📖 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 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 affirm what you have set forth, for it is true and aligns with the Word of God. The Great Commission is not only to go and to baptize, but to teach them to observe all things that Jesus commanded us, Matt 28:19-20, and that includes calling souls to repentance, to holiness, and to obedience. We cannot pick and choose what we teach, for the whole counsel of God was written for our instruction, Rom 15:4, and whatever was written in the past was written for our warning, 1 Cor 10:11. Heaven and hell are real places, and the response to the Word is what will judge each person on the last day, as Jesus 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 agree that church discipline is part of this commission and is an act of love to protect the soul and to keep the leaven of sin from spreading through the Bride of Christ. If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone, and if he will not listen, take with you one or two more, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established, and if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly, Matt 18:15-17. This is not done in harshness but to restore, and we are reminded to restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, Gal 6:1, while also remembering that we walk in the light as He is in the light, and if we confess our sins He is faithful and righteous to forgive us, 1 John 1:7-9.

You are right that we are to speak whether they listen or not, Ezek 2:5. God told Ezekiel, they, whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse, for they are a rebellious house, will yet know that there has been a prophet among them, Ezek 2:5, and again, you shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear or whether they will refuse, Ezek 2:7. We see this pattern from the beginning. God warned Adam and Eve even though the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world, Rev 13:8, and He sent Moses to Pharaoh knowing Pharaoh would harden his heart, Ex 3:18-19. Stephen declared to those who resisted the Holy Spirit, You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit, Acts 7:51, and their bodies fell in the wilderness because of unbelief. 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, and when He sent out the seventy, He told them where they were not received to shake off the dust from their feet for a testimony against them, Luke 10:11. Even James and John, the Sons of Thunder, wanted to call down fire, but Jesus rebuked them, Luke 9:55, showing us that our calling is not to seek popularity or public opinion or vainglory, for that honor which comes from men cannot be sought together with the honor that comes from God, John 5:44, Gal 1:10, but to faithfully testify and command all men everywhere to repent, Mark 1:15, knowing God will give us a mouth and wisdom which all our adversaries will not be able to withstand, Luke 21:15.

Father, we come before You together in the name of Jesus Christ, for it is only through Him that we have access to Your throne and by no other name are we saved, Acts 4:12, John 14:6. We thank You that Your Word endures and judges righteously. We ask for boldness and love to teach obedience to all that Christ commanded, to not shrink back from declaring the truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to practice church discipline in humility and truth when a soul is at risk. Grant to Your church pastors and teachers who will speak thus says the Lord whether the people listen or not, and give us hearts that fear You and keep Your commandments, Eccl 12:13, that we may be found faithful on that day when the Word judges. Strengthen 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 let our testimony overcome the evil one, Rev 12:11. We pray that many will hear and repent and believe the Good News, and where they do not, help us to remain faithful knowing You are with us always, even to the end of the age, Matt 28:20. Let Your peace which passes all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Phil 4:7, as we trust You for the increase. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We hear how deeply you want the church to be faithful to all Jesus taught, not picking and choosing, and to see people come to repentance and holiness because you know how much is at stake. Carrying that burden, especially when you know some may not listen, can be heavy and lonely.

What stands out to us is your desire to be obedient whether there is a visible response or not, and to trust God with the outcome. That kind of faithfulness is more like long term training than a single moment of trying hard. Staying rooted day by day in prayer, in the Word, and in fellowship is what steadies us for the long road and keeps truth and love together when the pressure is to lean hard one way or the other.

We also encourage you not to carry this alone. If you have not already, it can help to sit down with a trusted pastor or elder in your own church, share what is on your heart, and pray together about how to live out this conviction wisely within your local body with accountability and care. God has placed us in community for that very reason.

We are grateful for your willingness to speak with courage and humility.

Father, we thank You for this brother who longs to honor You and to see Your church walk in truth. Give him wisdom, steadiness, and a gentle spirit as he seeks to obey You, and guard his heart with Your peace. Keep him close to You and to faithful community as he follows You day by day. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

Your prayer lays hold upon a weighty and necessary truth, that the commission given to the Church is not fulfilled when men are merely gathered and washed, but when they are taught to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded. To make disciples is to call men to obedience, and therefore the faithful exercise of discipline within the house of God belongs to the same work, lest sin as a spreading disease should defile the bride of Christ.

The Church of the living God is called to be 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 upon it, and there is a sense in which the Church is the pillar of the truth, for we who are of the house of God are made maintainers and supporters, instrumentally, of God's truth upon the earth. You do well to stir up this duty and not leave the truth to itself. Remember how the blood of martyrs and the voices of confessors speak to us, how they held fast the truth of God and handed it down from generation to generation, and be you also steadfast to preserve it.

This obedience must be prompt and unhesitating. Abraham, when he was called to go out, went out. There was no parleying or delay, though a hundred difficulties might have been suggested. He was ready for all the losses and risks that obedience might involve. So also Noah, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, and at the back of his fear and his obedience was his faith in God. Without faith we are nothing as to spiritual things, but where faith is found it shows itself by a holy fear which leaves nothing undone which the Lord has commanded and adds nothing of will worship to His perfect law. Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.

You have spoken rightly that we are to speak whether men will hear or whether they will forbear. This was the charge to Ezekiel, and to Isaiah and Jeremiah, and it was the portion of our Lord Himself, of whom it is written, He came unto His own and His own received Him not. The world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He sent forth the seventy knowing that some cities would not receive them, and bade them shake the dust from their feet as a testimony. Our work is theocentric, not man centered, and it is not to be measured by reception or popularity. The truth endures to all generations, and sooner shall heaven and earth pass away than one promise or one warning of our God shall fall to the ground. God is true and will be found so when He calls men to His bar, for the Word which Christ hath spoken, the same shall judge men in the last day.

Be encouraged also that the Word of God when it is planted will grow. At Ephesus it was first planted in a few prepared hearts, and then it grew until there was a strong church whose elders could be called to Miletus, and it prevailed over sin so that men brought their books of magic and burned them. Go, servant of Christ, where God sends you, and plant the Word. In the most barren country there are oases of fertile soil prepared of God to receive it. Some will rejoice and glorify the Word and believe, as at Antioch, and some will not, as at Athens where only a few clave unto Paul. That is in the Lord's hands. Ours is to plant and to water and to watch the Word grow, and to keep the doctrine pure.

Let us pray together that the Lord will make us faithful in this. May He grant us faith that works by holy fear, and prompt obedience that counts no cost too great for Christ. May He keep His Church pure, willing to admonish with two or three witnesses and, if need be, to tell it unto the Church, not from harshness but from love for souls and zeal for His glory. May He give us a mouth and wisdom which adversaries cannot gainsay, and grace to speak the truth in love whether men listen or not, remembering that the one who receives His servants receives Him. May He strengthen us all to repent and believe the gospel, to fear God and keep His commandments, and to live by every word that proceedeth out of His mouth, looking for the grace that shall be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. May the peace of God which passeth all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus until He comes. Amen.