The Need to Correct the Erring

Introduction:

Some people like sermons just like coffee, with just a tad of sugar. When preachers give into that mentality they forsake the need to preach the word the way it is supposed to be preached.

I. Corrective Teaching is a purpose why we have the Bible

A. II Timothy 3:16-17 The scriptures are for:

1. Doctrine - "Teaching / instruction"

a. To have God we must abide in the doctrine of Christ II John 9.

a.. Not bidding Godspeed [greeting] to those in error II John 10-11.

b. Maintaining a "zero tolerance" for error Psalms 119:104.

c. Why call Him your Lord when you do not obey Luke 6:46?

2. Reproof - "proof or evidence".

a. Same Greek word in Hebrews 11:1 "evidence KJV".

b. The Bible is the tool we need to be able to "prove all things" I Thessalonians 5:21

c. It was the work of the Spirit to reprove John 16:8.

a.. Of which he has done by providing us with the word I Corinthians 2:12-13.

d. Such is to be done to convince [same Greek word as reprove "elegcho"] the gainsayers [those who speak against] Titus 1:9-14.

3. Correction "Restoration to an upright state".

a. The wise want to be corrected Proverbs 9:8.

b. (Proverbs 27:5) "Open rebuke is better than secret love."

4. Instruction in righteousness.

a. Notice what Samuel said to Israel: I Samuel 12:20-25 {pay special attention to the last part of verse 23}

B. "Negative Preaching" [as many define as any preaching that does not make the sinner feel as though he or she is going to Heaven] is Biblical. II Timothy 4:2 - Reprove, rebuke, then exhort.

1. Tearing down and then building up was Jeremiah's commission (Jeremiah 1:10) "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant." - Truth cannot grow on the wrong foundation.

2. Notice the teaching of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 13:16-25).

II. Truth Tellers are Often Times Hated

A. Why?

1. Because, learning the truth makes one need to change from the wrong. Notice what happened to Stephen (Acts 7:51-60).

a. Repentance demands bringing forth good fruits Matthew 3:8 and Acts 26:20.

2. John 3:19-20 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."

B. Notice the following passages:

1. Many only want to hear what is favorable to them. I Kings 22:8 "And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so."

2. John 17:14

3. John 15:18;20

4. The world cries "peace, peace", but Jesus said (Matthew 10:34) "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."

5. Galatians 4:16

C. Being hated should not deter us from teaching the truth I Peter 3:14-15.

III. Corrective Teaching Will Lead the Lost to Heaven

A. Why do we correct our children? Proverbs 23:13-14 "Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."

1. If our children complain of being harped on do we stop? Proverbs 13:24 "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."

B. If we love we should rebuke as did the Lord Revelation 3:19.

1. Hebrews 12:6 "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

C. A good example of a firm correction being fruitful (Acts 8:18-24).

Conclusion:

Soft peddling the Gospel will save no one. The truth will (John 8:32)! If you are outside of the body of Christ, the truth is that you are going to Hell. If you are an unfaithful Christian, the truth is that you are going to Hell. Will you reject the truth and follow a sure and fast way to death? Follow God's plan of redemption to obey His will ....

by Brian A. Yeager

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