Snuffing out Sin in the Church
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
Connection:
To open this evening, I have a question for you all. Throughout church history, there has always been the question of: what makes a true church? It’s an important question. Every Christian is bound to join himself to a local assembly and congregation of the Lord Jesus Christ, and so he must ask: what makes for a true and faithful church of God?
Q - If I were to ask you all for three things that make a true and faithful church, what would you say? Three things.
Here is what the Belgic Confession has to say in regard to this question (which is basically the agreement among Protestants at large):
The marks, by which the true Church is known, are these: [1] if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein; [2] if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ; [3] if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin. [And then it adds…] in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto corrected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church. Hereby the true Church may certainly be known from which no man has a right to separate himself (Belgic Article 29).
That’s an excellent statement, faithful to Scripture. But the reason I bring it up is because of just one of it’s answers, that might shock modern evangelicals: a true church is known by the exercise of church discipline. Without church discipline, the church cannot be a church, because it is no longer an assembly of the saints, but an assembly of devils. The church is a holy community—and discipline is the key that preserves her holiness.
Need:
Thus, we need to take the task, necessity, and responsibility of church discipline seriously! So important was this subject to the Apostle Paul, that he devotes almost all of 2 Thess. chapter 3 to addressing it! Church discipline and censures and warnings and rebukes are essential to the purity and holiness of the church of Jesus Christ!
The Westminster Confession of faith adds this:
III. Church censures are necessary for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren; for deterring of others from the like offenses; for purging out of that leaven which might infect the whole lump; for vindicating the honor of Christ, and the holy profession of the gospel; and for preventing the wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the Church, if they should suffer his covenant, and the seals thereof, to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders (Matt. 7:6; 1 Cor. 5; 11:27-34; Jude 1:23; 1 Tim. 1:20; 5:20).
This is the importance of Church Discipline! And contrary to how many think, discipline is not a one-step process—discipline is not simply excommunication—discipline includes three steps: admonition, suspension, and then excommunication (and only as a last resort). Westminster continues with one more paragraph:
IV. For the better attaining of these ends, the officers of the Church are to proceed by admonition, suspension from the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper for a season, and by excommunication from the Church, according to the nature of the crime and demerit of the person (Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:4-5; 1 Thess. 5:12; 2 Thess. 3:6; 14-15; Tit. 3:10).
Without discussing the weeds of church polity, and how exactly, and who exactly is to exercise church discipline—we are going to keep focused this evening on the matter of church discipline itself. And thus, as we gather this evening for our Bible Study, we come to our theme for tonight:
Theme:
Snuffing out Sin in the Church
Purpose:
To exhort the saints to not fall into the wicked ways of immoral and lazy men within the Church of Jesus Christ.
Recap:
Last week we saw how Paul began the last chapter of his letter with a petition for prayer: for God’s word, glory, deliverance, establishment, and direction. And now he commands the brothers to obey apostolic imperatives from the Lord Jesus Christ, as they await the coming day of the Lord. And we will se that this should not induce laziness in them, but hard work, and a zealous devotion to the purity of the house of God. Zeal for thine house has consumed me!
Turn to our Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 ESV
PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY
(1) We are Commanded to Keep Away from Sinful Brothers - v. 6-12.
(1) We are Commanded to Keep Away from Sinful Brothers - v. 6-12.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
(1) We are Commanded to Keep Away from Sinful Brothers - v. 6-12.
(1) We are Commanded to Keep Away from Sinful Brothers - v. 6-12.
It’s often a cry in the church: unity at all costs! But the reality is that Paul would seem to say, based on our text: truth and holiness at all costs! Unity yes, but only insofar as truth and holiness can be maintained!
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
Here we see that the Apostle Paul, under his Apostolic authority, acting as a Legal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, gives a divine exhortation to the Thessalonian church! What was this command? To keep away from sinful brothers. The Greek word for keep away is: στέλλεσθαι - Which literally means: avoid, or stay clear from. Paul is saying: keep your distance from those, within the Church, who are walking in unrepentance—keep away from sinful brothers—who are walking in idleness and not in keeping with the apostolic tradition and Word of God!
