WHAT IS THE PREACHER HERE TO DO ANYWAY?
2 Timothy 4:1-8
Paul Watson
One of the interesting things about the offices in the church we see described in the New Testament
is that each one of them is modeled after some aspect of Christ’s character. The deacons (or
servants) are called to serve as Christ served. The elders (or shepherds/pastors) shepherd as Christ
shepherded. Now, the work of a preacher is in something of a different category than those two
offices, but the preacher/evangelist is called to preach as Christ preached. And the spreading of the
Gospel, through preaching, and through all other appropriate means of proclamation, is a legitimate
work of the church, if you need evidence of that look to 2 Timothy 4 where the Apostle Paul
charges Timothy with a laundry list of things an evangelist is to keep in mind, but the central theme
is: PREACH THE WORD. How are we to do that? Christ shows us the way. And notice I’m saying
US. Because though the preacher may facilitate the evangelism efforts in a congregation, he is not
the only worker, or he had better not be.
So what is the work of an evangelist? What is the preacher here to do anyway?
I. WHAT THE PREACHER ISN’T HERE TO DO
A. Be a band aid on every problem the church has.
B. Labor alone.
C. Tell you jokes and make you feel good.
D. Berate you for your every failure or sin.
E. Spoonfeed you easy answers.
F. Let complacent Christians comfortable.
II. WHAT THE PREACHER IS HERE TO DO
A. Paul, before telling him anything, charges Timothy by Jesus the judge, and his appearing,
and his kingdom. (v. 1)
B. Preach the word (v. 2)
C. Be ready in season and out of season.
D. Reprove.
E. Rebuke.
F. Exhort.
G. Complete patience and teaching.
H. Ward off false teaching (v. 3, 4)
I. Stay focused on the mission (v. 5)
J. Finish the race (v. 6, 7)
K. Inherit a crown of life (v. 8)