Brian, You really hit on it here. And a great reason to preach through books - because when you do - you get to preach the Whole Counsel of God - Reproof, rebuke and encouragement - whether you are in the Gospels, an epistle of Paul's, Genesis or the Psalms - everything that is needed is covered. Certainly preaching through books is not the only way to preach but it is a sure fire way to make sure we are keeping that balance. Peace, Steve Brian La Croix wrote: > This is one of the reasons I like preaching through a book. I do preach > topically at times, and usually did before I felt God leading me to > preach through Matthew, which I started a couple years ago. I take it a > section at a time (using NIV subheadings) rather than a verse at a time, > because I'm less likely to take something out of context. > > But in the gospels, there are times of rebuke, times of exhortation, > times of encouragement, etc. When you get to those passages, then > that's what you do! > > It's really helped me get the courage to preach on tough stuff, but it > needs to be preached. But it's also wonderful to give the encouragement > of the Scriptures as well! And it brings that needed balance in preaching. > > Brian > > Pastor Brian La Croix > Aberdeen Wesleyan Church > 1701 8th Ave NE > Aberdeen, SD 57401 > (605) 225-2873 > www.aberdeenwesleyan.org <http://www.aberdeenwesleyan.org/> > P_B@... <mailto:P_B@...> > > -------Original Message------- > > From: pastorsforum@... <mailto:pastorsforum@...> > Date: 01/30/06 08:27:55 > To: pastorsforum@... <mailto:pastorsforum@...> > Subject: Re: [PastorsForum] Repove, Rebuke, Exhort > > Mark I think people know when they are wrong, especially if they are > saved and have the ministry of the Holy Spirit working in their lives. > So, it is my calling to preach the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to > apply the pressure if pressure is what is needed. I cannot do the Holy > Spirits work for Him. If I try to do that, then I only make matters > worse. I, like Steve, believe that a balance in preaching is needed to > be effective. However, I know the people I shepherd, and they need to > be lifted up more than they need pressed down. Maybe that is the > reason that God is blessing us and people are seeking God in a great and > real way. The Lord Church called Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church is alive > and we are seeing people saved and people restored and people growing.. > WE are Blessed by the Lord!!! GLORY!!!!!! > > Mike Cantrell > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Mark McPherson <mailto:mark@...> > To: pastorsforum@... <mailto:pastorsforum@...> > Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 7:35 AM > Subject: Possible SPAM: [PastorsForum] Repove, Rebuke, Exhort > > This is directed towards everyone so I am starting a new thread. In a > recent post by Craig, he said: > > But I maintain that God called me to “REPROVE and REBUKE” more than I am > to exhort (2Tim 4:2). And that is what I as a man of God do in this > present evil world. > > > 2 Tim 4:2 > 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, > rebuke and encourage-- with great patience and careful instruction. (NIV) > > 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, > exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (KJV) > > I am not questioning Craig's calling even his perception of his > calling. I am curious as to how others would feel about their calling > as pastors/ministers. I am normally an exhorter/edifier when I preach > or teach. I do correct and rebuke in necessary situations (such as > discovering that a member is in sin) or when led by the Spirit in a > message. > > Last night I was preaching on "Living out the Gospel" and as I was > talking about holiness, the Holy Spirit impressed upon me the need to > call the body to confess their sins. I began naming off the sins that > many believers normally commit that some think aren't that bad (lustful > thoughts, lying, deception, envy, jealousy, etc.). I shared as to how > these thoughts and actions keep us from being the witnesses we are > called to be in this world. I then gave a call to confession (private, > not public). It was a powerful service. We took the Lord's Supper > afterwards. > > I saw that as correcting (elegco - reprove, admonish, showing someone > they have done something wrong; literal: setting right), rebuking > (epitimao - admonish, rebuke - literal: raise someone back to a place of > honor or value) and encourage (parakaleo - encourage, exhort, literal: > call near). > > What makes up the bulk of your ministry: Reproving/Rebuking or > Encouraging/Edifying? > > Mark > > -- > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: pastorsforum-unsubscribe@... > > "In essential things, unity; in non-essential things, liberty; and in all things, charity." > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.23/243 - Release Date: 1/27/2006 > > -- > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: pastorsforum-unsubscribe@... > > "In essential things, unity; in non-essential things, liberty; and in all things, charity." > > > > > > Add FUN to your email - CLICK HERE! > <http://www.incredimail.com/index.asp?id=54475> > > -- > To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: pastorsforum-unsubscribe@... > > "In essential things, unity; in non-essential things, liberty; and in all things, charity." > > -- ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pastor Steven G. Rockhill Lisbon Reformed Presbyterian Church PO Box 88 Lisbon, NY 13658 315-393-9041 revrock@... http://lisbonrpc.port5.com http://firmfooting.blogspot.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++