Literally, these were people who were living in: ἀτάκτως, living disorderly and irresponsibly, who were not submitting to Apostolic orders. The reason why the ESV translates this word as idleness, is because of the contrast that is given between these people and the Apostle Paul later in the our text. However, the KJV just translates it literally, and win’s again ;) But I digress!
Remember the three steps of Church discipline that we read earlier? Admonishment, Suspension, and Excommunication? We get this from Matthew 18 (and other passages as well)—personal admonishment, which leads to suspension from certain church benefits, and then at last, excommunication from the church at large.
Q- What step do you think Paul is addressing here in our text from verse 6? And can somehow turn to 1 Thess. 5:14 while we discuss this?
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
Paul has already admonished—rebuked—reproved—and exhorted the idle people in the church of Thessalonica to repent from their disorder. And so, in his second letter, he goes to the second step, which is suspension. He tells the members of the church that they are to withdraw, to keep back, and to distance themselves from spiritual fellowship with these unrepentant brothers who are living in idleness and disobedience.
Remember, such people were convinced that the day of the Lord had already happened, were upsetting the faith of some, and were going from house to house stirring up chaos. These people have been admonished, and they are still unrepentant, so now they must be suspended from spiritual privilege and certain benefits within the church—with the hope of their renewal!
“Here the erring brother was allowed to continue in the meetings, but probably was denied participation in such things as the love feast and the Lord’s Supper” (EBC).
After suspending these sinful brothers, and exhorting the church to keep away from them and their sinful practices—he then gives three reasons why they should do this (notice in vv. 7, 10, and 11 that he says ‘for’ or ‘because’ three times)!
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
Firstly, these people are living in idleness—says Paul—but you know that we were never idle among you! Nay, more than this, we never even accepted gifts for free! We worked hard, in toil and labor, day and night, in order to show an example of diligence, grace, and devotion! These missionaries were tentmakers, they worked secular jobs on top of their church-work, in order to not be a burden to the Thessalonians. This is not required of ministers or missionaries—but was Paul’s decision to go above and beyond for various reasons:
9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
Paul had the right to earn food, drink, pay, and boarding—as a Apostle, Missionary, and Minister—but he decided to forfeit this right in order to show the humility, diligence , and grace of Christ as an example for the saints!
Q - Can someone turn to 1 Cor. 9:8-14 and read it aloud for us?
Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
Christians are not to be known as those who put their personal rights above all other values and duties in their lives. We are to be a people of self-denial, and self-discipline—just as Christ denied the glory of heaven, and disciplined himself in his humanity in order to be the Captain of our salvation!
What Paul is requiring of these idle folk—is that they work hard—just as he himself has exemplified for them a pattern to follow. Paul isn’t just commanded with words, he is reminded them of his actions—and using his doctrine and life to persuade these brothers to follow hard after the Lord Jesus Christ!
“What [Paul] required of others he practised himself … examples teach more than precepts, especially in ministers.” (Poole)
Continuing on, Paul gives a second reason why the church should keep away from sinful brothers:
10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
Secondly, the church should stay clear of these suspended brethren, because they were not ignorant, but were in clear disobedience to divine commandments through the Apostle! No working? No eating! These people are not sinning unintentionally … they are sinning in a high-handed manner … openly, rebelliously, and haughtily. They are sinning against the light of nature and the light of Scripture. Thus—they must be censured in discipline, lest their folly and hardness of heart spread to others. Of these people, John Gill writes:
“These are the pests of nations and neighborhoods, the plagues of churches, and the scandal of human nature; see 1 Tim. 5:13; 1 Pet. 4:15.” (Gill).
