I loved my time in the word this morning. I especially loved doing a deep dive into one of my favorite verses in the New Testament -- 2 Tim. 4:2.
This verse contains 5 imperatives.
The basic command is "Proclaim the word." How this is done is indicated by the 4 imperatives that follow:
Be on hand, in season and out of season.
Reprove.
Rebuke.
Exhort.
Modifying these imperatives is the phrase "with all longsuffering and teaching" -- the "all" probably belonging to both nouns. Note that "proclaiming" the word is described explicitly as "teaching." This only makes sense when we compare this verse to what Paul writes in 1 Tim. 3:2 (overseers must be able to teach) and Eph. 4:11 (shepherd-teachers). In any case, the somewhat timid Timothy is never to be afraid of heralding and teaching the word of God.
Maybe I could paraphrase the verse as follows:
Proclaim the word of God.
Do this urgently and earnestly at all times -- when it is easy to do so and when it is hard, when people want to listen to you and when they don't.
When you need to reprove people who are erring in doctrine, use the word of God.
When you need to rebuke and solemnly admonish people who are living wrongly, use the word of God.
When you need to exhort people and encourage those who need hope, use the word of God.
In short, teach, teach, teach! Teach your people God's word with the utmost patience and the most painstaking instruction.
Proclaim it as loudly and publicly as a herald would the accession of his king.
The ball is in your court, pastor friend. God wrote his message in a perfect Book. Now he asks you to come and study that Book diligently because it's essential for equipping and training God's people to be all that he is calling them to be. It's essential that you become an available, clean, sharp instrument in his hands to accomplish his purposes.
If you will become this, I guarantee that people will flock to hear you as you "proclaim the word."