PREACH THE WORD: Pointers from Paul for End-time Evangelism

Trevor Ferguson

July 1, 2018

1^st Timothy 4:1-2
¹ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
² Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

2^nd Timothy 3:1-5
¹ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
⁴ Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

2^nd Timothy 4:1-5
¹ I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
² Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
³ 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;
⁴ And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
⁵ But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

**Message delivered for opening session at bethel United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic) Convocation 2018**

INTRODUCTION

The theme for this year’s convocation calls on us to examine our approach to evangelism in the end-time and discover how we can operate in the miraculous power of God. For today’s message, I will focus on the broad principles of end-time evangelism and our approach to preaching the gospel in the end-time.

Now, some may ask, what do we mean by the end-time?

The end-time refers to the period preceding the return of Jesus Christ, when he will come to take his church out of the world and execute judgment up mankind. The bible refers to this period as the “last days” or “latter times”, in several Old and New Testament passages, while in the book of Daniel, this period is referred to as the “time of the end”. For us today the end-time refers to the period of time from the present to the time of Christ’s return; but in a broader context the end-time can refer to the period of time spanning the entire church age (from Pentecost to the return of Jesus Christ). Indeed, the Apostles expected Christ to return within their life time, and in every generation since then, believers have actively looked for the coming of Christ in their days.

We note that the theme presupposes that we are living in the end-time and that the return of Jesus Christ will be sometime soon, so this can be taken as given. It is important to note that 'soon' does not denote a specific or maximum number of days or years but suggest that Jesus could come at any time in the near future, including today! However, as Peter points out, a day with the Lord is like a thousand years and a thousand years as one day, therefore no one has the authority to put a date on the timing of Christ's return. In fact, the scriptures clearly teach that no one knows the day, or the hour in which the Lord will return, not even the angels in heaven. Therefore, we will actively look or watch for Christ’s return at any time during our life time; but we must also understand that that it is quite possible that his return may take longer than we think.

The major responsibility for the church in the end-time is to preach the gospel message. The passage of focus for this year's convocation, instructs us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; in short, we are commanded to evangelize. The question posed indirectly by the theme is how do we approach evangelism in the end-time? Do we need special methods? Do we need new methods? How do we structure our evangelistic strategies in the end-time?

As I reflected on the theme, I was directed to book of 2nd Timothy and Paul's charge to Timothy, his son in the gospel, with regards to his ministry in the end-time. Now Paul is regarded by many as the greatest evangelist of all times; in less than three decades he evangelized all of Asia Minor and significant parts of Europe! He raised up great churches and his ministry was accompanied by miracles of healing, raising of the dead and casting out devils. He was operating in the miraculous. Clearly if we want to learn evangelism, we must listen to Paul. So today I would like to share with you what I would like to call "Pointers from Paul for End-time Evangelism"

The text comes to us from 1^st Timothy 4: 1-2, 2^nd Timothy 3:1-5 & 2^nd Timothy 4: 1-5

The message can be summed up in three words "PREACH THE WORD!", which I will use as the main theme or take-home message today. If you remember nothing else today, don’t forget: PREACH THE WORD!

EXPOSITION

For the rest of our deliberations today, I want us to focus on three main points highlighting the context in which we evangelize in the end-time, the content of the end-time evangelistic message and our attitude and approach to end-time evangelism.

Point #1: People in the end-time will not like sound doctrine

This relates to the background or context within which we evangelize. The scriptures in 1^st Timothy 4:1-2, 2^nd Timothy 3:1-5 and 2nd Timothy 4: 3-4 illustrates this well. 1^st Timothy 4 tells us that in the end-time there will be great apostasy. Many will abandon true biblical faith and will instead will follow after seducing, deceptive spirits, and doctrines or teachings of demonic origin! This is happening today! Not only are we seeing strange teachings being promoted by many, but we also see persons who openly worship Satan!

In 2^nd Timothy 3, Paul outlines for Timothy at least 18 characteristics of people in the end-time. It is important to note these, so that we understand the people to whom we must minister. People will be: 1) lovers of their own selves, 2) covetous [i.e. lovers of money], 3) boasters, 4) proud, 5) blasphemers [abusive, slanderers], 6) disobedient to parents, 7) unthankful [ungrateful], 8) unholy, 9) without natural affection [i.e. without love], 10) trucebreakers [unforgiving, merciless], 11) false accusers [slanderers], 12) incontinent [i.e. without self-control], 13) fierce [brutal, cruel], 14) despisers of those that are good, 15) traitors [betrayers], 16) heady [rash, reckless], 17) high minded [i.e. conceited, puffed up with pride], 18) lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

When we understand that these are the types of persons to whom we must evangelize, we realize the end-time evangelism is no small feat. People will not be easily won over; We can’t just go around having church as usual, sing a few songs, preach half-prepared sermons, and expect people will respond in large numbers. That won’t work! We have to get back to the power and presence of God, so that the anointing can break the yolk; We must break through the powers of darkness, so that the light of the glorious gospel to shine through! We need the power and the presence of God!

