It is said that we live in the postmodern era, but that term is inaccurate. The era in which we now live is the modern era while every era, which comes after us, can be considered postmodern. Notwithstanding, what is referred to in our day as postmodernism is the condition in which we now find ourselves.

There are many ways to get a hold of the ideas incorporated in postmodernism. Here are a few considerations:

And that is exactly the society in which we now find ourselves. The postmodern world has blurred the traditional Judeo-Christian value system. Objective knowledge has been supplanted with subjective experience. Our youths, and adults as well, have been subjected to contemporary Christian music which embraces a worldly culture.

The Church has become secularised by a godless world to the point where she has opened her arms to embrace the world’s agendas—all in the name of a false soteriology and a futile evangelistic message.

Further description of postmodernism is really beyond the intent of this address. Suffice to say, the condition of our preaching field is quite clear. The sad disarray in organisations like the Evangelical Theological Society, with its struggles over Open Theism and the inerrancy of Scripture, assaults the minds of those of us who still hold firm the traditional fundamentals of the Faith.

The five cogent affirmations are still worthy to confess. They are:

Having knowledge of the present situation we face will serve as a backdrop for the call to ministry with which each of you graduates will be confronted.

In 2 Timothy, the Apostle Paul is, in essence, writing his last will and testament. Here we find his final instructions to his dear son in the Faith, Timothy (2 Tim 1:2). The young Timothy was the pastor of the church at Ephesus (1 Tim 1:2-3). While Scripture is God’s single revelation to every believer in every age and every culture, there are certain portions of particular concern for specific groups. Without serious contradiction or objection, this section of 2 Timothy is addressed to men who have been commissioned as preachers. These men are gifts to the church, presented by the resurrected Lord Himself (Eph 4:7, 12).

Now, these selected men are to know the material on which their commission is based. That is the function of the connective, "therefore," (2 Tim 4:1) in referring Timothy to the Scriptures by which he was saved through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Tim 3:15-17), and the fact that those Scriptures are both inspired and profitable. The Scriptures are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction. Moreover, the Scriptures are effective unto perfecting, furnishing, and living. By using "therefore," Paul points to all that Timothy is to digest before he receives instruction about his commission.

Make no mistake, the Bible is God’s inspired, infallible, inerrant Word. What the world of believers, and unbelievers need the most is the precious—more precious than silver or gold—Word of the Living God (Ps 119:72).

The "charge" is searching. This is the significance of the verb, "charge." The prefixed preposition makes it intensive. As a present tense verb, the searching charge is given relentlessly and continuously. Timothy must never forget it. Moreover, the charge is given "before God and the Lord Jesus Christ." The forceful preposition is in the face of God, or in full view of God. The real issue is, "What does God see in the matter regardless of what men may say or do (Gal 1:10)?". Any ministry must be exercised "Before Him." Consider that two members of the Trinity are mentioned here: the Father (God) and the Son (The Lord Jesus Christ—His full title).

The "charge" is serious. The Lord Jesus Christ "shall" judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom. "Shall" is a verb which means He is "about to." There is no doubt about the judgement but the use of this verb makes the concept imminent. It is as if Paul is instructing Timothy that he cannot afford to waste time.

The "charge" is solemn. The judgement will involve both the living—a possible reference to the true believers—and the dead—a possible reference to unbelievers. If this is correct, the former refers to the Bema or Judgement Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). The latter would refer to the Great White Throne Judgement at the end of the Millennial Kingdom (Rev 20:11-15). Although both judgements are mentioned in the same verse, they do not occur simultaneously. The first takes place at "His appearing," and the second takes place in His Kingdom.

Let us review the contents of the Preacher’s Charge: it is searching, it is serious, it is solemn. This single verse, when outlined, shows us the great seriousness that is before us who have been charged to preach. Oh, may you take heed knowing that you will be preaching before the Face of God and you will be judged by Him. Ponder the words of 2 Corinthians 5:20, "We are ambassadors for Christ." We are speaking in the Name of God Almighty.

We have considered the situation we face, the Scriptures we possess, and the Commission we have. Now let us look at the ministry we practise.

There are nine challenging imperatives given from Paul to Timothy, which are key to the responsibility that accompanies the ministry we practise. Today, earnestly and with much concern, I lay them before you. Listen to them. Contemplate them. Meditate upon them. Pack them into your soul. Bind them for a sign upon your hand. Place them as frontlets between your eyes. Write them upon the posts of your house and on your gate. More importantly, perform them as long as God gives you breath.

The nine are these: Preach the Word, Be Ready Always, Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort, Be Watchful, Endure Afflictions, Do the Work of an Evangelist, Fully Perform. Let’s take them one by one.

The aorist imperative use of the verb, "preach," visualises the preacher as an imperial spokesman for the emperor. The herald proclaimed the emperor’s message with authority, sincerity, gravity, and dignity. The pattern for the preacher is the same. He is God’s herald and like the emperor’s herald, he must not withhold, revise or question the Lord’s command.

