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Monday, May 7, 2012
Yesterday we visited this one room schoolhouse in Berks County PA which now serves as the Visitor Center for the Rodale Farm Institute, birthplace of organic gardening.
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Note: Last week we had a series of messages on "The Blessing Of..." that we thought was finished, but decided to continue with several more this week.
"The Blessing Of Rebuke"
"You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7).
Rebuke; I don’t really like that verb! It sounds so harsh and unloving. I'm quick to use words like edify, encourage, inspire...words that lift others up, words that suggest "feel good" thoughts.
But carrying out a rebuke can be a blessing and is a necessary tool within our spiritual tool chest. We have all needed a loving rebuke at times. God may even call on us to do the rebuking.
Having said that, I believe one of the greatest marks of the contemporary church is a failure to rebuke. With such a major emphasis on practicing tolerance, exhibiting a non-judgmental and loving attitude toward everything that comes down the pike, it's very hard to practice the God-ordained ministry of rebuke. It's out of sync with the emphasis and popular teaching of our day. What's more, confront somebody in their sin and you're liable to be labeled legalistic!
You probably know someone named Nathan or Nate. Like Stephen in the book of Acts, it's not a common Bible name but is used only once (apart from genealogical references). Nathan is the bold prophet who confronted David with his sin.
We don't know how much time transpired between David's cover-up of his sin with Bathsheba and the beginning of chapter 12. Assuming that the cover-up took place shortly after Bathsheba announced her pregnancy it would have been at least six months, perhaps longer. I wonder what David was dealing with during this time. Did he really think he'd gotten away with it? Had he somehow justified his actions? Was he dealing with secret guilt or sorrowful remorse? What we do know is that the horrendous sin committed by David recorded in chapter 11 was "evil in the sight of the Lord" (v.27).
"The LORD sent Nathan to David." What
courage it would require for Nathan to complete this God-ordained
prophetic mission! David, at the apex of his kingly authority, could
easily and quickly do away with such a pesky prophet.
Nevertheless Nathan boldly approached David with an outstanding
story analogous to the injustice of David's reprehensible deed.
In an illustrative way he was setting a trap for David to walked right
into, and David did not disappoint. Nathan tightened the noose with these words of stunning,
forthright rebuke, "You are the man!" before launching into a prophetic declaration of judgment concerning David's sin.
The brave rebuke turned out to be a redemptive blessing. However uncomfortable, it brought David to his proper senses as he forthrightly confessed, "I have sinned against the Lord." In receiving Nathan's rebuke and making his honest confession David took the first steps toward his journey to reconciliation with God, though he, his family, and the nation would deal with the spiraling consequences from his ruthless actions the remainder of his life, and the generations who followed.
Personal communications with people I encounter in ministry are privileged, especially in this regard, so today's illustrations, although true, are somewhat veiled:
What about when God calls us to rebuke another? The tendency for many, including me, is to avoid this call. It's very hard to do and should come about only after a season of prayer. But we must be careful to obey if God is speaking. It's part of our calling, especially if we are a minister of the Gospel. (See 2 Timothy 4:2.)
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted" (Galatians 6:1).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
it comes very naturally to encourage and instruct others in Your
teachings. But it is far more difficult to bring loving
rebuke and correction to one who has chosen to live in disobedience to Your
commands. Help me to go forth as one pure in heart, humble in
spirit, and earnest in prayer when I am commissioned to be Your
messenger of life-giving rebuke. It wasn't Nathan who went after David, but it was You who sent
Nathan, which served as the beginning of David's spiritual restoration.
When the messenger is pure in motive and obedient to the Spirit's
prompting,
and the message is received in the right spirit, then correction
will
take place, just as it did with David. Though I cannot be assured of
the desired results help me to find blessing in having been obedient to
Your Spirit's leading. When I
am the recipient of a rebuke may I respond in humility and receive the
correction as though it were delivered personally from You and respond
accordingly. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Selected Scriptures on rebuke:
"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke" (Proverbs 3:11).
