IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Preach the Word!

Date: Jul. 31, 2021

Passage

2 Timothy 4:1-22 (ESV)

I 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. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. But as for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Do your best to come to me soon. 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15 Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. 16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. 21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers.

22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 4:2

preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Paul realized that his ministry and life were coming to an end. He could look back and rejoice that he had obeyed the Lord’s calling in his life. He could also look forward to the reward that was waiting for him in heaven. The time had come for Timothy to assume the leadership of the ministry. With this in mind, Paul gave him a final and sincere charge: “Preach the word.” The gravity of this charge can’t be missed. It was made in the presence of God and Christ Jesus to whom we will all give an account of our lives. It was made considering our Lord’s return and the coming of his kingdom. Preaching the word is an awesome responsibility for Timothy and for us. Timothy was to be prepared to preach the word in good times and bad. He was to teach it with patience and care, applying it to the lives of the people he ministered to. Although many would reject the message, he was to be a faithful minister and evangelist to the end.

Paul longed to see Timothy one last time, so he urged him to come quickly. Paul was lonely and cold. Many had deserted him while others had left for the mission field. The Lord was faithful to him, though, and stood by his side so he could proclaim the gospel at his first defense. Whatever happened, Paul had faith that the Lord would rescue him and bring him safely to his kingdom.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, help us to be faithful to the end.

One Word: One Word: Preach the word in all seasons

Daily Bread

Fallen Babylon

Revelation 18:1-24

Key Verse: 18:4

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,

  “Come out of her, my people,
    lest you take part in her sins,
  lest you share in her plagues;

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