He is to preach the Word. Whose Word? It is God’s Word. Nothing will ever take the place of the Word. The man of God, the spokesman, the ambassador, if you will, is not to preach about the Word—he is to preach the Word. His preaching should be: "Thus saith the Lord." He is to be the uncommon crier, heralding his message to the world. Jehovah told his prophet to "Cry aloud. Do not hold back! Lift your voice like a trumpet and declare to My people their transgression."

The preacher’s message must be complete. In Acts 20:27 Paul said, "I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." The message covers all portions of Scripture without ignoring or omitting any part.

The preacher must preach the Word as it is and not philosophise. Acknowledging that the Scriptures are inspired by God and are "forever settled in heaven" (Ps 119:89), we must never rely on psychology, current topics, cherished programmes, but only on God’s living, unerring, and ever-abiding Word. It is the Word which God has exalted above His Very Name (Ps 138:2b). That is an unfathomable statement!

The power of God’s Word is evident. It is the fire of Jeremiah 23:29. It is the hammer that can shatter a boulder. Through the pages of church history we can see that it was the Word that Luther preached. It was the Word about which Calvin wrote. It was the Word for which Latimer, Ridley and Cranmer went to the stake without fear. So be it, my beloved, preach the Word with urgency now and until He comes!

Again, the verb is in the aorist tense and it is an imperative. It is simple in its meaning, yet it encompasses so much. It means to be at hand, to stand by, to be ever-ready. The preacher is urged, no, commanded, to be on the spot with God’s Word, whether the time is opportune (in season) or inopportune (out of season). God’s Word is always profitable and knows no difference with the season. There is never an hour when God’s Word is not needed. There is never a moment when God’s Word is not appropriate. There is never an instance when God’s Word is not convenient. A true servant of God does not have an unavailable hour. He must learn and expect to be inconvenienced. Scripture exhorts us to "buy out" every possible moment because "the days are evil" (Eph 5:16).

There was an appointed time of sacrifice for the Old Testament priests but that is not the case with the New Testament preacher (cf 1 Chron 23-27, Luke 1:8-9). He knows no time that could be considered unseasonable or private, early or late. He is to be a preacher of the Word and must do so with fervency and earnestness, even with his tears (Ps 126:6).

Here is another aorist imperative, which means "to correct." Paul has already shown that the inspired Scripture is profitable to do this (2 Tim 3:16). In John 16:8, our Lord said it was one of the functions belonging to the Holy Spirit. As the Word of God is preached, it is the Spirit of God that convicts, convinces, and enlightens the world. Three specific areas are affected by the reproof of the Holy Spirit: sin, righteousness, and judgement. The word "reprove" has the idea of "telling one his faults" (Matt 18:15). Obviously, this is not the easiest task on this planet. It requires us to look also at ourselves (Gal 6:1). Reproof must not lead to the mere denunciation of people just for the sake of it. A bold preacher will trust the Holy Spirit to use His Word in enlightening the hearers of their violations, trespasses, and sins concerning God’s revealed will.

This active imperative verb, which is also in the aorist tense, literally means "to give honour." To blame, to prove guilty and to censure are all legitimate thoughts that are carried by the verb, "rebuke." It is used in Matthew 8:26 when Christ rebuked the sea. It is used in Matthew 12:16 when Christ warned those He had just healed not to tell who He was.

Here is where the crunch comes. Preachers are to fulfil their God-given responsibility so that the unbeliever and the erring believer will be confronted with their condition before a Holy God. Opposition is to be expected, but men of God are not to fear the face of man, but to declare the Truth. In Galatians 1:10, Paul asks rhetorically, "Do I seek the favour of men, or of God?" Regretfully, the word of rebuke is received as the Lord predicted to Ezekiel, "But you shall speak My Words to them whether they listen or not" (Ezek 2:7, 3:11). But it must be done.

Here is another aorist imperative which can mean "beseech," "comfort" and "admonish." The verb has a prefixed preposition suggesting, "beside, by the side of, and with." The main root comes from the verb, "to call." Here is a verb calling upon the preacher to comfort and encourage the weak, sluggish, and troubled. Surely, there is an unending ministry to be experienced expressing forgiveness for the sinner and strengthening those who yearn for a deeper spiritual life. Early in this country’s history, those committed to the Lord’s work were called "exhorters."

Having been a missionary in Africa, it frequently happened that one preacher gave the Word and another came along to exhort or encourage based on the text preached. God gave us an example of this ministry in Barnabas whose name means "the son of prophecy." His manner of prophesying showed itself in exhortation or consolation. May God give us men like Barnabas.

We have seen that Paul’s charge to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1 is soundly grounded in a God-inspired and peerlessly profitable Scripture. It is that upon which the Apostle sets forth his Timothean ministry by the use of the connective, "therefore." He tells Timothy to "preach the Word." Obviously, this is the Word carefully and neatly indicated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Timothy is commanded to stand by it at all times. He is called to reprove error, rebuke or censure, suggesting a penalty may come and finally, he is to exhort, pointing to comfort and encouragement of the weak, sluggish and troubled. But notice that all these commands are to be exercised in the sphere of and with every possible demonstration of two very important methods.

