2 Tim 4:2-5 NLT
Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage the people with good teaching.
1. Preach the Word.
Matt 4:4 KJV
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
People love to hear stories, they enjoy funny fables, and they often will applaud a dramatic and well prepared performance. Of course, when speaking to our friends we may include any or all three of these methods, but the most important thing is that we communicate the Word of God. The Word of God contains within itself the power to change people and situations. The Word of God stands forever.
Isa 40:8 NIV
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
2. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.
Have you ever run into someone- at the mall, the post office or the grocery store- and they wanted you to pray for them, or give them a word of encouragement right there on the spot? Were you prepared or were you in your "off" mode?
The account of Philip in Acts chapter 8 is a great example of someone being ready to go, ready to preach, and ready to lead someone to the Lord. He didn't know where he was going, or to whom he was being sent, but he stayed prepared. When that Ethiopian eunuch, a man of great importance, came across Philip's path, Philip was ready!
3. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage!
One very experienced Pastor put it this way: "Our job is to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted." That pretty much covers the correcting, rebuking, and the encouraging, doesn't it? But we're not supposed to correct, rebuke and encourage any old way, we are to do it-
Patiently
1 Peter 5:4 NIV
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
4. Give the people "good teaching."
That takes us right back up to the top of the list, "Preach the Word." Word based teaching that is properly prepared, rightly divided, and patiently presented IS GOOD TEACHING. It will always bring forth fruit. Just like the snow and the rain that water the earth, you can know that the Word of God, faithfully preached, will accomplish and achieve much in the Body of Christ today.
Isa 55:10-11 NIV
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Afflict the Comfortable and Comfort the Afflicted
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