Sharper Iron — The Word is Trustworthy: Preach You the Word

Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Timothy 4:1-8.

Paul puts Timothy under his ordination vows once more. Whether it is a time when the Word is received with joy or a time when the Word is rejected with hatred, the preacher must preach the Word of God as it has been given in Holy Scripture. This teaching is sure and firm, yet delivered with patience as God works when and where He wills. As people turn this way and that looking for a false preacher to scratch their sinful itch, Timothy, and every pastor, must remain faithful in proclaiming the truth of God’s Law for the purpose of preaching the Gospel and thus fulfilling his ministry. Paul stands as an example of this. His life and ministry are a pleasing offering before the Lord because of the righteousness freely given to Him in Christ. By that grace, Paul knows that his impending death will lead to his reception of the crown of righteousness that is given to all who love the Lord’s appearing.

“The Word is Trustworthy” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the three pastoral epistles: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. These three letters are named after their recipients, two young pastors in the Christian Church. St. Paul gives instruction to these two men concerning the doctrine and life of the congregations where they are given to serve. In these epistles, the Apostle teaches both pastors and congregations of all times and places that the sound doctrine from God’s Word is faithful to save sinners in Christ Jesus.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Featured image: The Luther Rose hanging on the window in the narthex as the Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe preaches on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, at Faith Lutheran Church, York, Neb. LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford

2 Timothy 4:1-8

Preach the Word

4 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: ²preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. ³For the time is coming when people will not endure sound^[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. ⁵As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

⁶For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸Henceforth 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.

Footnotes

2 Timothy 4:3 Or healthy

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).