Timothy II - Expositional Study
PICTURE OF A PREACHER
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (KJV)
Introduction
In Pilgrim's Progress, after Pilgrim passed through the Wicket Gate, becoming a Christian, the first thing that happens to him is a visit to Interpreter's House. There is so much for him to learn if he is successfully to pursue his journey. And, he is first taken into a room to look upon a picture of a preacher hanging on the wall. John Bunyan wrote, "eyes lifted to heaven; the best of books in his hand; the law of truth written upon his lips; the world was behind his back; it stood as if it pleaded with men; and a crown of gold did hang over his head." What a picture, a guide, an inspiration to any preacher not to be confined to any special class of people. Every Christian is to be a preacher. Bunyan lived in an age that did not hold this concept. In fact, John Bunyan was put in prison because he would not stop preaching.
Sad to say, preaching today is, by some, held to a somewhat lower level. Actually, in some circles there appears to be widespread decay. As more and more preachers continue to allot less and less time in preparing Biblical sermons, this will continue to get worse. And, we should not be surprised if the life of many Christians continues to be weak and flabby. Preaching becomes innocuous when the things of the soul, eternity, and God are treated with such flippant disrespect. Fortunately, there is one kind of preaching to which we may give plenty of time, namely, the preaching of one's Life. The story is told of several people gathered around a preacher’s dinner table. The preacher’s son was asked, "Who is the best preacher in your family?" All eyes turned toward the father for he would certainly get the crown. But, the son surprised everyone by looking to the opposite end of the table and saying, as if there was no other consideration, "Why, Mother, of course." She was the one member of the family who was not a preacher, yet, she was considered the best preacher of them all. It reminds one of the inspired advice given to Christian wives who want to gain their husbands for Christ (1 Pet. 3:1). Advice here paraphrased, "That if any remain unmoved by preaching-lips, they may, independently of all such preaching, be won by the preaching-lives of their wives." We are all preaching that way. Some are preaching poorly; some powerfully. What sort of preacher are we? However, it is lip-preaching that Paul deals with in our passage. And he is taking his son Timothy into Mr. Interpreter's House, showing him a picture of a preacher.
First to be considered is "Preach the Word". This is the manual of his teaching. Not his own ideas. Not the sermons of other preachers, not the topical snipers of the daily newspapers, not the ill-digested scraps of knowledge. None of these things are to be his source of truth and instruction – only God's Word. In our last study, Timothy was exhorted to be a thorough-going Bible man; here, his work is to be a thorough-going Bible ministry.
Note its diligent use – "be instant, in season, out of season." There is a time and place to preach. Outside of such opportunities there are times when it seems suitable, appropriate, and convenient to speak the Word. Few problems of Christian service are so difficult to solve as the decision about when to speak. A preacher certainly should not want to antagonize people by speaking at the wrong moment, but neither does he want to become so exquisitely tactful that he never speaks about the Word of God outside the pulpit. Sometimes, while waiting for the "convenient season" (Acts 24:25), he may miss the chance altogether. The soul may pass away or be out of reach. It is immensely important that Christians seriously and earnestly pray daily that the Master will reveal who should be spoken to for Him – whether it seem "in season, out of season" we should all "be instant" to do it.
Then consider its diverse uses – "reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." "Reprove" is, as in John 16:18, "convict" or show them they have done wrong; then "rebuke" or show them how wrong they were to do wrong. After that, "exhort" or show them that they must put the wrong right and stop wrong doing. It is with the giving of the Word to them that they are to see these things. Not all at once and not without some rebelliousness and opposition. The preacher will have need of "longsuffering" patience in his teaching work. Here the word "preach" does not mean to preach the Gospel. That word occurs later in our text. In this verse it is a more general term. This particular phrase is used in 1 Peter 3:19, where it says that the Savior "went and preached unto the spirits in prison", on which we must not base the suggestion that people have another chance of salvation after death. It is not the word for preaching the Gospel. The implication is that the Master went to make a pronouncement to those particular "spirits" who died in Noah's time. There is no suggestion of a second chance, either in this passage, or anywhere else in God's Word. By the time men reach the beyond, "there is a gulf fixed...neither can they pass to us that would come from thence" (Luke 16:26). There are many diverse uses of the Word, which they who preach it, or who in any way seek to pass it on, will diligently employ. The Word is his manual of teaching.
