Verse of the Day 9/9
2 Timothy 4:2-3 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,English Standard Version (ESV)
Most of us will probably going to a church service, a time of worship this weekend. In today's verses, Paul is encouraging a young pastor to "preach the word". Notice what he reminds Timothy what should be included in that - "reprove, rebuke and exhort". Elsewhere Paul wrote that he had not held back from teaching and preaching the full counsel of God, which would include these same qualities. The Amplified Bible does a good job of reminding us of what we should hear from our pastors, "God's official messengers".
2 preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2Amplified Bible (AMP)
May we see those qualities in our churches this week. Unfortunately, today, there are a lot of "feel good" messages that will be given, with very little of "God's Word" being expounded upon. Instead, we're allowed to create, "manufacture a God" who to suit our fancy. J.C. Ryle warns us:
Beware of manufacturing a God of your own . . . a God who is all mercy--but not just; a God who is all love--but not holy; a God who has a Heaven for everybody--but a Hell for none; a God who will make no distinction between godly and ungodly in eternity. Such a God is an idol of your own--as truly an idol as any snake or crocodile in an Egyptian temple! The hands of your own imagination and sentimentality have made him. He is not the God of the Bible--and beside the God of the Bible, there is no God at all.
Pray for your pastor, that he may "Preach the Good News, and be ready at all times,to tell people what they need to do" (NCV) according to God's Word. -- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
2 Timothy 4:1-5New Century Version (NCV)
4 I give you a command in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, the One who will judge the living and the dead, and by his coming and his kingdom: 2 Preach the Good News. Be ready at all times, and tell people what they need to do. Tell them when they are wrong. Encourage them with great patience and careful teaching, 3 because the time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching but will find many more teachers who please them by saying the things they want to hear. 4 They will stop listening to the truth and will begin to follow false stories. 5 But you should control yourself at all times, accept troubles, do the work of telling the Good News, and complete all the duties of a servant of God.
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