Bible: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with [a] great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

DO NOT ENTER THE MINISTRY IF YOU CAN HELP IT!

You might be surprised to learn who said this quote. It somewhat resembles the voice of a burned-out minister that has just quite. Charles Spurgeon in his “Lectures To My Students,” quotes Joseph Alleine, a British Pastor. Spurgeon is hardly a man that would be considered as bitter and burned-out. Pastoring a church with 14,000+ members at his death, started The Pastor’s College, and a publishing company – most of which Spurgeon funded out of his own pocket. Why would such a statement be used to teach a room full of individuals that have acknowledged a call of God on their life to be influencers? I believe the answer is that we should not embark upon a life of ministry hurriedly and without consultation of others. We need to make sure of our calling!

The call of God includes a sense of destiny combined with an all-absorbing passion to use your life for Christ Jesus. When it is affirmed and acknowledged there is an undeniable assurance that you simply cannot do anything else with your life. With that said the Apostle Paul speaks to his young protégé and gives 5 specific commands that were written I the first century, but just as fresh today.

1. Preach the Word – Not just the latest focus poling data or survey group. Our message is the special revelation of God to humanity that we call the scriptures, the Bible!
2. Be ready in season and out of season – The exact meaning of this phrase is debated. However, we can state there is a sense of urgency and vigilance that is being suggested here. Ultimately the minister is to be ready no matter what.
3. Reprove – The meaning here is to persuade, convince, refute, or to prove a point. There is no sugar coating the message in this term. There are tines when you must speak precisely and clearly.
4. Rebuke – This involves calling attention to wrongdoing and assigning responsibility. Truth must be CLEAR!
5. Exhort – The image of this word is that of a coach coming along side to assist and impart knowledge and to offer a listening ear.

Greater Life Lessons

• Effective Spiritual Leaders must faithfully speak the truth claims of God’s Word.
• Effective Spiritual Leaders must confront wrongdoing and correct error.
• Effective Spiritual Leaders must lead efforts to impact communities with scriptural messages of hope and Shalom – make disciples!
• Effective Spiritual Leaders have servants hearts – helping others many times before yourself

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