1Tim. 5:20--Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

v21--I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

11Tim. 4:2--Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Here Paul is telling the nature of the work of the ministry; he says it is to preach the Word, to reprove, rebuke, and exhort . Now, if reproving and rebuking is the work of the ministry, why let Satan make you afraid to say anything which we see needs to be taken care of. Of course, I know that all young Christians may not yet be equipped to do this. But don’t let Satan, or misunderstandings, make you think that because another Christian is able to do this, that they are being disruptive or sowing discord or any of that sort of thing. If no one is able to do this part of the ministry, then many will go on in things which will hurt their souls.

I want to show you that this is NOT contrary to Christianity; rather, it is very needful; and is commanded by the Word to do this.

Now back to verse 3---For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

v4--And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

So, this is where people wind up, when they turn away from truth---they are turned unto fables. Just look where the church world is at today---full of old fables----here comes Santa Clause ---here comes Peter cottontail---Easter Parade---here comes tooth fairy --old jack-o-lantern--watch-night service--trick-or-treat--how many were in Sunday School---how much money we took up---who had a birthday--who had an anniversary--

Where is true worship?

Titus 1:9---Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by SOUND DOCTRINE both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Webster’s--- EXHORT= 1.to incite by ARGUMENT OR ADVICE: urge strongly: to give warnings or advice : make urgent appeals.

v10--For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

v11--Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

v13--This witness is true. Wherefore REBUKE them SHARPLY, that they may be sound in the faith.

Now, this makes it clear that a true minister should sharply rebuke those given over to fables-- WHY? so they will be sound in the faith.

Now, don’t you see, that this is the real reason for rebuke, and debate--- to help them become sound in the true faith? What better work could one do?  See, too, that these false teachers subvert whole houses?  We need to try to stop that. We need to try to win back homes to God.  People, being afraid to rebuke is one of the main reasons so many are now totally in the ‘clutches�?of Satan.

Titus 2: 15--These things speak, and EXHORT, and REBUKE with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

So, you should not despise the one who is diligently rebuking sin, or false doctrine or fables. This is to restore that person to sound doctrine (or truth).

Webster’s--- Rebuke = 1. to criticize sharply ; REPRIMAND

REPROVE = 1. TO SCOLD OR CORRECT USU. GENTLY OR WITH KINDLY INTENT

2. TO EXPRESS DISAPPROVAL OF

3. disprove, refute, convince. convict. to express rebuke or reproof.

Now, all I wanted to do is to show you that rebuking and reproving is part of the work of God; and should not be looked upon as trouble making or anything of that sort.

Of course, we should all use Christian love and wisdom about this matter. We should not just use this as an excuse to just jump on someone because we do not like them or what they teach. It has to be done in love, with the intent to help that person draw closer to God and truth.

One more verse: Eph. 5:11--And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather REPROVE them.

v13--But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

So, here he is saying that REPROVING IS MAKING LIGHT = Truth.