Now consider the response of his congregation. Timothy is going to have disappointments and heartaches, for, it seems they will refuse what they need – "They will not endure sound doctrine"; but, that is the very thing they need so badly. Nothing is so calculated to produce a flabby Christian life and character as the absence of spiritual vitamins, i.e., the lack of a good, solid, sound foundation in the things of God. But they will not have it. They are bored with it, will not "endure" it.
"They shall turn away their ears from the truth" – again a sheer necessity of their spiritual welfare. But the truth may be very unpalatable, awkward, and unwelcome. Not much can be expected from a congregation that deals thus with doctrine and truth. All one can expect is the lowest level of behavior.
On the other hand, they will receive what they like – not the truth of things. Their own prejudices and preferences will dictate what is an acceptable preacher and preaching! First, "After their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers" – Moffatt says teachers "to suit themselves", never mind whether the message is Truth or not. Second, "Having itching ears" – anything to tickle their own fancies, anything novel and exciting. Third, "Shall be turned unto fables", i.e., myths. It is amazing what unbelievers will believe. Some prefer myth to Truth. Thank God, "we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses..." (2 Pet. 1:16).
It seems a poor look-out for preachers, but let them remember that it is not yet like this – "the time will come"; but things are not yet this bad. Let Timothy employ himself faithfully while opportunity presents itself (as should each of us). Moreover, it is not all like this. The Master's parable of the soils still remains true. There is much disappointment; but, it is not all disappointment. In one part of the congregation, the Word sown gets no further than the surface. Maybe one day it will sink in, but as soon as the service is over some begin talking about the weather, the news, where to eat, the ball game or how they look. However, another part of the congregation seemed to promise better results. But, the sight of difficulty or opposition showed there was no real work done. A third part of the congregation, was so worldly-minded that, even though it appeared hopeful, the good was soon choked. All were disappointing! But, the work is not finished. There is a fourth group in the congregation, who were good ground. The preacher's work was not all in vain. If he is faithful, he will be fruitful: somewhere, someday, and somehow. Response to faithful work for God will never be all bad.
Consider for a moment the demands of his work. In Christian service, it is what costs most that counts most, and Paul's preacher must give weight and consideration to that truth. Note in this passage the word "longsuffering" – he will meet with much that will try his patience; he will put up with a lot. And "watch". The word is actually "sober". There is to be an ever constant alertness rather than the slumberous inertness of the drunken. He must ever be on the look-out, with all the strain involved. And "endure" – he will run up against prejudice, ridicule, opposition, and what is often the hardest to bear, blank indifference. No, it is never easy serving the Lord.
Of course, there are some Christian workers who have little or no demand put on them. Perhaps one has consented to take over a Bible-class, but his preparation is scanty. He does not take the work seriously. He never prays or prepares. The class is costing him nothing. He never gets tired because of it, though he may grow tired of it, eventually giving it up. The teacher who should be encouraged to stick to the task is the one who throws his whole self into it, becoming worn out. This is the one to whom it has meant self-sacrifice. Such a teacher, preacher or worker will accomplish much for God.
The life of an earnest and faithful preacher is never easy. He has his own temptations. Some specifically arising out of success, while others come from failure. Either way, if he is accomplishing anything for God, the devil will attack him daily. He is the cynosure of many eyes. Some may watch him with love and gratitude, who notice his every word and action, and whom he must not 'let down'. Others are highly critical, always on the look-out for any inconsistency. He has an exacting work to accomplish and if he is going to be effective it will require all he has to give. Timothy was urged, "make full proof of thy ministry"; full proof, not fool proof. He carries a heavy responsibility – "they watch for your souls, as they that must give account" (Heb. 13:17). Preacher, pray much for your ministry. Remind yourself daily that "the Lord is with them that uphold my soul" (Ps. 54:4). Always have a sense of His Presence. If one is to "preach the Word", he must be prepared to face the demands of the work, deliberately turning away from everything that would hinder the freest and fullest exercise of the ministry, putting the world at your back, lifting your eyes to heaven.
The preacher's message is not all joy. He often has to say things that are: stern, sad, challenging, accusing, and severe. But, the balance lies on the other side for he has such glad things to say. His main business is to preach the Gospel. He is to "do the work of an evangelist." What joy is in that message. What joy he will have in proclaiming it. What joy he will get in seeing its great result.
