quick reminders from an urgent call

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:5

There are four quick reminders to Timothy of the urgent call to ministry. Two questions asked of this text help us understand what is being said here.

1) Why is this call to ministry urgent? Paul is facing his own execution at the hands of Rome and is giving Timothy a solemn charge (2 Timothy 4:1). He has already committed him to intense ministry of the Word (2 Timothy 2:2): Preach the Word of God; preach it when it is both convenient and inconvenient; reprove and rebuke those whom the scriptures clearly show as wrong; encourage those who are committed to Jesus by teaching them God’s promises in His Word; and be patient as you teach God’s Word. The Word ministry will need to be accompanied by other strong personal ministry commitments. It is a solemn calling.

But not only is the task solemn, but the opposition is solid. Paul warns that divisive false teaching is unfortunately too common and always a threat to gospel ministry (2 Timothy 4:3-4). People will eventually not endure sound doctrine. They will replace it with what they want to hear and passion-led false teachers readily arise to tell people a message that placates their selfishness: “you will be wealthy, happy, problem-free… and there is no need for careful teaching of the Word of the Lord.” But authentic believers, and gospel preachers, will cling to the truth of scripture alone.

2) What is this urgent call to ministry? We live in “wandering-off” times. An applicable short summary for gospel seriousness looks something like this:

• Sober-minded. Now is not the time for anything less than clear gospel teaching. No gimmicks with the gospel, please!
• Endurance. Preach the Word. Stay committed to sound doctrine and gospel essentials. Always preach Jesus but be ready… suffering WILL result.
• Evangelize and make disciples. Keep Jesus’ commission the focus and don’t drift from it. Make disciples of the nations, TEACHING them to follow Him, not other people, no matter how convincing their words may be. If a teacher’s words are not the Word of God, reject them!
• Fulfill ministry. Don’t give up! See it through! Keep at it! There in no retirement until Jesus is in front of you and rewards you in His kingdom with a high five and a smiling “well done”!