Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT – I solemnly urge you in the presence of – Bible Gateway
“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2 NLT
A lot of Christians think only pastors are to be preachers. They surmise pastors are more qualified in reaching people than those sitting in the pews. There is a lot of truth to that, but not in all areas. People exist all around us that the pastor will never reach. One reason is that the pastor obviously does not know every person in your sphere of influence. He cannot reach them, but you can. And if no pastor is available to preach the Word to them, you’re it my friend.
The apostle Paul’s final charge to Timothy in his second letter to him was to preach the word of God. Now Timothy was already a pastor, so why would Paul need to encourage him to preach the Word? Paul did not want him to only preach, but to correct any false teaching he heard that was going around by encouraging the church with good sound teaching. The reason being is that people will begin to fall away from the truth of the gospel. They will desire teaching that pleases them and keeps them in their comfort zone ignoring the Word of God.
So, how does this fit in with us? There are many churches today that fit into that category. Pastors are preaching only what the people want to hear and not make them feel uncomfortable. They are not preaching the truth of Salvation but are distorting it by accepting the world’s standards and not God’s. Therefore many of our friends and family, if they are church-goers in one of these churches, need to hear the truth of the gospel from those who can preach the truth. That is you and me. We may not be ordained ministers but learning the truth that is fed to us every Sunday we will be equipped to preach the truth of the Word of God.
Word for the Soul 