READ: 2 Timothy 4 (Focus vs.1–5)
MEMORY VERSE
“Do the work of an evangelist.” 2 Timothy 4:5
BACKGROUND
While waiting to enter the university, twenty-year-old Shin Yi decided to commit three months of her break to serving in a youth mission organization.
It seemed like an odd time to do this, given the COVID-19 restrictions that prevented face-to-face meetings. But Shin Yi soon found a way. “We couldn’t meet up with students on the streets, in shopping malls, or fast-food centers like we usually did,” she shared.
“But we continued to keep in touch with the Christian students via Zoom to pray for one another and with the non-believers via phone calls.”
Shin Yi did what the apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to do: “Do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5).
Paul warned that people would find teachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear and not what they needed to hear (vv. 3–4). Yet Timothy was called to take courage and “be prepared in season and out of season.”
He was to “correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (v. 2).
Though not all of us are called to be evangelists or preachers, each one of us can play a part in sharing our faith with those around us.
Unbelievers are perishing without Christ. Believers need strengthening and encouragement. With God’s help, let’s proclaim His good news whenever and wherever we can.
By: Poh Fang Chia
INSIGHT
Paul’s words to Timothy that he “be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2) might seem a bit odd.
In context, Paul wants Timothy to carry out the task of preaching “the word” when it’s appropriate to his audience (in season) and also when that audience doesn’t want to hear it (out of season).
Then Paul points out that soon Timothy’s audience won’t tolerate the hard truths of following Jesus; instead, they will turn to “what their itching ears want to hear” (v. 3).
Paul wanted Timothy to preach the gospel to people regardless of whether they felt up to denying themselves, caring for the poor, the widow, the orphan, or following Jesus into death.
As a young church planter, Timothy faced a world that would hate his message as well as embrace it. And still, he preached “the word” (v. 2).
By: Jed Ostoich
APPLICATION
What discourages you from sharing your faith? How might remembering that Jesus is coming back help you to overcome your fear?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“These were His instructions to them (His disciples): “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Luke 10:2 nlt
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“Though not all of us are called to be evangelists or preachers, each one of us can play a part in sharing our faith with those around us…With God’s help, let’s proclaim His good news whenever and wherever we can.”
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, help me to seize every opportunity to share Your words with others that they may find hope and comfort in You.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“HOW TO REACH THE MASSES”
How to reach the masses,
Men of ev’ry birth,
For an answer Jesus gave the key:
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth,
Will draw all men unto Me.”
Lift Him up,
(Lift the precious Savior up),
Lift Him up,
(Lift the precious Savior up),
Still He speaks from eternity:
“And I,
If I be lifted up from the earth,
Will draw all men unto Me.”
Oh! the world is hungry
For the Living Bread
Lift the Savior up for them to see;
Trust Him, and do not doubt
The words that He said,
“I’ll draw all men unto Me.
Lift Him up,
(Lift the precious Savior up)…
Don’t exalt the preacher,
Don’t exalt the pew,
Preach the Gospel simple, full and free;
Prove Him and you will find,
That promise is true,
“I’ll draw all men unto Me.”
Lift Him up,
(Lift the precious Savior up)…
Lift Him up by living,
As a Christian ought
Let the world in you the Savior see;
Then men will gladly,
Follow Him who once taught,
“I’ll draw all men unto Me.”
Lift Him up,
(Lift the precious Savior up),
Lift Him up,
(Lift the precious Savior up),
Still He speaks from eternity:
“And I,
If I be lifted up from the earth,
Will draw all men unto Me.”
READING THROUGH THE ENTIRE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
I Samuel 15-18
Luke 10:25 – 11: 1-28
