“FOR PASTORS ONLY” or “Make Full Proof of Thy Ministry”
TEXT: 2 Timothy 4:5
THESIS: To help preachers have a balanced, fruitful and spiritually successful ministry.
INTRO.: A. Paul comes to the end of his ministry, but realizes his responsibility to Timothy and to all the other preachers who would come after him. He has learned the truths he is about to pass on by going through the graduate school of “hard knocks!” He has endured hardness that few others would ever be called upon to endure. And though we could speak of his many physical trials, (including 195 whip lashes!), he ended his treatise on that subject with “Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”
B. In his closing remarks in this epistle as well as in some of his last inspired and inscripturated words on earth, he imparts God’s wisdom “FOR PASTORS ONLY” on how to “Make Full Proof of Thy Ministry.” In this final chapter to his preacher protégé he charges him to “Preach the Word” by reproving, rebuking and exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine…and then gives the four final commands in v.5…
I. BE A WATCHMAN: v.5a“…watch thou in all things”
NOTE: The watchman on the walls of the city in Bible times was to stay alert to anything or anyone which might endanger the city. He had to be constantly alert. Every shepherd had to also be a watchman. He had to keep an eye out for enemies (animal and human) that would threaten the flock, diseases that would infect the flock, and keep peace and harmony within the flock. (Note the “all things” in the verse.)
A. At Home:
A bishop must then be blameless, the husband of one wife…one that ruleth his own house, haing his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 1 Tim. 3:2-5
1. If a preacher/pastor is not careful he will spend all his time watching his flock at church while the devil wreaks havoc with his flock at home. 2. His priority must be home before church! Be a “promise keeper” – “for better or worse…till death…”
a. Ministry success may equal failure at home.
Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it. Eph. 5:25
b. The text says “love your wives…” not “love your job…” c. The balance between work and home must be maintained.
ILLUS.: Early on in my ministry I was more devoted to my church than to my family. Many of the pressures of the ministry were self-imposed or should have taken a back seat to my family needs. Often there were delayed family times, vacations, devotions, etc. while “God’s man” dealt with others needs!
d. It must not be ministry or family, but ministry and family!
B. At Church:
1. According to Acts 20:28 we are to 🔅feed, 🔅lead and 🔅take heed (watch out for) the flock. 2. There are many men and movements constantly afoot seeking to infiltrate the flock thru the media, the community or within the flock itself.
Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them 31 Therefore watch…
ILLUS.: 💢Don’t fear the face of men (or women!). 💢Never back away from legitimate issues. 💢(Don’t ride hobby horses!) 💢Be specific; 💢name names of the most current threats as did Paul. Today it is the Joel Osteens, the Rick Warrens, the T.D. Jakes, TBN, the Calvinists, the Bible perverters, etc., etc. 1) Be well read, 2) keep up to date, 3) be alert “…watch thou in all things.”
II. BE A WARRIOR: v.5b“…endure afflictions”
A. A Somber Warning:
1. Afflictions will come; count on them. 2. The devil and his minions will focus their energy on any man and ministry that is in the attack mode.
a. You will have to face afflictions in the home, in the church, in your community. b. You will have health issues to deal with, home problems, church members, financial weights…fires will be blazing everywhere and you will sometimes wonder if you can possibly maintain your sanity as you try to deal with them all.
ILLUS.: This is why you need to be constantly on your knees and in the Word, so you will have the strength and wisdom to deal with whatever comes your way. You need to practice preventative maintenance.
III. BE A WITNESS: v.5c“…do the work of an evangelist”
A. A Great Commission:
1.While we are ✔watching the flock, ✔warning the flock, ✔weeping over the flock, we still need to be concentrating on adding more sheep to the flock. 2. Have as many outreach ministries as possible: deaf, handicapped, nursing homes, prisons, busses, soul-winning, soul-winning and more soul-winning.
ILLUS.: Soul winning ministries do three things for you as a pastor. 1. They keep you focused on the Lord’s priority; 2. They will cause the Lord to help, bless and strengthen you; 3. They will build the church. 😊(I never had any problems with the soul-winners in the churches I pastored. 😊When folks catch the vision of reaching the lost, they don’t have time for petty squabbles.) 💥“It’s the people, stupid!” Never forget that. It’s not about buildings., busses or bigness! 💥It’s about snatching souls from the burning flames of an eternal hell. 💥We are not to just preach about it, but actually do it and SET THE EXAMPLE for the flock.
IV. BE A WINNER: v.5d “…make full proof of thy ministry”
A. A Final Command:
1. The word translated “make full proof of…” means to fill up or fulfill your ministry. 2. 🔹Don’t leave anything out; 🔹keep the main things the main things; 🔹be balanced and maintain your priorities.
NOTE: Think of the awesome responsibilities which are ours. We will one day give an account for our ministry to the Chief Shepherd at the Judgment Seat of Christ. One young pastor complained to Spurgeon that he didn’t have as big a church as he deserved. “How many do you preach to?” asked Spurgeon. “Oh, only about 100,” the man replied. Solemnly Spurgeon said. “That will be enough to give account for on the day of judgment.”
CONCL.: Surely these four things in Paul’s final charge to Timothy ought to give us pause to rethink our priorities and responsibilities. Outside of the book of Acts at the beginning of the church age, we have no statistics on the size of the various local churches in the N.T. In the light of these responsibilities there is no such thing as a “small church.: We will all have enough to give an account for.