Shalom,
Today I want to share from Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek - Volume 2":
END TIME ADVICE
But watch thou in all things, endure
afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. — 2 Timothy 4:5
Today I want to give you some end-time
ministry advice — advice that is very pertinent for the present times. You
might want to go back and review what we discussed in the September 26 Sparkling
Gem, because it is foundational to what I will share with you today. As we saw,
the Holy Spirit prophesied in Second Timothy 4:3-4 that doctrine would change
in the last days.
The Holy Spirit inspired these
writings in Second Timothy 4 to prepare us for what lies ahead, much
of which is already happening right now. He told us that when it comes to our
stance on the infallible, incorruptible Word of God, we should be dedicated to
correct interpretation and to teaching and preaching that is done with the
power of the Holy Spirit.
This is very important instruction
for us in a day when people are abandoning the sound teaching of doctrine.
Regardless of what others do, we must decide that we will remain clear
channels for the truth, even if it means we must put up with accusations
that we are too traditional and stuck in the past. This is God’s command
to us.
Then Paul wrote in verse 5, “…Make
full proof of thy ministry.” The Greek word for “full proof ” is plerophoreo,
which simply means fulfill. Paul was urging Timothy to complete his
ministry and bring it to its fullness. Although Paul was addressing Timothy
directly, he was also talking very specifically to us — to those who
would be alive at the end of the age. I believe this refers to our generation,
and it certainly explains why we see so much nonsense going on in the world
around us concerning the way people think and believe. This kind of deluded
thinking and believing has even crept into the Church.
The pure preaching of doctrine is
often replaced today with motivational speaking — nice, uplifting messages. In
fact, the majority of people in modern congregations are ignorant of the most
elementary aspects of New Testament doctrine. And very often, those who
occupy the pulpits — although they may be masterful communicators and rate
highly among motivational speakers — are equally uneducated in basic Bible
principles. Many of those who do know the Bible don’t preach it as strongly as
they once did because it’s not as popular as other types of messages. The
result of this compromise is a drift from the Holy Scriptures. And this
drift continues, seemingly unabated, while the doctrinal vacuum in the
Church is being filled with motivational messages and “new-and-improved”
church-growth programs. Yet when everything is said and done, only the
Bible has the power to permanently transform a life.
Friend, the Bible has not changed.
It’s still sharper than any two-edged sword (see Hebrews 4:12), and it’s
still the answer for everyone, whether it’s in written form or on your computer
or smart phone! The Bible is still the Word of God that has His very breath
infused within it. And if you’ll take it into your heart and release it, it
will put you on your feet again. It will heal your body, deliver your mind, and
bring peace and order to your children and your household!
So much of what “creeps” into your
home today is just a treadmill of information designed to keep you in a
continual state of learning, never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (see 2
Timothy 3:6-7). So if I could leave you with some valuable end-time advice
today, it would be to continue in the truth you know — found in
God’s holy, infallible, incorruptible Word.
You can rest assured that the Word of
God is, has been, and always will be unchanging, and it
will produce fruit in you if you will abide in it. God’s Word will perfectly
equip you to stand strong, unfaltering, and unwavering in the days that lie
ahead. Your part is simply to abide in His truth and continue in that
which you have learned from Him.
AMEN! The WORD of GOD is TRUTH! The only TRUTH! So get into it, learn it, love it, speak it, DO it and share it! Here is Hillsong with "Your Word":
Shalom in Him!
