The Power of Pointing

The Power of Pointing
Words of Faith 5-25-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Timothy 4
[6] If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

I was always taught to be careful about pointing. Not only is pointing rude but remember, three fingers are pointing back at me when I point just one at you! I must admit, I never liked to be pointed at or pointed out. But Paul says that a good minister points out the truth. The key is to what you point out.
Paul actually does not suggest that we point at people but rather at the things that hurt people (vss. 1‑5). A good minister is courageous enough to point out the lies in our culture and the false teachings that sometimes circulate in the church. This is where pastors and ministers often fail. In our desire to be liked or polite, we often fail to point out things we should.
I have known ministers so polite that they would not offend the devil himself if he strode down the center aisle. I have also known a few so brash and harsh that they could have offended the most lovely and mature saints. Some even seem to have made "pointing at people" a high art. Their personal attacks and inflammatory statements can tear apart the Body of Christ over things that really are not that important. So if pointing can get dangerous, it is crucial to do it right. How do we do that?
It is always a good idea to point the way. We are always called to do that. It is also always helpful to point toward Jesus. We are also called to point out a lie when we see it, as hard as that may be. But we must point out the truth, truths of the faith, and good teaching. But most of all, the world needs Truth. His name is Jesus.
Pointing out evil is a good idea, but be careful not to confuse the sin with the sinner. Point out the sin that hurts people and point the way for the sinner who is lost.

Lord, give me the wisdom to know the difference. Help me to point toward You in all I say and do. Give me the courage to point out the lies-- and the grace to share the truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.