How do we get there?  This brings us to point #2

Point #2 The end-time evangelist must preach the word!

This was most likely Paul’s final word to the church, his final charge to Timothy. He knew that death was near, and he had one final charge for his son. From the deep recesses of his inner being and calling on God as his witness, he wrote his final charge, summarized in three words: PREACH THE WORD! We note the use of the word ‘therefore’ in verse 1 of 2^nd Timothy 4. This suggest that we must look at the preceding text. We have just looked at 2 Timothy 3:1-5, so we know that this speaks to our response in a context of a depraved, apostate world.

So, how do you evangelize in this fierce, self-loving, pleasure seeking, apostate world? PREACH THE WORD! We note also that verses 16 - 17 of chapter 3 also provide additional rationale for Paul’s charge. Listen to what Paul says:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Note therefore, that if we are to preach the word, we must be familiar with the word! Listen also to Paul’s word to Timothy in 2^nd Timothy 2:15:  

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

We further emphasize that the word of God is powerful and effective. This is illustrated in Hebrews 4:12:  

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  

It is clear therefore that the word of God has the power to penetrate human thought and to convict mankind of sin. Our words may have some power, but they are impotent when compared to the word of God. If we are going to effectively evangelise in the end-time, we must PREACH THE WORD.

I would also like to make some secondary points that follows on the charge to preach the word; we want to look at when to preach, what to preach and how to preach. 

Point 2 (a) The end-time evangelist must be ready to preach at all times. Paul charges Timothy to be instant, to be prepared and ready to preach at all times, whether the conditions are favourable or unfavourable, whether the people are willing to hear or hostile; the end-time preacher must be bold, thick-shinned, broad-backed, not easily discouraged.

Point 2 (b) The end-time preacher must correct, rebuke and encourage. This speaks to the content of the message. The end-time preacher must correct misinformation or error; he must rebuke sin and false teachers and their teaching; he must encourage those are seeking after God, he must encourage those that are growing in Christ, he must encourage the weak and feeble minded. The content of the end-time message must be bible-based, comprehensive and complete.

Point 2 (c) The end-time preacher must exercise great patience and provide careful instruction.  This speaks to the issue of how to preach. Our attitude and posture while we preach is equally important as our content; because if we have good content and bad attitude we will not be successful. Paul says we should exercise great patience (long suffering). People will often take some time to respond to the gospel message. We must patiently wait as we continue to proclaim the word and pray for Divine revelation.

The end-time preacher must also provide careful instruction. Isaiah 28:10 says
“… precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” We need to ensure that the word is presented in a logical, sequential manner that everyone can understand. We cannot presume that people are familiar with complex doctrinal issues, but we must take them through step by step.

Point #3 The end-time evangelist must be vigilant and prepared for all facets of ministry

This second section of Paul’s charge to Timothy now turns the focuses on the preacher. It is important to recognise that the attitude and mindset of the preacher is critical to the effectiveness of the message.  So, as we look at verse 5 of 2^nd Timothy 4, I would like to emphasize four subpoints pertaining to the end-time preacher. These are self-explanatory, so I will just let them speak for themselves.

Point 3 (a) The end-time evangelist must keep a clear mind, being sober and vigilant at all times

Point 3 (b) The end-time evangelist must be prepared to endure hardship and should not be afraid to suffer for the gospel

Point 3 (c) The end-time evangelist must consistently evangelize both within the local church community and where necessary as an itinerant preacher 

Point 3 (d) The end-time evangelist must discharge all the duties of his/her ministry 

If we put these into practice, I firmly believe that we will see great success, we will see miracles, signs and wonders, and the name of Jesus will be magnified.

LIVE THE WORD

Now some may say that I am not a preacher and therefore, this word does not apply to me. That is far from the truth. This word applies to you! The preacher or evangelist is not limited to those who preach behind a pulpit, but all of us are preachers and evangelists in one way or another. In all our interactions with family, friends, co-workers, fellow students or the people in our communities, we must preach the word, and more importantly we must LIVE THE WORD!  In this sense we become, as Paul said to the Corinthians, living epistles or walking sermons, seen and read by all. This applies to each and every Christian. Just as the preacher must preach, every Christian must live!

So, the we can extend the sermon theme; We have already declared that the end-time evangelist must PREACH THE WORD; Now we can add, every Christian must LIVE THE WORD!

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

In conclusion therefore, as we open Convocation 2018, we have shown that we are living in the last days, a period characterized by self-love, self-indulgence and apostacy, the end-time evangelist must:

•        Preach the Word
•        Be ready to preach at all times
•        Correct, rebuke and encourage
•        Exercise great patience and provide careful instruction
•        Be vigilant and prepared for all facets of ministry
•        Keep a clear mind, being sober and vigilant at all times
•        Be prepared to endure hardship and should not be afraid to suffer for the gospel
•        Consistently evangelize both within the local church community and where necessary as an itinerant preacher
•       The end-time evangelist must discharge all the duties of his/her ministry

Every Christian must LIVE THE WORD

God bless you all, as we put these words into practice. In Jesus Name!