Hi brothers and sisters, let us read 2 Timothy 4 today, in a letter Paul wrote to his apprentice, Timothy. In verse 2 to 5 it says, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” 

Now, in the churches today and all around, one of the greatest weakness is this area, where people hear the teachings that their ears itch for, the hearts seek after, steering away from the gospel that is grounded in God’s word.

But in verse 5, it says, “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Always Be Sober Minded

Many times, we hear ourselves or people around saying, “God’s word is too deep, too hard to understand. Submitting to God is so tough.” They cannot see the value nor the goodness, because perhaps, they do not see some visible results or it is tedious to go against our own will. Or there are also those who are really smart or use their own knowledge and experiences to preach the Word. So, many turn to these messages that suits their passions and heart’s desires because it is relative to their situation and captivating. They give good tips and fresh inspiration. And because men are lovers of self, we are very drawn by these things that appeals to their needs. When I was a young believer, I have had moments like that where I search for sermons based on my emotional needs or what can give me good life application. 

However, the Word of God is not such. It is not a gospel that suits people’s desires. It starts with what He says first, then the Holy Spirit’s work in us through our reality as we pour in the truth to our hearts and minds. God’s truth builds us up through our weaknesses, but it also tells us to be at work against our old self, battling with our flesh daily. It does not just talk about the blessings but the consequences that comes with turning away and disobeying the Lord when we follow our ways and the ways of the world. It talks about obedience and submission to God that leads to us seeing the promises of God at work in our lives, not some other relevant ways or shortcuts. 

So brothers and sisters, let us always be sober minded, as Paul says. And how do we be sober minded? By “enduring sound teaching” (v3) even when it seems hard for us today. By learning and sharing the Word (v1) so that we internalise it deeper than just gaining more information or checking off our bible reading app. And this prepares our faith, to be ready to defend the Word and exalt God in every season of our lives (v1). As Paul shares these verses to Timothy that we read, it is not just a tip for an apprentice, but also a warning. Paul anticipates that these things might cause Timothy to be shaken. That perhaps when Timothy preaches, people may not like it because it does not soothe the itch on their ears. Or he may not exude that kind of charisma, fancy words or speech techniques other false teachers might have. He might be disheartened. But Paul tells him to endure it and keep getting God’s full gospel out there. This is the work and ministry God calls him into and will lead him through. 

The Aroma To Exude

And indeed, the world can make us feel like we are not exuding the right vibes or conditions. We are not smart enough, rich enough, high status enough, good background enough, great career path enough. But 2 Corinthians 2:15-17, Paul reminds us of the aroma we should be keeping in step to exude instead. “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” We are not in our roles to merely feel good or strive to reach a target that suits our inclinations. Neither do we want to become paddlers of God’s words nor be the receiver of the truncated truth these peddlers of the gospel gives. But we want to be sincere to knowing who we are, who we need and “speak in Christ”. How do we speak in Christ? By first focusing on the language of Christ and living it out in the way we go about with life. This is something that Paul keeps telling Timothy throughout the verses. Not any methods but back to the Word.

Endure Sound Teaching

So brothers and sisters, the purpose of the Word we learn is to help us learn how to seek God and to know His will better and clearer, leading us to further humility and submission. There are some who go for Bible Studies but do not seek the Lord in their day to day walk; or those who seek for how God is teaching them to become a better version of themselves. Those are not what God intends for us. What God intends is for His people to know His heart more, be more aware about what He might be doing through different situations, pursue Him and follow Him, even if it contradicts our preferences. Then, as we rely and submit to His leading even in our hurdles, we are fulfilling whatever portion God has commissioned to us (v5). 

May the Lord help us, through Paul’s verses, to see what is our ultimate goal of living in Christ and in His language. So that we may be unshaken and discerning in our realities.