Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to
their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves
teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to
fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:3-5

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION
1. A warning about the future
a) This was very discerning of Paul
b) It was revealed to him by the Lord
2. The scene described is in the church (not in the world)
a) Sound doctrine
i) They will not like to listen to doctrines
ii) They will not hear them even if they are sound teachings
b) Own desires
i) They want to hear what pleases them
ii) Not truth that comes from sound and healthy doctrines
c) Their ears
i) Described as itchy ears
ii) These ears do not like to hear words of truth
d) Accumulating teachers
i) They will keep adding teachers
ii) These would teach what they want to hear

e) Inevitable results
i) They will turn away from the truth
ii) They will turn aside to fables

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY
1. Great care must be exercised
a) Watchfulness must be practised
b) Watchfulness in all matters
2. Afflictions
a) These may come
b) They may come in different forms
c) Afflictions must be endured
3. The work of evangelism
a) This must be practised
b) There are souls to be won
4. Our ministry
a) We have been given a ministry
b) Let us endeavour to fulfil our calling as pastors
i) Teaching
ii) Evangelizing
iii) Protecting the flock of God
iv) Praying

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan