Our central theme for the month of March is ‘Preach the Word of God’ taken from 2 Timothy 4:1-5. The first post on the theme was captioned ‘The message is Jesus’. We understood from the scriptures that we have been charged to preach the word of God and this Word is Jesus. We understood that Jesus saves, gives eternal life, and will come to judge both the living and the death. We also learnt that one of the ways to convey God’s word to everyone is to preach it. This week’s post also coined from our main theme is titled ‘The messenger is you’. Let’s begin by reading our main text:
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.
In fact, to spread God’s word into all nations requires human beings. These human beings are the people I want to refer to as messengers. Personally, I wish all men were messengers of the Gospel. For that is what we are supposed to be- ambassadors on Earth who are poised to influence the world in which we find ourselves. You and I are blessed and filled with Grace to send the gospel into our neighbourhoods, hinterlands, and foreign lands. This is our primary duty as believers and Christians for that matter.
As messengers of the gospel of Jesus, we are charged to preach the word and live it. To do this, let’s look at some areas of concern Apostle Paul shares with Timothy which are relevant in our time about preaching the Word of God. We will take them one by one:
Readiness
Readiness is the willingness to go when you hear the call and your preparation prior to a call. A man who serves as a messenger must be ready to deliver. Readiness in this context includes promptness and preparation. The Bible says to be ready in season and out of season. Sharing God’s word must not be limited to convenience. That is to say, we’ll share only when all indicators check out right with us. No! rather, we must cultivate an attitude where we respond promptly to God’s instruction to share the Gospel.
This also means we must spend quality time studying the Word of God. It is easy to tell when a person who is ministering knows what he/she is saying or is just mincing words. God’s word is sweet, deep and rich. The more you study it the more revelation and understating you receive. The Bible encourages us to:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
True messengers ought to study the Bible and handle the truth rightly. Not dwelling on vain theories and babblings but on the scriptures so that listeners can be saved. This is where reliance on the Holy Spirit is necessary so that He can reveal the mysteries in the Bible to you as you prepare. I encourage you to be ready to share God’s word. More importantly, I entreat you to study the word for yourself. This is because you can’t share what you don’t know. Finally, as a messenger of the Gospel be ready to rebuke false teachings and teach sound doctrine that able to bring salvation to your hearers.
Preach voluntarily
For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Messengers do not attend to errands at their own will for they are under obligation to convey specific messages from their master. Apostle Paul sees the preaching of the Gospel as a necessity laid upon him. He deemed it a great necessity to the point that whiles in chains he continued to preach. In our case, we are under a timely command to spread God’s Word in every Nation (Mathew 28:19-20). We must preach God’s word willingly. Not for personal gains or glory but to do it freely, because the Bible says freely you have received, freely give. God’s promise to us is that our labour in the Lord is never in vain.
Be a living epistle
One of the ways to spread the gospel into all Nations is to live it. Today, people easily pick role- models and fashion their lives to look like theirs. They sometimes go to the extent of walking, talking and dressing like them. As messengers of the Gospel, the way you live is louder to your hearers than what you tell them. Be an outstanding personality that others can identify and emulate. I used the word ‘identify‘ because there are some people who would prefer to sit on the fence. In Antioch, the believers were identified by their way of life, not their message alone. As a messenger of God’s Word, do not live a double standard life. Be a living epistle so that others can look at your way of life and believe in Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
‘As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry’. Great is your reward if you do not faint or grow weary in sharing the gospel with others. You are God’s prepared vessel to send His word into nations, therefore, get yourself ready by studying and waiting in prayer. Be willing to share and live your life as an epistle that others can read to draw closer to Jesus so they can be saved.
God bless you
Word Impart!
Transforming Lives!
2 comments
As messengers of the gospel of Jesus, we are charged to preach the word and live it. God bless you, bro.
Amen. That is the work oo. I pray for God’s grace on us all. God bless you too.