The first is longsuffering. Robert McCheyne, known to men of his day as, "The Saintly McCheyne," is reported to have said, "This is the heart of God toward sinners." 2 Peter 3:9 says that God is patient toward sinners, not wishing for any to perish. Likewise, the preacher who is faithful to preach the Word should possess the characteristics of a Barnabas who was "the son of comfort." This is a facet of God’s immutable character. Vincent notes that men will not be won to the Truth by scolding. This is in accordance with 2 Timothy 2:24 which says, "The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged."

In addition to longsuffering, the preacher is one who must perform his duties in keeping with the Doctrine. In many quarters, the thought of doctrine is decried. But doctrine is really the meat of the Word (Heb 5:14). Doctrine is the very foundation of spiritual life. Without doctrine, the believer will be tossed about, not knowing what to believe (Eph 4:12-16).

So, my brethren, let us persevere to instruct in the great doctrines of the Bible. Israel was told to do this in Deuteronomy 6. How much more should we of the New Testament times engage in this pursuit? You check it out. The individual or the local church having stability and spirituality with vigour is inextricably linked with effective instruction, doctrine if you will, in the Word of God. Paul practised this and instructed the elders at Ephesus to do the same (Acts 20:20, 28). In Ezra’s day, they read from the Book, from the Law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading (Neh 8:8). Careful reading of the Pastoral Epistles will reveal the importance of Doctrine (consider 1 Tim 1:3, 10; 3:2).

Before adding to this impressive list of expectations, there is a hiatus in the text. The foolish hearers are described. They do not the Truth. They are utterly insensitive to the blessed and precious Word of the Lord (2 Tim 4:3-4). They do not endure sound doctrine. They accumulate to themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, longing to have their ears tickled. They turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

At this juncture, there is a major, abrupt and adversative change. Look at it: "But thou" (an emphatic second personal pronoun). Timothy is dramatically snapped to attention and is to expect something more than what has unfolded in the two previous verses. Four impressionable actions were added to the given commands above. Latch onto them and build them into your system. This is the kind of preacher Paul intended Timothy to be. Each of the verbs is imperative. Only one verb is in the present tense. The other three are in the aorist tense.

"Watch" is a present tense verb. The word is used of abstaining from wine and warrants watchfulness and alertness. By ever being sober and not stupefied, Timothy is commanded to maintain strict discipline and keep himself from the invasion of sin. This one verb contrasts established thoughts with those who aspire to novelty. The singular pronoun zeroes in on every single "thing," or item. This is a huge matter. It demands that God’s Word be dwelling richly in the heart so as to be kept free from spiritual drunkenness.

Next is the willingness to suffer hardships. Being in the aorist tense, the thought is carried like a military command. It says, "Suffer hardship!" Do not shrink from it. The compound verb connotes serving the Lord against opposition, ridicule, prejudice, and unfortunate indifference. Taking a stand against false doctrine or unbiblical witness may cause excruciating suffering but you are to be solid as granite. Never sell or barter the Truth to save yourselves from hurt. Be a dependable witness, whatever the sacrifice. And in the midst of your suffering, fear not. He holds you fast. Furthermore, you have not resisted unto blood (Heb 12:4). Nor have you found yourself sunk and dying in a muddy pit (Jer 38:6). The same verb is used earlier to encourage Timothy (2 Tim 2:3).

An additional thought is "do the work of an evangelist." The crispness of the aorist imperative exclaims, "do it!" Be one who carries the Gospel. The anarthrous construction of the phrase suggests the type of work rather than the specific office. Believe Paul when he says that this is work. All that ergonomics entails is in this phrase. This is a specific purpose, which is to be done with urgency and with the warm objective of reaching lost and condemned souls. A burning house, a drowning friend, a perishing soul—all must be addressed with full-hearted effort. Paul had a burden like this (Rom 9:1-2, 10:1). Do we have the same burden? Oh, to keep our feet to the fire of evangelism.

Wrapping up the nine qualities of Paul’s commission to Timothy is another aorist imperative: Perform the ministry fully, all the way to the end. It means to bring in full measure. To accomplish completely. Paul commands Timothy to never give up. The Holy Spirit must control the man who has this as his objective (Gal 5:16): "Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh."

There can be no idleness, laziness, procrastination, and in the end, no regrets. Our Lord had this testimony when He said in John 17:4, "I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do." Similarly, Paul said, "I have fought the good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7). Notice that all the verbs here are in the present tense, meaning they are done and continued forever.

Oh, may the charge of Timothy be experienced by every one of you dear brethren. Follow diligently what Paul wrote to Timothy. It was searching. It was serious. It was solemn. It was described by nine imperatives: preach the Word, and when you preach, be instant. Reprove, rebuke, exhort. And do not forget to do it with longsuffering and sound doctrine. Moreover, watch in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist and make full proof of your ministry. What a charge! Go for it, my brother. Go after it. Strive for the mastery. Strive for the Master. He is worthy of you all.