THE PUBLIC CHARGE
Preach the Word of God
Finally, you are charged with the role of a prophet – not in the sense that you have insight into future events but the Biblical sense of a prophet – one who speaks God’s Word. You are charged to preach.
You are not in the business of anything less than the piercing of men’s hearts with God’s truth, not tickling their ears. You are to do nothing for personal gain; whether money, popularity or perceived influence. The Word of God is seldom popular in the public square. Again referring to the words of Paul, “1- This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
As a “piercer of men’s hearts”, simply preaching the Word of God in a vague sense is not sufficient. The Word of God must be administered into lives at the particular point that God directs. The word of Martin Luther is appropriate: ” If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battlefield besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.”
Therefore, I borrow from the words of Paul again to charge you in this: “1-I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering 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.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
Do you accept the public charge to preach the Word of God?
