Prepared To Preach

Last minute instructions and words of encouragement mean a great deal to us.Paul did this with Timothy. He wanted to impress him with certain truths. Among these was the importance of being prepared to preach. In 2 Timothy 2: 8, Paul told Timothy to "remember." This seems to be Paul's final exhortation in a nutshell.

"Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Timothy 2:8-10).

Paul was saying "Remember the Power of Preaching" (verse 8). The resurrection gives the gospel its power (Rom. 1:4). Just think what Christianity would be without the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:13,14,19). Paul shows us the secret to the power of preaching because what is preached has the power to save (Rom. 1:16). When you see the living Christ, you will preach the soul-saving message. You can then preach with conviction, and you will keep on preaching.

Paul was also saying "Remember the Perseverance of Preaching" (9). As powerful as the gospel is, it takes perseverance to preach it. Paul suffered in order to preach. In this verse, we see the perseverance of the man. The irony is that he preached the good news yet, suffered as an evil doer. It isn't always easy to talk to others about their spiritual condition (Ezk. 3:9). We can also see the perseverance of the message. Paul said he was in chains, yet, the Word of God was not and is not chained. Sadly, Christians can chain the Word if we change the message, or compromise it, or are ignorant of it, or hide it.

Finally, Paul was saying "Remember the Purpose of Preaching (10). Why did Paul endure all things? It was "for the elect's sake." Why? It was so that they may obtain salvation. Isn't that what it is all about? This was our Lord's purpose. He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 1:15). There is no greater purpose we can have in life!

This is a responsibility every Christian has. I'm sure Timothy always remembered the Power, the Perseverance, and the Purpose of preaching. We ought to be impressed with these facts as well. In his book "How To Build A Great Church", Mac Layton told the story of the great black scientist, George Washington Carver, who sought funding for some of his projects. He approached Andrew Carnegie for a financial gift. Carnegie listened to Carver's proposal and gave him $500 for his work. Carver thanked the philanthropist and immediately asked for another meeting. Carnegie asked why. Carver said, "Sir, I have not impressed you with the greatness of my cause." He gave the scientist another meeting and that time gave him a check for $500,000! We must be impressed with the greatness of God's message and do all we can to impress others also.