Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #24

Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #24

October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.

The Pastor and His Preaching (II Timothy 4)
II Timothy 4:1-2, “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; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”

AIM: Looking while we Labor and Working while we Wait.

II Timothy 4:1-2 - Deal with how to behave as servants working for the cause of the Lord.
II Timothy 4:1 - The Ministry of the servants of the Lord.
II Timothy 4:2 - The Metaphors of the service of the Lord.

II Timothy 4:3-4 - Deal with how to behave as saints waiting for the coming of the Lord.
II Timothy 4:3 - Signs as we watch for the coming of the Lord.
II Timothy 4:4 - Serving as we wait for the coming of the Lord.

I. The Pastor’s Charge (II Timothy 4:1-8)
While we wait, there is:
A. A word to be preach - II Timothy 4:2
B. A warning to be proclaimed - II Timothy 4:3-4
C. A watch to be posted - II Timothy 4:5
D. A work to be performed - II Timothy 4:5b

Timothy is reminded that he will one day stand before the Righteous Judge and give an account. Every believer, and even pastors, will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and will answer to the Him for what he has done since his conversion (Romans 14:10-12). Every Christian, “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward” (I Corinthians 3:13-14).

1. Preaching is Commanded
A faithful pastor will declare the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:24-27). The purpose of preaching is to expose the Word of God to those who are listening. It must be understood that God's Word is to be the source of the preacher's sermons as God leads him through His Word. “Preach the word” (II Timothy 4:1). There is no option here. Paul said, “for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (I Corinthians 9:16).

2. Preaching is Continual
The pastor is told to be instant in season, out of season (II Timothy 4:2). There are only two seasons in which to preach the Word of God. That is in season, and out of season. In season is when it is convenient. Out of season is when it is not convenient. We are never off duty. We must be ready at all times to speak the Word. Peter said, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15).

3. Preaching is Convicting
The pastor is commanded to reprove (II Timothy 4:2). Vance Havner said, "While preaching ought to comfort the afflicted, it should also afflict the comfortable”. The word reprove means "to admonish, convict, convince, tell a fault”. It carries the idea of bringing sin to light and exposing it for what it is.

4. Preaching is Comforting
The pastor is commanded to exhort (II Timothy 4:2). The word exhort carries the idea of "admonishing, encouraging, and walking along side of”. Many Christians have fallen away because they have been reproved and rebuked (a specialty of many preachers), but they have not been exhorted and encouraged to serve God. The preacher must be faithful in helping people to reach their potential for God. A little encouragement can go a long way.

5. Preaching is Compassionate
We are to preach with all longsuffering (II Timothy 4:2). Longsuffering has to do with patience and endurance under affliction and provocation. The word carries the idea of restraint and patient endurance of mistreatment without revenge. Longsuffering is linked to compassion in the Bible. Longsuffering is one of God's attributes (Psalm 86:15). Because God is full of compassion, He is longsuffering. We must preach the truth without compromise, but with compassion.

II. The Pastor’s Course (II Timothy 4:6-8)
1. A waiting to be promoted - II Timothy 4:6a
A. For I am now ready to be offered…
Paul stood like an ox between God’s altar and God’s plow. If he lived, he would be God’s servant; if he died, he would be God’s sacrifice.
B. The time of my departure is at hand…
The word translated departure is interesting. The simple meaning of the word is “to unloose, undo, or break up”. It meant “to depart”.
The word was used in five ways:
a. It was a prisoner’s word - The sentence is served; you may now go free.
b. It was a farmer’s word - The unyoking of the ox and turning it loose.
c. It was a warrior’s word - The battle is over, the victory is won, strike the tents and head for home.
d. It was a seaman’s word - The unmooring of the ship. The cargo is loaded, the crew is in place, hoist the sail, and head for another port.
e. It was a philosopher’s word - This suggests the unraveling of a knotty problem.
2. A weighing that will be personal - II Timothy 4:7
3. A welcome that will be precious - II Timothy 4:8

II. The Pastor’s Continuance (II Timothy 4:9-22)
He talks about:
1. His (Timothy’s) Coming - II Timothy 4:9, 13
2. His Comrades - II Timothy 4:10-12
3. His Concern - II Timothy 4:14-15
4. His Christ - II Timothy 4:16-18
5. His Closing - II Timothy 4:19-22

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