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Nitty Gritty Preacher/Teacher
Rod ShimabukuroI charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:1-2
Paul charges Tim, as if to keep in mind...
• The Presence of God and Jesus,
• As the Supreme Judge,
• As having revealed Himself,
• and also the Kingdom
So Tim is entrusted, considering who God is and for His Kingdom purpose, to preach the gospel! And preaching the Gospel includes the characteristics described in v2.
It’s not just “preaching His Word” that I am called to. This doesn’t involve just prepping a nice sermon outline. There is nitty gritty work among others. Others who are in need of... reproof, rebuke, guidance and instruction. That means those on the other end of my teaching will not always be easy to live with. So one of my prayers is for the patience to teach, as Paul describes. TO be in the nitty gritty among the nitty gritty :)
In the presence of God, Jesus and the Spirit, as Supreme Judge who is revealing Yourself to my heart - may I grow in not only being a Word and Kingdom centered preacher. May I grow in patience as a pastor, shepherd and teacher of your word. Conformity and Transformation into Your Image is my prayer - for me, Becie, Kai, Koa, Malia and others I shepherd!
