Watch in All Things
Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8Devotional Series: Think It Not Strange
Teaching: Think It Not Strange pt. 1 (WED 2021-07-28) by Pastor Star R Scott
1 Peter 4:13 says, “think this strange, but rejoice, (verse 13) inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. Now if ye be reproached for the name of Christ, (say it) happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.” Hallelujah! But today’s church says, “We don’t want this! What else is available? What’s behind Door Number 2?” Can I just encourage you? It’s coming. What are we going to do? Paul says, in 1 Timothy 4:2, to “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; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” Boy, if that’s not what’s going on today! What people will promote! You talk about false doctrine, how people are going to be deceived. Looking for another way to be purified. Looking for another way to hear the voice of God and know the course that we’re to be on. We’ve talked about that group out west that had the big music influence, we even did a panel on it in here. You can go over there, now, and get seminars. If you go in there and give them a check for 500 bucks, they’ll prophesy over you and tell you what God has for your life. That’s one of the most popular ministries in the country. Can I tell you something? Those people hate the few people, like Micaiah, that are still around; amen? “Oh yes, be blessed, oh Lord, go up and prosper.” “Micaiah, I’ve told you to tell me what God says.” The king knew he was the true prophet, not one of his false prophets. He said, “Well, truth is, you’re going to die.” “I told you that guy never prophesies good about me.”
We need to preach the Word in this hour, beloved. Those of us who have been called to be teachers in the body of Christ, to be elders and overseers in the body of Christ. This great responsibility that’s been put upon us that we are not to turn to the right hand or to the left; amen? Cut straight through. Now listen to what he goes on to say, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” Can you imagine the conflict in his heart? He referred to it earlier in his ministry when he said, “To depart is better for me, but to stay is better for you.” But he knows he’s going home now. He walked away from the Ephesian elders prophesying, speaking to the fact that there is going to be contention among them and a power struggle. The leaders would fight for whoever was going to be able to take over and become prominent in their midst. Wolves were going to rise up from among them, but he said, “I commend you to the Holy Ghost.” Paul, having cried out, all of these outward afflictions, plus the care of the churches, and now he’s laying it all down. He’s commending it to the Holy Ghost. He knows what’s coming. He knows those, who for filthy lucre, are going to rise up into the community of believers. That the doctrine is going to change for self-preservation. That there is another generation that, tragically, being mingled seed, speaks with the language of the world and the letter of doctrine. Paul cries to the church, “I’m going home. I’ve fought a good fight. I finished my course. I’ve kept the faith.”