Tag: rebuke
Rebuking the deceivers!
Scripture reading for June 24th: Titus 1
Key Scriptures: Titus 1:10-16 “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but the the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”
Paul was a pastor and took time to instruct other pastors in dealing with problems in the church. There are people problems and problem people that must not be ignored but dealt with to keep order in the church and maintain unity. The problem in the church at Crete was false doctrine coming from a sect of Jewish converts who were still teaching Jewish ‘myths’. These ‘teachers’ were not under pastoral and apostolic authority–they were ‘insubordinate’. They thought they had truth, but were really deceived and were causing division. Paul’s instruction to Titus was to rebuke them sharply in hopes of bringing true repentance and faith. They must be silenced and stopped from fleecing the congregation and dividing it. Paul warned Titus that they may not be repentant as false doctrine and love of money from teaching it often defiles mind and conscience. They had a profession, but no possession of saving faith and were unfit for any role of church leadership.
Titus 1:9 “He (elders) must hold firmly to the trustworthy Word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray for pastors in Your church that are needing to correct and rebuke sharply those causing division. Give them wisdom and discernment and courage to do what You instruct that sound doctrine and true faith will bring salvation and life. Deliver us from defiled minds and consciences and fear of man.
Titus 1:5 “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you–“
Jesus speaks Truth in Love!
Scripture reading for December 2nd: Revelation 2, Psalm 107-108, Proverbs 24
Key Scriptures: Revelation 2:2-5 “”I know your works, your toil and patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for My Name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.””
Jesus revealed Himself to John during worship on Patmos. He gave John letters to seven churches that John was an overseer in. John was to write down and deliver these prophetic warnings from the Great Shepherd. From the letter to Ephesus, we can see that Jesus saw both the good and the evil. He commended them and reprimanded them, calling for repentance from a loss of first love. This was a life-giving rebuke from the Savior!
Faith Confession: Lord, thank You for speaking to Your Church and people. Thank You for watching over us and speaking truth plainly. Forgive me for waning love; Your Goodness has lead me to repentance and life.
Proverbs 24:26 “Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.”
Obey by Going!
Scripture reading for March 1st: Mark 16, Psalm 44, Proverbs 13
Key Scriptures: Mark 16:14-16 “Afterward, He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and He rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.””
Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection from the grave. His first words to them were a rebuke, a word of chastisement, for their unbelief. According to Jesus, this was hardness in their hearts to believing truth that was revealed to them by His own prophetic words and those who saw Him after He arose. He then sent them on a world-wide mission of preaching or proclaiming the gospel. How people received it or rejected it would determine eternal salvation or eternal condemnation.
Faith Confession: I believe Jesus Christ as God’s resurrected Son and obey Him by going into the world He placed me in to share and proclaim the gospel. The results are up to each person and God.
Psalm 44:7-8 “But You have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to Your Name forever.”
Thankful for a needed rebuke!
Scripture reading for May 11th: Nehemiah 12-13, Esther 1-2
Key Scriptures: Nehemiah 13:17-18 “I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this wicked thing you are doing–desecrating the Sabbath day? Didn’t your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity upon us and upon this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath.”
Nehemiah had gone back to Persia for a period of time and while he was away, God’s people began to slip away from their obedience to God. They were working and doing business on the Sabbath, in rebellion to God’s law. Nehemiah called them out with a public rebuke! He reminded them of past consequences of such actions and called them to repentance!
Thankful for needed rebukes: Godly leaders reprove and rebuke those who are in known sin and warn the congregation concerning sin’s consequences. “These then are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.” (Titus 2:15) “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.” (Revelation 3:19)
Over-coming is Jesus’ example!
Scripture reading for December 2nd: Revelation 3
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Revelation 3:19-22 “Those I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door; I will come in and eat with Him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I over-came and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear; let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Jesus, Himself, overcame this sinful world, the devil’s schemes and temptations, and even death, hell, and the grave! He stands as an example for all who trust in Him. Jesus desires a personal relationship with each of His disciples. He is not pushy or dominating, but patiently knocks at the door of each heart and calls out their name. If they hear Him and respond to His call, He will come in and have a meal. This teaching requires ears that want to hear and respond!
