Stew for All Seasons

2 Timothy 4-Part 2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

LET IT GLOW

Do you recall that Paul is writing this letter to Timothy and the Ephesian church while he is in prison? The end of his life and ministry is soon to be, so we read of the charge Paul gives them.
Wiersbe said that it should read "I solemnly witness." It was a serious time in Paul's life, so he wanted to his son in the faith to sense its importance. Since Paul was facing death soon, he knew that he would be facing God and his works would be judged. Sooner or later we will all stand before our Supreme Judge Jesus, won't we? If I knew that I only had two months to live, what would I do differently?


LET IT GROW

During our four years in college, we were a family of four living on a tight budget. I had only a small amount of cash to spend each week on groceries, so I learned to be frugal with it. That's when I began saving our  leftover vegetables and freezing them in a quart jar kept on the freezer door. Instead of throwing away bits of left over vegetables, I'd add them to my quart jar. So when the jar got full, it was time to make stew and cornbread for supper. It didn't  have to be wintertime-the season known for hot stew. It is good in season and out of season, so to speak. Tastey stew is good in the winter and summer. So it is with God's Word. Truly, It is never out of season, is it?
That's what I thought of when I read one of Paul's commands to Tmothy-be ready in season and out of season.

In verse 2, we find five specific commands that Paul gave in association to Timothy's call to the ministry. I think they can apply to us, also.

1.  Preach the Word. The term kerysso means "to herald, proclaim." An official representative of the king bore the king's message, not his own, to the realm or to a specific person. Paul called himself a proclaimer, a keryx, and now passes that title onto Timothy. A pastor and other belivers are called to proclaim the Scriptures, the gospel, the Word of God, to humanity. Do I proclaim my King's message whenever the opportunity arrises?
2. Be ready in season and out of season. The literal translation of the verb is "stand over." A guard stands over the city, a treasure, or a person to protect his charge against attack. A pastor and believer must stand ready at all times and in every circumstance. We are to be on the job, no matter what. Do I faithfully proclaim the Word to individuals and crowds, when it's convenient and inconvenient, when I'm affirmed or criticized? The idea of an urgency, preparedness, and readiness us suggested. Such as a soldier gets ready for battle. Also, we must not allow our culture, traditions, our community, nor our church to alter our committment.
3. Rebuke. To rebuke is to call attention to wrongdoing and to assign responsiblilty. Closely related to reprove, except that the desired response is humility instead of conviction. Rebuking also implies the possibility of consequence, so that the proclaimer must declare the truth and its consequences if they are being ignored. Am I using the Bible to help people understand the error of their actions?
4. Exhort. Derived from the verb parakaleo, one of the names for the Holy Spirit is "Paralete." It gives a picture of the relationship of a coach to their athlete-in-training. The pastor is a diligent, long-suffering teacher of grace in a training regiment for the church. Just as a coach challenges and corrects, he also comforts and encourages. Do I help people get back on their feet after they have fallen down?Am I helping to train them in godly behavior and godly living?

[Resource: Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus]

All five commands are to be followed with longsuffering and doctrine, patience and instruction. We must have a long fuse, slow to address wrongs against us; not be a doormat, but a reprover and rebuker in such a way that we aren't pulled into poor behavior.  Sounds like we need self-control and discernment from the Holy Spirit.

LET IT GO

Patiently teach the Truth and leave the consequences to God.

Always be ready to share the Word.

Seek the Lord whenever there's a need for rebuke so it is handled His way.

Encourage others' faithfulness.