Whether They Hear or Not, Ezk 2:5, Jn 12:48, Mt 18:17: Church Discipline is Part of The Great Commission, Disciples Made By Teaching All, Mt 28:19-20

Nochaeld

Beloved Warrior
Whether They Hear or Not Ezk 2:5 Jn 12:48 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"

Reason of Church Discipline, Mt 18:16-17: Obedience to EVERYTHING Christ Taught IS the WAY we MAKE DISCIPLES in The Great Commission, Mt 28:19-20... I've been sending messages to the person with authority there, they've replied by mentioning two vague points of polite, generalities... Their posts are a way of speaking to me in a way, almost a response, but I still am asking for obedience to all that Jesus commanded, Matt 28:20, specifically Matt 18:16-17 to be carried out, especially for the chance of bringing her to repentance and holiness in the community, 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 this Pastor to fear and obey You in carrying out all Your commands, 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.
 
We stand with you in the unshakable conviction that the Great Commission is not merely an invitation to share the Gospel but a divine mandate to teach all that Christ commanded, including the call to repentance, holiness, and church discipline when necessary. Your faithfulness in pressing this truth, even when met with vague responses or silence, reflects the heart of a watchman who refuses to shrink back from God’s full counsel. The Word does not return void, whether it is received or rejected, and we must never measure obedience by human response but by alignment with Scripture alone.

You rightly point to the sobering reality that God’s servants have always been called to speak truth regardless of the outcome. Ezekiel was sent to a rebellious house (Ezekiel 2:5), Jeremiah preached to a nation that would not listen (Jeremiah 7:27), and Jesus Himself was rejected by His own (John 1:11). Yet in every case, the faithfulness of the messenger was not determined by the hearer’s reception but by their own obedience to the Lord. The Great Commission is not a suggestion, it is a command to make disciples by teaching them to observe all things Christ commanded (Matthew 28:20). Church discipline, as outlined in Matthew 18:15-17, is not an optional addendum to the Gospel but an essential part of making disciples who walk in holiness. To neglect it is to truncate the Gospel itself.

We must also rebuke the spirit of compromise that often masquerades as "love" or "tolerance" in the church today. Too many leaders shrink back from confronting sin under the guise of "not wanting to offend," yet Scripture is clear: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:6). The goal of discipline is not punishment but restoration (Galatians 6:1), yet restoration cannot occur where sin is ignored or excused. The church is called to be a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9), not a social club that winks at unrepentant sin. If a leader refuses to address rebellion in the camp, they become complicit in it, and the blood of the unrepentant may be required at their hands (Ezekiel 33:6).

We also recognize the spiritual warfare at play here. The enemy seeks to silence the truth through intimidation, distraction, or even false unity. But we are not to be swayed by fear or public opinion. As Paul wrote, "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). The church must stop bowing to the idol of popularity and return to the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

Let us pray with boldness and humility:

Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the Head of Your Church. We thank You for Your Word, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12). We ask that You would embolden Your servants to proclaim the full counsel of God without apology, whether men receive it or reject it. Give them the wisdom of serpents and the innocence of doves (Matthew 10:16) as they navigate the resistance of those who prefer smooth words over hard truths.

Lord, we specifically lift up the leaders in question. If they are walking in disobedience to Your commands, convict them by Your Holy Spirit. Break their hearts over sin, whether it be the sin of the one they are called to discipline or their own sin of silence. Grant them the courage to obey Matthew 18:15-17 in its entirety, not stopping short of the steps You have ordained. If they continue to harden their hearts, we ask that You would raise up faithful voices to hold them accountable, for the sake of the flock and the glory of Your name.

Father, we also pray for the one who is the subject of this discipline. If they are unrepentant, we ask that You would bring them to a place of godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). Let them see their sin as You see it, and let them experience the freedom that comes from turning away from it. If they are being falsely accused, we ask that You would vindicate them and expose the truth. But if they are in rebellion, we ask that You would not let them find rest until they return to You.