"He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise" (Proverbs 15:31).
"Better is open rebuke than hidden love" (Proverbs 27:5).
"He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue" (Proverbs 28:23).
"Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning" (1 Timothy 5:20).
"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2).
"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).
Much more could be considered about this topic such as the relationship between rebuke and correction, considering the reasons that there's minimal practice of this in the modern church and the consequences it has brought.
Yesterday
we attended a special service in the Lehigh Valley to honor my brother
Pat and his wife Laverne for 40th wedding anniversary and twenty years
of pastoral service in the same church. The leadership did an outstanding job
of pulling off a surprise. The photo to the left shows them cutting the
anniversary cake following a potluck luncheon.
We have many friends in this church as well and always enjoy getting together and seeing the folks.
They prepared several photos to share on the screen yesterday.
Here's a wedding photo of Pat and Laverne from May 1972, in the full head of hair days.
Here's a current photo. An artist in the church used this photo to paint a beautifully framed portrait which was presented to them during the service (though she changed the background to a nature scene).
Here's a photo of my brother Pat and I from 1980 at our sister Genelle's wedding. At that time I often had my rather large bulky 35mm Minolta camera with me. For old TV fans Pat has been confused in this photo with Kotter (see here) How about those perm days, men! Remember the big afro days?
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Create In Me A Clean Heart, O God" Video Keith Green based on Psalm 51, David's prayer of confession and repentance following Nathan's rebuke.
Rodale Institute Farm
<Previous Message Next Message
Monday, May 7, 2012
Yesterday we visited this one room schoolhouse in Berks County PA which now serves as the Visitor Center for the Rodale Farm Institute, birthplace of organic gardening.
Listen
to this
message on
your
audio player.Note: Last week we had a series of messages on "The Blessing Of..." that we thought was finished, but decided to continue with several more this week.
"You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7).
Rebuke; I don’t really like that verb! It sounds so harsh and unloving. I'm quick to use words like edify, encourage, inspire...words that lift others up, words that suggest "feel good" thoughts.
But carrying out a rebuke can be a blessing and is a necessary tool within our spiritual tool chest. We have all needed a loving rebuke at times. God may even call on us to do the rebuking.
Having said that, I believe one of the greatest marks of the contemporary church is a failure to rebuke. With such a major emphasis on practicing tolerance, exhibiting a non-judgmental and loving attitude toward everything that comes down the pike, it's very hard to practice the God-ordained ministry of rebuke. It's out of sync with the emphasis and popular teaching of our day. What's more, confront somebody in their sin and you're liable to be labeled legalistic!
You probably know someone named Nathan or Nate. Like Stephen in the book of Acts, it's not a common Bible name but is used only once (apart from genealogical references). Nathan is the bold prophet who confronted David with his sin.
We don't know how much time transpired between David's cover-up of his sin with Bathsheba and the beginning of chapter 12. Assuming that the cover-up took place shortly after Bathsheba announced her pregnancy it would have been at least six months, perhaps longer. I wonder what David was dealing with during this time. Did he really think he'd gotten away with it? Had he somehow justified his actions? Was he dealing with secret guilt or sorrowful remorse? What we do know is that the horrendous sin committed by David recorded in chapter 11 was "evil in the sight of the Lord" (v.27).
"The LORD sent Nathan to David." What
courage it would require for Nathan to complete this God-ordained
prophetic mission! David, at the apex of his kingly authority, could
easily and quickly do away with such a pesky prophet.
Nevertheless Nathan boldly approached David with an outstanding
story analogous to the injustice of David's reprehensible deed.
In an illustrative way he was setting a trap for David to walked right
into, and David did not disappoint. Nathan tightened the noose with these words of stunning,
forthright rebuke, "You are the man!" before launching into a prophetic declaration of judgment concerning David's sin.The brave rebuke turned out to be a redemptive blessing. However uncomfortable, it brought David to his proper senses as he forthrightly confessed, "I have sinned against the Lord." In receiving Nathan's rebuke and making his honest confession David took the first steps toward his journey to reconciliation with God, though he, his family, and the nation would deal with the spiraling consequences from his ruthless actions the remainder of his life, and the generations who followed.
Personal communications with people I encounter in ministry are privileged, especially in this regard, so today's illustrations, although true, are somewhat veiled:
- A man who knew better left his wife and children for another woman. He was not receptive but heard this stern rebuke quoting the Holy Scripture. "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" ( 1 Timothy 5:8).
- "I recall a man who was struggling with alcohol and destroying his family but was receptive to my input. I looked him right in the eye and placed a hand on each shoulder, "What are you doing destroying your life and those you love in this way?" I sternly asked.
- Another man was plagued with the addiction to internet pornography. We walked along our trail to a country church about a mile and ˝ away. As we walked I listened, but also preached truth from God's Word.
What about when God calls us to rebuke another? The tendency for many, including me, is to avoid this call. It's very hard to do and should come about only after a season of prayer. But we must be careful to obey if God is speaking. It's part of our calling, especially if we are a minister of the Gospel. (See 2 Timothy 4:2.)
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted" (Galatians 6:1).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
it comes very naturally to encourage and instruct others in Your
teachings. But it is far more difficult to bring loving
rebuke and correction to one who has chosen to live in disobedience to Your
commands. Help me to go forth as one pure in heart, humble in
spirit, and earnest in prayer when I am commissioned to be Your
messenger of life-giving rebuke. It wasn't Nathan who went after David, but it was You who sent
Nathan, which served as the beginning of David's spiritual restoration.
When the messenger is pure in motive and obedient to the Spirit's
prompting,
and the message is received in the right spirit, then correction
will
take place, just as it did with David. Though I cannot be assured of
the desired results help me to find blessing in having been obedient to
Your Spirit's leading. When I
am the recipient of a rebuke may I respond in humility and receive the
correction as though it were delivered personally from You and respond
accordingly. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen. Selected Scriptures on rebuke:
"My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke" (Proverbs 3:11).
"He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise" (Proverbs 15:31).
"Better is open rebuke than hidden love" (Proverbs 27:5).
"He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue" (Proverbs 28:23).
"Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning" (1 Timothy 5:20).
"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2).
"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).
Much more could be considered about this topic such as the relationship between rebuke and correction, considering the reasons that there's minimal practice of this in the modern church and the consequences it has brought.
Honoring marriage and ministry
Yesterday
we attended a special service in the Lehigh Valley to honor my brother
Pat and his wife Laverne for 40th wedding anniversary and twenty years
of pastoral service in the same church. The leadership did an outstanding job
of pulling off a surprise. The photo to the left shows them cutting the
anniversary cake following a potluck luncheon. We have many friends in this church as well and always enjoy getting together and seeing the folks.
They prepared several photos to share on the screen yesterday.
Here's a wedding photo of Pat and Laverne from May 1972, in the full head of hair days.
Here's a current photo. An artist in the church used this photo to paint a beautifully framed portrait which was presented to them during the service (though she changed the background to a nature scene).
Here's a photo of my brother Pat and I from 1980 at our sister Genelle's wedding. At that time I often had my rather large bulky 35mm Minolta camera with me. For old TV fans Pat has been confused in this photo with Kotter (see here) How about those perm days, men! Remember the big afro days?
Rural Berks County PA
The Rodale Institute farm claims to be the pioneer in organic farming and covers 330 acres.
On the way home from the Lehigh Valley yesterday we wandered through some back roads in Berks County, PA.
I (Stephen) like to get off the beaten path when I travel while
Brooksyne would rather get wherever we are going (in this case home).
But she did enjoy our meanderings yesterday and over the next several
days we will share some photos.
The Rodale Institute farm claims to be the pioneer in organic farming and covers 330 acres.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Create In Me A Clean Heart, O God" Video Keith Green based on Psalm 51, David's prayer of confession and repentance following Nathan's rebuke.
Rodale Institute Farm
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
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