“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4 (Read 3:14 - 4:5)

What are ministers to preach from the pulpits and teach in their churches? The Apostle Paul leaves no question in his letter to Timothy: “Preach the Word.”

Though people may not always want to hear it, a minister’s job is to preach and apply God’s Word - nothing more and nothing less. His own opinions or the popular talk of the day have no place in the churches, for the churches belong to Christ Jesus and only His Word is to be taught there.

Jesus Himself, before His glorious ascension, commanded His disciples to teach (or disciple) the nations by going out, baptizing in the name of the Triune God and teaching them to observe all that He commanded (Matthew 28:18-20).

Why was Timothy to preach the Word, and why should ministers today use great care to do the same?It is God’s inspired and inerrant Holy Scriptures which make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (cf. 3:14-15). Through God’s Word, we come to see ourselves as we truly are - sinners deserving of God’s wrath and punishment - but the Word also tells us of Christ Jesus, His holy life in our stead and His innocent sufferings and death upon the cross for our sins and the sins of the whole world (cf. Romans 3:23-24; 1 John 1:7 - 2:2)).

As Paul wrote to Timothy, the inspired Scriptures are profitable and useful for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness that the man of God might be perfect or complete - having all he needs to live for Christ and serve Him with good works (3:16-17).

What we need to hear that the Holy Spirit might convince us of our sin and comfort us with forgiveness and life in Christ is the Word! What we need to hear and know if we desire to live for our God and Savior is the Word! It is through the Word that we are brought to faith and through the Word that we are kept and preserved in the faith unto life everlasting. And that same Word is our guide for holy living.

Though many ministers and churches seek to increase their numbers with new programs and other words which are pleasing to the world, they do nothing to build up the kingdom of Christ, for His kingdom is built when and where His Word is preached and proclaimed.Only Jesus has the words of eternal life, and only Jesus’ Word is to be proclaimed in His churches (cf. Ephesians 5:23ff.).

As Jesus said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Ministers and churches who desire the working of God’s Spirit and who desire life will preach Jesus’ Word - the Holy Scriptures - and nothing else!

Dear Lord Jesus, grant that we might hear Your Word and know You as our Savior, and grant us men who will faithfully preach Your Word, nothing more and nothing less. Amen.

For the Record, Pages 5 on 10/20/2010