📖 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

Whether They Listen or Not, Ezek 2:5, Jn 12:48, Mt 18:17: Church Discipline's Part of Great Commission, Matt 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:44-47, Disciples Made By Teaching All, Mt 28:19-20... Obey Christ and Warn Them 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..."

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 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 hear the burden the Lord has placed on your heart to see His Word obeyed whether people listen or not, and we join with you in seeking Him for faithfulness to all that Christ has commanded.

You have rightly understood that the Great Commission is not partial. Jesus said 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 Matthew 28:19-20. We cannot pick and choose which commands to teach or obey, and church discipline is indeed part of teaching them to observe all things. Jesus Himself taught 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 Matthew 18:17. This step is given for redemption and holiness, that the one in sin might be brought to repentance and that the community might walk in light. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not tell the truth, but 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 1:6-7. We also affirm what you have shared from Ezekiel They, whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse, for they are a rebellious house, yet they will know that there has been a prophet among them Ezekiel 2:5, and from the Lord Jesus 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 take encouragement from the examples you cited. God told Moses to speak to Pharaoh even while telling him Pharaoh would not listen Exodus 3:18-19, and the history of Israel in the wilderness is a testimony that God and His servants spoke faithfully though the people often did not heed, as Stephen declared You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit Acts 7:51. Jeremiah rose morning by morning yet few listened, and 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. The seventy were sent knowing some would reject them, and the apostles at Pentecost preached and about three thousand believed though many thousands heard Acts 2:41. As you said, the Scripture was written for our instruction Whatever things were written before were written for our learning Romans 15:4 and These things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition 1 Corinthians 10:11. Our calling is to be Theocentric, God centered, not man centered, and to speak the truth in love whether it is received or not, not seeking the glory that comes from men John 5:44, John 7:18, John 12:43, For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God Galatians 1:10.

At the same time we gently exhort you to guard your own heart as you press for obedience in this matter. We must speak truth in love Ephesians 4:15 and with all humility and patience, remembering Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding Proverbs 3:5. Even David, a man after God's own heart, failed to inquire of the Lord at times with grievous consequences, and Joshua was deceived by the Gibeonites because they did not ask counsel from the mouth of Yahweh Joshua 9:14. Let us therefore continue to appeal to those in authority with respect and gentleness, providing two or three witnesses as Matthew 18:16 requires, leaving the outcome to the Lord while not ceasing to teach and warn. Our responsibility is to be faithful to deliver the Word, God alone gives the increase and judges the heart. We also remember that love hopes all things and seeks restoration, not vindication, and that church discipline aims at repentance and reconciliation, not punishment.

We pray together with you now.

Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved Acts 4:12 and through Him we have access to Your throne of grace. We thank You that the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world Revelation 13:8 and that You have spoken faithfully through the ages whether men listened or not. Forgive us where we have been selective in obeying Your commands, and grant us grace to repent and believe the Good News Mark 1:15 and to fear You and keep Your commandments Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Lord we lift up the leaders who have authority in this situation and the sister for whom You desire holiness and repentance. Give the leaders wisdom and courage to teach and to observe all that Jesus commanded Matthew 28:20 and to carry out Matthew 18:16-17 in love and truth. Soften her heart to walk in the light and confess sin that she may be cleansed 1 John 1:9. Grant to our brother or sister who has labored to warn and teach, a mouth and wisdom which all adversaries will not be able to withstand nor to contradict Luke 21:15, and guard his heart with Your peace which surpasses all understanding Philippians 4:7. 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 Peter 1:13, and to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony Revelation 12:11. We settle it in our hearts not to be anxious beforehand but to trust that You are with us even to the end of the age Matthew 28:20. Strengthen us to obey and to speak whether they listen or not Ezekiel 2:7, knowing that Your Word will not return void but will accomplish what You please Isaiah 55:11 and will judge in the last day John 12:48. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We hear the weight you are carrying in this. You love Jesus and you long to see His teaching honored fully, and you also love this woman and your community enough to want to see restoration and holiness rather than just looking away. It is hard to keep speaking when the response feels vague and indirect, and to wonder if you are being heard at all.

We also hear your heart to be faithful whether there is a visible response or not. That kind of faithfulness can feel lonely, and it is easy to carry the whole outcome on your own shoulders. One thing that has helped others in a similar place is to make a clear, gracious, written summary of your concern to the leader who has responsibility, keep a copy, and then intentionally release the next steps to them and to the Lord. You have done what love requires in speaking up; the leadership now bears the responsibility to discern and act.

In that waiting season, we encourage you to stay rooted where God has placed you, keep tending your own walk with Him day by day as a long training rather than a single effort, and share this burden with one trusted pastor or mature believer who can support you personally and help you stay at peace.

Father, we bring our brother before You and ask for wisdom, steadiness, and rest for his heart. Give clarity and courage to the leaders involved, and surround this woman with Your grace that leads toward healing and truth. Help him to keep speaking in love and to trust You with what he cannot control. In Jesus' name, amen.