📖 Church Discipline is Part of Great Commission, Disciples Made By Teaching Obedience to All, Mt 28:19-20; Whether They Listen or Not, Ezek 2:5...

[Nochaeld]

Father, we are taught to obey all that Christ Taught and Warned: 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 not 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 we affirm the truth you have laid out, that church discipline is not separate from the Great Commission but is inherent in it. We are commanded to Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that we commanded you Matt 28:19-20. We cannot pick and choose which commands to teach while we bring the good news, for to withhold the call to repentance and holiness is to leave the disease of sin to spread and to allow the evil one to harm the community and the Bride of Christ. As it is written, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:8-9.

You are right that our obedience is not measured by the response of the hearer. Whether they listen or not Ezek 2:5 is not the standard, our faithfulness to speak what the Lord says is. We see this pattern from the beginning. God warned Adam and Eve though He knew they would not obey, and the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world Rev 13:8. He told Moses to speak to Pharaoh though He declared Pharaoh would not listen Ex 3:18. The history of Israel in the wilderness, the Psalms, and Stephen's testimony shows they were a stiff-necked people who always resist the Holy Spirit Acts 7:51, and for that reason their bodies fell in the wilderness except for Joshua and Caleb. The prophets faithfully declared Thus says the Lord whether Israel listened or not Jer 7:27, Ezek 3:11, Amos 7:14-15, and Lamentations is itself a testimony of Jeremiah rising morning by morning to warn a people of whom only a remnant heard.

This was most perfectly demonstrated in our Lord Jesus Himself. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not recognize him John 1:10. He came to his own, and those who were his own did not receive him John 1:11. Yet He did not alter the message to gain reception or popularity. When He sent the seventy, He told them if any city rejected them to shake the dust from their feet as a testimony against them, and when James and John wanted to call down fire, He rebuked them Luke 9:55. He was not running for office and He warns us not to seek that vain glory. 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. Am I now seeking to please men or God Or am I striving to please men For if I were still pleasing men, I would not be a servant of Christ Gal 1:10. He said, 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 also affirm the order given for discipline. 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 listen to the assembly, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector Matt 18:15-17. This is loving protection for the soul at risk and for the flock, that we may present everyone mature in Christ and not allow leaven to leaven the whole lump.

We pray together now.

Father, we thank You that You are theocentric and not anthropocentric, that Your Word is true whether men receive it or not, and that You have given us Your Word to teach all that Christ commanded. We ask You to strengthen us to repent and believe the Good News Mark 1:15, to fear You and keep Your commandments Ecc 12:13, knowing You will judge the secrets of men. Grant us boldness to speak the truth in love, settling it in our hearts not to be anxious beforehand what we will answer, for You have promised to give us a mouth and wisdom which all our adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict Luke 21:15. Help us not to seek glory from men John 12:43 but to seek the honor that comes from You alone. Make us faithful watchmen who warn whether they listen or not Ezek 2:7, and faithful shepherds who teach them to observe everything You have commanded, trusting that You are with us always, even to the end of the age Matt 28:20. We thank You that whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction Rom 15:4 and that these things happened as examples and were written for our admonition 1 Cor 10:11. Let Your peace which passes all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus Phil 4:7 as we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony Rev 12:11. We ask this 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 alone we have access to You. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We hear the weight and earnestness in what you shared, and your longing to be faithful to all Jesus has taught, even when it is hard or unwelcome. That desire to speak truth in love and to care about holiness in the church comes from a sincere love for Christ and for His people, and we thank God for that burden in you.

It can be wearying to carry a message when you do not know how it will be received. One thing that has helped us is remembering that faithfulness is more like long term training than a single moment of trying. We grow steady over time through simple, regular walks with the Lord and with other believers, and that steadiness is what sustains us when the response around us is mixed. God sees quiet obedience over years, not just visible results in a moment.

It may help to keep bringing this burden to a trusted pastor or two mature believers in your own church who know you well, so you are not carrying it alone. Staying rooted in fellowship, prayer, and the Word in community can keep your heart both courageous and gentle as you seek to teach and live what Jesus has commanded.

We pray for you now. Father, we ask You to strengthen our brother in hope and humility as he seeks to follow You. Give him wisdom, rest for his heart, and grace to walk faithfully day by day, trusting You with the fruit. Keep him close to You and to Your people, and fill him with Your peace as he looks to Jesus. In Jesus' name, Amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

Your burden to see Christ obeyed in all things is heard and it is right before the Lord. The prayer you have poured out reflects the very heart of the Great Commission, for our Lord did not say go and make converts only, nor go and baptize only, but teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, Matthew 28:19-20. The great practical end of the Gospel is to bring the human heart into obedience to Christ and to make the stubborn will acknowledge allegiance to His sway, and that obedience must be wholehearted and complete, not a picking and choosing of what is convenient.

You have spoken truly that we are to speak whether they hear or whether they forbear, Ezekiel 2:5-7. So it was from the beginning. The Lord warned Adam and Eve though He knew they would fall, and He sent Moses to Pharaoh though He declared that Pharaoh would not hearken, Exodus 3. So Israel fell in the wilderness because they would not hear, as Stephen testified, Acts 7:51, and so the prophets cried, Thus saith the Lord, though the people stopped their ears. Even our perfect Lord came unto His own and His own received Him not, John 1:11, and He told the seventy to shake the dust from their feet where they were not received. Reception and popularity were never the measure. As it is written, the word which I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day, John 12:48.

In this matter we must not mistake faith for a mere assent that leaves obedience aside. To obey is to believe in another form and springs out of believing. No man is truly saved unless he is in his heart obedient to Christ. We do not say we will go thus far and no further, but we enlist under the banner of the Captain of our salvation to follow His marching orders. And if we profess to obey Him, the crucial test will not be in great actions only, but in little ones, in attention to what seems small, for there the essence of obedience is most proved. The sincere soul does not conform only to what is already known and easy, but seeks out the Lord's will to do it. The Church greatly needs to be brought back to this standing of simple, intelligent, prompt obedience to her Lord and King.

So church discipline is not harshness but love and fidelity within that same commission. When our Lord says if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man, Matthew 18:17, He would keep the disease of sin from spreading through the body and would call the wandering soul to repentance and holiness, as John teaches that if we walk in the light we have fellowship, 1 John 1:5-10. It is God centered, not man centered, and it seeks the good of the soul at risk and the purity of the Bride of Christ.

We join you in prayer to our Father. O Lord, grant us grace to repent and believe the Gospel, Mark 1:15, to fear Thee and keep Thy commandments, Ecclesiastes 12:13, and to live by every word that proceedeth out of Thy mouth, Matthew 4:4. Make us faithful to go and to teach all that Christ has commanded, whether men will hear or whether they will not, and to do so in love and truth, not seeking the praise of men, John 5:44, but Thy glory alone. Give us a mouth and wisdom which adversaries cannot gainsay, Luke 21:15, and let our obedience be cheerful, as children and not as slaves, wrought by faith and love. Keep Thy church holy, and when discipline is needed give courage and tears, that sinners may be restored and Thy name hallowed. We ask for Thy peace to guard our hearts in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:7, and we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our only Savior and Lord, Amen.

 

[usha rani]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Jonathan_M]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.