ESOCS Devotional 28 July 2021
TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 4:1-18
MEMORY VERSE: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV).
It was important for Timothy to preach the gospel so that the Christian faith could spread throughout the world. We know, and believe in Christ today because people like Timothy were faithful to their mission. This means that it is vital that believers today must continue to spread the gospel. The torch was handed over, and it got to us today. We must not allow it to quench. We must preach the gospel of the kingdom.
One of the ultimate charges Paul gave Timothy from our passage was to “be instant in season, out of season”; which means to always be ready to preach the gospel, whether or not it is convenient. It means to preach the word urgently, persistently, and with conviction. This was the Great Commission Christ gave to His disciples shortly before He ascended into heaven (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15).
Beside the above, Paul’s two other charges were: – “Do the work of an Evangelist [verse 5] – to fulfil his call and to reach his potential, and “to run the race” – to emulate Paul who finished his race successfully and won the price [verses 7, 8]
Christ gave believers the same mandate to preach the gospel of repentance and remission of sin. It is the most important responsibility that the Church and its members have been given. We must be prepared, courageous, and sensitive to God-given opportunities to tell the Good News. We should use the gospel to “reprove”, “rebuke”, and “exhort”, but with patience because many will not accept the correction to change. However, no matter how it hurts them, we must press on. The torch light must not go off. Let us preach the Word because it is our ultimate charge.
- Identify the challenges hindering you and your church/branch from preaching the gospel.
- Pray against the challenges identified. Develop a plan for Evangelism and pray for its success.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 3:1-12, 4:23-25, 11:1; Luke 24:44- 48; Acts 1:3-8
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ESOCS Devotional 28 July 2021
