I Come Just As I am Your Evangelist to Be

2 Timothy  (Amp) 4: 4 I charge [you] in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by (in the light of) His coming and His kingdom:

2 Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.

3 For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold,

4 And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.

5 As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry.

6 For I am already about to be sacrificed [my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering]; the time of my [spirit’s] release [from the body] is at hand and I will soon go free.

7 I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.

8 [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).

Paul was imprisoned and he knew that soon they would be coming to put him to death for his preaching the gospel.  He wrote Timothy charging him and all who would follow to preach the word.  He said be instant in season and out of season-always ready to point someone to the gospel.  Paul was willing to die before he would compromise the truth of the gospel.  Salvation was because of the cross and could only be obtained through faith in the finished work of Christ.  He urged Timothy to do the same.  Are you studying the Word so that you are ready always to proclaim Christ?  Do you look for opportunities to proclaim Him?  Do you desire that your very life displays an evangelistic message for Christ?  Are you willing to die to self, that Christ might live through you?  Have you wandered away, like the prodigal son and are too ashamed to find your back or feel you could never be used?  Then, come just as you are; because the only plea any of us have is the blood of Christ and His atonement for us?  Have you never known Him?  Then come just as you are?  The following hymn was the invitational song at every one of the Billy Graham Crusades.  Close your eyes and let this be your invitation today to come just as you are to lay all your burdens, your fears and your doubts at the foot of the cross and let the promises of Christ become yours through faith.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOnBFGAevks