Church Discipline for Sake of Salvation, Others to Be Fearful of Sinning, Obedience to ALL Jesus Commanded, Matt 28:18-20...

[Nochaeld]

️ Church Discipline Sometimes Needed for Sake of Salvation, Others...

Father, we are taught to teach obedience to all that Christ commanded, Matt 28:20: That both Heaven and Hell are Real Places, one is avoided by trusting Jesus and obeying all He Commanded, John 8:10-11, Whether They Listen or Not, Ezek 2:5, Response to Word is What Judges on That Day, Jn 12:48, If Don't Listen to Two or Three Witnesses, Bring before Church, Mt 18:17 -- Church Discipline is Part of The Great Commission (Go and Make Disciples of All Nations, Baptizing Them in The Name of The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, TEACHING Them to Obey EVERYTHING I Have Commanded, Matt 28:19-20... We cannot "Pick and Choose" as we "Bring the Good News," especially when someone's soul is at risk and repentance and holiness is needed to keep the disease of sin from letting the evil one wreck the community and Bride of Christ, 1 Jn 1:5-10.

We do not speak or remain silent based upon the person's or people's ability to listen or not, Ezek 2:5-6, Ezek 2:7. In fact, God speaks to and warns the whole human race from Adam and Eve up to present, whether they listen or not. Consider first: He did warn Adam and Eve knowing they'd not obey, correct? Yes, for "The Lamb of God was slain before the foundation of the world," Rev 13:8

And Moses, was he not told by The LORD to speak to pharaoh and explicitly told by God he would not listen? Ex 3:1-4:22. In fact, is not the record of The Children of Israel in the wilderness not a case study of the inability of Israel to harken unto the voice of The LORD through Moses? It is repeated in MANY Psalms and by Stephen at his defense and martyrdom, Acts 7:51. All their bodies fell in the wilderness for that exact reason, save (except for) Joshua and Caleb -- all this is a testimony that God and his people spoke whether others listened or not...

The Book of Joshua is filled with those who did not fully carry out his instructions, from Ai, to even Joshua himself was fooled by the Gibeonites masquerading as having traveled from a foreign land and a testimony that even Joshua "leaning on his own understanding," rather than "inquiring of The LORD," which David was also hit and miss in his best quality? (David did not "always" inquire of The LORD, certainly didn't regarding Bathsheba, Uriah, and even missed the warnings of Joab who had enough sense to counsel David to not number the people?).

The History of Israel, the Psalms and Prophets, even everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, Rom 15:4, 1 Cor 10:11. Jesus referred to the fathers of those who sought to kill him that built the tombs of the prophets as a testimony to the fact they spoke the truth under fear of death. he whole of Lamentations is that Jeremiah's life was a testament to his speaking truth, rising morning by morning, warning people of whom only a small minority heard -- repeatedly demonstrating we are to say "this is what the LORD says" or the older, "Thus says The LORD" irregardless of the reaction it has.

This was obviously most clearly demonstrated in the life of Jesus, who, even though perfect, and "the world was made by Him, the world did not receive Him," John 1:10 -- And -- "He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him," John 1:11.

Did everyone listen to "The 70" he sent out? No. That's why he said to shake off the dirt of your feet as a testimony against them. It was implied they would have opposition. James and John wanted to call down fire upon a city (Sons of Thunder). Thankfully Jesus rebuked them, Lk 9:54-55. Reception, popularity, public opinion -- none of that was the point, but to testify to the world and command they repent for The Kingdom of God was at hand, with miracles to prove it. Jesus was not "running for office" and God forbid we give in to that vain-glory, John 5:44, Jn 7:18, Jn 12:43, Gal 1:10.

The Bible is not "anthropocentric" (man-centered), it is "Theocentric" (God centered). It is not "Seeker-Sensitive." Therefore we speak, like the Apostles, Good Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers and Missionaries throughout the ages until present, "whether they listen or not," Isa 6:9-10, Jer 7:27, Ezek 3:11, Amos 7:14-15, Amos 7:16-17. Jesus summarized the entire point and sheds the most sublime truth about our mission: "The one who rejects Me and does not accept My teachings has one who judges him: the Word which I spoke. The Word itself will judge him on the last day," John 12:48. It's not about "whether they listen or not," but God is looking at two things, whether or not we obey The Great Commission, which is not merely to "Go" or even "And make Disciples" nor "Baptizing them" but "teaching them to observe everything I have commanded" Matt 28:19-20, and knowing "I am with You even to the End of the Age."