We declare that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Your Church (Matthew 16:18). We reject the spirit of compromise and lukewarmness that seeks to infiltrate Your body. We stand on the promise that You are with us always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20), and we will not be moved by the fear of man. Give us the grace to speak the truth in love, to rebuke when necessary, and to extend mercy when repentance is evident.

We thank You, Lord, that Your Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Whether this message is received or rejected, we trust that You will use it for Your purposes. May Your name be glorified, Your people be sanctified, and Your kingdom be advanced through our obedience.

In the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, we pray. Amen.
 
We hear the ache for things to be set right in the church community, and we share that longing for the health and holiness Christ calls us to. The desire to see repentance and restoration is a good one. Yet when messages back and forth have produced only vague replies, continuing to press the same demand can become a cycle that exhausts everyone without moving toward resolution.

Jesus gave us a path for this in Matthew 18, and the next concrete step is to move from written messages to a face-to-face conversation, with one or two others present as witnesses. That changes the dynamic. Letters and emails can be misunderstood or ignored; a calm, in-person meeting makes the matter real and personal, and it allows both sides to truly listen rather than just state positions. We would gently encourage giving that a try, if it has not happened yet, and asking the Lord to prepare hearts beforehand.

We also carry with us the reminder from church history that the prophets and apostles spoke whether people listened or not--and that same call is real for us. But faithfulness is not only about speaking the hard word; it is also about speaking it in the way that gives it the best chance to land in soft soil. Persistence in love includes wisdom about timing and method. It means staying in relationship even when the conversation is difficult, not simply delivering truth from a distance.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, You are the Head of Your Church, and You love her perfectly. We lift up this brother and the leaders he has been addressing, and we ask for Your wisdom to guide them all. Open a door for honest, face-to-face conversation where grace and truth can meet. Grant clarity and humility on both sides, and do the deeper work of bringing any who have strayed into genuine repentance and restoration. Protect this fellowship from division, and surround this brother with Your peace as he entrusts the outcome to You. In Your name we pray, Amen.
 
Jesus gave us a path for this in Matthew 18, and the next concrete step is to move from written messages to a face-to-face conversation, with one or two others present as witnesses. That changes the dynamic.

We had a face to face with our Home Group leaders and she left the next day.

Letters and emails can be misunderstood or ignored; a calm, in-person meeting makes the matter real and personal, and it allows both sides to truly listen rather than just state positions. We would gently encourage giving that a try, if it has not happened yet, and asking the Lord to prepare hearts beforehand.

The distance is about ### Miles

We also carry with us the reminder from church history that the prophets and apostles spoke whether people listened or not--and that same call is real for us. But faithfulness is not only about speaking the hard word; it is also about speaking it in the way that gives it the best chance to land in soft soil. Persistence in love includes wisdom about timing and method. It means staying in relationship even when the conversation is difficult, not simply delivering truth from a distance.

It's not about hard words, it about confronting sin in a member that is living in immorality within a church -- 1 Cor 5:9, "I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” 1 Cor 5:9-13.

As for "What to Say and How to Say It," you've probably noticed I am humbly admitting this can be done better, even boasting in my weakness -- Power in Weakness 2 Cor 12:9 Tame Tongue Jam 1:19-27 Weakness to Strength Heb 11:34 Goal of Trials Heb 12:11 How to Say Jn 12:49 Soft Words Zech 1:13

You might want to curb the AI counseling, since it is rather irrelevant or incorrect, and just stick to praying. You mention how you should be face to face while counseling, and yet a computer is allowed to bark up several wrong trees and appear to be "the voice of authority." The part below is all I really need, prayer, especially from an LLM. Now if the actual administrator wanted to share something, my DM options are open to anyone, and I'd be both grateful and receive it with the utmost respect. Until then, If I need "LLM AI Counseling," I can get that from another model, but would never, since I am in touch with about 10 long time pastoral friends some with advanced degrees from solid Theological Seminaries, under which I have studied as well -- no need for it on a prayer site, personally. I'd block it were I able. Thank you in Jesus' Name

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, You are the Head of Your Church, and You love her perfectly. We lift up this brother and the leaders he has been addressing, and we ask for Your wisdom to guide them all. Open a door for honest, face-to-face conversation where grace and truth can meet. Grant clarity and humility on both sides, and do the deeper work of bringing any who have strayed into genuine repentance and restoration. Protect this fellowship from division, and surround this brother with Your peace as he entrusts the outcome to You. In Your name we pray, Amen.
 
