Tag: Evangelist

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Messengers of “The Faith”

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based on the Love God Greatly Study: Come, Lord Jesus, Come / w6d4

Scripture: Our Road Map for the Journey

 You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:5. NET

Have you ever had a friend, mentor, or someone in your life that has not just prodded you to do something, but given you a serious and difficult challenge -one that will change you and potentially others from the inside-out? 🦋 This is what we find on today’s journey. Paul charges Timothy, in the presence of God and the Lord Jesus<<<< that statement right there indicates the seriousness of this charge Paul has given Timothy. Check out the list of what he is asking of Timothy:

  • Preach the message – whether it is convenient or not
  • reprove
  • rebuke
  • exhort with complete patience and instruction

And then check out the seriousness of the reason:

  • People will be turning away from theTrue Gospel
  • They will prefer to listen to and follow those who say what they want to hear and do
  • They will not only turn away from the Truth but they will turn their minds toward myths/fables

Then the challenge/charge turns personal … Not only is Timothy reprove, rebuke, exhort with patience and instructions and preach the Truth – but he is to:

  • be self-controlled at all times
    • “Timothy was to be focused and alert, taking his life and role seriously … He was to be calm, focused, and controlled.” – Bibleref.com 2Timothy4:5
  • endure hardships
    • this wasn’t just instruction to merely survive hardships/difficult times but to maintain his Christian character and perspective regardless of what was happening in his life or within the ministry he had been called to
  • do the work of an evangelist
    • An evangelist is one who presents/shares the good news of Christ with others. While this is something that Paul particularly charged Timothy with, consider the commission that Christ put before all of His disciples, both past and present:
      • “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16. NET
  • and stay at the tasks until the mission/ministry has been carried out/fulfilled -no matter the difficulty or temptation to quit

Why was Paul so serious with Timothy and adamant that he stay at the tasks until his “ministry was fulfilled?” – The answer to this seems evident in verses 6-8 where Paul makes it known that his time on this earth was coming to an end. He knew the work had to go on and was making sure that Timothy would continue to carry out the mission even when he was gone. To not do so would leave many vulnerable to the false teachings and turning away from the true, life-giving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Friends, we too must “take up the mantel” that Paul so obviously considered a worthy passion and position in life. Like Timothy we have been charged with being messengers of “The Faith”, which is belief in Jesus Christ. When we come to the end of our life or when Jesus returns to take us home, may we be found faithfully living self-controlled lives, enduring hardships, doing the work of an evangelist, and fulfilling the mission/ministry we have been given. – Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ!