THE ESSENTIALITY OF EXHORTATION

The writer of Hebrews had diagnosed a serious virus in the church—falling away. Under pressure of persecution, some Jews who had professed faith in Christ, were returning to Judaism. The disease demanded a prescription—exhortation. Nothing else works like this—to employ the Word of God to shore up a sagging faith. This is the essentiality of exhortation. 

There is both a positive and negative dimension to exhortation.    I heard John Maxwell say that “exhortation is a pat on the back or a kick in the seat,” as applicable.  All believers are to engage in this ministry, but teachers and preachers of the Word have a particular focus to this end.  If the preacher in the pulpit does not consistently offer exhortation then it is unlikely the people in the pew will!

In preparing a sermon, the man of God must ask, “How can I cheer the people on?”  Disheartened people will enter the church building.  They have been beaten down all week by a brutal world that despises God.  Little by little their resolve is drained. It is the pastor’s duty to encourage them—to put courage in them, as the term signifies. We are as a coach urging them on toward victory, even as the “Amens,” come from the stands, with other saints cheering them on.  

Yet, the pastor must also ask, “What should I confront the people about?”  Divisive people will enter the church building. These must be confronted, lest their departure from the faith spread like a plague in the congregation. These are not content only to depart the fellowship, but are intent to divide the fellowship. Paul put it to a preacher named Titus, “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus‬ ‭3:10-11‬‬).  The coach will at times confront a player whose performance is hurting the team. If he does not soon respond, then he must remove him from the playing field.

This is the essentiality of exhortation. Pastor, who needs a word of cheer—a pat on the back?  Does someone need a word of confrontation—a kick in the seat?  Do not get out of balance. If you only cheer them, then you may encourage the saints, but also you will encourage the sinners in their ungodliness.  You do not want to give people a pat on the back on their way to hell—to have their “best life now,” with damnation for eternity!  If you only correct them, then you may drive out the wicked, but you will also discourage the weak. In our haste to pull weeds, we may yank up wheat.