REBUKE NOT AN ELDER
MEMORISE: Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 1 Timothy 5:1
READ: Proverbs 30:11 -14
11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
MESSAGE
Sadly, the generation referred to in the Bible reading for today – a generation that curses their own fathers, is living right now in these present times. This is a generation that is puffed up with pride, believing that they know more than the elders; they even call themselves ‘woke’. I am not talking about this because I am an elder myself, but rather because I love you and if I keep quiet, I would be a wicked father watching his children heading for destruction. Indeed, although I have been criticized too many times, I must still say the truth as God has given it to us in the Bible.
Our memory verse today is a clear and divine instruction showing how the younger generation must honour elders. Many youths however, have various excuses for disrespecting and insulting eldlers. One of such excuses they give is that no one is perfect. They believe that even an elder can be wrong and corrected accordingly. That is correct; an elder can indeed be wrong, but while the Bible does not prohibit you from correcting him or her, it clearly says you should intreat such as a father or mother and not rebuke. When you criticize anyone in public, that is a rebuke (I Timothy 5:20); it is against the word of God when done to elders. If an elder has done something that you think is wrong, you could send him or her a message or write a letter stating politely what you think would have been correct; he or she would at least take cognizance of what you have said and make adjustments where necessary.
Also, in the Church, while the youths may feel they have a lot of knowledge and are very agile, you must still give honour to the elders. You shouldn’t just set them aside. You may have a lot of knowledge, but they are more versed in discerning the will of God. They have walked the path that you are walking and have a robust wealth of experience that you can gain a lot from. Give them the honour that they deservce. In fact, the Bible says that you should give them double honour.
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
I Timothy 5:17.
KEY POINT
Honor your elders
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Job 17-20
HYMN 26: WE ARE NEVER NEVER WEARY OF THE GRAND OLD SONG
1. We are never, never weary
of the grand old song;
Glory to God, hallelujah!
We can sing it loud as ever,
with our faith more strong;
Glory to God, hallelujah!
Refrain
O, the children of the Lord have
a right to shout and sing,
For the way is growing bright,
and our souls are on the wing;
We are going by and by
to the palace of a King!
Glory to God, hallelujah!
2. We are lost amid the
rapture of redeeming love
Glory to God, hallelujah!
We are rising on its pinions
to the hills above:
Glory to God, hallelujah! [Refrain]
3. We are going to a palace
that is built of gold;
Glory to God, hallelujah!
Where the King in all His
splendor we shall soon behold
Glory to God, hallelujah! [Refrain]
4. There we’ll shout redeeming
mercy in a glad, new song;
Glory to God, hallelujah!
There we’ll sing the praise of Jesus
with the blood washed throng;
Glory to God, hallelujah! [Refrain]
