THE ABSENCE OF REBUKE!

Sunday, April 19, 2020

THE ABSENCE OF REBUKE!

2 Tim 4:1-5

4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.   5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

           Rebuke is uncomfortable both for the one administering it as well as the one receiving it. Therefore, in these last days, we have all but abandoned the practice. The word “rebuke” is found in our English Bible 46 times in 44 verses. It is drawn from several foundational words and has various meanings depending upon the context. Basically, it means to point out a wrong done or an error held. It demands a response.

           Try to imagine John the Baptist at the water’s edge. He is disheveled and wearing clothes woven of camel’s hair. He looks a bit wild and acts it as well. But instead of shouting “Ye, generation of vipers!” he speaks smoothly to the prideful religious bigots who arrive at the water out of curiosity and disdain. It doesn’t fit. Does it? So, John follows with “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

           In the time of Jesus, crowds gathered for two major reasons. One, they gathered for the sensational. Large crowds followed Jesus to witness the miraculous things he did and the marvelous things He said. The second reason crowds gathered were fish and bread. God had set John the Baptist on fire and crowds came to watch him burn.

           Make no mistake, crowds are the driving force of modern Christendom. Worshippers, as they are called, will hazard Hell rather than submit to rebuke. Ministers, as they are designated, will hazard God’s displeasure rather than tell what needs to be told.

           I went to the doctor last week for a checkup. The doctor pointed out a few things that required intervention. I was jabbed with a needle three times! Twice in an attempt to draw blood for analysis. The first needle failed but we finally tapped a vein on the second try. The third needle was to administer a substance my body needed. Each needle caused pain, but all were for my benefit. This is the reason for rebuke.

           Paul warned Timothy that the time would come when people simply would not ENDURE sound teaching. Then he told Timothy to ENDURE afflictions. These are two very different words! The first word “endure” indicates an unwillingness to make changes to a lifestyle that is in error. The second “endure” means to bravely press ahead against the winds of adversity. Friends, we have arrived.

Isa 30:9-10

9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord:

10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: [Preach so as to trick us into thinking we are safe.]

Dear Lord, telling the truth and hearing it is uncomfortable. When telling it, let me do it in love and with a broken heart. When hearing it, let me take it like bitter but beneficial medicine. AMEN