The Effective Ministry of the Word

The Effective Ministry of the Word – 2 Timothy 2:15

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

STUDY, not to preach, teach or or give to others, BUT to be APPROVED of God!

APPROVED means to put to the test for the purpose of approval.

The STUDY is in essence not so much of what you acquired intellectually, but what you have perceived (OIDA knowledge) when you study the Bible by using the Bible as your main source of study.

If you are going to be used of God, you will be put to test to see if you will STICK to the Word when tested for the gospel must reflect both in your walk and work.

PREACH the Word:

The picture here is that of a herald who goes out to proclaim the Imperial Message (not his or her own message).

He is out to voice the words of the King/Ruler. The herald does not Speculate, Argue, Philosophize or Dilute the Royal Message. He is preaching the gospel in season and even OUT of season. It’s the same message whether in Europe, Africa, Asia or North/South America.

Excerpt from Richard Wurmbrand, Tortured for Christ

“It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their [the communists’ ] terms. It was a deal; we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us, so everyone was happy.”

― Richard Wurmbrand, Tortured for Christ

1 Timothy 1:3-5: “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,”

REPROVE:

Place the Word in such a way that people can measure their action and see if they measure up; tell him or her where he/she had sinned.

Paul dealt with Peter.

Peter spoke the truth to the sinning, unrepentant couples.

Mt. 18:15-16: “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’” 1 Tim. 5:20: “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.”

REBUKE:

Charge people in such a way that they will not sin again.

You cannot stop people from sinning, but you can present the Word in such a way they will receive the divine help not to sin again.

Preach the Word because it is the standard of the Word and it is its accompanying power that restrains people from sinning.

People are constrained by the standard of the Word and its accompanying power to walk in certain way.

Mt. 8:26-27: “But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?””

John 3:19 – 21: “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

EXHORT (paracleo):

To call alongside.

You put the Word of God right beside the fad and let them draw up conclusion and correction, and comfort from the Word.

DO ALL With Patience.

The word patience relates to dealing with difficult people.

As you preach sound doctrines, there will be people that will be far away and you will need to bear with them in a biblical manner. A true Teacher of the Word is motivated, genuine (inwardly sincere) and patient.

The Word of God is profitable for

• Teaching – what is right/study to know what is right

• Reproof – what’s wrong

• Correction – how to get it right, and

• Training in righteousness – how to keep it right.

2 Peter 1:19 “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”