Honking the car horn, warning about sin?

[Artfuldodger]

Some drivers use their horn to communicate a warning while others use it to express arrogance and anger or maybe pride. I see people honking their horn when someone is backing out of a parking spot when they've had plenty of time to stop and they were not an any danger.
Road rage-related accidents often begin with unnecessary horn honking, and safety should always be your number one priority on the road. Unless other drivers are putting your life at risk, blasting your horn at them will only make them angry instead of convincing them to change their habits.

I wonder if we could use this analogy for preaching or teaching sin? Are we doing it as a warning and only when absolutely necessary or are we doing it for other reasons? In this respect, blasting your horn will only make someone angry instead of convincing them to change their habits.

 

[LittleDrummerBoy]

Some drivers use their horn to communicate a warning while others use it to express arrogance and anger or maybe pride. I see people honking their horn when someone is backing out of a parking spot when they've had plenty of time to stop and they were not an any danger.
Road rage-related accidents often begin with unnecessary horn honking, and safety should always be your number one priority on the road. Unless other drivers are putting your life at risk, blasting your horn at them will only make them angry instead of convincing them to change their habits.

I wonder if we could use this analogy for preaching or teaching sin? Are we doing it as a warning and only when absolutely necessary or are we doing it for other reasons? In this respect, blasting your horn will only make someone angry instead of convincing them to change their habits.

Those of us called to fulfill the Great Commission are aware that Jesus tells us to "teach them everything I have commanded you." Jesus included a lot in his three years of ministry. The Apostle Paul could also say to the Ephesians that in a three year period, he made known to them "the whole counsel of God." Anyone with a conviction they need to fulfill the Great Commission would do well to examine the scope of their work on a regular basis to see if there are any of Jesus' teachings they are leaving out.

I made a video on divorce, because in prayer and seeking God last year, we felt like my video ministry focus needed to expand from an evangelistic focus to a broader discipleship focus - proclaiming the whole counsel of God. This calling was confirmed by my inner circle of advisors, my advisory board, and my church leadership. At some point earlier this year, I had made over 1000 videos since 2016 and none on divorce. That's not the whole counsel of God and that's not including "everything" Jesus commanded.

My past experience has also taught me to be skeptical of churches and ministries that go for years avoiding certain subjects. Given enough time, silence amounts to tacit permission. Churches that never talk about porn or sexual immorality or the occult are out of balance. Churches that never talk about mercy or grace are out of balance. Etc.

We need to teach "everything Christ commanded" not just when absolutely needed, because we are also teaching others to teach "everything Christ commanded." Even if our immediate audience is not in immediate danger from "the sin of divorce" if they are a person of faith, odds are good, they need to be prepared for an audience who is in that immediate danger.

 

[Madman]

Why does it anger, those in the “Church”, to hear about sin? Should we not want to understand the “full council” of God? To workout our salvation with fear and trembling?

To listen to Holy Spirit who “proceeds from the Father and the Son”.

John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement:

 

[Spotlite]

Why does it anger, those in the “Church”, to hear about sin? Should we not want to understand the “full council” of God? To workout our salvation with fear and trembling?

To listen to Holy Spirit who “proceeds from the Father and the Son”.

John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement:

I don’t think “anger” is the correct word. Making blanket statements such as “divorce is sin” “divorce and remarriage is adultery” doesn’t provide any understanding, they’re shooting darts in the dark.

He said the comforter will teach you……..He also said He’d give us Pastors to feed you with knowledge and understanding.

The wrong people are trying to preach. They’re becoming a stumbling block for others. There’s no wisdom in the message. They’ve not addressed any concerns that others have had. At best, they’ve defined adultery.

 

[gordon 2]

With all due respect to everyone here but the whole council of God with reference to the Gospel and our faith in Christ might just be narrower than we think sometimes and purposely designed to be so.