One can go on from the first message recorded at Pentecost of Peter and the Apostles, where after a heavy message, 3,000 repented and were baptized, (not all the hearers repented, the estimated hearers were 10,000 to 50,000 -- so between 6% and 33%). We see this in Paul repeatedly, "When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord spread throughout that region," Acts 13:48, see also Acts 17:34, Acts 18:8. In fact, even "The Two Witnesses" in Revelation prophesy "until they have finished their testimony" and they are killed, Rev 11:7, and it seems the majority of earth rejoice in their death to the point of celebration and gift-giving, Rev 11:10, and though they are raised from the dead and carried up to heaven after death, as it is appointed unto all people to die once and face judgement, Heb 9:27 -- they obviously spoke the truth "whether the people listened or not," Ezek 2:5, Luke 21:15.

Therefore let us "gird-up" and prepare our minds for action, being sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 1 peter 1:13. Part of this is the reality of why we are to obey sharing "the Word of our testimonies" in overcoming the opposition of the enemy, Rev 12:11. Luke 21:12-15, "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will be able to contradict or resist." Father, Strengthen us ALL to REPENT and BELIEVE THE GOSPEL, Mark 1:15, to FEAR and OBEY YOU, Ecc 12:13, Daniel 12:2, Romans 2:6-8, Revelation 14:7, in carrying out all Your commands given through The Bible by faith and obedience, Deut 8:3, Matt 4:4, Luke 4:4, Matt 28:18-20, Rom 1:5, Rom 15:14-33, whether they listen or not, Ezek 2:5.

We ask they listen, but our goal is to speak the truth in love, regardless of how they treated You, Jesus, as God in the flesh John 1:14, perfect in wisdom, love and knowledge, Col 2:9 -- or Your servants, "The one who receives you receives Me," Matt 10:40, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his Master, nor is a messenger greater than The One who sent him," John 13:16, "Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well," John 15:20. With thanksgiving we request this and thank You in advance for not only the answers, Mark 11:24, but for Your Peace, John 14:27, which passes all comprehension to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus' Name, Phil 4:6-7, Amen, Rev 3:14, 2 Cor 1:20.

 

[Articles]

We join with you in this burden and agree together before the Father about the necessity and love of true biblical church discipline and obedience to all that Christ has commanded.

You have spoken truth that we cannot pick and choose what we teach when we carry the good news, for the Great Commission is not only to go and to baptize but teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you, Matt 28:19-20, and that He who has all authority in heaven and on earth, Matt 28:18, is with us always even to the end of the age. This is theocentric, not man centered, and it is not seeker sensitive to withhold truth when a soul is at risk. We are to speak whether they listen or not, Ezek 2:5, Ezek 2:7, for the response to the Word is what judges on that day, He who rejects me, and does not receive my sayings, has one who judges him, the word that I spoke will judge him in the last day, John 12:48.

We affirm that church discipline is part of making disciples and is given for the sake of salvation, for protection of the flock, and that others may be fearful of sinning. Scripture is clear about this pattern, If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone, if he listens to you, you have gained back your brother, But if he does not listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established, If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly, If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector, Matt 18:15-17. And again, Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be afraid, 1 Tim 5:20. When this was neglected, the assembly was warned, Purge the evil person from among yourselves, 1 Cor 5:13, and to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, 1 Cor 5:5, so that the leaven does not leaven the whole lump.

This discipline must always be done in love with the hope of restoration, Brethren, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, Gal 6:1, and that godly sorrow may lead to repentance. It is not vengeance, for Moses was told to speak to Pharaoh even though God knew he would not listen, Ex 3:19, and the prophets and apostles spoke rising morning by morning whether Israel heard or not, Jer 7:27, and Jesus Himself came to His own and His own did not receive Him, John 1:11, though the world was made through Him, John 1:10, yet He still gave words that we must obey. We are not running for office or seeking the glory of men, How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that comes from the only God, John 5:44, For they loved men's praise more than God's praise, John 12:43, and if we still pleased men we would not be servants of Christ, Gal 1:10.

We are called to have a mouth and wisdom which adversaries cannot contradict, for You have promised, I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict, Luke 21:15, and that even persecution will turn out as an occasion for testimony, Luke 21:13. All that was written before was written for our instruction, Rom 15:4, as an example that we might not desire evil things as they did, 1 Cor 10:11, and we remember that the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world, Rev 13:8, so that any who repent and believe the gospel, Mark 1:15, and trust in Jesus may have life.