Wow! Those are some strong words. But isn’t it so true? People who sit back on their lazy butts, who refuse to work, refuse to labor, refuse to exert themselves, or refuse to pay rent—but who expect free gifts, free benefits, free food, and free housing—are of all people to be ashamed and reproved, especially in the church of Christ. Such behaviour does not become the disciples of the Lord Jesus. Giving of alms, charity, and money to the poor and needy ceases when the poor and needy are unwilling to work, strive, and labour to make a living, which is their divine duty. Six days thou shalt work—but the seventh is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. This is why socialism, welfare states, and basic incomes are inherently wicked and evil—and our nation and churches must repent of any such worldly thoughts and ways.
Now Paul heads to his third reason why the church should remove spiritual fellowship and benefits from those who are being suspended:
11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
The third reason why this must be so—is again—because they are living in idleness and laziness—and are busybodies, gossips, and those who are sowing discord among the brethren! And again, they’ve already been admonished and exhorted by Paul!
Q - Can someone turn to 1 Thess. 4:11-12 and read it aloud for us:
and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
And on top of this, in the following letter, Paul adds this exhortation for those in Ephesus:
Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
“It is a great error and abuse of religion, to make it a cloak for idleness or any other sin. The servant who waits for the coming of his Lord aright, must be working as his Lord has commanded. If we are idle, the devil and a corrupt heart will soon find us somewhat to do. The mind of man is a busy thing; if it is not employed in doing good, it will be doing evil. It is an excellent, but rare union, to be active in our own business, yet quiet as to other people’s. If any refused to labour with quietness, they were to note him with censure, and to separate from his company, yet they were to seek his good by loving admonitions.” (Henry).
Someone once said—the devil tempts men to be idle, but idle men tempt the devil to tempt us! Idleness is a great sin that has affected our families, churches, and nation—we are idle in family devotions, idle in church duties, and idle in civil responsibilities and work-drive. Idleness is a cancer that slowly eats away life and health and vitality from the institutions of the LORD. And idleness is typically combined with other cankers of sins as well—gossips, busybodies, and meddlers. Which sins self-destruct entire communities due to their inflammatory power.
A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
And so, such sins of idleness and sins of the tongue—bring reproach and wrath upon the people of God—and they must be snuffed out, or else, God’s judgments will fall upon us! Or else Christ Jesus will come against us in flaming fury (either afflictions in body or spirit, or in giving us over to false doctrine and unrepentant hearts—as he has done to the liberal and mainline denominations).
And so Paul gives another, and perhaps, a final exhortation, to these suspended folks before what would be their excommunication:
12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
Instead of idleness, they are to work and earn their own livings, and instead of being busybodies, they are to work quietly and peaceably in humility and faithfulness!
Q - Can someone turn to Eph. 4:28 and read it aloud? Notice the similar overlap.
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
And if anyone is not willing to do such things, censures and disciple must fall upon them swiftly, lest they be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin and cast out of the holy assembly of the righteous, as they are handed over to Satan and his kingdom of darkness, separated from the means of grace and workings of salvation which are within the house of God ALONE!
And in the closing of this first point, let us hear the words of our Lord—the King of His Church:
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
This is the hard, but necessary reality, of church discipline—and notice that church discipline is the declaration of who belongs to heaven on earth, and who is shut out of heaven from earth. This is not to be taken lightly. You cannot claim to belong to the kingdom of heaven—if you are not in good standing with the church on earth! And thus:
(1) We are Commanded to Keep Away from Sinful Brothers - v. 6-12.
Q - Any questions or comments from verses 6-12?
Well, with the majority of our text behind us, let’s finish out with the last two points before some applications and our final conclusion:
(2) We are Commanded to Pursue the Practice of Goodness - v. 13
(2) We are Commanded to Pursue the Practice of Goodness - v. 13
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
(2) We are Commanded to Pursue the Practice of Goodness - v. 13
(2) We are Commanded to Pursue the Practice of Goodness - v. 13
This is a nice verse that is sort of like an oasis in the middle of a scorching desert. This is a hard paragraph—but this simple verse reminds us of the simplicity of God’s calling on our lives:
13 As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.
Brothers and sisters—persevere in your faith, endure in your hope, be steadfast in your love, be immovable in goodness—and in all of this, don’t grow weary, tired, exhausted, or immobile. Let the joy of the LORD be your strength. Let him renew your strength as you wait upon Him. And keep focused on what Christ calls you to—love for God and love for one another—fearing God and keeping his commandments—putting sin under your feet with God’s help—as you shine as salt and light to those around you! In the midst of such great darkness, and even temptations to sin within the church itself—we must be filled with the light and holiness of the Holy Spirit. Then, our faces with shine brightly—with the radiance that comes to those who look to the Lord of light and glory!
