The Charge for the Centrality of Scripture

The centrality of Scripture means that the Bible is to maintain a vital prominence in our daily lives, our homes, and our church. 

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV)
¹ 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:
² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
³ 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,
⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
⁵ As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul gives Timothy an extremely serious charge or directive on how to conduct his ministry. It centers on the matter of sound doctrine in the church.

    1. The Seriousness of the Charge (v. 1). The forcefulness and gravity of Paul’s charge comes across as he makes it in the presence of God and in view of His coming judgment and kingdom.

    2. The Execution of the Charge (v. 2). The instruction Paul gives is to preach God’s Word and to “… Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”

    3. The Reason for the Charge (vv. 3–4). Sound doctrine is vital to the church. Paul taught, and we see even today, that many would distort Scripture to suit their own agenda or preferences.

    4. The Keeping of the Charge (v. 5). Those who minister God’s Word should be watchful, for affliction will come. We must continue to share the gospel nonetheless.

While this charge has been entrusted to Timothy and to all pastors, we all play a vital role in helping fulfill this command. We must not ignore the importance of scriptural preaching and sound doctrine. We must reject any teaching that rebels against biblical teaching and commit ourselves to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

May God strengthen our commitment to keeping His Word central in our lives, our homes, and our church!

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          - Bro. Dave