The Bible tells us in I Timothy 5:17, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.We at North Baptist Church decided to give honor where honor was due and take the occasion to show our appreciation for Pastor Peter Laitres.Pastor Laitres is a contributor on the Fundamental Perspective blog.
The evening began with an ironic/providential (?) sermon out of II Kings 2:23-25.The Message was entitled, “The Cursing of the Mockers.”In this passage the Bible warns against a disrespectful attitude toward God, the servants of God and the things of God in general.Here are a few highlights:
I.The Mockers of God
A. The Age of the mockers
o The “little children” could have been teenagers to young adults.
o A secondary meaning can be servant!
B. The Attitude of the Mockers
o The attitude shown here was one of total disrespect for God’s man and God’s work!
o Mocked means to scorn, to deride, make fun of.They were making light of God!
C.The Accusation of the Mockers
o “Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.”
o The “go up” is a reference to Elijah’s departure!
o They are also telling Elisha to “get lost” in a similar fashion!
o The “bald head” was a personal act of disrespect.
II.The Manifestation of God
A.Elisha called down the judgment of God on them.
B. In 2 Chronicles 36:15-16, recapping the sorry history of spiritual declension in Israel, we read: “And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.”
Closing Thoughts:
1. Be careful around children – they pick up far more than you may think, and they’ll end modelling the behaviour they observe more than the philosophy they are taught!
2. We live in a society where there is no discipline, no control, no judgment of sin until after innocent people are wronged.I believe this is the height of ungodliness.
3. God judges sin – when there is a full frontal attack on God’s servant, when the office is completely disrespected and mocked, there is judgment coming.
4. Many pastors I know have had incidents where someone disrespected the OFFICE of pastor and that person met his demise shortly thereafter.I don’t say that to scare people, but to remember this is serious:
5. The sin here by this crowd of young hooligans was not personal mistreatment of Elisha – it was a total disregard for the work that God was doing in their midst and for the OFFICE of prophet that God had ordained. It was not about Elisha, it was about GOD!
You can download the audio file of the complete message here. (when it becomes available)
As the service was about to be dismissed in prayer, I got up and sat everyone back down.I asked Mrs. Laitres to join us on the platform and be seated with her husband.They had no idea of what we had planned.
Our service was actually quite simple.Three men in our church gave testimonies of how Pastor and Becky have impacted their lives and the lives of others here at North Baptist.
Following this I presented pastor with several cards and notes from church members, friends, and other pastors.
The evening concluded with food and fellowship downstairs in Rice Hall.
Though we did nothing spectacular, we thought it important to encourage our preacher and his wife from time to time.We do not engage in man-worship or in theatrics.However, encouragement is Biblical and necessary.Why don’t you pray and see how you can encourage your pastor?
Posted by Kevin Thompson 