2 Tim 4:1-5 – I solemnly exhort 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: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Do the work of an evangelist; what does this mean in Paul’s world? From Paul’s perspective an evangelist is a preacher of the gospel whose primary focus is the winning of souls. The meaning of the term evangelist in today’s modern church vocabulary would be simply a traveling speaker. Many times traveling speakers are more of exhorters and encouragers which is a valid and needed ministry, an evangelist in Paul’s world would be a minister focused on bringing souls to Christ.

Today’s scripture passage is the last chapter of the last letter that Paul wrote just before his death. He had eternity clearly on his mind and winning souls became his top priority. As he wrote this passionate letter to his son in the faith, Timothy, this would be his final instruction, “Timothy, focus your attention, in light of the times that you live in, on winning souls to Christ. Timothy, this has to become your primary task”.

If you review this passage I quoted today you will see that Paul was concerned about the state of the church as persecution and resistance were setting in to their world. This could also apply to the day we live in. Paul said that the time would come that the Christian community would want to have their ears tickled, accumulating teachers in accordance with their own desires; this sounds strangely familiar. What did Paul say Timothy should do in light of the climate in his world? He said to correct, rebuke, and exhort or encourage God’s people, fulfill your ministry, do the work of an evangelist.

Recently we finished three nights of Beyond the Grave, a soul winning production performed at our church. As we completed the altar call on the last night I heard the still, small voice shouting in my ear, “DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST !!!!” The time is short, the fields are white, we need to use all means possible to win souls to Christ.