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Sermon for November 11, 2012 - Preach The Word! - 2nd Timothy 4:1-4

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Sermon for December 30, 2012 - This Weeks sermon - Back To The Basics
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Sermon for November 11, 2012 - Preach The Word! - 2nd Timothy 4:1-4
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Sermon for January 22, 2012 - The Preaching Ministry Of Jesus - Matthew 4:12-17
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Sermon for June 12, 2011 - Sermon is - Introduction To Christian Apologetics
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Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

Lately it has been said to or of me that I am a hypocrite, practice what I preach, grow up, other ministers don’t get political, etc. – anyways you get the general picture. However this does not stand to reason because first and foremost it is the minister’s duty to preach what is both Biblical and Christian Doctrine – regardless of whom it hurts or makes to feel uncomfortable. Until, the mid 1950s – ministers were quite active in political venues but with the passing of Senator Johnson’s bill during the mid 50s it became illegal for those that are in a tax free status to speak on politics. I neither take a tax free status nor would I ever take one as it is the duty of a minister to preach to their flock on sin regardless where it is found and if that means not being politically/socially correct; then so-be-it.

 

The Sermon for this week is: Preach The Word! - 2nd Timothy 4:1-4 - 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; {4:2} Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. {4:3} 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; {4:4} And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

1. A solemn charge was given by Paul to Timothy:

 

a. In view of the coming of the Lord and His judgment - 2nd Timothy 4:1 - 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; Observe:

How awful this charge is introduced (v. 4:1): I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (a live person) and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Take notice - the best of men have need to be awed at the discharge of their duty. The work of a minister is not an indifferent thing that you put on or take off when you want, but it’s an absolute where the Scripture must be preached as they are written regardless of those who may be offended - “woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1st Corinthians 9:16.  Paul’s charge is to the minister and reminds him that:

1)      That the eyes of God and Jesus Christ are upon him: I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ; that is to say; “While you’re preaching the Word of God and Jesus Christ; you must continually prove yourself to God and Christ by preaching the natural and revealed religion, and that your word will only be those of God and not man’s if you are to be redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ.”

2)      Paul charges to the minister is that he will have to answer to his ministry at the great day, reminding him of the judgment to come, which is committed to the Lord Jesus. He shall judge the quick and the dead on Judgment Day in His Kingdom. It is advisable to all, both ministers and people, to seriously consider the accounts of their thoughts, beliefs, and actions if they differ from Scripture - which they must give to Jesus Christ. Christ shall judge the quick and the dead; that is, He will judge those on Judgment Day that still live and those who were dead shall be raised to life out of the grave.

 

Note: (1) The Lord Jesus Christ shall judge the quick and the dead. God hath committed all judgment unto the Son, and hath appointed him the Judge of quick and dead, Acts 10:42 - And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. (2) He will appear; he will come the second time, and it will be a glorious appearance, as the word epiphaneia signifies. (3) Then his kingdom shall appear in its glory: At his appearing and kingdom; for he will then appear in his kingdom, sitting on a throne, to judge the world.

 

b. Pertaining to preaching the Word of God - 2nd Timothy 4:2-4 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. {4:3} 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; {4:4} And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

 

Observe, (1.) A minister must expect afflictions in the faithful discharge of his duty. (2.) He must endure them patiently, like a Christian hero. (3.) These must not discourage him in his work, for he must do his work, and fulfill his ministry. (4.) The best way to make full proof of our ministry is to fulfill it, to fill it up in all its parts with proper work.

 

2. It is a charge that should be consider carefully by all:

 

a. By those who preach the Word, in response to the Great Commission - Mark 16:15 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

b. By those who send and support those who preach - cf. Romans 10:15 - And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

 

c. What is mandatory of the charge, v. 4:2-4 – The minister is charged:

1)      To preach the word. This is the ministers' primary business; a command is committed to them. It is not their own personal emotions and views that they are to preach, but only the pure word of God as it is written - 2nd Corinthian 2:17 - For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

2)      To press with all earnestness upon his flock the urgency in what he preaches: "Be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort; do this work with all intensity of their spirit. Call upon those under their charge to take heed of sins they commit; call upon them to repent, believe in the Lord, live a holy life, and do this always whether they are with other Christians, non-believer, or along. A Christian must not only follows God’s Teachings when they are at leisure to hear the minister or when some special opportunity happens on them and they hear the Word of God from someone else. They must also do it at all time because they nor the minister knows when Spirit of God may fasten upon them - Ecclesiastes 11:6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. We must always strive to do this when with others, that is, do not let an opportunity slip by; and do it when others are not nearby, that is, not shift off the duty, under pretence that out of sight out of mind.

