Preach the Word

 2nd 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! 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. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Here are Paul's last instructions to Timothy. Someone he had taken under his wing. Sort of like an apprentice. He treated him and considered him a son. A big brother/fatherly type of influence on Timothy. And here he is very clear with Timothy in his final letter to him. And he makes his final words very very clear. 

Preach the word! 

Be ready in season and out of season. 

Paul knows who the Lord has called Timothy to be. What he has called Timothy to be. An evangelist. We are all supposed to be about our Father's business. Telling folks about Jesus. We all have that ministry of reconciliation. Reconciling those around us to God Himself. But not everyone is called to be an evangelist. To hold the office of evangelist. What does it mean when he says to be ready in season and out of season? Don't get too comfortable. There's no such thing as retirement from ministry. If the Lord has called you, it is a life long calling. Especially if you're called to an office. Let me clarify what that means.

Ephesians 4:11-12

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Folks can have different talents, and even different types of anointing from the Lord. What I mean by that is, you can be anointed to do several different things. But to be called into an office is different. I've always been a musician. Well, since I was about 12 years old. I've written lots and lots of songs. But, that's not my main anointing. I've come to find over the years that my chief anointing is as a teacher. Sadly, it took me years to come to that understanding. So anyway, that's what I'm talking about as far as an office goes. A specific calling. 

To be ready in season and out of season also means that there is always an opportunity for ministry. Even when you're not expecting it or planning for it. I know some of the most powerful anointing I've been under has been when I was at my weakest and most vulnerable. Because the whole point is, it's not about me. It's not about you. It's about furthering the kingdom of God. Being available to the Lord to be used in whatever capacity He calls us in. There are so many out there who are doing just that. Who aren't known. Who are not recognized by the general public. But they are doing fantastic things to further the kingdom of God, by being obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I don't wanna be rich! I don't want to be famous! I just want to be obedient! In all things that the Lord calls me to do. That should be our prayer. I know more and more that's my prayer. "Father, I want to be obedient to You in all things." And I'm gonna tell you right now, that's a lonely road. Not everybody's gonna want to follow you into complete obedience to the Lord. Friends and family may not want to be around you as much anymore. Because sometimes your very presence convicts them of their sin. That is sort of what Paul is warning Timothy about here. When you seek to walk closer with the Lord, and desire the righteousness of God, not everybody's gonna be thrilled with that. But I want to tell you, there's nothing like it. Nothing you've ever experienced can compare to having the presence of God with you at all times. Amen? Have a great day, and God bless. James