FAITHFUL MINISTRY
“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 longsuffering and doctrine.” — II Tim. 4:1-2
Our nugget for today has to do with the gospel ministry as the Spirit inspired apostle and seasoned pastor mentors his younger companion in this high calling. The seriousness and solemnity of the matter is evident in the first verse, where Paul holds himself accountable to the Father and the Son for the counsel he is giving. Every gospel minister will do well to maintain a continual awareness of this profound truth. No true minister of the word of God assumes the role on his own initiative, but must accept it as a calling from God. Someone suggested years ago that a man should not become a minister of the gospel if he could be content doing anything else. The charge to Timothy affords significant evidence of what this ministry involves.
“Preach the word.” The primary responsibility of the gospel minister is the communication of the Word of God to the people of God. In His last recorded encounter with the apostle Peter, the Lord Jesus laid the foundation for this exhortation. Three times He charged Peter, “Feed My sheep.” The only fodder God has given for feeding His flock is His inspired word, and it is the preacher’s task to convey it to them. Ministers are not called to be psychiatrists, marriage counsellors, entertainers, or baby sitters; they are called to feed the sheep, to communicate the word of the Lord so that the redeemed may “grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ.” (See Eph. 4:11-15)
The task is relentless, and not always easy. Thus the Holy Spirit says, “Be instant,” i.e., be faithful to the task “whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable, whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it be welcome or unwelcome.” (Amplified paraphrase.) The faithful gospel minister will “sow by all waters,” and in all seasons, under all circumstances. We are advised that “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap [Eccl. 11:4].” The minister is to disregard the climate and keep his eye on the Lord and his heart committed to his high calling. If he does, he will reap God’s blessing “in due season.”
“Reprove, rebuke, exhort…” Here, in brief, is the substance of the ministry. To reprove is “to show people in what way their lives are wrong.” (Amp.) This is not designed to make the shepherd popular with the sheep; it is intended to protect them from their own natural inclination to folly. The resource for this, of course, is not the preacher’s opinion, but that word of God which is a lamp for our feet and a light to mark the path of wisdom and security.
To rebuke is to speak with authority commanding correction. The word used here in the original is used only twice in the epistles, but is used often with respect to the ministry of the Lord Jesus in the gospels. He “rebuked” evil spirits, and the wind. He even rebuked the disciples, which is perhaps the best illustration for our purpose. When the Savior was rejected by a certain “village of the Samaritans,” the disciples suggested that they “command fire to come down from heaven and consume them.” Christ’s response was to turn and rebuke them and say ”Ye know not what what manner of spirit ye are of. For the son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” (Cf. Luke 9:51-56) The rebuke is aimed at correcting what is wrong, and this must ever be the pastor’s goal.
To exhort is “to urge” onward in spiritual growth. Or, to encourage in the right direction.
Given the fallible nature of even the best of men, this is an unending task to be undertaken with “all longsuffering and doctrine.” Longsuffering suggests patience, self-restraint and perseverance. The shepherd is not called to beat the sheep, but to lead them as he feeds them. Doctrine suggests both content and technique. Doctrine, in scripture, is truth drawn from the word of God and teaching, a synonym, is the method of its communication. It involves instruction, which is more than just “telling.” I once had a mentor who sought to teach me how to make a straight saw cut across a board. When he told me, I didn’t get it. Then he said, “watch me.” When he showed me, I began to catch on. The patient communication of doctrine to the people of God will involve the pastor in showing the way by example. Thus the Savior said on one occasion to those who doubted Him, “I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.” (Cf. John 10:24-25) That is an illustration of “longsuffering and doctrine.”
Now you may be tempted to ask, of what value is this to me? If you are involved in ministry, it affords valuable instruction as to the nature of your responsibility. And if you are under a minister, it will afford some insight into what to expect and what to pray for in your leaders. “Do all to the glory of God.”
For our good here and hereafter,
"Pastor" Frasier
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