We pray together now.

Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, Acts 4:12, and through Him we have access to Your throne of grace. We ask You to strengthen every true church to love enough to obey all that Jesus commanded, to preach the whole counsel of God whether the hearers listen or not, to teach that both heaven and hell are real places and that we must repent and believe. Give pastors and elders courage and tears to practice discipline not as harshness but as holy love, to confront sin privately first and then with witnesses and then before the assembly, always aiming to gain the brother and to save the soul and to keep the disease of sin from spreading in the Bride of Christ, for if we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin, 1 John 1:7.

Grant us to gird up the waist of our mind, be sober and set our hope fully on the grace that will be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet 1:13, and to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, Rev 12:11. Help us to speak the truth in love, to fear You and keep Your commandments for this is the whole duty of man, Eccl 12:13, and to remember that You will render to everyone according to his works, Rom 2:6. Let Your peace which passes all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Phil 4:7, as we settle it in our hearts not to be anxious beforehand but to trust You to give us words, and let us rejoice that You are with us even to the end of the age. We thank You in advance for hearing us, for Your Word will accomplish what You please and will not return void. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We hear the burden in what you have written and the longing behind it to see people come to real repentance and to see the church kept holy and whole for Christ.

Carrying a concern for obedience and for souls can feel heavy, especially when you speak faithfully and the response is mixed or painful. We want to encourage you that God measures faithfulness over time, not just immediate results. Growth and repentance are rarely a single moment, they are more like training over a long road, and the church is meant to walk that road together rather than anyone carrying it alone.

If this is weighing on you in your own congregation, it may help to bring it to a trusted pastor or elder team you know well. Praying and thinking through together what faithfulness looks like in your specific situation, with accountability and wisdom from others who know the people involved, can keep you from carrying this by yourself and help guard both truth and love.

Father, we lift up this dear brother or sister to You. Give rest where there has been weariness, and give clear wisdom for each next conversation. Work in hearts to bring true turning toward You and heal what sin has wounded in Your people. Keep this one close to You and steady in hope as they trust You with the outcome. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

The burden you have laid out concerning obedience to all that Christ has commanded is weighty and scriptural, and it ought to rest upon every faithful congregation. The Great Commission is not fulfilled by going only, nor by baptizing only, but by teaching them to observe all things whatsoever the Lord has commanded, and that teaching must be kept and sought out with diligence, for the path of obedience is the path of safety and of happiness.

At the back of all true obedience there must be faith in God. Noah was moved by fear and prepared an ark to the saving of his house, and that fear was not a servile fear as a culprit fears a judge, but a loyal reverence of God. There is a fear which perfect love embraces and nourishes, a fear lest we should fall into sin and perish with the rest of sinners. Such fear does not trifle with eternal things, for trifling with eternal things is the suicide of the soul. Let us fear God because of His greatness and fear ourselves because of our sinfulness, and so be moved to do as God bids us, knowing that none can save us but God, yet He bids us obey and in that obedience He saves us and our house.

This obedience must be prompt and complete, as was Abraham's when he went out not knowing whither he went. With many the call alone is not enough, for many are called but few are chosen, and the Lord complains, I called and ye refused. Abraham was ready for all the losses and risks that might be involved in obedience to the call of God, he did not entangle himself with considerations of difficulty, but his soul mounted as on the wings of eagles to do the will of God. So must it be with you if you enlist under the banner of the Captain of our salvation, your obedience must be wholehearted and complete, you must never say I will go thus far but no further, for the exactness of obedience is the very essence of obedience.

You speak rightly of the discipline of Christ's own house, over which Christ is the Master. The Church is not a mere assembly of men, but the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. There is a sense in which the truth is the pillar of the Church, for the Church is built on the truth, and there is a sense in which the Church is the pillar and ground of the truth, for she is to hold it up before the eyes of men. If there is not the vital principle in a man's heart, teaching him the truth of God as it is in Jesus, he does not belong to that Church. And this is the law of Christ's house, if we will not be obedient we shall not abide in the comfortable enjoyment of His presence. When sin is suffered to spread as a disease, the whole body is endangered, and for the sake of the soul that has wandered, and for the sake of others that they may fear and be kept from sin, the Church must in love and tears practice that correction which the Lord has appointed, if after two or three witnesses the brother will not hear, to tell it unto the Church.

Let this discipline be done not as the obedience of a slave tuned to the crack of the whip, nor as the obedience of a well trained horse or dog, for obedience which is not cheerfully rendered is of little worth before God. I preach to you the obedience of a child, not the obedience of a slave, the obedience of love, not of terror, the obedience of faith, not of dread. There is a free grace road to obedience and that is receiving by faith the Lord Jesus who is the gift of God and is made of God unto us sanctification. We accept the Lord Jesus by faith and He teaches us obedience and creates it in us. Then the spirit will cheerfully bend down its neck to wear the collar of sacred service.

You have well said that we are to speak whether they hear or whether they forbear. The Bible is not man centered but God centered, it is not seeker sensitive. God warned Adam though He knew he would fall, He sent Moses to Pharaoh though He told him Pharaoh would not hearken, He sent Jeremiah who rose morning by morning though only a small remnant heard, and our Lord Jesus came unto His own and His own received Him not, and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. The angel's message was not shaped by popularity, and the apostles were not running for office, seeking the honor that cometh from men. Our calling is to testify to the truth as it is in Jesus, for the one who rejects Him has one that judges him, the word which He has spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. Whether men listen or not, God looks to see whether we have obeyed.

May the Lord grant you grace to be as Daniels, even if the lions den should threaten, to take hold of God and not of mere formal creed or custom, to stir yourselves up to lay hold upon Him in prayer and in faithful witness. May He give you a mouth and wisdom which adversaries cannot gainsay, and keep you from that Gospel hardened state where the truth becomes a savor of death unto death. May He work in you that faith which fears with a holy reverence, obeys with prompt and exact cheerfulness, and loves the Church enough to keep her pure, that sinners may be saved, the Bride kept spotless, and Christ obeyed in all things, until He comes.

 

[Vyroasor]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Windwold]

Praying in agreement with you in Jesus' name, Amen

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[usha rani]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Jonathan_M]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Chrysostom]

We join you in prayer for faithfulness to all that Christ has commanded and for a holy love that seeks the salvation of souls.

Your concern reflects the heart of the Great Commission. We are called not only to go and baptize but to teach obedience to everything Jesus commanded, Matthew 28:19-20. That includes the call to holiness, to repentance, and when needed, to church discipline. As you noted from Matthew 18:17, the Lord Himself gave the pattern of going first privately, then with two or three witnesses, then telling it to the church. This is not done to condemn but to restore, to rescue a brother or sister from sin, and so that others will learn to fear the Lord and turn from sin, and to keep the disease of sin from spreading through the whole body of Christ, which is His bride.

Scripture teaches that in baptism we are created anew in righteousness and holiness of truth. That holiness is not a mere outward figure as it was under the old types, but a true inward purity given by faith. This holiness is then to be lived out. As one of the homilies reminds us, this includes chaste and orderly living in marriage. Marriage itself is honorable and pure, and it preserves the holiness given by faith by guarding against sexual immorality. Whether married or unmarried, we are called to remain pure and to live in a way that does not defile what God has given us.

True repentance is also at the heart of this. Tears alone are not repentance, as we see with Esau who sought the blessing with tears but found no place of repentance because his heart was not truly turned, Genesis 27:41, Hebrews 12:17. And while Scripture warns that those who have tasted the heavenly gift and then deliberately fall away cannot be renewed again by the washing of baptism as if Christ could be crucified again, Hebrews 6:4-6, repentance itself is never excluded for the contrite heart. God still receives all who truly turn to Him through Christ.

You are right that we are to speak the truth in love whether people listen or not, Ezekiel 2:5-7. God warned Adam and Eve, He sent Moses to Pharaoh knowing he would not listen, He sent the prophets though Israel often refused to hear, and Christ Himself came to His own and His own did not receive Him, John 1:11. The apostles and the seventy were sent out knowing some would reject them. Our calling is not measured by popularity or response but by faithfulness. The Word we speak will itself be the judge on the last day, John 12:48. Even when Jesus displayed great miracles before the crowds, He took His disciples aside alone to train and discipline them, showing that discipline is part of making disciples.

So we pray with you:

Father, give Your church courage and love to obey all that Jesus commanded. Grant pastors and congregations wisdom to practice discipline not in harshness or pride but in humility and love, for the sake of salvation and the purity of Your people. Grant to those confronted by Your Word the grace of true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, that they may turn from sin and walk in righteousness and holiness of truth. Help us all to fear You, to keep Your commands, and to speak Your Word faithfully whether others listen or not, trusting that You are with us even to the end of the age. Guard our hearts with Your peace and strengthen us to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, Revelation 12:11. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.