Preach The Word!

 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;"
2 Timothy 4:3

The Lord uses His Word to guide, encourage and strengthen us. He also uses His Word to rebuke, correct and discipline us.  There are times when the Word uplifts and rejoices, there are also times when His Word breaks and convicts.  The Bible can be as a cozy blanket or it can be as a sharp pointed goad.  Our most natural inclination is to focus on the nice cozy passages, and stay away from the prickly convicting ones.  Therefore it is important not to avoid any portions of the Word, but be disciplined to study and grow from the entirety of Scripture.

Paul's warning in 2 Timothy 4:3 concerns the day when people will not tolerate the preaching of any portion of the Word that makes them feel convicted or uncomfortable.  They will instead seek out those who will preach cozy sermons, teaching things they like to hear.  We are in such days now, and there are too many churches concerned about preaching what people want to hear rather than what they need to hear.

Knowing the time was coming when people would "not endure sound doctrine", Paul gave Timothy a powerful yet simple exhortation: "Preach the Word!" He wasn't concerned that it might offend or make someone uneasy, he just said preach it!  I pray especially in these days, that we may be a people who will study the whole counsel of God's Word, and preach it in boldness and love.