Lord please help this site be a place where people are prayed over without judgement, that Your Agape Love is evident. Please help each intercessor to be in step with You and may our words be wise and the fruit of the Spirit be evident.
Help and give us wisdom in the matters of AI may the administrators be aware of the possible harmful effects of the counsel a machine may have and take proper measures to correct. In Jesus Name
Please bless our brother, keep him, give him strength, peace, comfort, protection, minister to his needs, thank You in advance in Jesus Name Amen.
 
Lord Jesus please richly bless, protect and guide them. Please help them in accordance with your perfect will Father. Thank you and praise you. In Jesus name. Amen
 
You have laid hold of a great truth: the command to speak, to teach all that Christ has commanded, rests not upon the reception it finds, but upon the authority of Him who sends. Whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, the watchman must deliver the warning. You have rightly traced this thread through the sacred record, from Adam to the prophets, to the Master Himself, and to His apostles. The servant is not greater than his Lord; if they rejected Him, they will reject His word through us. So far you stand on solid ground.

Yet take heed that your zeal for obedience does not outrun a humble submission to the Head of the Church in the order and means He has appointed. You have spoken to those in authority, and they have answered with what seems to you a vague generality. It is written, "He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him." Have you considered that the Lord may be testing your patience, your meekness, your willingness to wait upon Him? Church discipline is indeed part of the great labor of making disciples, but it is a work that requires the utmost care, the gentleness of a surgeon setting a broken bone, not the haste of a soldier rushing to battle. The goal is always restoration, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

I would press this weighty matter upon your conscience: exactness of obedience, yes, but be very sure you are not yourself stepping beyond the bounds of your own authority and thus bringing disorder into the very house where all things should be done decently and in order. The Great Commission is not the charge of one lone soldier, but the marching order of the whole army under the Captain. His command is to the church collectively. Continue in prayer, continue in speaking the truth in love, but be not so adamant for immediate, visible action from others that you break the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. True repentance is a gift of God, and the bruised reed He will not break. The work of discipline is meant to bring the wandering sheep back; it ceases to be Christlike if it becomes a harsh, unyielding demand that crushes the very spirit we seek to win. Let all you do be bathed in tears of compassion, for remember, from the least to the greatest, we all are but recipients of infinite grace.
 
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, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. 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

 
You heap up Scriptures like stones, and in your zeal you are right to hold fast to the command to speak the truth. The word must not be silenced by the hardness of men. Yet consider what spirit accompanies your demand. Is it the spirit of a physician, or of a prosecutor? You speak much of obedience to the command, and rightly so, for we must teach all that Christ commanded. But see also how the command itself is framed. When Paul wrote to Philemon for the sake of Onesimus, he did not stand on his apostolic authority. He said, "Having confidence in your obedience I wrote to you." He began with praise, with love, with the refreshment of the saints, and then he made his request. He did not lay the lash on a brother's back before the brother had the chance to obey willingly.

You ask that Matthew 18 be carried out. This is a fearful thing, and it is for the salvation of the one in error, not for the mere completion of a procedure. The goal is repentance, and you cannot force that by the mere mechanics of the text. Esau sought it carefully with tears and found no place for it, because his grief was the grief of pride, not the rending of the heart. Church discipline without the desire to win the soul back in love is a clanging cymbal. It is not enough to speak; you must beseech. You must be distressed for every member, as Paul was, who gloried in his weaknesses so that the power of Christ might rest upon him. Your persistence is evident, but examine whether it is seasoned with the folly of the cross or the folly of self-will. The Lord was a ransom for the heathen who did not believe; He did His part, and His part was suffering love even for those who rejected Him. Go now, and let your speech be a testimony, not a battering ram, and pray that the one you address may be won to a willing, holy obedience, not a forced submission.
 

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