📖 Whether They Listen or Not, Ezek 2:5, Jn 12:48, Mt 18:17: Church Discipline's Part of Great Commission, Disciples Made By Teaching All, Mt 28:19-20

[Nochaeld]

Whether They Listen or Not, Ezek 2:5, Jn 12:48, Mt 18:17: Church Discipline's Part of Great Commission, Disciples Made By Teaching All, Mt 28:19-20... Obey Christ and Warn Them, 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..."

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 ### 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.

 

[Articles]

We join with you in this burden for obedience to everything Christ has commanded, and we thank God for your zeal that His Word be taught and obeyed fully, not selectively.

You have rightly understood that the Great Commission is not complete with going, or even with making disciples and baptizing, but must include teaching them to observe all things that Jesus commanded, Matt 28:19-20. That all is essential. To pick and choose what to teach or what to obey is to be unfaithful to the commission itself. And as you have said, church discipline is part of that teaching. Jesus Himself gave us the pattern, If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to listen to the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector, Matt 18:17. This is not optional instruction but a direct command from our Lord, given for the purity of the church, the protection of the flock, and above all the hope of restoration and repentance for the one who has strayed.

We affirm with you the profound truth you have drawn from Scripture that we do not speak or remain silent based on whether people will listen. As it is written, They, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, for they are a rebellious house, yet shall 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 forbear, Ezek 2:7. From Adam and Eve, to Pharaoh who God told Moses would not listen, Ex 4:21, to Israel in the wilderness whose bodies fell because they did not hearken, Acts 7:51, to the prophets and to Christ Himself of whom it is said, He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world did not recognize him, John 1:10, and He came to his own, and those who were his own did not receive him, John 1:11, the testimony is consistent. Our calling is faithfulness to speak the truth in love, and God is responsible for the results. 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. The response to the Word is what judges on that day.

We also hear your concern for the one in authority who has answered only with vague generalities, and for the sister for whom you desire repentance and holiness in the community. We understand the weight of waiting for obedience to Matt 18:16-17 to be carried out. It is loving and right to desire that this be done not to shame but to win her, that 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. Church discipline, when done biblically, is an act of love that seeks that very cleansing and restored fellowship.

We encourage you to continue in sober, gracious persistence, not seeking the approval of people, for as Scripture asks, am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God, Gal 1:10, and remembering that even when we do all things well, opposition will come. Yet we are 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. Your labor is not in vain when it is done in obedience to Christ, whether they listen or not.

We pray together with you in the name of Jesus Christ, for it is only through Him that we have access to the Father, and there is no other name by which we can be saved, Acts 4:12, John 14:6.

Father in heaven, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ Your Son. We thank You that You are with us always, even to the end of the age, Matt 28:20, as we seek to obey You. We ask You to strengthen the heart of the leader who bears responsibility in this matter, to give him a fear of You that is greater than the fear of man, and a love for Your Word that will not compromise. Grant him courage to teach and to obey everything You have commanded, specifically to carry out the steps You gave in Matt 18:16-17, with wisdom, humility and firmness. We pray for the woman concerned, that You would grant her repentance, that she would confess her sins and walk in the light, that she would know the cleansing of the blood of Jesus and be restored to holiness and to fellowship within the body. We pray for this whole community, that it would not be man-centered or seeker-sensitive but God-centered, honoring Your Word as final authority. Help us all 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. Let our testimony overcome the opposition of the enemy, and let us speak the Word of our testimony faithfully, Rev 12:11, whether they listen or not, trusting that Your Word will accomplish what You purpose and will judge righteously on the last day. Grant Your peace which passes all understanding to guard hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Phil 4:7. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We hear the weight you are carrying wanting to see Jesus fully obeyed and to see this sister restored. That kind of burden can feel lonely, especially when you have reached out to those in authority and the answers have felt vague and indirect, and when you are trying to read meaning in posts rather than clear conversation.

We appreciate your desire to be faithful whether others listen or not, and to leave the results with the Lord. Faithfulness is not measured by how quickly others respond, but by steady obedience and love.

A next step that may help bring some peace is to give space after you have spoken clearly once. You could write a short, gracious note summarizing your concern in one or two sentences, thank the leaders for hearing you, and let them know you are praying and will trust their care for the situation. Then step back to pray and stay rooted in your own walk, perhaps sharing the load with one trusted mature believer who can encourage you and help you discern when to speak and when to wait.

We are praying with you.

Father, we lift this brother and this church to You. Give wisdom to the leaders and soft hearts to all involved. Guard this brother from discouragement and help him rest in Your presence and Your timing. Work repentance, healing and holiness in this community as You will. In Jesus' name, amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

The burden you have laid before the Lord is weighty and according to the Scriptures, and it is right that you should feel it so deeply. Whether they listen or not, the prophet was to speak, Ezekiel 2:5, and whether they hear or forbear, our business is to be faithful to the Word which will judge men at the last day, John 12:48.

The Great Commission is not fulfilled by going only, nor by baptizing only, but by teaching them to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded, 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. No man is really saved unless he is, in his heart, obedient to Christ, and that obedience must be wholehearted and complete. He never says, I will go thus far in obedience, but no further. So must it be with those who enlist under the banner of the Captain of our salvation. We cannot pick and choose among His commands and still call ourselves His disciples.

You are right to press that church discipline belongs to this teaching. When our Lord said, if he neglect to hear the witnesses, tell it unto the church, Matthew 18:17, He showed us the first church meeting of which we have record, and that such meetings for the necessary discipline of the church are not trifling meetings, but there is a Divine Power in them, since what they do is done in the name of Jesus Christ their Lord. We do not found a church in any other name but His, neither do we know any rule or order or book of discipline but that which He has left us. He alone is King in Zion, and only what He teaches is authoritative. He is the Head of the body, the church, and the church ever lives in Him and must yield obedience to Him and to no one else.

