Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church
West Lafayette, Ohio
May 3, 1987
Our Charge
2 Timothy 4:1-5, NIV
Words on a deathbed are important. Dying people don't waste words but tend to get right to the point. Probably the greatest last word in a movie, from Citizen Kane - "Rosebud!" Today's passage is really Paul's last words. In the sight of God and the Lord Jesus, he gives Timothy this solemn charge: "Preach the Word."
Our lives are insignificant specks in human history (give examples). When we think of Judgment Day and eternity, we come out to even less. Only one thing will matter - how we responded to God's Word (or truth),
Response has two points:
• Accept it - Believe in the gospel and live it. Gospel is good news.
• Pass it on - Gospel is meant for everyone - It's not just for those who are open to it.
When you are called before God's throne, what will you have to show him? Millions will say they accepted Jesus and it helped them, but only a few will be able to say they led someone else to Jesus. Why? Generally it is cowardice. Also, excuses:
1) Only preachers should preach. I am not a professional evangelist (v.5). I don't have a T.V. show. (Count your blessings). It's true that Timothy is a Christian leader. But every Christian has the obligation to witness to God's power and love. Romans 10 - If you believe in your heart, confess with your lips. A problem even in the early church was the attitude "Let the apostles do it." Yet Deacon Stephen was even more effective than the apostles when it came to evangelism.
2) I don't know what to say. This is the biggest obstacle for most people. A friend told me he would never witness to anyone until he had an answer to every question a non-Christian could ask. That day will never come. Share what little you know already. Learn as you go. Also, follow Paul's advice. He tells Timothy, "Be prepared." Don't be one of those who goes before the throne of God all alone.
Paul not only tells us to witness, he tells us when we should witness "in season." This is when the person seems open and ready. They want to know how to have peace in their life. They may even ask you how to be saved. Be ready to give an answer. If you don't want to witness in season, you can always witness "out of season." This is when they don't want to hear it and you don't feel like telling them - but do it anyway.
In the Soviet Union, Christians have many restrictions. They are not allowed to preach outside or go house to house. They have discovered one occasion where many non-Christians are present and it is acceptable to preach - funerals! As everyone gathers around the open grave the Russian pastor delivers a stirring salvation message, even calling for decisions. We would think it is inappropriate. They would say anytime is good to be saved!
A friend of mine has a great knack at witnessing to people "out of season". His name is Jimmy Hull and he operates a small evangelistic mission in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Before he became a Christian, he was a drug dealer, so his conversion means something to him. He makes it his business to tell others.
Once we were eating with Jimmy at a local diner. He asked the person next to him if he would please pass the salt. When the guy did, Jimmy thanked him and said, "Do you know Christians are the salt of the earth?" From that point on Jimmy had him hooked. It turned out the guy was already a Christian so they each shared their testimonies of how they came to the Lord. This isn't my style - but I admire those who can do it. It's what Paul means when he says, "Be instant in season and out of season."
Paul goes on to describe the effects our witnessing should have. He says it should correct, rebuke, and encourage. Correcting means to point out their sins. People need to realize they have failed to meet God's standards. An example in the Bible is John the Baptist's correction of King Herod (Mark 6:17-18 and Luke 3:19).
Rebuke means sin is not only pointed out, it is condemned. The church really doesn't do this much anymore. We may have the reputation of being condemning, but we rarely do it. Most churches are more concerned about pleasing people and having a good reputation. The early church took sin seriously - no matter who committed it.
Ambrose of Milan was a famous bishop in the fourth century. He never wanted to be a bishop, but the people of Milan forced him into it. Because of his position, Ambrose became close friends with Emperor Theodosius. Theodosius was a Christian but had a horrible temper. Ambrose never compromised with the emperor. He would tell him, "If a priest doesn't tell you the truth, who will?"
Theodosius had appointed one of his friends as governor of Thessalonica. This governor made a fatal mistake. He threw a famous charioteer into jail for cheating. Chariot racing was the Super Bowl of the 4th century, so the city rioted and killed the governor.
Emperor Theodosius became enraged. Ambrose begged him to cool down, but the Emperor refused. He ordered the whole city to be massacred. Later he tried to change the order, but it was too late. The population had been crammed into the amphitheater and soldiers spent three hours hacking up men, women and children.
News of the massacre reached Milan. The next Sunday, when the Emperor came to church, Ambrose wouldn't let him in. Theodosius pleaded for forgiveness (after all, he had changed the order). Ambrose told him to go away. Eight months later the emperor returned to the church. Again Ambrose wouldn't let him enter. In the end, the Emperor of Rome had to lie face down in the dirt before he was allowed to worship with the church again. Sin was taken that seriously.
What would happen today? Chuck Colson used to work closely with President Nixon. He said, "Of all the groups who were easiest to influence, Christians took the prize."
Finally a goal of our witnessing should be encouragement. This means we try to lift up people. Christianity isn't meant to crush people into the dust. We say it like it is, then show people how Christ can free them and give them joy.
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Typed on January 17, 2005, by Sharon Lesko of Ledgewood Baptist Church, New Jersey
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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