2 Timothy 4:1-5

In the winter, is the pastor responsible to turn the heat on? The answer to that question, and many other details of the pastor’s responsibility have to be worked out between him and the local congregation or church board that is hiring him. The local church does have a lot to say about what a pastor’s responsibility is within the local congregation. However, the church has nothing whatsoever they can say that can override the responsibility given to the pastor by God. No pastor living right with God, will surrender God-given responsibility to the local church in exchange for position.

All pastors have a responsibility to preach the gospel and they have also been charged to correct, rebuke and encourage with their preaching. Paul charged Timothy to do this with great patience and careful instruction. A preacher can do more harm than he does good, if he becomes inpatient or careless when correcting or rebuking a fellow Christian who is missing the mark or coming up short of what God intends a righteous life to be. Paul warned Timothy that some people would become unwilling to accept correction, even when that correction comes from sound doctrine backed up by Scripture. In order to avoid confronting their error they only listen to preachers that say what they want to hear. When this is the course of action they are taking, they are no longer missing the mark by accident but are willfully choosing to disobey God’s will.

Paul wanted Timothy to know that when he was confronted with someone who refused to acknowledge the sinfulness of their own actions, he would have to keep his head and his emotions in check. He was still responsible to discharge his duties as a preacher.

Paul’s guidance to Timothy is still sound advice for pastors today. However, it is also a warning for every Christian that hears a sermon that strikes a cord of conviction. We cannot choose if a sermon will correct or rebuke us, but we can choose to listen.