“REPROVE, REBUKE, and EXHORT!”

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV) “1 I charge you in the presence of GOD and of CHRIST JESUS, WHO is to judge the living and the dead, and by HIS appearing and HIS kingdom: 2 PREACH THE WORD; be ready in season and out of season; “REPROVE, REBUKE, and EXHORT”, with complete PATIENCE and TEACHING. 3 For the time is coming when PEOPLE will NOT ENDURE sound teaching, but having ITCHING EARS they will accumulate for themselves TEACHERS TO SUIT THEIR OWN PASSIONS, 4 and will TURN AWAY from listening to THE TRUTH and WANDER off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” “You can be a youth minister, a Bible teacher, a pastor, or a missionary.” This advertisement was on a social media site recently and it caused me to ponder the real reason that pulpits have become greatly ineffective lately. A “man of GOD” used to mean that this person would speak the TRUTH, even if it cost him his life. Nowadays, pulpits are being filled by whomever can attract the largest crowd, tickle their ears with three points and a poem, and get the audience released in time to make it to the restaurant before the other churches! The HOLY SPIRIT of GOD inspired the Apostle Paul to write to Timothy to PREACH THE WORD, “REPROVE, REBUKE, and EXHORT” Believers. He didn’t require Timothy to do this to “gain control” over the flock, but to avoid them turning away from THE TRUTH! Tin doing so, Timothy was to preach with PATIENCE and TEACHING, allowing GOD HIMSELF to change the lives of the chosen who were hearing the Word delivered to them. It can be very frustrating and discouraging when people are BLIND to TRUTH, even when it is delivered to them in a calm and loving manner. It might be that “REPROVE, REBUKE, and EXHORT” was delivered IN THIS ORDER specifically, because hardheaded people such as I must be corrected before they can be EXHORTED? However, when I err, I must have correction IN LOVE lest I remain on the path of deceit! “You can be a youth minister, a Bible teacher, a pastor, or a missionary”, but you must be called by GOD or you will not have HIS HOLY SPIRIT guiding and directing you. When you “REPROVE, REBUKE, and EXHORT”, more than likely you are going to upset the people who are of “this world”! They are offended by THE TRUTH and will argue with you with every thing they have to convince you they ar right. Remember that “REPROVE, REBUKE, and EXHORT” definitely includes EXHORTATION, but it begins with REPROVE and REBUKE!!