Week 21, Day 5: Warning to Evangelists
Today’s Reading: Titus 2:1-3:15
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
The books of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus were written by the apostle Paul to young evangelists, telling them how to do the work that was set before them, and to encourage them to do it the right way. This encouragement becomes very clear in 2 Timothy 4:1-5. Paul there warned Timothy about the nature of his work, and the responsibilities that he was going to have to fulfill. Paul gave the most stringent of warnings, telling Timothy that he was required to preach the word of God, no matter what circumstances he might face. He told Timothy to “Be ready in season and out of season.” One old preacher said this meant to preach it when they like it, and preach it when they don’t! That is surely a part of Paul’s instructions. It is easy to preach when the message is well received, but no so easy when the audience is not going to accept it, or even worse if it will cause some harm to the speaker. Stephen, as he presented his final sermon, probably knew that the audience was not taking it well, and would end up killing him when it was over. He did not hesitate to continue to present the message that needed presented. He was presenting it “out of season” to be sure!
Paul told Timothy to “Convince, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and teaching.” Far too often, evangelists today like to present a soft message that makes people feel good down inside. But, they are not nearly as apt to rebuke those that need to be rebuked. One must teach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) if they are going to succeed in achieving all that Paul instructs in this verse. Those that are diligent will also achieve these goals patiently, never forgetting that teaching the word of God is their primary responsibility.
Paul also warned Timothy about the nature of hearers. The time would come when people were not worried about hearing what God wanted, but would be more concerned about their own desires. They would have “itching ears” and would be looking for the preachers that would scratch them. There would be plenty of men who would be just what these type of people wanted, teaching only the things that were pleasant to the ears. In fact, they could “heap up” this type of teacher! But this type of teacher would only help them to turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. Timothy could not be an evangelist like that. He had to continue on in the truth, doing the work of an evangelist as God required. It would not be good enough for him to just scratch ears. He had to fulfill his ministry! Teaching something short of the whole truth may make him popular, well liked, but it would not save souls!
We certainly need more evangelists to take the teachings of Paul seriously, and pattern their work after that of the young evangelist Timothy. Evangelists need to focus on the work set before them, and stop worrying about being in the right groups, knowing the right people, and being popular in the “brotherhood.” Preach the word! That was Paul’s warning, and it is just as valid and important today as it was when he penned it to Timothy!
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