The Scriptures give the wisdom for salvation, they build those who have believed to maturity and equip them to do the work of the Lord. Being the means through which the Spirit of God works so powerfully, the ministry of the Word is a great responsibility. It is a solemn charge given those who will carry it forth to be ready and faithful with God's Word. The warning has been given that it will not be an easy task and great difficulties and trouble will come, even from within the church. Adding to the weight of this mandate is the soon, coming judgment by Jesus Christ on a day God has fixed, yet unrevealed.
The reality of the ministry of the Word necessitated Paul to give sharp commands as to how it should be carried out. There are five discussed in these verses as follows: 1. Give out, proclaim the Word. 2. Be ready to take every opportunity to give the Word out. 3. Reprove - expose and confront sin when necessary. 4. Rebuke - follow the reproof with a severe reprimand when needed taking the confrontation the next step. 5. Exhort - encourage and comfort - using the Word of God as counsel.
These are to be done with great patience and instructively at all times. The receptiveness of the hearers is not to condition or determine how, when, or where, the Word is proclaimed.
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In the fall of 1969, Gil began a full-time teaching ministry as Senior Pastor of Indian Hills Community Church. He also earned his Ph.D. from the California Graduate School of Theology. The focus of Pastor Rugh’s ministry is systematic, verse-by-verse teaching of the Bible. As a...