“Here we have a statement worthy of being observed—that however ingratitude, gloom, pride, arrogance, and other unseemly dispositions on the part of the poor, may have a tendency to annoy us, or to dispirit us … we must strive, nevertheless, to never leave off aiming at doing good.” (Calvin).
It’s so easy to be overwhelmed and burdened by the pressures and duties that lie around us—but let us not forget that God’s blessing and favor rests upon the head and house of the righteous. Look heavenward, from whence cometh your help—bind up your weary hearts—and go on in the work of the LORD your God, who goes before you!
“Go on and prosper. The Lord is with you while you are with him. See that whatever you do, that is good, you persevere therein. Hold on your way, and hold out to the end. You must never give over, nor tire in your work. It will be time enough to rest when you come to heaven! (Henry).
And so it shall be, when we shall rest from all our works in Immanuel’s land, but until then—we must—as Paul says elsewhere in Galatians:
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
And this good that we must do—is either positively building up the saints—or negatively tearing down the high places of sin in the camp.
Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.
Onward we go, brothers and sisters, in the practice of true piety and godliness! That indeed it might go well with us, with the church of Jesus Christ!
(2) We are Commanded to Pursue the Practice of Goodness - v. 13
Q - Any questions or comments from this verse?
Let’s head to the last verses in our passage:
(3) We are Commanded to Seek the Purity of the Church - v. 14-15.
(3) We are Commanded to Seek the Purity of the Church - v. 14-15.
If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
(3) We are Commanded to Seek the Purity of the Church - v. 14-15.
(3) We are Commanded to Seek the Purity of the Church - v. 14-15.
From that brief oasis, we are back to strong words. Paul says:
14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him,
Literally, σημειοῦσθε him—mark him off, put his name on a white board, censure him and suspend him publically—and make sure that he knows that he is heading down the route of excommunication. Have nothing to do with him. Do not associate with him or mix into his sin. Do not grant him the right hand of peaceful fellowship. Do not shine your face upon him—but ensure that he knows that he is under a ban. Why?
that he may be ashamed.
If anything is countercultural—it’s this. Even in the church. We have this idea in the church that because we’re forgiven that we should feel no shame anymore. And that’s true, through repentance. But when we are living in unrepentance, Paul says, we ought to feel ashamed. Shame is the due fruit of sin.
“And this making him ashamed is not to be out of hatred to his person, but for his good, as all church censures ought to be so intended, to bring him to that shame that may be the first step to true repentance. There is a shamefulness in sin; and when sinners repent, they see it, and are ashamed, Isa. 1:29; Ezek. 16:61; Rom. 6:21; and God complains of sinners when not ashamed, Jer. 3:3. To shame men out of envy or hatred is sinful, and against the law of charity; but to do it to bring them to repentance, is better than by flattery or familiar society to harden them in sin.” (Poole).
Godly rebuke, reproval, correction is not unloving—it is the only way to show love. It is not loving to let someone harden in their sin.
Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.
save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Church discipline is meant to bring piercing shame into one’s heart, that leads one to renew his repentance, in godly sorrow that causes him to forsake his ways, return to the Lord, and in gentleness and love be restored to good standing in the church of Christ!
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
And in all of this, prior to the point of excommunication—the censured brother or sister is still to be treated as a brother or sister who is being pursued for restoration—as a member of the church—and as a Christian:
15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
“To be sure, Paul and his fellow-workers are conscious of their authority, and they believe in discipline: personal, mutual, and church. But they do not believe in harsh intolerance, rash action, precipitate decision which cannot tolerate the light. They believe in honesty and integrity, and in the exercise of genuine love and patience! Hence, what they desire—and they are speaking by inspiration!—is this, that if all previous admonitions fail to effect their purpose, sterner measures must be resorted to. But even these measures are reformatory in character. They aim to reclaim, to lead to repentance, to save; not to destroy.” (HDK).