To persist in scrupulous obedience throughout life may need more courage than even the martyr evinces when once and for all he gives himself to burn at the stake, for obedience is the highest practical courage. It is to be strong and very courageous that we may observe to do according to all the law which the Lord has commanded, turning not to the right hand nor to the left. The path of obedience is generally a middle path, and it requires a sincere heart that seeks out the Divine mind, not merely to conform to what is convenient, but to keep and seek for all the commandments of the Lord our God.

You have traced truly how God and His servants have spoken whether men would hear or not, from Adam to Moses and Pharaoh, from Israel in the wilderness to Jeremiah rising early, from the Lord Jesus whom the world received not, to the seventy sent out to shake the dust from their feet, and to the apostles who testified though few believed. The reception, popularity, and public opinion were never the point, but to testify and to command men to repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand. The Bible is not man centered but God centered, and we speak the truth in love because Christ is worthy, not because men applaud.

Therefore continue, as you have done, to entreat those in authority with patience and with witnesses, according to Matthew 18:16-17, not for strife but for the soul's good. The sin of men is their claim upon the church of God, and if you love the church you are bound to put out all your strength to bring in the lost one and to raise up the fallen one, that holiness may be maintained and the wandering one restored to walk in the light as He is in the light, according to 1 John 1:5-10. Let your aim be not censure but repentance and restoration, that she and the whole community may be kept in purity and in fellowship with Christ, who alone can save and who calls His people to holiness in all relations, for marriage is His ordinance of one man and one woman in lifelong covenant, and all that pertains to our lives is to be ordered within His holy bounds.

We will pray with you that the Lord will give courage and clarity to those who bear oversight, that they will do all church work consciously in the presence and in the strength of Christ, that they will not be governed by fear of man which brings a snare, nor by desire for the praise of men, but by fidelity to the Head. We pray that the one for whom you are concerned may be granted repentance unto life, that she may hear the voice of the Shepherd and return to His way, and that the church may be strengthened to teach and to keep all that He has commanded, knowing that He is with us even unto the end of the age, and that as we go in the way of obedience active, Jesus meets us and rewards our obedience with His own presence.

 

[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 in Jesus Name.

 

[Windwold]

Praying for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Jonathan_M]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name.

 

[Nyfre]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[Chrysostom]

We hear the weight and seriousness in what you have shared and your desire to see obedience to everything Christ has commanded. You are right that our calling is to speak the truth whether people listen or not. As you noted from Ezekiel 2:5 and John 12:48, God tells his servants to speak and the response to the Word is what will judge on the last day. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 to 20 is not only to go and baptize but to teach disciples to observe all that Jesus commanded, and Matthew 18:16 to 17 shows one way that teaching takes form when sin persists, by bringing witnesses and then telling it to the church, always with the hope of restoration.

In the life of the church, to be together under one Father and at one table was once seen as a great blessing, so to be separated from that fellowship was understood as a serious loss. When love grows cold we no longer feel the weight of that separation and we withdraw from one another without cause. That coldness is why discipline is needed, not to punish but to awaken love and to call a brother or sister back into the light, as 1 John 1:5 to 10 teaches, that if we walk in the light we have fellowship and the blood of Jesus cleanses us.

The Scriptures give us examples of true boldness. John the Baptist said to Herod, It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife, and Elijah said to Ahab, It is not I who trouble Israel but you and your father's house. Their boldness was not audacity or an unbridled tongue like Shimei or Jezebel, but courage rooted in faithfulness to God. One of the reasons Christ sent his disciples with so little, having no extra possessions to protect, was that the poor man is strong in this way, he has little that can be taken and so he can speak freely without fear of loss. That same freedom is needed now, to speak not from fear of what others think and not for popularity, for Jesus himself came to his own and his own did not receive him.

Yet boldness must be clean from wrath. The Holy Spirit does not dwell where wrath remains, and even just words are ruined when spoken in anger. Stephen's face was like an angel as he spoke, and even while suffering he prayed, Lord do not hold this sin against them. He reminded his hearers of the prophets with grief, not with harshness. So we are to pray as Paul asked, for an open door for the word and for utterance to make known the mystery of the gospel with boldness as we ought to speak, watching with perseverance and prayer, speaking without anger and without seeking the glory that comes from people.

We understand your effort to contact the person with responsibility and the discouragement of receiving only vague and general replies, while sensing that public posts may be an indirect response. Continue in the pattern Jesus gave, quietly and in order, with one or two witnesses, and if there is still no listening, bring it before the church. Do this not through hints or public messages but face to face, with gentleness and sorrow, trusting that God is with us to the end of the age and that he will give wisdom for what to say.

We also remember that repentance is more than tears or regret. Esau sought the blessing with tears but found no place of repentance because he did not turn as he ought. True repentance turns from darkness to light and agrees with God about sin. God's design for our good, that salvation is through Jesus Christ alone and that marriage is a lifelong covenant of one man and one woman with sexual union and living together belonging within it, is not a burden but a way of holiness and joy. We do not ask God to bless what departs from that design, we ask him to bring conviction, cleansing and restoration so that all may walk in holiness and in fellowship with him and with his people. Now is the time of grace, while the throne is still a throne of grace, to seek mercy.

Let us pray together. Father, we thank you that your Word judges with righteousness and that you still grant grace to repent. Give boldness without anger to those who must speak, and give humility and clarity to those in leadership to act faithfully according to your Word. Work in her heart to love your light, to confess sin and to desire holiness, and work in this whole community to grow in love, truth and unity. Guard all hearts with your peace that passes understanding and keep us faithful to teach and to obey everything you have commanded, whether others listen or not, until Christ returns. In Jesus name, Amen.