Instant In Season, Out Of Season
August 6th, 2008 by Patricia Bishop
We’re teaching from the second book of Timothy chapter 4 verses 2 - 5.
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
(II Timothy 4:2)
This means to:
Make publicly known, utter, crying aloud the Divine Expression (that is, Christ): be direct, on the spot, within a moment preach, seeing you have been given the occasion, the instant that is opportune, in the time of need.
On the other hand, being out of season you must also be direct, on the spot, preach within a moment even if the time given seems inopportune (for oneself), that is, even if the occasion seems not to be suitable to you, lacking opportunity, not good and inappropriate.
It is God that called you and God that chose you, He is the one who equips you with His Word, It is His anointing and His Spirit that presents the opportunities. It isn’t for us to decide when or where we feel comfortable sharing the Gospel, we must follow the Spirits leading. He is all seeing, all knowing, everywhere present and His ways are higher than ours even His thoughts are higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:9)
Folks, if you are called to preach, face it; you’re always on call and instantly on duty, if you are walking in obedience
to God and His Word! Even to be a witness for Christ we must always be ready to give an answer to every man
that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience;
that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your
good conversation in Christ. (1Pe 3:15-16)
Let’s look at some reasons that one might think would be an inappropriate time to preach the Gospel. Please take the time to look up these scriptures; they will really bring this to light for you.
Maybe:
- What you have to say would not be popular with those present (Romans 14:18-19)
- The state of affairs aren’t right (Galatians 6:10 & Philippians 4:10)
- You haven’t prepared (II Timothy 2:21 & I Peter 3:15-16 & LL Timothy 4:2)
- Fear of persecution (II Timothy 3:12)
- Fear of embarrassment (Romans 1:16)
- Man fearing spirit (Matthew 10:28)
- Fear of rejection (Mark 7:9)
- Fear of being disliked ( Saint John 15:18-19 & Luke 6:26)
- Unbelief (Romans 3:3)
- Not sure of one’s calling (II Peter 1:10)
- Not trusting God (Mark 11:22)
- Lack of Boldness, courage, confidence (Acts 28:31)
We MUST be instant in season and out of season for the following reason:
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;(II Timothy 4:3a)
People will not have patience to carry on, tolerate or continue sound teaching, set of guidelines or principles.
But after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (II Timothy 4:3b)
Out of their own longings, appetites, desires and passions they will gather around themselves teachers and
instructors, who will imitate the ones that speak the truth. They will accomplish this by, speaking mysteries
and telling secrets, and hushing the initiation into the Way, the Truth and The Life of Christ while
speaking whatever their ear’s itched to hear. They’ll pay attention to what is being said as long as it amuses
them, entertains them and is a delight to them. Pleasing to their ears being a source of enjoyment while
silencing the truth, the Word of God.
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (II Timothy 4:4)
They will stop listening to the truth and depart from it, separating themselves going back, perverting, distorting
and turning aside from (The Word of God), to myths, fairy tales, and legends, stories and wives tales.
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
(II Timothy 4:5)
Be observant and sharp eyed, paying attention in all areas, to all things, carrying on, seeing through to the end, bearing hardships, burdens, difficulties and problems, pain and misfortune putting forth effort and laboring as a preacher of the Gospel of Christ, entirely accomplishing: - most surely believing, fully knowing (persuaded), making full proof of your official service, your office, your ministry.
Be on hand with the Gospel whether the time seems right or not. (Jewish Bible)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
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Something to think about
Do you remember when Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree but there was nothing on it but leaves? He cursed that tree and it withered and died bearing no more fruit for any man to eat. Mark said it was not yet the season for the fruit. God has told us in His Word to be instant in season, out of season.
The Word of God is food for our souls just as the fig was food for the physical body. Instantly we must produce for the Lord or we too could be cursed wither and die. His agenda is to provide the necessary nourishment to give life and sustain it. Jesus is the Living Word, the Bread of Life and we partake of Him through the Written and Spoken Word which is our Spiritual Bread administered to us by the Holy Ghost.
When was the last time you heard the word of God preached straight from the bible in demonstration
of the Spirit and of power? We’re not talking about when you last heard man’s opinion, the philosopher’s
theories, the theologian’s theology or vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments (fundamentals)
of the world, and not after Christ. This is the kind-of stuff that is so prevalent in today’s church.
Many are those bringing their text written down on a sheet of paper in which they have dug up and
dusted off from the archives of sermons past or from the many published books of some great
Evangelist of yesteryear. Throw in a few step programs a couple of points, recite a poem and tell a joke
and there you have it, this weeks religious fix!
The Bible never goes out-of-date but we are crazy if we think we can produce the same results time
and again from the same sermon. God is alive and feeds us fresh bread daily to keep us alive!
The Holy Spirit knows the needs that are present under the hearing of the word and He anoints to bring
the Word forth in demonstration of the Spirit and of power through a clay vessel, a human mouthpiece
that is “submitted, yielded, willing and studied in God’s Word.” What can the Spirit bring to your mind
if you have nothing in your heart to draw upon? God cannot use a novice.
The Bible is the only God inspired text available to us and yet many never open it. Worse are the many
translations available now that are deceiving those who don’t take the time to study for themselves.
We’re instructed to study to show ourselves approved unto God, in other words to become educated in
God’s Word. Why study? Because we need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. All who
labor in the Gospel as a workman are to study.
When expounding the Word of God we must be able to make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect
(expound) correctly (the divine message): - rightly divide. All are not preachers, all are not teachers, all are
not pastors or evangelist but all are Disciples of Christ and must proclaim the Word if you are truly born again.
If you never study then you make yourself vulnerable to believe a lie and be damned. Stop being lazy,
depending on others to feed you and you study God’s Word for yourself. Lay down all your religious books
and consume the Word of God for yourself until it consumes you!!! Love yourself enough to ensure your soul
eternal life with God by studying His Word. If what you hear does not line up with God’s word, reject it discard
it immediately. Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the
good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jeremiah 6:16)
God bless you and keep you as we continue our journey with Him,
Ronnie & Patty Bishop