From a sermon by John Kemp of Biddenden
preached at the recognition services of his son John
at Ebenezer Chapel, Luton, in 1911

"Be instant in season." Now it seems easy enough to be instant in season. Why, you who are God's servants, it is no hardship to preach the gospel then. No, you feel like David, "Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul" (Psa. 66. 16). You go into the house of God if you feel like that, and are like a bottle wanting vent. It is no Hardship then to preach.

But, “Be instant in season, out of season.” Out of season; ah, there are times when one is out of season; out of season in the pulpit and in the pews; out of season in the class, out of season in private devotion, out of season in conversation, out of season in meditation, and out of season in reading the Word of God. Be instant when out of season, You know those who preach the gospel have to go into the pulpit with a heavy heart sometimes; perhaps the Word seems dark and sealed up, and they cannot get near the Lord with their complaint. Perhaps they cannot spread it out before God with any right feeling, but sigh, and it may be sulk, too. They must go and preach the Word, or the people would say, “Whatever has become of our parson? He has not turned up today; surely he must be unwell.”

If you heard that the parson felt out of season, and was staying at home, you would think it funny. What about the people when they stay at home? If the pastor is to preach out of season, the people are to come and hear when they are out of season. It may be so out of season with you sometimes, you who preach the gospel, that you may feel desperate, like Jeremiah when he said, “I will speak no more in the name of the Lord.” You cannot see the fruit of your labour, and you might say, “I will not preach again.” If you do not speak it out in that way it is in your heart. Be instant when out of season. A smile from the people helps the minister. Have you never got anything from your people that has encouraged you to go on? A friend who has benefited by the ministry has perhaps gone to speak to the pastor after or before a service, just at a time when such a word was much needed.

But there are times when they seem to think that man should stand up alone in these matters. There may seem to be at times discontent and complaining amongst the people, and the pastor of a church especially will feel this. You know, of course, a supply comes and delivers his discourse, and takes the next train, goes off home and knows nothing about what they say behind his back; but the pastor who labours and lives among his people finds it otherwise, and feels anxious for their welfare, and knows there are times when they are out of season. Nothing moving, no conversions, no or little reviving, no additions to the church; things seem low and all drags on very heavily, but he must be instant out of season.

Yes, when out of season still go, and labour on, and leave the matter in God’s hand. To him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. Paul said, “We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved and in them that perish.” We speak as before God, and deliver the message He has given us, seeking His honour and glory, and the fruit of our labour must be left with God. In the building of the temple the stones were prepared without before they were brought in, and sometimes the work of the Lord may be going on in a silent and almost invisible way, even when we think nothing is being done.

Now this being instant in season, out of season will apply to the hearers. See what hard work it must be to a pastor of a church if he goes into the pulpit time after time and sees one and then another of the seats empty; and So-and-so was not there; what is the cause of that? says he; and when he comes again and they are not there; this and that person was not there again. One may say, I shall not make much difference; I hope he will have a large attendance, and get into some of their hearts. I cannot go tonight. It looks as if it will rain presently, and I do not want to get my new hat or garment wet. Or there is this, that, or the other thing at home not going on to their liking. The fact of the matter is, that they have little liking for the sanctuary service. Think you, this is not likely to affect the pastor? Those who desire the welfare of Zion are to be instant out of season as well as in season. They should attend the prayer meetings also, as well as the preaching; we are to be at our post and do our best, though we may be as cold as ice and as dark as midnight.

Taken from the Gospel Standard magazine. September 2007