3)      He must tell people of their faults: "Reprove them, rebuke them. Convince wicked people of the evil and danger of their wicked courses. Endeavour, by dealing plainly with them, to bring them to repentance. Rebuke them with gravity and authority, in Christ's name, that they may take thy displeasure against them as an indication of God's displeasure." Sadly this is a major failing of most ministers in today’s society, which is due primarily to the lack of men attending services and the softening of the image of Christ. Through this many have come to believe that Jesus Christ was a soft person, not easy to anger. Nothing could farther from the truth, Jesus would have easily have been considered a Man’s Man in today’s society. He took on the High Priests and Scholars on Doctrinal Laws and Rules of which most of them could have easily gotten Him stoned to Death, He went into the Temple and armed with only a small whip he drove out the money changers (this would have included numerous men and their guards, and the Temple guards who were there to protect the money changers because the Priest were getting the share of the profits also). But most of all Jesus had no problem speaking about Hell and the dangers facing those who do not believe. Christ spoke about the dangers of Hell to sinners more than 3 times as much as he spoke of Heaven.

4)      The minister must direct, encourage, and hold on to those who began well. "Exhort them (persuade them to hold on, and endure to the end) and this with all long-suffering and doctrine."

a)      He must do it very patiently: With all long-suffering. "The minister must continually strive to save his flock even if they do not see early results from their labor, never give up on the cause; do not become tired of speaking to them." While God shows to them all long-suffering, let ministers exhort with all long-suffering.

b)      The minister must do it rationally, not with passion or emotions, but with sound Christian and Biblical Doctrine, that is, "In order to turn them to doing good Christian practices, instill into them good principles. Teach them the truth as it is in Jesus, reduce them to a firm belief Christian and Biblical Doctrine, and this will be a means both to reclaim them from evil and to bring them to good." Observe, [1] A minister's work has various parts: he is to preach the word, to reprove, rebuke, and exhort. [2] He is to be very diligent and careful; he must be instant in season and out of season; he must spare no pains nor labor, but must be urgent with them to take care of their souls and their eternal concerns.

 

 [Our text reveals that not all preaching is the same. There is that which pleases God, there is that which clearly displeases Him. With the words of Paul before us, let’s first examine...]

 

I. PREACHING THAT PLEASES GOD:

 

A. PREACHING THAT IS EVER READY:

 

1. “Be ready in season and out of season” - 2nd Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

2. Preaching that reveals a degree of preparation; i.e., study that shows:

a. One has given attention to reading, and to doctrine - cf. 1st Timothy 4:13 - Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. ; 1st Timothy 4:16 - Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

b. One has been diligent in their learning - cf. 2nd Timothy 2:15 - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ; 2nd Timothy 3:14 - But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

 

3. Preaching that is ready on all occasions:

a. in season - “seasonably, opportunely; when the opportunity occurs” - Thayer

b. out of season - “a minister is to seek opportunities to preach the gospel even at such periods as might be inconvenient to himself, or when there might be hindrances and embarrassments, or when there was no stated appointment for preaching.” - Barnes

 

B. PREACHING THAT CONVINCES:

 

1. “convince” - 2nd Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

a. “reprove” (KJV, NASB)

b. “correct” (NIV)

 

2. “to use such arguments as would ‘convince’ men of the truth of religion, and of their own need of it.” - Barnes

 

3. As Paul did in the synagogues - cf. Acts 17:2-3 - And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, {17:3} Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. ; Acts 19:8 - And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

 

C. PREACHING THAT REBUKES:

 

1. “rebuke” - 2nd Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

2. “to admonish or charge sharply” - Thayer

 

3. “chide for sin; some privately, others more publicly, according to the nature and circumstances of the offense; some more gently, others more roughly, as is needful.” - Gill

 

4. So Paul likewise charged Titus - cf. Titus 2:15 - These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

 

D. PREACHING THAT EXHORTS:

 

1. “exhort” - 2nd Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

2. “to encourage and strengthen by consolation” - Thayer

 

3. “as the ministers of the Gospel are in some cases to be ‘Boanergeses’, sons of thunder, so other cases they should be Barnabases, sons of consolation; and comfort distressed minds, by preaching the comfortable doctrines of peace, pardon, righteousness and salvation by Jesus Christ.” - Gill

 

E. PREACHING THAT IS LONGSUFFERING:

 

1. “with all longsuffering” - 2nd Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

2. “patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs” - Thayer

 

3. “with a patient and persevering spirit if you are opposed;” - Barnes

 

4. Shown toward both the faint-hearted and hardhearted - cf. 1st Thessalonians 5:14 - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all. ; 2nd Timothy 2:24-25 - And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men,] apt to teach, patient, {2:25} In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

 

F. PREACHING THAT IS DOCTRINAL:

 

1. “and teaching” - 2nd Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

a. “doctrine” (KJV)

b. “instruction” (NASB)

 

2. “that which is taught, doctrine, teaching, concerning something; the act of teaching, instruction” - Thayer

 

3. “in a way that is instructive and teaching, and in agreement with the doctrine of the Scriptures, which are profitable for that purpose.” - Gill

 

[Preaching that pleases God is “well-rounded”: ready at all times, seeking to persuade, rebuking when necessary, yet with all longsuffering instructing others in the doctrine of the Lord. Contrast that with...]

