1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV84).

2. This morning we are going to see: i. What does the Bible says about correction? ii. Reasons we should love correction? iii. How does correction come? iv. Who not to correct. v. How to receive correction?

3. i. What does the Bible says about correction? Proverbs 29:15 15 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. (NIV84).

4. Job 5:17 17 “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. (NIV84).

5. 2 Timothy 4:2–5 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage— with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (NIV84).

6. Matthew 18:15–17 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. (NIV84). Jeremiah 10:24 24 Correct me, LORD, but only with justice— not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing. (NIV84).

7. Why do people and even Christians hate correction? Pride. Low self-esteem. Lack of godly wisdom. They are stupid.

8. ii. Reasons we should love correction? 1. Keeps you out of ignorance. Proverbs 15:5 5 A fool spurns his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence (NIV84).

9. Proverbs 15:32 32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. (NIV84).

10. 2. Keeps you prosperous. Proverbs 13:18 18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored. (NIV84).

11. 3. Keep you alive. Proverbs 15:10 10 Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. (NIV84). Proverbs 12 12Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. (NIV84).

12. 4. Keeps you in God’s will. Proverbs 10:17 17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. (NIV84).

13. 5. Keep you mature. Proverbs 17:10 10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. (NIV84).

14. iii. How does correction come? 1. Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV84).

15. 2. Others. 3. God himself. Jeremiah 30:11 11 I am with you and will save you,’ declares the LORD. ‘Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.’ (NIV84).

16. iv. Who not to correct. Proverbs 9:7 7 “Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. (NIV84). Proverbs 15:12 12 A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. (NIV84).

17. v. How to receive correction? Listen. Say thank you. Go and pray about it Receive what is correct and reject what is incorrect. Change where needed. Report back to corrector.

18. This sermon was preached by Ian Loughor-Clarke at Haenertsburg Christian Church in 2013 (c) Ian F. Loughor-Clarke, Haenertsburg Christian Church, 26 May 2013 Except where otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the International Version Bible, Copyright © 1985 by The Zondervan Corporation. Used by permission rights reserved.