When people will give heed to deceiving spirits - 1 Timothy 4:1-2
b. When people will be lovers of self and pleasure - 2 Timothy 3:1-2
3. They will want to hear things according to their own desires - 2 Timothy 4:3
a. That justifies their sinful behavior, rather than rebukes them for it
b. When guilty of things contrary to sound doctrine - 1 Timothy 1:10
c. Not being told such things are "unhealthy" to their soul - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
B. PREACHING TO ENTERTAIN
1. People will have itching ears - 2 Timothy 4:3
2. They will heap for themselves teachers - 2 Timothy 4:3
a. There will be plenty of teachers willing to accommodate them
b. People will find the teachers that please them
3. The sad result of such preaching - 2 Timothy 4:4
a. People will turn their ears away from the truth
1) The truth of God will not interest them
2) They will have no time to hear what the truth has to say
b. They will be turned aside to fables
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. Will you listen and be saved?
-- Don Treadway, May 2011 --
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