Message summary: Whatever age we are or to whatever extent we face memory issues being reminded is a good thing. It's also a critical role of the faithful pastor.

Note: Due to very busy schedule podcast not prepared for this message.

"If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed" (1 Timothy 4:6). "So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have" (2 Peter 1:12).

Many years ago Art Linkletter hosted a TV show called "Kid's Say The ______ Things". We leave the specific word blank since we were both raised in strict homes where that word was not permitted since it was considered a replacement for a swear word. The television show had brief clips of kids saying funny things, often due to a misunderstanding of adult terms or concepts. Well, kids continue to say some pretty interesting and funny things don't they?

But saying funny things isn't just limited to children and occasionally we experience a funny moment when some wires get crossed in our brains which happens more frequently as we get older. This past weekend Brooksyne, Ester and I were in the car headed to Lancaster with plans to eat at Red Lobster for Brooksyne's birthday meal. In the midst of our discussion we considered that the restaurant might be busy and we'd have to wait in line. Brooksyne asked, "Do you think we could make reservations at Red Lobster?" We all agreed that it was unlikely. Then, with a serious expression, she added, "I wonder if Home Depot takes reservations."

Her suggestion took Ester and me by surprise, and it even surprised Brooksyne. After her bright idea, she shook her head and said, "Where did 'Home Depot' come from?"  We went on a teasing rant, "Well I don't know about Home Depot but there's a Lowes nearby, maybe they take reservations." "Maybe we could take in a meal and eat it in the kitchen display area."

Well, from what we've read and observed memory issues increase as we age so we will have more of this. John Newton, who wrote the words to the song "Amazing Grace" stated as he aged, "My memory is nearly gone but I remember two things-that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!"

That's the reason that whatever age we are or to whatever extent we face memory issues being reminded is a good thing. It's also a critical role of the faithful pastor.

Our daily text has us examine what it is to be "a good minister of Christ Jesus". In light of the contemporary view of ministry we ask, "What is a good minister of Christ Jesus?" Is it based on the size of the church, how many degrees one has earned; the number of speaking engagements one acquires; appearances on television, etc. These are all means by which we may judge the success of a minister; including fellow ministers who evaluate each other's "success".

But in the passage quoted above there is one major criterion* for this "good minister". "If you point these things out to the brothers…" The KJV translates, "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things."  I like the way the Amplified Bible states it, "If you lay all these instructions before the brethren".

"These things" are Paul's instructions to the church in the immediate context and by extension the full counsel of God's Word.

John Gill comments that Timothy was admonished by Paul to "refresh the memories of the saints, who are apt, through negligence and inattention, and the weakness of the natural faculty, to be forgetful hearers of the word; one part of the business of Gospel ministers is to put the churches in mind of what they have received and known, and are established in."

Misspeaking, getting our wires crossed and having memory lapses may be frustrating but of utmost importance is remembering spiritual truths and a critical role in ministry is reminding.

Believers, especially my fellow "ministers", we have a great assignment here. Stay in the Word, give those whom you serve a steady diet of the sound, immutable truths of Scripture. We are to be, "brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed." Now that's what Scripture describes as a good minister!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we pray for our ministers of the Gospel; that they will preach the unadulterated truth from Your Holy Scriptures, just as You reminded Timothy through the inspired writings of Paul: "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron."  May we be on guard as we are attentive and responsive to the warnings in Scripture, just as we are also consoled and encouraged by the verses of promise and assurance.  In the name of Jesus we pray.  Amen.

* Criteria is the plural form of criterion. It is used when referring to more than one criterion. Criterion is singular and is used to refer to a single thing.

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The Precept online commentary makes this point, "The modern evangelical church in the new millennium (2000 and counting), is in grave danger of stepping off of the ancient paths (Jeremiah 6:16, Isaiah 35:8) especially as it seeks to "emerge" from the tried and true old paths. Consider the Lord's words to Israel in Jeremiah 18:15, "But my people have forgotten me; they make offerings to false gods; they made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient roads, and to walk into side roads, not the highway." Things have not changed much because man's heart is still as deceitful as ever (Jeremiah 17:9)."

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"We Will Remember"  Video   Triumphant Quartet

Finally today: Last night we enjoyed an evening of warm fellowship with our long-time friends, Rick and Rachel Caldwell in their home in York County. Ester joined us as well since she really enjoys being with the Caldwells who have a son Ester's age, now married with two young children. Rick and Rachel seek to honor Christ in life, family and business.