Observations for over-comers: Being filled with the Spirit of Jesus Christ gives us the heart of an over-comer! “You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With Your help, I can advance against a troop; with My God I can scale a wall.” (Psalm 18:28-29)
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for October 6th: 2nd Timothy 4
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Timothy 4:1-5 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
Paul’s final instructions to Timothy were plain and to the point! As a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Timothy must preach the Word and fulfill the calling that God had placed on his life. Paul reminded Timothy that Jesus would judge all men and would appear suddenly to manifest His kingdom. He warned Timothy that preaching would be more difficult in the last days. He must not scratch ‘itching ears’ but give them the truth with great patience.
Observations for over-comers: The last days will be difficult for believers who are preaching and living the truth. Press on to fulfill your calling because the reward will be worth it when Christ appears! “Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom and all rulers will worship and obey Him.” (Daniel 7:27)
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for October 7th: 2nd Timothy 4
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. but you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (2nd Timothy 4:1-5)
As Paul concluded his final letter, he reminded Timothy of Christ Jesus’ return and His judgment of the living and the dead. All believers will stand before the Lord to give an answer for the deeds done in the body at the judgment seat of Christ described in 2nd Corinthians 5:10. All the lost will stand before Him at the Great White Throne described in Revelation 20:11-14.
Because of this, Paul charged Timothy to preach the Word of God tirelessly. Patience and careful instruction would bring salvation and healing to those who listened and believed. Others would turn away from the sound doctrine of God’s Word and want to hear something that would tickle their ears. These truths keep us informed about today and the times we live in. Believers and especially ministers must preach the unadulterated Word of God. The work of evangelism must go on until Christ appears. May He find us all doing what He called us to do!
Living in true humility!
Scripture reading for October 28th: Titus 3:1-15
Paul concluded his short letter to Titus with an encouragement to preach and live out the word of God. Jesus Christ, our blessed Hope, would suddenly appear for those who were working and watching. ” These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility to all men.” (Titus 2:15-3:2)
Jesus was Paul’s example of true humility. Jesus left the glories of heaven to take human form, even being born as a baby! He lived a normal human life as God in the flesh in order to serve all mankind by revealing the Father. He humbled Himself by completely obeying His Father and offering His body and blood as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. God exalted Him to the highest place, giving Him the Name above all names! (Philippians 2:3-11)
Paul exhorted Titus to teach Jesus’ followers to show true humility to all men as Jesus did. As Jesus gave up the glories of heaven, Jesus’ followers were to give up the glories of man ruling his own life on earth. They were to submit to all rulers and authorities and be completely obedient. They were to be ready to give aide to those in need and do good deeds with their talents and possessions. They were to live in peace, being considerate of the needs of others. This demonstration of true humility was to be a way of life marking true followers of Christ! The reward of true humility was and is sharing Christ’s glory for eternity!
Paul instructed Titus to avoid foolish controversies and arguments about the law. “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful, he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10-11) Those not living in true humility and claiming to be part of the church needed to be dealt with. Pastoral ministry must humbly confront those dividing the body. Christ Jesus is coming to reward those living in the grace of true humility!
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for October 25th: 2nd Timothy 4:1-22
Paul’s closing instructions to Timothy encouraged this young pastor to use a simple strategy of ministry. “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage– with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn to myths.” (2nd Timothy 4:2-4) There is never a season when the Word of God will not be appropriate. The Word is the complete prescription for correcting and encouraging the people of God. It is full of sound doctrine and if patiently taught is able to save and equip people for works of service and prepare them for the coming of the Lord.
However, in the last days, many will not receive sound doctrine. They want to design their own god and make their own spiritual program. People will find teachers that will tickle their ears with things that sound good to them, but are really false doctrines of demons. This teaching will only lead to bondage and death. Timothy was to keep his eyes on the Lord and the Word and fully preach the Word.
Paul, knew that his departure was near. He was ready to meet the Lord. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” (2nd Timothy 4:7-8) Paul was soon to face the guillotine. He spoke of being poured out like a drink offering! Yet he also knew by faith that his head would wear a crown in glory! His journey through life was a fight of faith. He had finished well and was expecting a reward from his Lord!
Paul’s attitude and final instructions to Timothy model the way to victory for those still fighting the good fight. Death brings reward, and is nothing for the Christian to fear. We must continue to preach the Word and live by faith! The best is yet to come!