G. THE REASON TO ENFORCE THE CHARGE:

 

1. Over time if the minister is not strong and does not preach the Word of God as written without personal feeling or falling into the worldly trap of trying to be politically/socially correct the church (Body of Christ) will become corrupt. During the past two decades we have seen many churches begin to accept politically/socially correct doctrine with a covering of being faithful to God over Biblical/Christian Doctrine. Some of the main stream protestant churches have even began accepting practicing Gays as spiritual leaders within their churches. This again is due to the feminizing of Jesus and the belief that He said “Love the sinner and hate the Sin” which cannot be found anywhere in the Holy Scriptures. Over the years active practicing gays have entered the church and gained high positions within the churches, along with those that falsely interpret Greek Text into English (knowing full well that 99 percent of the Christian body cannot read or will not ever learn Greek). But even more than that they also know that less than 10 percent of all Christians will ever read the Holy Scriptures therefore they can falsely state that the Bible in reference to same sex is only telling straight men or women to not engage in same sex activity  

 

2. Because errors and heresies were likely to creep into the church, by which the minds of many professing Christians would be corrupted (v. 4:3-4): "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine. Therefore improve the present time, when they will endure it. Be busy now, for it is seedtime; when the fields are white unto the harvest, put in the sickle, for the present gale of opportunity will be soon over. They will not endure sound doctrine. There will be those who will heap to themselves corrupt teachers, and will turn away their ears from the truth; and therefore secure as many as thou canst, that, when these storms and tempests do arise, they may be well fixed, and their apostasy may be prevented." People must hear, and ministers must preach, for the time to come, and guard against the mischief that are likely to arise hereafter, though they do not yet arise. They will turn away their ears from the truth; they will grow weary of the old plain gospel of Christ, and then they will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them, and God will give them up to those strong delusions, because they received not the truth in the love of it, 2nd Thessalonians 2:11-12 - And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: {2:12} That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

 

Observe: (1.) These teachers were of their own heaping up, and not of God's sending; but they chose them, to gratify their lusts, and to please their itching ears. (2.) People do so when they will not endure sound doctrine, that preaching which is searching, plain, and to the purpose; then they will have teachers of their own. (3.) There is a wide difference between the word of God and the word of such teachers; the one is sound doctrine, the word of truth, the other is only fables. (4.) Those that are turned unto fables first turn away their ears from the truth, for they cannot hear and mind both, any more than they can serve two masters. Nay, further, it is said, They shall be turned unto fables. God justly suffers those to turn to fables who grow weary of the truth, and gives them up to be led aside from the truth by fables.

 

3. I am grateful that we are no longer under the Law of Moses, with its extremely harsh punishments although under the New Covenant much harsher punishments for similar unrepented crimes are simply being delayed till the Day of Judgment, cf. Hebrews 10:26-31 - For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, {10:27} But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. {10:28} He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: {10:29} Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? {10:30} For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. {10:31} It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

4. As Paul wrote in Romans 7:12 - Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. And later wrote in Romans 15:4 - For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Taken in its simplest form Paul is stating although we are no longer under the Law of Moses for its strict punishment we are under its moral guidance and will be required to pay the penalty at Judgment Day therefore when Paul speaks out against homosexuality he is making it very clear that homosexual conduct is “an abomination” to the Lord! 1st Corinthians 6:9-10 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, {6:10} Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. In this passage, Paul uses two terms that are translated above as “homosexuals” and “sodomites.” The first term, translated “homosexuals” (“effeminate” in the KJV) is malakos (malakos), and is defined by Thayer as: “effeminate, of a catamite, a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness” The word translated as “sodomites” (“abusers of themselves with mankind” in the KJV) is arseennokoiittaii (arsenokoitai), and is defined by Thayer as: “one who lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite”

 

5. Paul’s warning not to be deceived is very appropriate even today, for some homosexual theologians would have us believe that Paul was only condemning male prostitution. Whereas the first word (malakos) does properly speak of a male prostitute, the second word (arsenokoitai) describes any sort of homosexual conduct. Despite such efforts to twist the Scriptures and deceive many, the Word of God is clear: those who continue to engage in homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God! Paul also uses the word “arsenokoitai” (the generic term for homosexual conduct) as an example of that which is: cf. 1st Timothy 1:10-11 - For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; {1:11} According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.  Since the “sound doctrine” of the gospel of Christ condemns even sexual relations between unmarried heterosexuals, it should not be hard to understand that sex between unmarried homosexuals is wrong as well! As for “married” homosexuals, the institution of marriage which was begun and defined by God only allows for sex between a man and a woman (cf. Genesis 2:24 - Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.; Matthew 19:4-6 - And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, {19:5} And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

