From 2 Timothy 3:14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. 4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5 As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
I love sharing the story of one of my Sunday school teacher, the wife of a dear pastor of mine, who when after my ordination confessed that out of all the students she had taught, I was the last she would have thought of entering the ministry. I claim I wasn't a bad kid, just mischievous. I may have squirmed more than the rest, but I paid attention. And thanks to her teaching and other dear Sunday school teachers I had, and the sermons that I heard, one day, early in my life, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. How I wish more parents would take advantage of Sunday school and the blessing of bringing children to worship. I thank God for those churches that also have a time for children at the altar where lessons on their level are shared with them. Seeds are being planted and one day these will bear fruit in abundance.
Paul wrote a personalized letter to a young follower, to encourage and instruct him on the things that Paul had already taught him to believe and do. Timothy was the produce of a Christian home and was already on a solid foundation when Jesus called him into ministry alongside the Apostle Paul. In this passage for today, Paul reminds him of the "sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." He reminds him that "All scripture is inspired byGod and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." Those who have been taught about having a solid foundation should teach or share with others about that foundation, so that they too may learn and share with those who have not yet heard.
Paul continues the urgency of witnessing to this living faith at every opportunity; whether you're nervous or not, think you're prepared or not, to "convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching." Paul shared this urgently because he knew that the day would come when people would go from here to there or there to here in search of something with which they would be pleased. Paul knew that God wanted truth taught about God's love through Jesus Christ in ways that held people solidly on a strong foundation and not some fly-by-night teachings that would please "itching ears." Paul says that this work requires our being sober, to endure whatever challenge may come our way, to be evangelists and to fully carry out our call to ministry, whether ordained or lay.
You may squirm, and you may giggle. You may be looking out the window and even daydreaming a bit, but pay attention; all that is being shared with you will serve a purpose. Let what you read, hear, sing, and pray help build for you a solid foundation from which you will live and bless God.
PRAYER: For the children of faith, Loving God, bring blessing. Grant patience and strength to joyful teachers and preachers, that they may help little ones grow in their faith. Be glorified in us today, we pray in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
---------- Photo above from Grace UMC in Corpus Christi during 10/13/13 early worship.
