4. Preach patiently.
“With complete patience …” There is to be an element of patience for preaching, and element of patience in preaching.
The pastor must be patient with the form of preaching, never growing tired of it and never losing his confidence in its goodness and effectiveness. And all the while he should preach with great patience for his congregation.
The best teachers are the ones who are kind and forbearing, who know their students, and who will endure for a long time with patience and understanding. The best preaching comes alongside Christians, leads them on, encourages them in growth, week after week and year after year.
The best preaching models the patience God has with us as we slowly, so slowly, grow in knowledge and holiness.
5. Preach doctrinally.
“… and teaching.” Our preaching is to be full of Christian truth.
Paul insists that people who turn away from God will not endure sound teaching or sound doctrine, the very thing Paul calls for here. The best preaching is consistent with sound doctrine and teaches sound doctrine. This kind of preaching is not sermonettes for Christianettes, but the whole counsel of God, drawn from the Word of God.
Looking to a future in which people will not tolerate the truth, Paul tells Timothy to remain faithful to his central calling: to lead the church with and through the Word of God. It was Paul’s charge to Timothy 2,000 years ago, and today that same charge goes out to you and to me.
As God’s people living in that age of itching ears, we must remain confident in and committed to nothing less than the faithful, week-by-week preaching of God’s precious Word.
