WEDNESDAY'S WORD: 2 Timothy 4:2

"Preach the word!"
2 Timothy 4:2  

God used the Apostle Paul to teach and instruct Timothy concerning his walk of faith in pastoral ministry. Over and over again, Timothy was reminded of how important the word of God would be in his life. He was challenged to read the word, study the word, trust the word, obey the word, and to PREACH the word!​

The Greek word for preach is kerysso, which carries the idea of proclaiming openly, or heralding boldly. You may remember from history that cities, years ago, would have a town herald, or someone referred to as the town crier. This was an official and significant position that required new laws, important announcements, or any pertinent information that effected the security and well being of the citizens to be publicly proclaimed. The herald would usually wear very bold colored clothing to distinguish himself from the crowd, and lift up his voice loudly in proclaiming his message as he walked the streets of his city. When I think of these heralds in action, I am reminded of Isaiah 58:1, where the Bible says, "Cry aloud, spare not: Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins."

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This scenario also gives me a mental picture of the task of the "watchman on the wall" as described in the Old Testament. These men were strategically placed on the walls of the city to maintain security for the citizens. They were to remain alert at all times of their watch, perpetually scanning the horizon, and sound the alarm should they see anything that could be considered a threat. The alarm would allow anyone outside of the walls in the surrounding pastures and fields to take shelter within the city; It would give the soldiers adequate time to secure their weapons and to get into their defensive positions along the walls; And it would allow all of the gates to be quickly closed once everyone was inside and securely locked.

Preach the word, Paul commanded Timothy. Yes, if you continue reading, you'll discover that some will not desire to hear the truth. They would rather hear funny stories. They prefer "gospel" comedy routines, or some kind of religious drama performance, or perhaps they fancy fifty minutes of inspirational music with a twelve minute devotional thought. You know, a kind of "simple sermon for sinning saints." How sad and tragic, that some do not want to hear the cries of the town herald, they do not desire to be warned by the faithful watchman on the wall. Yet do you not realize that those with this kind of attitude are not directly hurting the herald, nor the watchman. They are harming and hurting themselves, their children, their grandchildren, and their fellow citizens by silencing the voice of the one sent to warn them of the impending dangers.

In these days in which we live, if you are a God-called pastor, missionary, or evangelist, PREACH THE WORD! The world doesn't need your stale jokes, your worn out clichés, nor your sanctified opinions. This world needs a double dose of the authority and power of the gospel of Christ! So my dear brother, "lift up your voice like a trumpet" and PREACH THE WORD!

And if you have not been called into some kind of preaching ministry, then please, PLEASE, set aside time each day to lovingly, personally, fervently, consistently, tearfully, and faithfully pray for your pastor, and for others that you know who shoulder the responsibility to preach the word.​

Thank you - God bless you!

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