Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living
and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in
season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:1-2

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. A charge
a) It is a command
b) It is to be taken seriously
c) This is not mere advice or a good suggestion!

2. Invoking the name of God and the Lord Jesus Christ
a) This strengthens the “charge”
b) This command is given in the mighty name of God and the Lord Jesus

3. The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ
Called “His appearing”
a) He will not return as a Baby in a manger in Bethlehem
b) He returns as the Judge
i) Of the living
ii) Of the dead
c) He will come and establish His kingdom

4. The Content of the solemn Charge (Command)
a) To preach the Word of God
i) It cannot be anything less than the Word of God

ii) This was what the prophets did
iii) This was what the Lord Jesus did as well
iv) This was the same commitment of the Apostles
v) This must be our commitment as pastors
b) Be ready
i) To constantly be ready at any time
ii) To always be fully prepared
iii) In season or out of season;
In good times and bad times)
c) Skills are involved
i) Convince
ii) Rebuke
iii) Exhort
iv) With all longsuffering (patience)
v) Teaching ability

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY

1. Improvement of skills
This must be a life-long commitment!

2. Inspiration
This is to be found in effective preaching and teaching

3. The Word of God
This must always be foremost in mind!
Let us make full use of every single opportunity to teach the Word of God!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan