Pastor’s E-Pistle

INTRODUCTION:  Think about some of the people you come in contact with regularly (neighbors, workmates, family, friends, acquaintances).  What seem to be the basic motives behind the why they live the way they live and why they make the decisions they make?  What makes them different than you?  Would they think that they are different than you are in their motivations?

 

Central Idea:  When we understand God’s magnificent and boundless grace, we become motivated by gratitude and love to respond with a life devoted to Him.

 

I           Examining Grace

 

We stand everyday in the same grace that brought us justification.  Just as grace in salvation is open to much misinterpretation and misunderstanding, so is grace in living.  To avoid license, we tend to add legalism, and vis-a-versa.  The solution to the problem is to be so gripped by the magnificence and boundless generosity of God’s grace that we respond out of gratitude rather than out of a sense of duty.

 

            A         The “Ought To” syndrome.

 

“I ought to read my Bible.”  “I ought to witness.”  “I ought to be more committed to my wife.”  “I ought to be more disciplined.”  “I ought to be more obedient.”  While it is true that most of us should do more of these things, the question is what is behind the “ought?”  The word “ought” carries the idea of obligation.

 

1                    Obligated because of my debt

 

It is easy for us to understand the enormous cost of our redemption through the payment of Christ, and live with a sense of indebtedness.

 

Have you ever been bothered at Christmas time because someone gave you a gift or sent you a card, and now you feel like you have reciprocate?  That is the idea here.  Life lived with this type of motivation is empty, powerless, and will go without reward.  The focus of my life is self, because I am motivated to pay off my debt.

 

Many people walk away from the faith because they feel that it is impossible to pay off their debt, so they just quit trying.  Others convince themselves that no matter what they do, it is never good enough, so why bother?

 

Where do you think people get these sort of ideas?  Do you think they come from other believers, from Pastor’s in pulpits, from parents?

 

2                    Obligated because of my duty

 

“Happiness is not found by looking for it, rather it is stumbles over on the road to duty.” 

 

How does the quote strike you?  I would whole heartedly agree that life should not be lived with happiness as its goal, and that we will discover happiness as we carry out our commitments in life.  However, we must be careful not to give the impression that life is about putting our noses to the spiritual grindstone and “toughing it out!”

 

God has not given us a list of spiritual duties that we are to fulfill.  He hasn’t given us a checklist for us to fulfill.  These very thoughts are the most paralyzing thing in all the world to genuine relationship.  If God merely wanted men to carry out His wishes arbitrarily, He could easily have accomplished that by coercion.  Instead, He purchased our redemption through grace.

 

Would you consider a marriage that is based completely on duty a good marriage?  The next time you do something nice for your spouse and they acknowledge the kindness, respond to them by saying, “I am just doing what I have to do,” and see what kind of response you get? Why should we expect God’s response to be any different?

 

A life lived purely out of duty will be a life of empty service and sacrifice, and devoid of the joy of living by grace.

 

3                    Obligated because of my guilt

 

There are many who due to their past pre-salvation, or due to their failings after conversion live their lives to always try to satisfy the crying of their own conscience.

 

Picture the parent who due to selfishness precipitates a divorce and realizes the great toll that the decision has their child, and desiring to still have a relationship with that child through feelings of great remorse begins to lavish him with gifts and trips, and even by allowing things that they never would have allowed before.  In a sense, the motivation is to have a relationship with their child.  The question is, what kind of relationship will they have?  Is it truly the relationship the Child needs and actually wants?  The relationship is actually being pursued in the fashion that it is in order to attempt to ease the guilt from the pain that they have caused their child.

 

How many believers live their lives this very way with God.  Just as the relationship with the hurt child will never be what it is intended to be, so our relationship with our heavenly Father will also be skewed.

 

Micah 6:1-8  Hear ye now what the Lord saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. [2] Hear ye, O mountains, the Lord’s controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the Lord hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. [3] O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me. [4] For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. [5] O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord.

    [6] Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? [7] Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? [8] He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

 

The people of God are trying to carry out their obligation to God.  They have focused on their works to the point that their was no genuine heart for God in their service. They, while trying to appease God, walked away from Him.  In frustration (6-7), they have come to the place of quitting because they feel like they can never please God.  On the other hand, God says that all of their service and sacrifice was absolutely pointless, in fact it was viewed by Him as their turning away from Him (3).  What God wanted was a life marked by righteousness, fidelity, and humble fellowship.

 

 

            B         The Opportunity of grace

 

Matthew 15:8   This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

 

“The final test by which all actions shall be tried is motive.”  Motive matters!  God cares about our heart, in fact, He cares as much about our motivation as He does about our performance.

 

Grace affords us the opportunity to live for God out of gratitude and for the purpose of giving Him glory rather than obedience performed out the legalistic motive of fear of the consequences or to gain favor with God.

 

A heartfelt grasp of God’s grace – far from creating an indifferent or careless attitude in us – will actually provide us the only motivation that is pleasing to Him.  Only when we are thoroughly convinced that the Christian life is entirely of grace are we able to serve Him out of a grateful and loving heart.

 

Having a God-ward motive is not a feeling or an inclination.  Grace living is not merely doing what is right because I feel like it, and when I don’t feel like, I don’t.  Motive is rational.  It is the reasoned decision to live and serve due to gratitude and love.

 

A parent can care for a child because if he doesn’t the state will arrest him, or to get the child to stop screaming, or because he loves him.  Only the last of these motives is not self-serving.

 

II         Exploring Grace

 

            A         1 Chron. 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

 

Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

 

1 Cor. 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

 

Why are motives so important to God?   

How do our motives affect the outcome of what we do?

Think of an example of how wrong motives can undo right action.

 

            B         Look for the false motives in these passages:

 

John 12:42-43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: [43] For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

 

Galatians 6:12-13 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. [13] For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

 

Col. 2:16-23 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: [17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. [18] Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, [19] And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

    [20] Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, [21] (Touch not; taste not; handle not; [22] Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? [23] Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

 

            C         Look for the right motives in these passages:

 

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 

2 Cor. 5:14-15 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: [15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

 

2 Cor. 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

Rev. 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

 

D         For each area listed rate your motivations on a scale of 1 – selfish motives to 5 – godly motives.

 

_____  Time spent in prayer

_____  Time spent in worship (attending Church)

_____  Bible Study

_____  Bible reading

_____  Scripture reading

_____  Building relationships with unbelievers

_____  Helping young believers grow

_____  Fellowshipping with other believers

_____  Serving others

_____  Giving financially

 

CONCLUSION:  Our only business is to love God, and delight ourselves in Him.  All kinds of disciplines, no matter how rugged, are quite useless if not motivated by love for God.

INTRODUCTION:  Imagine for a moment that you have saved your entire life for retirement, and after all that work, it I going to be a very tight living.  At the same time, a co-worker of yours who never saved anything at all, wins the lottery, and will be set for the rest of their life.

 

·        How do you feel toward your coworker?  How do you feel about your own circumstances?

·        How do you think you should feel?

 

Central Idea:  God does not owe us anything.  All we have comes graciously from His hand, therefore we should be content and grateful for the lot in life He has given us.  In Christ, we are blessed with all spiritual riches, and in Christ all of God’s promises are fulfilled.

 

I                Examining Grace

 

            A         Entitlement versus Grace

 

Our Western culture has become a society of entitlement.  Retirees feel entitled to certain benefits from the government.  Middle-age people feel entitled to certain health and retirement benefits.  Younger people feel entitled to enjoy the same standard of living that their parents had to work a lifetime for.   Children feel entitled to have whatever they want whenever they want it.  Due to this pervasive sense of entitlement, we are all prone to demand our “RIGHTS.”

 

1          What are we entitled to?

 

John 3:36    He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 

Romans 1:18    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

 

Ephes. 5:6    Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

 

Col. 3:6    For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

 

• What is it that we are entitled to?  Are you eager to claim your entitlement and demand your rights?

 

-           Job 41:11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.

 

-           Romans 11:33-36 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! [34] For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? [35] Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

 

   

                        2          What does Grace do?   

 

Ephes. 2:8-9    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

James 1:16-18   Do not err, my beloved brethren. [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. [18] Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

                       

Romans 8:32    He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

 

Psalm 84:11-12  For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. [12] O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

 

   

We are ready to accept and acknowledge all of this truth with regard to eternal life, but what about in this life?  We tend to live with the mind set that “God owes us something.”  It is easy for us to think thoughts like, “After all I’ve done for you,” or “After all I have given up for you.”  Is our life a glorified “bartering arrangement?”  Are we living lives that are a great “trade-off” with God?”  If so, that makes some scary assumptions:

 

·        God doesn’t want the best for me.

·        I know what I need more than God does.

·        I can avoid God’s will by persuasion.

·        I can get from God that which He otherwise would not give me.

·        I can keep God from giving to me what really is best for me.

 

“Blessings at times come to us through our labors and at times without our labors, but never because of our labors; for God always gives them because of His undeserved mercy.”

 

B         Grace and Contentment

 

1 Tim. 6:6    But godliness with contentment is great gain.   

Our greatest benefit is in our becoming focused on increasing in Godliness and being content with that.  We should never be satisfied with merely status quo, but we must accept that a sovereign God knows what is best for us, and in light of that, there are certain things that are never going to change.

 

• 2 Cor. 12:9-10   And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

The question is not whether or not I should pray about things, the question is “how do I feel when they don’t change?  Am I willing to accept what God has given or not yet given according to His timetable?  Am I willing to live by Grace?

 

• Cor. 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

 

What did Paul mean when he said that all God’s promises are “yes” in Christ?

 

-          Christ personally fulfilled all of the Old Testament promises about the coming Messiah!

 

-          Christ is the meritorious basis upon which all of God’s other promises are fulfilled!

 

“It is only in Christ that God the Father is graciously inclined toward us.  His promises are the testimonies of His Fatherly goodwill towards us.”

 

What are your greatest needs in life, both spiritually and temporally?  On what basis are you approaching God to have those needs met?  Is it your spiritual disciplines, your obedience, or your sacrifice; or the infinite and perfect merit of Jesus Christ.  The former all have their place in the economy of Grace, but they are never to be our reliance for God’s supply, else we have thus abandoned grace and rushed to works.  In order to live in the freedom and blessing of grace, we must first be willing to leave the self-dependance of  our own works and lay down our rights!!

II       Exploring Grace

 

“Grace is not sought nor bought nor wrought.  It is a free gift of Almighty God to needy mankind.”

 

            A         Matthew 20:1-16

 

1        Assuming the Landowner represents God, what do we learn about His character in this story?   

 

 

2        What can we learn about human nature and how people respond to others good fortune?

 

 

3        With which worker do you identify?

 

4        Why is that people tend to think of the landowner as unfair instead of generous?

 

5        What does this story teach us about what God’s grace means?

 

B         Luke 7:1-10

 

1        In verses 4-5 what was the basis for the Jewish elders appeal to Jesus to heal the centurion’s servant?

 

2        What was the centurions perspective of what he deserved (6-7)?

 

3        When you approach God, which approach do you take? Explain:

 

4        What should our attitude be about the things we do for the Lord (10)?

 

CONCLUSION:  See the two groups of laborers as they make their way home.  AS to amount of money in their pocket, they are equal; but as to the amount of contentment in their spirits there is a great difference.  The last go home each with a penny in his pocket, and astonished gratitude in his heart, their reward accordingly is a penny, and more.   The first, on the contrary, go home each with a penny in his pocket, and a corroding discontent in his soul; their reward accordingly is less than a penny!

 

Do we have the faith to let go of self-dependence so that we can receive the riches of a life lived by Grace, trusting God, the giver of all good gifts based upon the merits of Christ alone,  to do what He has promised to do?

LESSON TWO

 

INTRODUCTION:  A study of the grace of God is a study in contrast, a contrast between the desperate plight of mankind and the abundant and gracious remedy God has provided for us through Christ Jesus.

 

Central Idea:  In His infinite grace, God does not treat us as we deserve, but rather offers us forgiveness through faith in Christ.  Christ removes our guilt and puts in its place His righteousness.  The blessings we receive come to us through faith in Jesus Christ, not because of anything we have done!

 

I                Examining Grace

 

Imagine that the next time you pray, you have to come into God’s presence based on your own merit.  What would you be able to say that you accomplished?  How does coming into God’s presence based on your own merits make you feel?

 

                 A         The Measure of God’s Grace.       (Eph 2:1-13)

 

By God’s grace, we are declared righteous before Him.

 

                                    1          Our plight

 

We are all guilty before God – Condemned, vile, and helpless.  God could, with total justice, have pronounced us all guilty, and condemned us to eternal damnation.  He owed us nothing; we owed Him everything.

 

                                    2          God’s provision

 

If you have trusted Christ as Savior, then all the expressions of God’s forgiveness given to us throughout scripture are true for you:

 

                         Ps 103:12                      - Removed our sin as far as the East from the West.

                      Is 38:17                         - He put them behind His back

                      Micah 7:19                   - He hurled them into the depths of the sea.

                      Is 43:25                         - He blotted them out of His record book.

                      Col 1:21-22                   - He made us free from any accusation.

EPHESIANS 2: 1-13

Our spiritual condition before Grace	What God has provided by Grace
Dead	Made alive (1, 5)
Bondage	Made free through mercy (4)
Object of wrath	Mercy (4)
Without Christ	In Christ (14)
Aliens and strangers	Made Nigh (13)
Hopeless	Peace (14)
Without God in the world	Access unto the Father (18)

                

                   3          Grace’s plan  (v 7-10)

 

                                    a          Display His kindness                         -           Sanctification

                                    b          Delineate His Greatness                   -           Salvation

                                    c          Demonstrate His graciousness         -           Service

 

B.               The Misconceptions of God’s Grace.

Are you willing to believe this wonderful truth?  Are you willing to lie by it today and throughout your life?  You see, God saves us by grace and deals with us in this life by that same grace!  Why, then, do we seem to live in spiritual poverty and not experience John 10:10.

 

1                    Our misperception of God.

 

-        Scrouge Syndrome.  He has it all, demands every ounce of work, and then pays poorly!

 

2                    Our misconception of our own goodness.

 

-                Sinatra Syndrome.  “I did it my way!”  Now that I am saved, I have to pay my own way, and earn God’s daily blessing. 

 

II                Exploring Grace

 

          A.       What is Justification.  Romans 3:23-26  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

 

                   1          God removes our guilt and places it on Christ

                        2          God takes Christ’s righteousness and gives it to us

 

What practical difference should that make in the way that we approach God?

 

Why do we not live in light of forgiveness?

 

            -faulty emotion           -           We feel like we must suffer or pay!

            -fragile volition           -           If I keep my guilt then I don’t have to change!

            -failing cognition         -           We don’t know God well enough!

-fragmented relation -            We don’t commune with God in regular conversation.

 

            B         What is ATONEMENT?

 

1        The Problem         John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 

2        The Provision       1 John 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 

1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

3        The Past   Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

 

4        The Present          Hebrews 2:17  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

 

CONCLUSION:        Perhaps the most difficult task for us to perform is to rely on God’s grace and God’s grace alone for our salvation.  It is difficult for our pride to rest on grace.  Grace is for other people – for beggars.  We don’t want to live by a heavenly welfare system.  We want to earn our own way and atone for our own sins.  We like to think that we will go to heaven because we deserve to be there!  -           R.C. Sproul

 

This is true of salvation past, and is even more true of salvation present!!   

It has been my privilege to teach on the subject of Grace at our Church throughout the Summer.  I taught this material as a class in our Grace Baptist Bible Institute on Wednesday nights, and was encouraged to teach it to the entire Church.  The response to the truth of God’s Grace in our lives has been incredible.  I taught this same material to a group of Pastors and laymen in Zambia Africa at a national leadership conference.  Again, the response to the truth was fantastic.  I have decided to take those lessons and post them here over the next weeks so that they are available for people to study.  These lessons were written with the book “Transforming Grace,” by Jerry Bridges as a source text.  Some of the material contains quotes from the book.  Although much of the material is original, and each lesson combines several chapters from Bridges book, the thought process behind the entire study is from Bridges, so I take no credit, and gladly give it to the author of the text.

LESSON ONE

 

INTRODUCTION:  GRACE.  “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound.”  But why do so few Christians experience the joy of knowing God and His infinite Grace?  Since it is by God’s grace that we are saved, and by His grace that we grow, what is our part in the process?

 

Central Idea:  God’s grace alone saves us, helps us grow, meets our daily needs, and guarantees our future in heaven.  These blessings are never given to us based on our performance.

 

I                Examination of Grace

 

                 A         The Believer’s best kept secret – Jesus Paid it all!

 

                            -        Romans 5:1-2 

 

                            -        Hebrews 10:22 

 

 

I say that this is the believers best kept secret because we tend live as though it

isn’t true.  We live with the realization that Jesus Christ had to completely pay

our sin debt and that there was nothing that we could do to redeem ourselves. 

We understand that we cannot add anythig meritorious to the work of Christ on

our behalf in salvation.  However, when it comes to living the Christian life, we

tend to approach God with the mindset that we need to gain His favor or appease

His disfavor.  In reality, Jesus paid it all for our sanctification as well as our

salvation.  Through His death we are reconciled to God.  There is nothing that

we can do in life to make God love us more or be more pleased with us.  He is

perfectly pleased with the sacrifice of His Son on our behalf.  Due to that

sacrifice, He has declared us to be sons and no longer aliens.  We no longer

relate to Him as His enemy, but we are His children and the object of His love. 

 

                 B         The Believer’s only source for success

 

-                                        The divine provision whereby God provides for His own for salvation, sanctification, service, suffering, succouring, and sacrificial giving, in such a way that they cannot, and therefore should not, take the credit.

 

-                                        To the extent that you are clinging to any vestiges of self-righteousness or are putting any confidence in your own spiritual attainments, to that degree you are not living by the grace of God in your life.

 

II               Exploring Grace

 

       A         What do these verses say about our Spiritual condition apart form Christ?

 

                   -          Isaiah 53:6    

                   -         Romans 3:10-20

 

       B         Using Philippians 3:1-14, fill in the following chart.

	LEGALIST	TRUSTING IN GRACE
Basis of a relationship with God.
Feelings toward God.
Motivation for good behavior
Reasons for feeling bad about failures.
Treatment of others who have fallen short.
Basis of strength during trials
Basis of strength to serve the Lord.

 

 

                 C         Many believers think that their justification is based on grace, the blessings in their Christian life are based on works, and their future glorification will be based on grace.  Where is the error in this thinking?

 

                            -          Galatians 3:3   

                            -          Philip. 1:6  

    

                 D         What do these verses teach about trying to mix grace and works as the basis for a relationship with God?

 

                            -          Romans 11:6

                                               -          Galatians 5:2-6    

 

                 E         What is the relationship between the grace of God and the righteousness of Christ?

 

                   -                           Romans 3:23-24

                   -                            Gal. 5:2-4

                   -                            Eph. 2:4-7

This is an email sent by Pastor Benson.  This is a great reminder of the sacrifice that missionaries make every day for ministry and their daily need for God’s grace.

The people are wonderful, and I have enjoyed getting to know them.  They really love the Lord.  The classes are going well.  It seems that the study on Grace is meeting a great need for the people here.  I am continuing to do well.  Many of the people at the conference have become sick today with intestinal trouble.  It appears that there was some bad food yesterday.  I have been being very careful, and praise the Lord, I am having no problems.  The Beamans are all doing great, Todd is actually one of the 50 who are sick today.  I have not received the two lost containers yet,  but hopefully they will come today.  Then I can see how excited everyone is with their gifts.  We have been without power for the last two days.  It is hot, but not humid, thankfully.  I fear that the Beamans will lose all of their refrigerated and frozen food.  The conference is going great, and I am looking forward to coming home soon!  Just Keep Praying!

Thank you so much for praying for Pastor while he has been ministering in Zambia.

Pastor Benson arrived safely after 60 hours of travel.  He got to see Helen Berman at her orphanage yesterday.  She is one of our long time missionaries here at Grace.  The conference that Pastor went to Zambia to speak for began yesterday.  He is teaching 3 times a day through Thursday.  He is also preaching Thursday night.  Please pray that God will give him strength and grace!  He is doing well, feeling great and rested!  Thanks so much for your prayers!

On occasion we are going to highlight parts of Pastor’s message that we can meditate on a bit more during the days and weeks that follow the delivery of that particular sermon.

Title of the message last Sunday was Thanksgiving Living.

1 Peter 2:19 states, For this is thankworthy (thanksgiving), if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

What is thanksgiving living?

It is the response of one, who has contemplated what has been done fro them, recognizes the unworthiness of it and so acknowledges the benevolence of the one who gave it by that which would please them.

Are you living gratefully this thanksgiving season?

This is an illustration that I used Sunday in my message. Several have asked to have it, so we will post it for you to use and read as you desire. Thanks and keep on reading.

NEW PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Since the Pledge of Allegiance and The Lord’s Prayer are not allowed in most public schools anymore because the word “God” is mentioned…a 15 year-old kid in Arizona wrote the following:

New School Prayer:

Now I sit me down in school

Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God

Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow

Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange, or green,

That’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise.

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall

Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,

God’s name is prohibited by the state.

We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.

They’ve outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,

And the “unwed daddy,” our Senior King.

It’s “inappropriate” to teach right from wrong.

We’re taught that such “judgments” do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,

Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,

No word of God must reach this crowd.

It’s scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school’s a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

Should I be shot; My soul please take!

AMEN.

Introduction:   Ephes. 5:27  “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”  Paul’s statement about the Church is obviously her future position, but it is also His present desire for her.  As a Church, we have been studying the topic of the Church, with the goal of understanding what God would have us to be and do.  We have looked at our AIM – what we are to do – which is to glorify God.  We have considered our ACTION – how we will accomplish our aim – which is the making and maturing of disciples.  We are now going to examine our ATTRIBUTE – the result of our action – which is a pure Church with Christlike members.  God has purposed to develop a pure Church through discipleship.  He has further purposed to preserve a pure Church through discipline.  In this study, we are going to endeavor to systematize the NT teaching on the doctrine of discipline by considering the purposes of discipline, the priorities of discipline, the problems for discipline, and the procedures for dealing discipline.  This is going to be a study that heavily emphasizes the scriptures so that there is no misunderstanding or assumption of preference.  Due to that, the manuscript may not read as smoothly as you are used to.  This is more of an exegetical outline. 

I           The Purposes of Discipline – Is it really important?             We live in a society that is marked by a rapid decline in not just biblical morality, but in any kind of morality at all.  God left the Church in the world to pervade the world with His truth so that He might draw men to Himself.  Unfortunately, contrariwise, the world has invaded the Church and through error has drawn men to the world.  This leads us to consider the purposes of discipline.  We must be diligent about discipline to . . . 

            A         Promote obedience to the Word of God.  Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee”    

The point is that the trigger point for discipline is always sin.  “Congregational discipline is really an act of discipleship that functions as the corollary to evangelism.  Evangelism ministers to those outside the church who are in the bondage of sin.  Congregational discipline ministers to those within the church who are in the bondage of sin” (Laney 1986, 353).

            B         Pursue  restoration of a sinning brother.  Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  

Church discipline provides the vehicle whereby the command of Gal. 6:1 can be obeyed.

            C         Protect the testimony of the body.  1 Cor. 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.  

 In verses 9-13 of this same passage, Paul makes it clear that the issue at hand at

Corinth was that of public testimony.  While discipline is never to be solely sourced in a desire to “remove the Church’s embarrassments,” it is necessary to protect the name of Christ among those who do not hold to it.  The issue was that a professing believer was living like an unbeliever.

            D         Provide spiritual protection for the Church. 

This protection is provided by the removal of the corrupting influence of sin and willful sinners.  1 Cor. 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?  Secondly, there is protection provided through warning others about the consequences of willful sin.  Proverbs 19:25 “Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.”  1 Tim. 5:20 “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”

Though these four reasons exemplify the priority of discipline, we must always remember that the primary goal of discipline is always remedial.  Discipline will produce righteousness and enable us to partake of holiness.  In that sense, it is always to be restorative and not punitive.  When one will not yield to the process in it’s primary purpose, then there must be a protective purpose, for an environment that accepts sin will quickly  become a green house for more.

II         The Priorities of Discipline   

There are three forms of Biblical discipline:  (1) Internal, that is self-discipline, or me to me, i.e  I recognize an area of weakness, and I guard against it; (2) External, that is mutual discipline, or me to you and you to me; (3) Corporate, that is group discipline, or we to you.  The first to categories are intentioned to serve as preventative discipline and are the responsibilities of every believer.  The third category is corrective discipline that is designed to restore a believer who is pursuing a path of persistent disobedience.  It is this third category of discipline that we want to analyze as we consider the fourfold priorities for carrying it out. 

            A         It should be characterized by love. 

Contrary to what our secular society is teaching, there is no wall between love and discipline.    On the contrary, discipline is an evidence of love, and true love has discipline as an expression.  This is the example of God the Father.  Hebrews 12:6-8

    “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. [7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? [8] But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”  In fact, in biblical thought, a lack of discipline is an indication of a lack of true love, Proverbs 13:24 “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”

            B         It should be conducted in the “spirit of meekness.” 

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  This spirit of “gentleness” is strength under control.  It is a balance that is neither prone to anger nor incapable of it.  Discipline is never to be done as a reactive impulse of anger.  Strength under control is based on the recognition of one’s own liability to temptation and sin.

            C         It should be carried out with vigilance. 

Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.  God’s people must be attentive to the subtleness of sin.  We are to “watch out” for one another, with the goal of being helpful.  Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

            D         It should be completed with forgiveness.   

There must always be a readiness to extend forgiveness.  As often as it is sought, it should be granted.  Paul’s instructions to the Church at

Corinth in 2 Cor. 2:5-11model this spirit toward those who have sinned, been disciplined and have repented for us.  2 Cor. 2:6-11  Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. [7] So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. [8] Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. [9] For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. [10] To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; [11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

We must follow this pattern, as Paul instructed, to avoid giving Satan the opportunity to twist the circumstances for his advantage.  

    III        The Problems for discipline 

The Bible details some specific categories of sin problems that are to lead to what is known as Church discipline, or what we are calling “corporate discipline.”  I believe that the scriptures teach that the “circle of confession should always be equal to the size of the circle of knowledge.”  There is no benefit to confessing unknown sin to people so that they become informed of the sin, in fact, this often causes new problems.  However, there is a necessity of “confessing our faults one to another” when they are known.  In a sense, public fault requires a public cure and private fault requires a private cure.  That being said, not every issue needs to advance to arena of public awareness, but there are specific areas of sin that the Bible addresses as being in this category.

            A         Doctrinal Deviation  1 Tim. 1:20  Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.  Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.  

There are legitimate areas of allowable disagreement on scriptural interpretation and application.  However, when it comes to the core doctrinal beliefs of the faith, believers are called upon by the scriptures to: “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”( Jude 1:3).  Titus 1:9 exhorts us to “refute” them who contradict those core truths.  Those truths are clear doctrinal teachings of the scripture that are non-negotiable like:  Galatians 1:8  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 1 John 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1 John 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, and John 1:1, 14  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

            B         Divisiveness   Titus 3:10  A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;  Romans 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  

The word translated heretick here is one who causes an unbiblical separation among the people of God.  This person is “factious” or a “schismatic.”  This is someone who because of egotism and selfishness brings about division so that they can gain prominence.  They make a choice that pleases them , independent of other considerations.

            C         Disobedience or Disorderly Conduct 

This third category has two separate levels of conduct that are varied in severity, but have the common denominator of “conduct which does not follow the teaching of the Word of God.”  We see two separate examples of disobedience in the New Testament.

                        1          1 Cor. 5:1-5     It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. [2] And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. [3] For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, [4] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, [5] To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.        

The problem in

Corinth was the situation of public sexual immorality.  Verse 11 of the passages says, “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”  This verse in the passage broadens the application of the passage to encompass other areas of public sin beyond that of just immorality.

2                    2 Thes. 3:6-15       Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. [7] For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; [8] Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: [9] Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. [10] For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. [11] For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. [12] Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. [13] But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. [14] And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. [15] Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.   The specific problem in  Thessalonica was that there were people who would not work.  Much like he addressed the problem in

Corinth, Pauls instruction here is given in such a way that it transcends the particular application of the historical setting.  Paul establishes a broader category of “failure to follow “the tradition” of the Apostles and the “instruction” that comes from the epistle (vv. 6, 14).  This passage in 2 Thessalonians is a follow up to Paul’s warnings to these same people who were not walking orderly (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 5:14).  

 The general problem in both

Corinth and Thessalonica is the matter of disobedience and disorderly conduct.

 IV        The Procedures for dealing with discipline  Just as there are different categories of problems, there are differing procedures for having to deal with the problems.  We will endeavor to address each category of problem with it’s specific procedure.             A         Doctrinal Deviation 

                        1          Identify the offenders           

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  

1 Tim. 1:19-20 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: [20] Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.   2 Tim. 2:15-18 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. [17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.       

                        2          Avoid             

2 Tim. 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?  

                        3          Rejection       

2 John 1:9-10 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. [10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:                  B         Divisiveness 

                        1          Warning           Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;  

                            2          Rejection 

            C         Public Disobedience

                        1          Flagrant

Defiance     

1 Cor. 5:6-13 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? [7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: [8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. [9] I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: [10] Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. [11] But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. [12] For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? [13] But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.       

                                    a          Removal from the Church    

1 Cor. 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.  ***      What does it mean to “Deliver to Satan”? 

Acts 26:18   To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.  

Col. 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

   

S                    It is clear that the Realm of Satan as used in the Scriptures is always referring to the place a man is in when he is in a lost/unsaved condition.  Paul makes it clear that this man is to be treated as though he is not a believer.  His claim does not match up with his lifestyle.

1 Cor. 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the

kingdom of

God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the

kingdom of

God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

 

S                    The lifestyle of a believer will not exhibit these behaviors.  Paul is clear that this is what we WERE, but are no longer.

1 Cor. 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.        

            b          Withdrawal of Fellowship     

1 Cor. 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.  

This one has serious questions with regard to his profession of Faith.  He is a “so-called” brother.  The removal from the Assembly is the sign that this one is not demonstrating a persevering faith, and therefore does not qualify as a member of the Body of Christ, either universal or in its local expression.

            2          Persistent Disobedience       

2 Thes. 3:6-15 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. [7] For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; [8] Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: [9] Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. [10] For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. [11] For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. [12] Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. [13] But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. [14] And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. [15] Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.                                a          Withdrawal of Fellowship

           

2 Thes. 3:14-15 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. [15] Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.  

***      What was the difference?

 

S                    Apparently, the hideous nature and the public display of the sin at Corinth was such that the Apostle Paul saw fit to bypass what would have other wise been the normal procedure of discipline.   S                    These are: Oral Teaching (1 Thes. 4:11-12 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; [12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.)   

Written Warning (1 Thes. 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.), and

Withdrawal of Fellowship (2 Thes. 3:14-15 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. [15] Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.) 

It Appears that the intent of the process in Thessalonica was to avoid the end result of what happened in

Corinth.  However, it does appear that total excommunication was the end result of a lack of repentance on the part of the one in sin.  Titus 3:10 “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject,” most likely would apply in this situation.

3                    Private Disobedience  Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. [17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.     

                        a          Private Rebuke         

Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.  

S                    Privacy is stressed by the idea of “you and Him alone.”

Leviticus 19:17     Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

   

2                    Private Conference   

Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.      ***      Three Views of the Witnesses 

            a          To verify the details of the confrontation             b          Present to “strengthen the rebuke and lead the offender to repentance 

            c          To supply additional evidence or serving as actual witnesses of the brother’s wrongdoing.  They are brought into the confrontation to convince the brother of his need for repentance. ***      So, What saith the Scripture? 

 

Deut. 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, inany sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses,shall the matter be established.  Numbers 35:30 Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouthof witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.  

Deut. 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy ofdeath be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.  John 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.  

1 Tim. 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.  Hebrews 10:28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:  

***      View three most accurately reflects the teaching of the whole of the scriptures.  The witnesses are brought in because they have some knowledge of the situation and can aid in the process of convincing and convicting the one in error.  In the event that the situation moves on to the next stage, these witnesses provide enough proof for the accusation to be accepted by the larger Body.

3                    Public Announcement

4                               

Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church:     

***      It is at this point that the treatment of the one in Thessalonica comes into view.  Upon the announcement to the Church, the Body is to withdraw fellowship, but is not yet to treat this one like he is not a part of the Body.  The point of the withdrawal of fellowship at this point is avoid that step of excommunication.

a          This is for the Church            -           “you” is a singular pronoun expressing unity.

b          This is only for the Church    -           This should be an exclusive family matter.

5                    Public Exclusion        

Matthew 18:17 but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.                          a          This is a unified decision of the Body

b          This is placing the sinner outside the Body

***      Note the comparison with the instruction in I Corinthians 5 

S                    This is to be carried out when they are “assembled” (1 Cor. 5:4) - This is official Church business.

S                    This act removes the sinning party (1 Cor. 5:13)

S                    This act treats the sinning party as though they are an unbeliever.

                        (1 Cor. 5:5)

The Church Body has been involved in the process because the power of expulsion is not in the purview of any individual or group, but is the responsibility of the entire Body.  The congregation is always the final court of appeal on matters that are such gravity.  When the erring brother remains unrepentant, he is to be removed from the fellowship of the assembly.  This is the unified decision of the Body as they corporately pronounce the will of God, Matthew 16:16-19 . . . I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [19] And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Conclusion:   It is the desire of God the Father that through ministry of the Son that there be established a people for His names’ sake.  God is looking for such to worship Him.  That people in this dispensation is the Church.  Christ’s desire for that people is that “he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, [27] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:25-27).   It is the desire of God that He would produce a pure Church through discipleship and maintain a pure Church through discipline that is carried out in love.  May we desire to be and determine to stay a pure Church for the Glory of God!!   I am thankful for the resource of class notes from Dr. Dave Doran at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, 1999, upon which I leaned heavily for the writing of this post.

Psalm 33:12    Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. This July 4^th marks 231 years since our Founding Fathers gave us the Declaration of Independence. We continue to be the longest on-going

Constitutional

Republic in the history of the world and we need to understand that blessings such as these are not by chance or accidental. They are blessings of God.

To see the turmoil in other nations, their struggles and multiple revolutions, and yet to see the stability and blessings that we have here in America, we may ask, “How has this been achieved? What was the basis of American Independence?”

John Adams said, “The general principles on which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity”.

Adams went on to say that in observing the 4th of July, “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”

Preserving American liberty depends first upon our understanding the foundations on which this great country was built and then preserving the principles on which it was founded.  

Woodrow Wilson once declared, “A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, or what it is trying to do.”

 

Psalm 44:1

We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

And the trouble with America today, is that we stopped listening to our fathers, listening to what they told us God did in their lives long ago.

It was on July 30th (1789) that President George Washington gave his inaugural address, 1/3 of which was dedicated to the direct supplication to God for guidance and strength for our nation. And with that start, God has blessed our nation. But have we forgotten who has blessed us?

Does our country today even resemble what was intended by our Founding Father’s? I believe that it is clear that the Founders intended that these United States would be “One Nation Under God.”

What has happened in our generation? We have told God that we don’t need the Bible, we don’t need the church, we don’t need God in the running of our nation, our schools and sadly even our homes.

We have said that to Him in many ways, however, officially we told God we didn’t need him in 1962 and we have paid the price since then. Let me explain.

In 1962 a simple prayer was the center of a great deal of turmoil.  That prayer said, “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our country.” 

What is significant about that prayer, which only acknowledges God once, and does not even contain the word Jesus, is the fact that on June 25, 1962 in the case, Engel vs. Vitale, the courts declared it to be unconstitutional. Unconstitutional due to the fact that it mentioned God in a public place, this despite the fact that our own Declaration of Independence acknowledges God four separate times. Based on that decision the courts removed prayer from our schools.  

Prayer was removed on the basis of separation between church and state. And to illustrate the atrocity of that decision we must do a little history to see what view our founding fathers had on that subject and how that decision came about. You see our founding fathers did not believe in a separation between the government and Christianity. Let me show you that.

In 1853 a movement was started in which a group petitioned congress for the separation of Christian principles from government, a separation of church and state. For nearly one year the Senate and House Judiciary committees reviewed and studied the petition to see if it would be possible to separate Christian principles from our civil government. Both returned almost identical reports.

This is from the House Judiciary Committee report on March 27, 1854, It said, “Had the (founding fathers), during the revolution, a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle….At the time of the adoption of the constitution and its amendments, the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged, but not any one sect (denomination).”  

It also said, “In this age, there is no substitute for Christianity…That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.”  

Two months later, the House Judiciary Committee added this declaration, “The great vital and conservative element in our system (the thing that holds our system together) is the belief of our people in the pure doctrine and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”  

The committees explained that they could not separate these principles of Christianity from the government because it was these principles which made us so successful.

But what about the first amendment someone might ask. Good question. The emphasis of the first amendment which says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” was never to separate Christianity from government, but to keep one single denomination within Christianity from controlling the government.

We all hear the statement of separation of church and state. We need to understand that God never intended it, and our founding fathers didn’t intend it either.

There are many today who believe that separation of Church and state is contained in our constitution, or is an axiom of the Bill of Rights.  In actuality, it came from Thomas Jefferson and its intent was exactly opposite of what it is held to mean today.

In 1801 the Danbury Baptist Association heard a rumor that the Congregationalist denomination was to become the official denomination of the United States. They were alarmed and sent a letter to Thomas Jefferson. He responded with a letter of his own.

It was January 2nd, 1802, and in his letter he told them they didn’t have to worry about one denomination within Christianity taking over the government because, “the First Amendment has erected a wall of separation between church and state.” Here is the origin of the phrase.

His intention is crystal clear. It has nothing to do with a separation of state and Christianity, but state and one official denomination within Christianity.  

His letter explained that they need not fear the establishment of an official denomination, and while the wall of separation protected the church from government control, there would always be complete freedom of worship for all orthodox religious practices, for true religious practice would never threaten the purpose of government.  The government would only interfere with religious activity when it was a direct menace to the government or to the overall peace and good order of society.

For nearly a century and a half the clear understanding of the first amendment was the prohibited establishing of a single national denomination, it had nothing to do with a separation of Christianity from government.

As a matter of fact in 1878 in a case called Reynolds vs. the United States, a group tried to take this statement by Jefferson to prove a separation of Christianity and government. In it’s response, the court quoted a lengthy section of the Jefferson letter and used it as a basis to prove that it was permissible to retain Christian values, practices and principles as official policies of the government.

For the next fifteen years Jefferson’s letter was used to prove the inclusion of Christian practice and religion in government. When these debates had been settled the letter went basically unused for the next 75 years until 1947.

In the case of Everson vs. the Board of Education the court, for the first time, did not sight Jefferson’s letter in its entirety but instead they selected eight words from the Jefferson letter, “a wall of separation between church and state” and then declared that wall must be kept high and impregnable, and used it, for the first time, against Christianity.  

It became a precedent that would continue and gain momentum. It would soon become common thought that “separation of Church and State” applied to any religious activity.

Following this 1947 decision, the courts began to often use that phrase, separation of church and state, and applying it totally out of context.  It got so bad that in 1958 in a case called Baer vs. Kolmorgen a dissenting judge warned that continuing to talk about the “Separation of church and state” would make people think it was part of the constitution.   Despite the warning, the courts continued to use the phrase until June 25, 1962 in the case, Engel vs. Vitale when based on the misrepresentation of that phrase, the court for the first time separated Christian principles from education when it struck down prayer in schools.  

In that one case in 1962 the courts redefined the definition of the word “Church.” For 170 years before, the word “church” as used in “Separation of Church and State” had been clearly defined by

Jefferson and by all following courts to be a federally established denomination, and no more.  In this case in 1962 they redefined church to include any religious activity performed in public. This was the turning point in the interpretation of the first amendment. And I believe, with all my heart, the turning point in our nation. It was on that day that we as a nation, for the first time, officially told God, we do not want you in our schools, in our nation, in our government, in our lives. It was on that day that we decided to become “one Nation out from under God.”   

