• Paul wrote of this honor.

• “If I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for

necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not

preach the gospel!” (1 Cor 9:16).

• “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the

excellence of the power may be of God and not of us”

(2 Cor 4:7).

• These are the last recorded words of Paul.

• “O, but they say the tongues of dying men enforce

attention like a deep harmony: Where words are scarce

they are seldom spent in vain, for they breathe their

words in pain” (Richard II).

• You can learn much about a man by what he says in

his last hours.

THE WEIGHT OF PREACHING v 1

• Paul commissions Timothy “before God and the

Lord Jesus Christ.”

• Preaching is important because Jesus will judge the

living and the dead.

• Preaching is important because of Jesus’ appearing.

• Preaching is important because Jesus has a kingdom.

THE WORK OF PREACHING v 2

• “Preach the word!”

• Great preachers through the ages have done this.

• God put His words in Jeremiah’s mouth (Jer 1:9).

• Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, whatever the LORD

says to me, that I will speak” (1 Ki 22:14).

• “I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood

of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the

whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27).

• He’s to do it “in season and out of season.”

• He’s to convince.

• He’s to rebuke (2 Tim 2:24-25).

• He’s to exhort, encourage.

• He’s not to fail in patience or teaching.

THE WHY OF PREACHING vv 3-4

• The time is coming when men will not endure

sound doctrine.

• People will turn from truth to fables.

THE WHO OF PREACHING v 5

• One who is watchful in all things.

• One who will endure suffering.

• One who will do the work of an evangelist.

• One who will fulfill his ministry.