I must admit I have no authority or spirit conviction that I'm right about this and I may well be wrong. My conviction, if it is in fact what I have such a thing worth anything to share, is that Christ would build up people even when they are with great life altering problems and sin (s) and that the salve or the healing from sin and problems in not what to repent of, but what to live for. When one finds what to life for, one repents not the other way around--at least in my experience if my experience can match those who are more convicted to the faith than I have been and am.

Now my understanding and interpretation might be individual to me, but it is also individual interpretation and cultural interpretation what the Great Commission is and is not.

In my case, and I do not boast, but what I found in The Kingdom, the witness of the Gospel there by the action ( lives) of people within, preaches far more than any sermon ever did.

So can I suggest that the full council of God is perhaps far less for Paul than some might think it can be. Paul the Pharisee hunted Christians because his focus was on the sins of these people. When Paul became one of these people he stopped hunting for sin as a means to right standing with God. He was motivated by another command which was perhaps more of a drawing out than a command. Paul the kid goat was drawn to another parent once he became a sheep. And the new parent did not push him around, Paul was drawn to the voice we here all hear.


And I think the command was simple: Make spiritual lemonade out of spiritual lemons by introducing them to the heart of Christ. And the world ain't been the same since because repentance is found in Christ-- the narrow gate. The command is Go There!>>>>. And there I go again as I have no conviction as to ministry or great commission or of a spirit towards as overseer to the ministers who teach the faithful, but simply I claim a shared faith as authority and that faith is of a narrow way for everyone great and meek in our shared faith. Our faith is not one of sin hunting, it is one of building up sinners to get as close to Christ as they can and life will get spiritually easier to live and understand.

But maybe I'm upside down on being a Christian, I beginning to question my spiritual standing-- in fact I am sounding that I might just be not of the elect after all. And so keep my ideas close to your bags of salt.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13–14).

 

[Artfuldodger]

I think a lot of individuals, in or out of the Church see some of this preaching/teaching as things other than warnings.
They see it as the person doing the preaching/teaching as doing it for pride or self. They see it as them doing it to say "I'm better than you because I don't drink(specific sin)." "God sees me in His glory because I don't fornicate(specific sin)."
They see it as a preacher/teacher singling out a certain sin while not addressing their own sins. The plank in the eye thing.

I guess it takes a lot of tact and skill for a sinner(preacher/teacher) to go after others to preach/teach a certain sin for the reasons of a warning about either not having salvation or loosing salvation.

Remember those preacher in the 60's that had those large loudspeakers on the top of the car? They'd ride around town mostly warning us not to sin. I too would wonder why are they doing this, are they honking to warn us or are they doing it to show us their own standing in God's glory?

 

[gordon 2]

One of Jesus' "commands" was to seek the Kingdom first.

Maybe this is the level foundation of everything we build on when we interact with the body of believers... everything else if built on sand. Maybe? Or at least the Kingdom might get us to lay a level line before we seek to outwork our convictions.

Maybe. Maybe not.

 

[Semi-Pro]

Yeah, I got a train horn and it makes me feel better.

 

[gordon 2]

I think a lot of individuals, in or out of the Church see some of this preaching/teaching as things other than warnings.
They see it as the person doing the preaching/teaching as doing it for pride or self. They see it as them doing it to say "I'm better than you because I don't drink(specific sin)." "God sees me in His glory because I don't fornicate(specific sin)."
They see it as a preacher/teacher singling out a certain sin while not addressing their own sins. The plank in the eye thing.

I guess it takes a lot of tact and skill for a sinner(preacher/teacher) to go after others to preach/teach a certain sin for the reasons of a warning about either not having salvation or loosing salvation.

Remember those preacher in the 60's that had those large loudspeakers on the top of the car? They'd ride around town mostly warning us not to sin. I too would wonder why are they doing this, are they honking to warn us or are they doing it to show us their own standing in God's glory?

