February 29, 2016 - Paul told Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 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; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:2-4).
As Paul writes this young preacher he warns him that the day will come when “Christians” will not want the absolute, unfiltered truth of the gospel. They will want a more “touchy feely” non-offensive version of Jesus.
Preaching the gospel involves telling folks what they need not necessarily what they want. It involves rebuking for sin and for straying from the truth. And doing it in season and out of season, in other words reproving and exhorting even when it will not go over very well with the congregation. Is there ever a comfortable time to reprove and rebuke? As a preacher I have not found one yet.
As Paul said “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 we see this today, many people are more loyal to a man than the truth. It was true in Bible days and it is true today. Remember Paul said they will heap to themselves teachers, in other words they will heap up teachers that will tell them what they want to hear and not what they need to hear. Itching ears can always be scratched. But a scratched ear is not the same as enduring sound doctrine.
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 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; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:2-4).
Church email: northsidecoccenter@gmail.com
If you would like to receive our weekly bulletin via email, then just send us your request and we will be happy to put you on the list!
