Verse of the Day 9/15

2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.    English Standard Version (ESV)

In 1 & 2 Timothy the Apostle Paul is writing and teaching a young pastor.  He is warning him to beware of preaching what the people are asking for, but challenging him instead to preaching and teaching from God's Word and what He would have him preach.  In verse 2 Paul had said first of all "be ready in season and out of season", to be prepared no matter what "season" it may look like in the life of the church, the body of Christ.  There are words that we, the congregation need to hear.   Not fluffy, feel good sermons that give us what we want to hear but words that we need to hear.  When was the last time you recall being "reproved, rebuked and challenged" in a sermon.

I believe that our time is very much like the time of Timothy. We're in a society that loves to fill itself up on junk food.  Many of us are the generation that grew up with Twinkies and Ho Ho's as staples in our diets.  Are we any different spiritually?

We may not be pastors and teachers by vocation, but we do have an obligation to teach and to preach in our actions. That preaching and teaching is to be founded on God's Word, found as it is taught from teachers who will follow Paul's challenge to  "proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple."

While others will be satisfied with sermons that give them Twinkies , that "tickle their fancy" , may we look for and ask for messages that "challenge, warn and urge" us (The Message).

--   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 4:1-5The Message (MSG)

4 ^1-2 I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple.

^3-5 You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.