 

6. The “classic” passage which deals with the sin of homosexual conduct is that of Romans 1:18-28. In this passage, Paul discusses the wrath of God which is directed toward those who do not honor God: Romans 1:18-23 - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; {1:19} Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. {1:20} For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: {1:21} Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {1:22} Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, {1:23} And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

 

7. In regards to men whom God has “given up” to uncleanness, Paul writes: Romans 1:27 - And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. In similar fashion, many of those men who have been “given up” by God to uncleanness eventually leave the “natural use of the woman” and turn to other men to fulfill their lustful desires. As Paul reiterates in the next verse:  Romans 1:28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

 

II. PREACHING THAT DISPLEASES GOD:

 

A. PREACHING UNSOUND DOCTRINE:

 

1. The time will come when some will not endure ‘sound doctrine’ - 2nd Timothy 4:3 - 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;

a. Lit., “healthful doctrine”

b. “doctrine contributing to the health of the soul, or to salvation.” - Barnes

 

2. Times of which Paul had already warned Timothy

a. When people will give heed to deceiving spirits - 1st Timothy 4:1-2 - 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; {4:2} Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

b. When people will be lovers of self and pleasure - 2nd Timothy 3:1-2 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. {3:2} For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

 

3. They will want to hear things ‘according to their own desires’ - 2nd Timothy 4:3 - 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;

a. That justifies their sinful behavior, rather than rebukes them for it

b. When guilty of things “contrary to sound doctrine” (e.g., sodomy) - cf. 1st Timothy 1:10 - For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

c. Not being told such things are ‘unhealthy’ to their soul (e.g., homosexuality) - cf. 1st Corinthians 6:9-10 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, {6:10} Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

 

B. PREACHING TO ENTERTAIN:

 

1. People will have “itching ears” - 2nd Timothy 4:3 - 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;

a. “loving to have their ears scratched and tickled with smooth things; that are pleasing and agreeable to natural men, and carnal minds;” - Gill

b. “Endless curiosity, an insatiable desire of variety; and they get their ears tickled with the language and accent of the person, abandoning the good and faithful preacher for the fine speaker.” - Clarke

c. They will love to hear even true preachers, if they are eloquent - cf. Ezekiel 33:30-33 - Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. {33:31} And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness. {33:32} And, lo, thou [art] unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. {33:33} And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.

 

2. They will “heap for themselves teachers” - 2nd Timothy 4:3 - 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;

a. There will be plenty of teachers willing to accommodate them

b. People will find the teachers that please them

 

3. The sad result of such preaching - 2nd Timothy 4:4 - And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

a. People “will turn their ears away from the truth”

1) The truth of God will not interest them

2) They will have no time to hear what the truth has to say

b. They will “be turned aside to fables”

1) “Believe any kind of stuff and nonsense;” - Clarke

2) “as one has justly observed, ‘Those who reject the truth are abandoned by the just judgment of God to credit the most degrading nonsense.’” - ibid.

3) Or as attributed to G. K. Chesterton: “He who does not believe in God will believe in anything.”

 

CONCLUSION

 

1. The truthfulness of the words by Clarke, Chesterton, and Apostle Paul can easily be seen today:

a. People will reject the Word of God, but believe in witchcraft, UFOs, channeling, etc.

b. People will reject the Gospel of Christ, but accept religious traditions of men

c. People reject “sound doctrine”, but accept “unhealthy teaching” that endangers body and soul

2. The problem is the type of “preaching” people want to listen to...

a. They listen to be entertained, to justify fulfilling the lusts of the flesh

b. They do not listen to be saved, to learn the way of righteousness

3. Ministers are more concern with pleasing the people and making God more manlike than teaching sound Biblical and Christian Doctrine. As for myself I would much rather go fight Satan one-on-one than to be one of those ministers (especially those that are active homosexuals) that are preaching false doctrine. Those that preach false doctrine and cause others to follow those teachings as truth will pay an extreme punishment.

4. However, just like the ministers that preach false doctrines, those that follow their teachings when they know them to be untrue will also pay an extreme punishment.

 

Those who dare to preach, and those who desire to hear, should make sure the preaching is that which pleases God! Have you responded in obedience to the preaching of God’s Word...? Romans 6:17-18 - But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {6:18} Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

 

Mark 16:15-16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Prayer: Lord I truly thank You for giving me the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will give them Your eternal blessings and accept them into Your heart - this  I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Ephesians 6:23-24 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.