It is only after excommunication, and a public removal of the man or woman from the rolls of the church, with the keys of the kingdom of heaven—that such a person is to be considered as an enemy, or as our Lord himself said: as a tax collector and a sinner … as someone outside of the covenant and kingdom and church of God … as one who is under the curse of the law and who is enslaved to the prince of the power of the air … who is dead in sins and trespasses. At that point—we don’t call them to renew their repentance as a Christian—we are evangelizing them as an unbeliever.
But before that—we bring brotherly admonition, and suspension if necessary—and we pray our hearts out that God may have mercy upon such members of the visible church! Why? Because we are to be holy and pure, as our God is holy and pure. To the pure, you show yourself pure. May the Spirit indeed purify and beautify his holy temple! And may He use us as instruments to that end!
(3) We are Commanded to Seek the Purity of the Church - v. 14-15.
Q - Any questions or comments from these verses?
Well, let me bring out some applications before we finish with our summary conclusion from our text:
(A) Uses & Applications from our Text.
(A) Uses & Applications from our Text.
• (i) Instruction in the necessity of church censures and discipline—of admonition, suspension, and excommunication if necessary.
• (ii) Refutation of the idle and wicked practices of some of the brothers in the churches of God.
• (iii) Exhortation to imitate Apostolic example, to fear God and sin more than man, and to work quietly with our own hands.
• (iv) Warning of discipline and excommunication against those who persist in such evil and wicked ways, devoid of repentance.
• (v) Consolation to those who aren’t growing weary in doing good—but are enduring in faith, hope, and love, in the fear of the Lord.
• (vi) Examination of how we are stewarding our time—are we living in idleness as a busybody? Or are we living in holy devotion to our Lord?
• (vii) Glorification of our God for speaking directly into our great need as saints.
(A) Uses & Applications from our Text.
(A) Uses & Applications from our Text.
(i) Instruction in the necessity of church censures and discipline—of admonition, suspension, and excommunication if necessary.
Notice that Paul gives the commandments, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the King and Head of the Church—and He alone is our Lawgiver and Lord to be obeyed in matters of faith, practice, and church-ordinances. Thus—if Christ has commanded such discipline—it is our great sin and folly to neglect it. To refuse to follow through with it is to commit treason against our great King in Zion. It is never a good thing to trifle with the ordinances and order of the church of the living God! We must not add or take away from his precepts for our conduct in his house.
(ii) Refutation of the idle and wicked practices of some of the brothers in the churches of God.
We already discussed this in part, during our study in the text—but again I bring it out to emphasize the importance of fleeing from sin. Sin in the camp is danger for the congregation. If we do not fight against sin, and kill it—it will fight against us, and kill us. We must be on guard, with the armour of God on—with the Sword of the Spirit in hand—and we must help each other to fight the good fight. Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? He who has clean hands and a pure heart—cleansed by the blood and purified by the Spirit!
(iii) Exhortation to imitate Apostolic example, to fear God and sin more than man, and to work quietly with our own hands.
We are commanded under Christ’s authority to imitate Paul’s work ethic—to have a deep-seated reverence for the LORD our God and his honour and worship in the Church—and to put our hand to the plow as we serve the LORD Christ in all of life.
If we don’t fear God and sin—and we fear man and opinion—then we will desecrate the holy tabernacle of the LORD of hosts. And if we don’t work hard for God’s glory (in the home, church, and world at large)—then we are just asking for God’s discipline to fall upon us!
And if you don’t have a job (in the home, church, or world at large), then start looking and praying for one! And if you are retired, then remember that you are retired from a vocation—but not from working for the kingdom of Jesus Christ! Don’t waste your breathe—don’t waste your retirement.
