Message from the Pastor

In some of the apostle Paul’s last words to his protégé, Timothy, he gives him a charge, along with a warning and some advice.

“I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom:  Preach the word of God.  Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not.  Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.                                                                                                   For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.  They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.  They will reject the truth and chase after myths.                                                                                                                                                                                   But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5a NLT)

Some comments on this passage of Scripture:

Firstly, that we need to be ready to give an account of our faith whether those we are witnessing to react well or not.  People are not always willing to be convicted of the fact that they are sinners who need saving, but we still need to be ready to take the risk.

Secondly, we should also pray for the preachers and teachers in the Church, that they will always stand firm in preaching the whole Gospel message without fear or favour.

Thirdly, we need to be very careful about what we take in from preachers.  We need to ask ourselves what it is that attracts us to them and their message.  Is it just that their words make us feel good about ourselves?  Encouraging is a very good thing, but an effective and Godly preacher also needs to be willing to correct and rebuke.  If we are listening to online preachers, it is important to check their background and their core beliefs.  It is very tempting to be attracted to preachers with charisma and eloquence, but we must be on our guard to watch out for false teaching, even (or especially) if it sounds pleasant and attractive to our ears.  This way we will more likely stand firm in the truth and glorify God in our lives.

                                                              

       Alan