I really think that saints who preach on sin mean well and that kudos to those who are convicted to point sin out and I'm betting that worshipping with a church group that generally don't have social misfits regards adultery or divorce is comforting even euphoric for some or simply finding a church group that fits one's social and spirituality is great. Nevertheless if I was convicted to the Great Commission in any way I would minister the full council of God to the world by letting God do most of the heavy lifting of getting folks to stop acting stupid and instead live a wholesome life. I would not tell people they are not perfect, people know this. As a matter of fact I tell people to love more and the rest will fall into place... but I can do this because the council to love is enough " commandment" that is not a commandment. With a little help from God people can do this like they were in the "zone" and people get to repent because they love God and love covers... well you know...

But hey that's me... and I'm a nobody... so keep that in mind.

 

[gordon 2]

Yeah, I got a train horn and it makes me feel better.

Nice clean blast. Thanks for sharing. I like trains too.

 

[Artfuldodger]

I got a train horn for the sins of others but I use a silent dog whistle for my sins.

 

[Artfuldodger]

If one is lead by the Spirit to sing, shout, dance, warn, preach, judge, or whatever, then toot away!
Don't let the flesh of yourself or the others muffle the Spirit's voice.

 

[Madman]

The wrong people are trying to preach.

No argument there. Need a good apostolic bishop to weigh in.

They’re becoming a stumbling block for others.

That is my point, a "Stumbling Block" for those in the church?

There’s no wisdom in the message.

Perhaps a warning.

They’ve not addressed any concerns that others have had. At best, they’ve defined adultery.

I suppose I missed some of the concerns. I did see "What if your wife runs off on you", I am not sure that the "rare" examples are that good. The point of the topic is Divorce is Sin, perhaps rather than simply arguing we should spend a little time examining the topic, what does Holy Scripture say, what has the church taught for 2000 years. What does divorce do to the husband and wife, what does it do to the children?

But it is probably not to discuss topics such as sin in the Church, especially if it is my sin.

I suppose I have seen too many attend a wedding, congratulate the happy couple and then start choosing sides when the marital storm rolls in, "he was never right for you, I knew it from the start", "you could have done better, but it was not for me to say".

I'm moving right along.

 

[SemperFiDawg]

Why does it anger, those in the “Church”, to hear about sin?..... To listen to Holy Spirit who “proceeds from the Father and the Son”.

I think you answered your own question.
Those led by the Spirit are almost always receptive to His word. I would suggest that when His word isn't accepted those rejecting it are NOT being led by the Spirit. This would be the case where His word is being broadcast to unbelievers or possibly believers with growth to do in that area. Most people forget that the the Gospel is for those outside the Church, and the precepts set down by Christ are for those IN the church. Big difference. This is a public forum with both crowds in attendance and there's been a lot of "preaching" on various sins here with the expected results given that crown mix.

Preaching about sin to an audience of believers is expected. However, if someone in the church needs correcting it should be done with love, empathy, compassion and mercy, and in a manner in which no one else ever knows about it. Now, if someone IN the church, who KNOWS better, warrants that much consideration, how much do those outside the church, who are ignorant of the the Lord's commands deserve?

 

[Spotlite]

I think you answered your own question.
Those led by the Spirit are almost always receptive to His word. I would suggest that when His word isn't accepted those rejecting it are NOT being led by the Spirit. This would be the case where His word is being broadcast to unbelievers or possibly believers with growth to do in that area. Most people forget that the the Gospel is for those outside the Church, and the precepts set down by Christ are for those IN the church. Big difference. This is a public forum with both crowds in attendance and there's been a lot of "preaching" on various sins here with the expected results given that context.

Preaching about sin to an audience of believers is expected. However, if someone in the church needs correcting it should be done with love, empathy, compassion and mercy, and in a manner in which no one else ever knows about it. Now, if someone IN the church, who KNOWS better, warrants that much consideration, how much do those outside the church, who are ignorant of the the Lord's commands deserve?

Those led by the Spirit are almost always receptive to His word. I would suggest that when His word isn't accepted those rejecting it are NOT being led by the Spirit.

BINGO and vice versa - when a message is led by the Spirit, it does not condemn, it convicts.

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world”