“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to truth and wander into myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:1-4
Recently, I was listening to a podcast where a couple of pastors were discussing the importance of apologetics; knowing what you believe, why you believe it, and being able to defend our point of view. One thing that was mentioned in the podcast, and I believe is very important, is that pastors are not the only ones who need to know what they believe and why they believe it. The congregation must know, too. Yes, many people are not called to preach in the local church setting, but we are ALL called to be ministers of God’s word. Christ commanded us to go and make disciples in the Great Commission (Matt. 28). The passage in 2 Timothy says to be ready in season and out of season. Be ready when you least expect it. You never know when you will have to stand up for what you believe.
The time to stand up is now, if we think about it. Our country is at a crossroads. Many are clueless as to whether they should stand firm or fall into the pressure from the left wing society we live in. Sadly, we live in a culture where many people do not know what they believe. They tend to do what Paul warned Timothy of a long time ago. They go to a “church” where the preacher says exactly what they want to hear. And if that pastor says anything they do not like, they go to find another one. They wander into myths and lies.
Go where the Truth is being proclaimed. Go where you will hear God’s Word proclaimed, and let it convict you of your sin, however painful that maybe. Be filled with the Truth, know what you believe and why you believe it, and be a witness in the dark world. Preach the Gospel to those you come into contact with at your work places and schools.
Constantly pursue truth, and do not go according to the desires of the flesh to some church that says what you want to hear. We are very lucky to have someone like Bro. Dennis, who is not afraid to proclaim the Truth. Come, learn, and find out for yourself what God’s Word says, so that you may believe it, and be a witness to who He is.