“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: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 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, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. 2 Timothy 4:1-4 (NRSV)
The time is already here where people won’t listen to sound doctrine, though now as always, there are plenty of teachers and preachers out there catering to the itching ear crowd. There is a place for teaching on judgment, but it’s not to “scare people saved” with the threat of hellfire. However, fear of hell doesn’t save- only the grace of God in Christ does.
This being said, a Christian pastor who is doing his job isn’t always going to be popular, and the sermon should make you squirm from time to time. The point is not to blindly agree with everything that comes down from the pulpit, especially when it challenges my understanding of orthodoxy, but to be challenged- to think, to pray and to invite discourse with fellow believers. The pastor’s job is to preach, teach and challenge us.
What he is saying should inspire serious prayer, study and reflection- and more often than not get us right where we live. “Christian” is not a synonym for “nice.” We learn and grow by facing those not so nice areas in our life and conduct and letting the Holy Spirit work in and through us to make those things the way God intends for them to be.
Sometimes being nice is seemingly un-Christian, especially when it is necessary to tell that truth or give that wake-up call.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will give us the discernment to accept right teaching even when it seems contrary to convention, even when it’s not comfortable, because it calls us out on our own sin, and to remind us that we are people of integrity and fortitude. We don’t need our ears scratched. We need the truth, even when it hits us where we live. Even when it offends.
“As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:4-8 (NRSV)
Timothy Lutheran Bible Study 
This Sunday’s message is on Matthew 6 and the Lord’s prayer. In Luke 11, Jesus starts out with the Lords prayer, but later he talks about “woes” of the Pharisees. In verse 42 he talks about them doing orthodox things like giving a 10th of certain spices, (which he supported) but that then they miss the whole concept of “justice and the love of God “. I’m sure the Pharisees thought Jesus was very unorthodox. I have seen the Spirit leave churches die that focus on orthodoxy and not the message & mission of grace. That is my belief, but only the Spirit knows. Lutherans talk about “Law and Gospel.” which may help here.
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I think Timothy was focusing not as much on orthodoxy as on sound teaching. It’s not loving to teach people that they can do whatever they want, or to sidestep the truth, when we know that certain behaviors lead to harm. On the same hand, I agree it is deadly to a Christian community to focus so much on orthodoxy and tradition that the heart of the community is torn apart over issues that really don’t matter. Jesus taught that the primary law is love- Love God, then love your neighbor as yourself. Pastor Doug from Peace always preached to love God then do what you want…because if you truly love God the Holy Spirit will change your heart so your heart corresponds with God’s will. Law and Gospel is where it’s at,in balance, because they are meant to be synergistic. The Law is God’s boundaries- safeguards He put in place out of love for our own protection. God knows when we break His laws we hurt ourselves and others. He also knows we are human and we will break His laws- which is why He sent us Jesus and why we are sent to preach and live out His message of grace. We need both Law (to show us right boundaries) and Gospel (to show us the way of love and grace.)
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