School prayer was the first casualty of this new definition and decision. Within twelve months, this same court removed Bible reading and any religious classes or instructions. The Ten Commandments and beatitudes soon came down. And we’re paying the price today. 

The question is this, what does a nation look like after it has been out from under God for 45 years?  To answer that question, I want us to consider the little prayer that was at the center of the controversy. It says, “Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our country.”  It asked for God’s blessing upon: Youth,Families,Educationand our Nation. 

And what has happened in those four areas since the removal of prayer in 1962.

1                    The evidence in the lives of our Youth.  

For decades prior to 1962 teenage pregnancy had remained relatively stable, yet in every year following the courts decisions in 1962-63 unwed teenage pregnancy has gone up. In girls under 14 it has gone up 553%. This graphic display is repeated in every single morally measurable statistic.

Sexually transmitted diseases were extremely uncommon and rare. Following 1962 they have shot up over 220%.

Pre-marital sex had even been declining before the removal of religious teachings, yet following 1962 they have risen 271%. For 15 year olds, since that time it has risen over 1000%.

In every measurable moral area, the level of participation in sin has increased dramatically since 1962.

You say well, aren’t there other influences and factors. Certainly there are – television, cultural changes, the transient nature of our families. But where do they find their roots? Why did these other factors present themselves in 1962 instead of 52 or 42 or 32. Dt. 5:29 says,  “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!”

Have our children suffered since prayer was removed? The answer is yes they have, in every single measurable moral issue. I believe we see in our youth today the evidence of what a nation looks like when it is out from under God.

2          The Evidence in our families.  

What has been the result in our families since that prayer was removed?

Divorce had been declining every year since 1948, but when we told God, we don’t want you here, beginning in 1963, for the first time the divorce rate began to climb again until it has risen over 120%.

The U.S. is now #1 in the world in the area of divorce.

Single parent families, which I myself am a product of have risen over 140%. 1/3 of all babies (33%) are now born out of wedlock. Prior to 1962 that number was around 4%.

And the amazing thing is that each of these statistics was stable or declining prior to the courts removal of religious teaching from our systems. Since that time, every single moral sin has risen.

1 Samuel 12:15 ”But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you.”

3          The evidence in our schools.  

What has happened since that prayer was removed. In deciding that, let’s consider what education was like when our nation was founded.  The New England Primer was the first textbook ever printed in

America. It was introduced in

Boston in 1690, and for the next 210 years it was THE textbook in our schools. If you went to school in

America, you learned to read from the New England Primer.

Now it was a very simple book that taught alphabet, and after the alphabet was learned it went back and attached sentences to those letters to be memorized. Listen to the phrases that were memorized in our schools for over 200 years.

A - A wise son maketh a glad father, but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

B - Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith

C - Come unto Christ all ye that labor and are heavy laden and He will give you rest.

D - Do not the abominable thing which I hate saith the Lord.

And on it goes verse after verse. And note that every one of these phrases is a bible verse: This was the alphabet of American schools for over 200 years. How far have we regressed? Without the blessing of God, with an increase of disobedience and a lack of respect, comes a lack of learning.

The Scholastic Aptitude Test, the SAT, was initiated in 1926, and in 1941 it was placed on the same scale as is used today.

Prior to 1963, the SAT had never risen or dropped more than one year in a row. Beginning with the removal of moral teaching in 1963, SAT scores dropped for 18 consecutive years.

They have continued to drop. Is it any wonder that many parents are flocking to Christian schools where their kids can receive both education and biblical teaching. Prior to 1962 there were only 1000 Christian schools in

America. By 1984 that number had reached 32,000 and today, nearly 8.5 million students attend private religious schools.

By the way, SAT scores for private religious school students are nearly 80 points higher on average.

So what is the difference between the two, it is not in the core curriculum, they’re the sameI believe the difference is that one school utilizes religious principles and teaching and the other does not.

4          The evidence in our nation. 

What happened in our nation when we separated religious principles from the public arenas?

Violent crime after remaining stable prior to 1962 has risen over 800% since the courts decisions. It is rising faster than our population growth.

Since 1962

America has become number one in the world in Violent Crime, divorce, voluntary abortion, illegal drug use, and in the western world, teenage pregnancy and illiteracy.

And we can call all we want for more jails, more juvenile centers, but the reality is that this is a spiritual battle and until we reach our youth and nation with Jesus Christ, until God is invited back, we’ll be fighting a losing battle.

Christianity stops crime because it controls the heart, and crime comes out of the heart. If you don’t purify the heart, you won’t stop the crime. That is why Christian teachings and principles are so important to government.  

CONCLUSION:        So what do we do?  

We need to remember that the “Separation of Church and State” as we know it is not the teaching of our founding fathers. It is not an historical teaching in our country. It is not in the constitution or Bill of Rights. It is not a teaching of any law until recently.

And we must also understand that the current view of a separation of Church and state is not a biblical teaching. Separation of Church and state says, “Okay Christian, you can be salt and you can be light, but you can only do it within the walls of the church or in the confines of your own home. You can’t do it in the world. That is not a biblical teaching.

Prov. 18:1 says    “Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.”  

   

We cannot isolate ourselves. We must take a stand. It is absolutely hypocritical of us, to get mad, and yell and scream about the government forcibly removing God and prayer from our schools, when we have voluntarily removed God and prayer from our homes.

The right answer for us is that we must pray.  We must pray as we ought.  We must continue in prayer.  Pray without ceasing.  Always pray and not faint.  We must be sure that we take God back to our nation by being ambassador’s for Christ.  It is time for us to no longer allow God to be separated from our state.  We must determine that we will not be one nation out from under God by being a part of this nation and making sure that we live under the authority of the Creator who has endowed us with our unalienable rights.  Will you pray, will you preach, will you practice truth so that

America can remain “One Nation Under God.”