2 Timothy 4:1-5

v1: We should seriously consider that "the eyes of God and Jesus Christ" are on us, and that we must give an account "to Jesus Christ of all that has been entrusted to us."  For those who have been given the responsibility of preaching the Word, they must do this knowing that this is "an absolutely necessary task."

v2: It is the Word of God we need to hear preached, not the ideas and imaginations of the preacher.  Opportunities for preaching the Word must not be allowed to slip by and those who preach must not shirk their duty, "claiming that the time is not right."

v3-4: A time will come when people won't put up "with preaching that is searching, plain, and to the point" and they will grow weary of hearing the truth.  To prepare for this, pastors must "make the most of present time, when they will endure it" and get busy sowing the seed of God's Word.

v5: Ministers must not let suffering "discourage them in the work." They need to be reminded to "get used to hardships" and to get on and do their work.