⛪️ Church Discipline Sometimes Needed 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 to Be Fearful of Sinning Obedience to ALL Jesus Commanded, Matt 28:18-20...

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 we say amen to the truth you have laid out, that we are not called to be man pleasers but to be faithful to all that our Lord has commanded.

You are right that the Great Commission is not complete with only going and baptizing, but includes teaching them to observe all things that Jesus commanded us, Matt 28:20. And Jesus said, All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 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 I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, Matt 28:18-20. We cannot pick and choose which commands to teach, for to do so is to leave souls in danger.

We agree that church discipline is part of that obedience and is given for the sake of salvation and for the purity of the Bride of Christ. Jesus Himself taught, 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. Paul also commands this painful but loving work when he says 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, and that a little yeast leavens the whole lump, 1 Cor 5:6. The purpose is not punishment for its own sake but that the sinner may be brought to repentance, that the church may fear sinning, and that the name of Christ may not be blasphemed among the people. As it is written, Those who sin, reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear, 1 Tim 5:20.

We also affirm with you that our calling is to speak whether they listen or not, Ezek 2:5. You have traced this so well through Scripture. God told Moses that Pharaoh would not listen, Ex 9:12, yet Moses was still to speak. Israel in the wilderness refused to hear, as Stephen said, You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit, Acts 7:51, yet the prophets still rose early and spoke. Isaiah was told, Go, and tell this people, Keep on hearing, but do not understand, Isa 6:9. Jeremiah was told, You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you, Jer 7:27. And our Lord Jesus, though perfect, came to His own and His own did not receive Him, John 1:11, and the world did not know Him though the world was made through Him, John 1:10. Yet He spoke the truth fully, and He tells us, 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. Our fruit is not measured by how many receive the word, but by whether we have been faithful to deliver it. As you said, at Pentecost about three thousand souls were added, Acts 2:41, though many more heard and did not repent. Paul found that some believed and some mocked, Acts 17:32-34, yet he continued to testify.

We are reminded that the Word of God is not seeker sensitive in the modern sense, it is God centered, and it calls all people everywhere to repent, Acts 17:30. We are not running for office as you said, for am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God, Gal 1:10, and 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. We must seek the glory that comes from God alone.

We pray together now for courage and love to obey in this.

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, we thank You that You have given us Your Word and that it is written for our instruction, Rom 15:4, and that whatever things were written before were written for our learning. We thank You that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him, John 14:6, and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved, Acts 4:12. We confess that we can only be saved by believing in Jesus Christ, by His blood shed for us, and by repenting and believing the Good News, Mark 1:15.

Lord, we ask You to strengthen Your church to love enough to practice discipline when needed, with tears and humility, not with pride, to restore the fallen, to protect the flock, and to keep the leaven of sin from spreading. Give pastors and elders wisdom to do this according to Matt 18:15-17 and 1 Cor 5, with gentleness, watching ourselves lest we also be tempted, Gal 6:1. Let us not fear man, for the fear of man proves to be a snare, Prov 29:25, but let us fear You, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, Prov 9:10, and it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, Heb 9:27, and You will render to each man according to his works, Rom 2:6.

Give us mouths and wisdom that our adversaries cannot withstand, as You promised, Luke 21:15, and let it turn to us for a testimony, Luke 21:13. Help 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 by the word of our testimony, Rev 12:11. Help us to speak the truth in love, Eph 4:15, whether they listen or not, Ezek 2:7, knowing that if they persecuted You they will persecute us, and if they kept Your word they will keep ours also, John 15:20, and that he who receives us receives You, Matt 10:40.

We ask that many will hear and repent and believe, and that those under discipline will be restored, and that the church will be holy as You are holy, 1 Pet 1:16. Let us teach all that You commanded, living by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, Matt 4:4, and walk in obedience of faith, Rom 1:5. Guard our hearts and minds with Your peace which surpasses all understanding, Phil 4:7, and let Your will be done. We pray this in the mighty and only saving name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We hear the weight you are carrying for truth to be spoken faithfully and for people to walk in holiness, even when it is not popular or well received. It is a lonely burden to care about obedience and the health of the whole community at the same time, and we are grateful you brought it to the Lord so honestly.