(iv) Warning of discipline and excommunication against those who persist in such evil and wicked ways, devoid of repentance.
This is an obvious application. Brothers and sisters, we must take heed, lest we fall. We are not immune from these cancers and cankers of sin and depravity. We must watch and pray, and guard our hearts with all diligence. Our hearts are deceitfully wicked. And so let’s examine our minds and hearts in the presence of God, and put to death any evil and wicked ways that would entangle us—and that if we don’t repent of—will bring us, or, should bring us, under censures and discipline, and even excommunication. Let us fear—lest any of us fail to reach heaven, and on that last day—we hear, depart from me, for I never knew you, instead of, well done, my good and faithful servant. And so on that note:
(v) Consolation to those who aren’t growing weary in doing good—but are enduring in faith, hope, and love, in the fear of the Lord.
You who are true Christians indeed, brothers and sisters saved by grace, adopted into the family of God, justified by the blood and righteousness of Christ, and are being sanctified day by day in the Spirit—you who aren’t giving up, but are persevering in your obedience, in your devotion, and in your discipleship at the feet of Jesus. Take heart—your sins are forgiven, and your home is in heaven—but you still must endure on the narrow path on earth. So press on—you who fear the Lord, turn away from evil, abhor the evil, and love the good. He will reward you richly for your works of faith and labor of love!
(vi) Examination of how we are stewarding our time—are we living in idleness as a busybody? Or are we living in holy devotion to our Lord?
If we were to put our days and weeks and months on a hour by hour basis—would we have a clean conscience that we are redeeming the time, and spending all that we are for the glory of Kingdom of God and his Christ? Or would we be ashamed with the amount of laziness, compromise, and excuses that fill our lives. I think if we all asked how much time is wasted on social media, we would all be guilty in this matter.
Or what about how we speak about fellow Christians behind their backs. When you have a problem with a brother or a sister do you go and gossip about them? Or do you go to them privately and gently reprove them and call them to repentance out into the light? Remember the words of Paul—such people are dead even while they live. So let us follow our Lord’s will for brotherly relations—let us not follow Satan’s suggestions in this. And lastly:
(vii) Glorification of our God for speaking directly into our great need as saints.
This is a hard text—but wow do we ever need it! Brothers and sisters! Imagine if these verses were obeyed, and the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 18, by all parties during the conflict with Rob? That would have dramatically changed the outcome! Hindsight is 20/20. But let’s praise God for the words of Scripture that are sufficient for all our needs of faith and practice—and let’s aspire to keep them, for God’s glory and honour, and let’s repent of the ways in which we have failed—and let us seek our restoration and peace with those whom we have sinned against, insofar as it depends upon us. And thus we will be equipped to snuff out sin in the church—when it arises. And trust me, we are sinners, it will come alight again. So may we all be ready to deal with it accordingly.
(A) Uses & Applications from our Text.
Q - Any questions or comments from the uses?
Well, come now to hear our conclusion in closing:
(C) In the Name of Jesus Christ, We are to Keep Away from Evil, Practice the Good, and Purify the Church!
(C) In the Name of Jesus Christ, We are to Keep Away from Evil, Practice the Good, and Purify the Church!
Two verses from ‘The Church’s One Foundation’, that we don’t normally sing, rhyme out like this:
Though with a scornful wonder, men see her sore oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up, ‘How long?’, and soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.
The church shall never perish! Her dear Lord to defend; to guide, sustain, and cherish, is with her to the end; though there be those that hate her, and false sons in her pale, against or foe or traitor she ever shall prevail!
Yet she on earth hath union with God the three in One, and mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won: O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we, like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee.
May the peace, purity, and piety of the Church be our great pursuit, as we do all to the glory of the Trinity!
(C) In the Name of Jesus Christ, We are to Keep Away from Evil, Practice the Good, and Purify the Church!
(C) In the Name of Jesus Christ, We are to Keep Away from Evil, Practice the Good, and Purify the Church!
Amen? Let’s close in prayer this evening.
