Title came from Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Nance-Coker, message inspired from Preached Word on October 19, 2025 at Eau Claire Baptist Church.
In church today the Beautiful Woman of God gave us a challenge! For y’all who know me, you know I love a good challenge! The challenge is to read 1st and 2nd Timothy this week, talking about it with others and praying about it. Rev. Elizabeth also introduced a new phrase I would like to share with you: Read, Mark, Learn, and Inwardly Digest (I pray I got that right). And so to achieve part one of the challenge I would like to share with you some Good News.
Pastor Steven read our Scripture Reading today 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5. Normally I would write the Scripture but for the sake of encouraging those reading to open your Bible and complete this weeks challenge of reading 1st and 2nd Timothy, I’d like you to get our your phones, tablets, IPads, Kindles, or Bible and look up the passages of Scripture for yourself.
(Take time to read Timothy 3:14-4:5 now)
Looking at verse 3 of chapter 4, it reads: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers. Then it goes on to say in verse 4, and they will turn their ears way from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
My brothers and sisters can I tell you that it is my opinion that we have entered into these times. Would you agree? This is not up for discussion or debate but I want you to look at us as a nation and openly ask yourself, are we in the times that verses 3 and 4 talk about.
Go a step further and help me do what it says we should do in verse 5: But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
God has called EACH of us into ministry. Whether it be music, prayer, praise dancing, feeding, reading, clothing, sitting with the elderly, finding shelter for the homeless, whatever it is God has called EACH of us. So many times we look around us and we get jealous because of what Sister So and So is doing but we aren’t looking at God is shining His light through us. We might not recognized by man, but it’s not man’s approval we should be seeking. It is not man that we should be trying to show out for, nor is it man as the reason behind why we do what we do.
How will you walk in your personal ministry this week? How will you be a blessing to others?
I could truly talk a little more on this subject but I want to be obedient and just ask you to read, meditate, pray, and act on 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 and while you are in the car, on the job, in line at the grocery store, at the bank, going to the school house, or where ever you are this week tell someone about Jesus and spread the Good News.
It is my prayer God will continue to shine His light in and through you. And like CeCe Winans said, God’s light will shine no matter how dark it is.
Be blessed my brothers and sisters.
2 Timothy 3:14 encourages Timothy to remain steadfast in the teachings he has learned, because his teachers (including his mother and grandmother, and the Apostle Paul) were trustworthy. It emphasizes that he has known the Holy Scriptures since childhood, which are able to make one wise for salvation through faith in Christ.
You know that’s were are so rooted in Christ Whitnee. The teachings that were taught by our parents, for you Mr. Davis and your church, for me, my grandmother…It’s rooted in us since we were children. We are teaching it to our kids… and Maddie and Joshua are like sponges. They are soaking it up. I will help Joshua to take on that challenge to remember Psalms 42 I believe you said and teach it to you. I remember the day when I said I was going to teach them scripture. I they were very little and I was staying un BerryHill Road Apt. And I remember the first prayer they learned, The Our Father Prayer. I remember saying to myself they will have God to help them in life if I can’t and that’s who I need them to rely on. I think back to the flood in NC and the 7 year old boy being swept away on the roof and He calling on the name of Jesus to save him … and indeed Jesus did….ultimately. Heaven’s Pearly Gates. I need my kids well all of our kids to know who to call on in the time of trouble and not us. Also too remember the reasons we taught the kids why we remorize scripture? We had quite a few but I remember as Tati said for spiritual battle. This is something that I believe is happening right now with not only adults but with social media and the minds of our young folks. That’s why knowing the Word of God is so important right now and in these times, it’s our sword.
2 Timothy 4:5 is an exhortation from the Apostle Paul to Timothy, urging him to remain vigilant, endure hardship, and be faithful in his ministry as an evangelist. It instructs Timothy to be self-possessed, suffer for the sake of the Lord, and fully carry out the duties of his calling, despite the coming challenges of people turning away from sound teaching. This part I pray that our children and young folk will endure until the end…. Us included as well. I am in the waiting room and am waiting with praises on my heart for I know we serve a faithful God and He will never fail us. The war is already won. We just have to endure these battles and put on the whole armour of God and stay ready and show our brothers and sisters how to stay ready as well. Amen Whitnee.
Amen and Amen. Can’t wait for Joshua to teach me Psalm 42.