Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Ezra 9-10; 2 Timothy 4
Devotional Thought:
2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Pastors are exhorted in 2 Timothy 4:2 to “preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” The preacher is not to preach his own opinions, preferences, or agenda, but rather to preach the word! Preaching will never be about the preacher; it is about the will of God being conformed to the Son of God as He is revealed in the Word of God! It is amazing to me how these two verses complement each other. It is the word of God that will reprove so the preacher will not have to reprove. It is the word of God that will rebuke so the preacher will not have to rebuke. It is the word of God that will instruct or exhort people to do right so the preacher will not have to feel compelled to come up with something creative himself. It is the word of God that will reveal the character and teaching of Christ (doctrine) so the preacher is limited to simply preaching the truth already revealed. Beware of the preacher that says he has found something new, creative, or profound. Solomon told us there is nothing new under the sun. Preaching is not about the preacher wowing his audience with his brains, humor, or articulation. Preaching will always be about accurately and appropriately presenting the character and person of Christ. The preacher is commanded to preach the word, because the time will come, Paul says, when people will not want to hear about Christ. They will not endure sound doctrine. People today want to hear messages that entertain them, appeal to them, and that require little to no changes in their living. Paul tells young Timothy, I had the same battle as you and those to whom you will preach. I am ready to face death, but I had to fight my flesh every day. “I fought a good fight…” I had to learn to battle my flesh the way the word of God instructed me to fight. “I have finished my course…” I believed God when He said it would be worth it to fight my flesh. “I have kept the faith.” “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (vs. 8) There are carnal people who preferred to feed their flesh rather than deny it. “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.” (vs. 10) “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil… of whom be thou ware also…” vs. 14-15) However, there have been some people who faithfully ministered to me as faithful servants of the Lord. Paul tells Timothy to take John Mark because he is now profitable. Paul constantly refers to Luke as the faithful friend who is with him through thick and thin. However, the apostle Paul’s greatest comfort comes from verse 17-18, “notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord delivered me from every evil work…”
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to fix my eyes upon the character of Christ as He is revealed in the scriptures.
• Lord, please help me to be changed by the word of God and may I, like Paul, fight my flesh every day and yield completely to the control of the Holy Spirit.
• Lord, thank you for friends who stand with me as we fight against the wiles of the Devil.