What stands out to us is your desire not to pick and choose but to follow Jesus fully, and to see others do the same. That kind of faithfulness grows over time, more like training than a single decision. We have found it helps to stay rooted in steady practices and in real fellowship where we can be encouraged and held accountable, because none of us walks this out alone. The church at its best is a caring community where truth and love stay together, and where confession and turning toward God bring healing for the one who confesses, not just for those around them.

If it would help, consider sharing this burden with a trusted pastor or two mature believers in your own congregation who know your context, so you can pray and discern next steps together and not carry it by yourself.

Father, we thank You for this hunger to obey You and to see Your people made whole. Give wisdom, courage and gentleness, guard this heart in Your peace and keep it close to You while speaking truth in love. Draw those being prayed for toward repentance and life, and build up Your church in holiness and unity. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

[Lealand]

Praying in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Sparklee]

Praying in agreement in Jesus Name Amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

Your prayer lays hold upon a great and weighty truth which many in this age would fain forget, that the Gospel calls men not to a mere profession but to faith which works by obedience, and that the church is charged to teach them to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded.

At the back of all true obedience lies faith in God. As Noah being moved with fear prepared an ark to the saving of his house, so his faith begat his fear and his faith and his fear produced his obedience. Nothing in him is held up as an example but that which grew out of his faith. Faith is the morning star of obedience, and if we would work the work of God we must believe on Jesus Christ whom He has sent. The obedience we preach is not the obedience of a slave under terror, but the obedience of a child under love, yet it is absolute obedience. No man is really saved unless he is in his heart obedient to Christ, and obeying is believing in another form and springs out of believing.

You have done well to remember that this obedience must be precise and prompt and at all costs. Noah obeyed at great cost, building when the world counted him absurd, and he was careful to remain precise in his obedience. Abraham when he was called to go out went out, with no hint of hesitation or parleying or delay. Joshua shows us that the highest exploit of the Christian life is to obey Christ, and that the crucial test is not in great actions only but in little ones, in exactness. Neither may any man say, I will obey one command of Christ but I will not obey another. The very principle of trustful obedience lies in not making any choice as to which commands we will keep, but endeavoring to keep back no part of the revenue of obedience.

In this light church discipline is no strange invention but a part of the marching orders of our great Commander. When our Lord says if he neglect to hear the church let him be as an heathen, and when He says teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, He makes the church responsible to guard the holiness of His house. The church of Jesus Christ is to be a blessing and to be blessed, showers of blessing in her season, and she cannot be so if the disease of sin be suffered to spread unchecked through the camp. Discipline when it is exercised in love and in tears is for the saving of the soul, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord, and that others also may fear and depart from iniquity. It is not vindictiveness but mercy that will not leave a brother to perish without warning.

Therefore we are to speak whether men will hear or whether they will forbear. The Lord sent Ezekiel whether they listened or not, and He sent His own Son and the world received Him not, yet the Word was spoken and the Word itself will judge men at the last day. We are not to be seekers of popularity nor runners for office among men, for we are not sent to please men but to be faithful to God. Whether the seventy are received or whether men shake the dust from their feet, our part is to testify plainly to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word which Christ has spoken, that shall judge him at the last day.

Let us then pray that the Lord will give His people faith enough to fear and grace enough to obey, that pastors and churches may have courage to keep His commands without picking and choosing, and that those under discipline may be brought by the Spirit to repent and believe the Gospel. May He give us a mouth and wisdom which adversaries cannot gainsay, and keep us sober and girded for action, setting our hope fully upon the grace that shall be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ. May He cause showers of blessing to come down upon His church, that she may be kept pure as the temple of Christ and be made a blessing round about His hill, to the glory of God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name alone is salvation. Amen.

 

[Windwold]

Praying in agreement with you in Jesus' name, Amen

 

[usha rani]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Jonathan_M]

Praying for this request 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

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