Preach the Word – Ambassador Baptist Church Singapore

2 Timothy 4:2-3 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…

Donʼt preach to me” in modern day terms usually means “donʼt dogmatically tell me what I can or cannot do; donʼt correct me or command me to do something in line with a certain system of truth.” Yet, the Bible tells us that the word “preach” means “to cry publicly, a herald of divine truth.” We are to herald and cry out the truth. Timothy was exhorted to publicly declare the truth of GOD. Christians, we are not to be quiet regarding the truth of God. We are not to have our light and hide it under a bushel. We are to preach the word.
How and why are we to preach the word

We are to preach the word at all times
“In season” – when it is convenient, and “out of season” when it is not convenient. The times today are getting more inconvenient to preach the word of GOD because the modern culture seeks consultation more than command; it seeks dialogue more than direction. Yet, the preaching of Godʼs word must be continued, must be urgent and must be instant and must be at all times.

We are to preach the word in a variety of ways:
Reprove – to convince people of the truth of GOD. This approach is for people who believe contrary to the truth of GOD. For people who believe that lying is ﬁne, we need to preach “thou shalt not bear false witness.

Rebuke – to censure or forbid using the word of GOD. This approach is for people who have done wrong and need to be corrected.

Exhort – to comfort or plead with people to accept the truth of GOD. This approach is for those who are struggling in doing the truth or who are discouraged by lifeʼs events. We are to reprove, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Our attitude must be of patience and of a systematic presentation of the truth of GOD.

We are to preach the word even when no one wants to hear
As the Day of Christ draws near, the word of GOD will no longer be palatable as many will do as they please and they prefer their own ways and not the way of the Lord.

We are to preach the word because it is Godʼs appointed means for the salvation of souls:

…it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1 Corinthians 1:21

As a church, we need to continue to preach the word, and as a people of GOD in ABC, we need to want to hear the word, and desire its preaching and its exposition. May we preach the word for many generations to come!

Evangelist-Pastor Johnny Tan
Ambassador Baptist Church