First consider the preacher presents bad news – for to refuse the Lord, one is on the way to destruction and will "perish". The Gospel does not leave a man under the delusion that he is good, and all he has to do is his best and he will romp home to heaven. It is not good to leave the impression with unbelievers that they should become a Christian in order to be happy at all times and to joyfully romp through life. Spiritually speaking, in some respects this is true. But, it does not go deep enough. It is the kind of thing that, to God's displeasure, will "heal the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly..." (Jer. 6:14; 8:11). Rather, a preacher of the Word needs to tell the lost his real condition, his real peril in the sight of God and in the light of eternity. If he is to awaken a desire in the lost for salvation, he must first arouse a consciousness of the need. "Perish" is a dread, unpopular, and today an almost banished word but a preacher of the Gospel must begin there.
We now discover that the Gospel is Good News. It lets us know that: God loves – "For God so loved"; God gives – "that He gave His only-begotten Son", to die on the Cross; God invites – "that whosoever believeth on Him", an invitation issued so widespread that everybody, anywhere, desiring to obey and follow the Lord may come to Him, be born again, resting the whole weight of their soul on Him; that God saves – "have everlasting life". Sinful man, who naturally, normally, inevitably, eternally, must "perish" can be rescued. The aspect of his eternal future can be transfigured, and the course of his life altered. Then, while he remains here, he can henceforth give and spend himself in passing the Good News on to others. He is at once and at all costs, to follow Timothy and "do the work of an evangelist."
This wonderful Gospel is front-page news, not to be set aside in some quiet, obscure corner of the World News. The Gospel is the outcome of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Paul says, "This thing was not done in a corner" (Acts 26:26). Let us not put this great news in the corner of our hearts, but give it front-page prominence. Our verse says "the world". So let the world have it – blazon it forth! When Paul says, "before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified among you" (Gal. 3:1), he uses a word, translated "evidently set forth", whose significance is, openly placarded. The crucified and risen Lord concerns the "world". So, let us tell the world!
Now we turn to a contemplation of the preacher's background. All this time we have considered verses 2-5 of our text, having said not a word about verse 1. It is like a back-drop on the stage, in front of which all the action takes place, in the light of which all the story is to be conceived. Notice a searching scrutiny – "before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ." The exhortation is given, the undertaking discharged, in His sight. Timothy's ministry is to be exercised, as is ours, not in the light of men's praise or blame, but the Lord's. What will the Master do, what will He think? This is the touchstone.
Here, also, is the thought of a serious examination – "Who shall judge." Christians should always remember that on a certain day in God's diary we will all stand in front of Him for examination, when, for merit or demerit, our service will be judged. This serious event is partially described in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (passages which every Christian should know from memory). Upon the foundation, which is laid, i.e., Jesus Christ, there are three kinds of builders. There are idle builders – "If any man build upon this foundation". The "if" leaves open the possibility of some not building at all. Perhaps they claim to be Christians, but have never done any service or said a word for Him. There are poor builders – "build...wood, hay, stubble." No one can say they have done nothing. But their service was poor. They may have put in work for Him, but it was shoddy. The test of the fire quickly reveals its true nature because it burns up. It cost him nothing, now it avails him nothing. Then there are successful builders – "build...gold, silver, precious stones." Their work was costly. In God's eyes it was valuable. The fire of testing will not harm this quality workmanship because it is gold, silver and precious stones. All are refined, and improved by fire. Note: "the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is". Not size, but sort. It is not the quantity but the quality that matters. Timothy, like all of us, needs to keep this examination always in mind.
Conclusion
Now we consider a solemn moment – "His appearing." The word is used in 2:10 of this Epistle in connection with His first appearing. Here it relates to His Second Coming. The word is "epiphany." In Titus 2:11-13, we find it in both meanings, "appeared...appearing", the epiphany of grace and epiphany of glory. Here we have the two great limits of the Christian dispensation. For the faithful servant, what a grand event it will be. The preacher of the Word, the proclaimer of the Gospel is advised to have this as the background of his life. The Lord is: patiently watching, presently judging, and personally coming again. What a background for our service. What an incentive for our service. As with John Bunyan's preacher, "a crown of gold did hang over his head."
