Andrew Miller taught on Sunday, November 30. The video and listening guide from that lesson, followed by the scripture, are below.
Core Lesson (Andrew Miller)
2 Timothy 4
What is required for us to “Be ready in season and out of season?”
Paul lists three actions required in preaching the word and doing the work of an evangelist.
First, “convince.” The word used here can be translated “teach,” “instruct,” or “reason with.” It signifies the requirement that a Christian be able to intellectually engage and persuade others of God’s truth. Our minds must be prepared. How do we develop the intellectual tools to debate with skeptics?
Second, “rebuke.” This word also has a connotation of teaching, but on the negative side. The problems Paul describes in verses 3 and 4 need to be addressed, and this required preparation of the will, to allow us to resist false teachers and distorted doctrine. How and when do we address Christians following false teachings?
Third, “exhort.” This the emotional part. Convincing requires intelligence, and rebuking requires strength of will, intelligence, and a willingness to make waves, but exhorting requires empathy and love. Think of the lines of the old song: “plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently, he will forgive if they only believe.” As he does elsewhere, Paul lists the most crucial of a trio last (“…Faith, Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is Love.”)
To evangelize and support truth in the Church successfully requires the intellect to convince, the will to confront, and the heart to love. How do we help to cultivate these in ourselves and in other Christians?
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2 Timothy 4 (NKJV)
4 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
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16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
the gathering of FBCSA 