Paul says, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long- suffering and doctrine." (2 Tim 4:2) In this verse of Scripture, we have an important charge that we all, whether a preacher or not, need to fully understand. Let us analyze this charge.

First of all, we see the action that Timothy was commanded to do, namely, preach. The word preach means to proclaim like a herald or cry aloud. Before the days of the 6 O'clock news, towns' people used to receive news by way of a herald, which would yell in the streets important news. The preacher of the gospel has the Good News, and he needs to proclaim it. An illustration of preaching is found in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah says, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." (Isaiah 58:1)

Today, many preachers have gone the way of being motivational speakers or psychologist rather than proclaimers of the gospel - God's power unto salvation. (Rom 1:16, 17)

This brings up our next observation. The object to be preached is the Word. What word? Well of course, Paul is talking about the Word of God. This Word is the only word that can save us. We are told, however, that the Good News is out of date in this modern day. We are told, by their actions, that people need to hear things other than the Good News of God. We are burdened by a sickness, which is called sin. The only cure for this world's sin-sickness is God's counsel. The Word of God, as long as there is sin in the world, will never become out-dated. It perhaps is truly the only thing that is up to date! Let us demand the Gospel, the Word of God, for our nourishment, and let us become strong and build up our spiritual immune system.

This is what we truly need. Paul shows us what happens when we fail to preach the word. He continues, "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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim 4:3-4) Let us hold fast the Word of God and proclaim it as the apostle Paul exhorts us to do.

Eric