Withdrawal with a purpose
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Purpose
Purpose
Purpose: (n) -the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. (v) - have as one's intention or objective. Purpose, there is a purpose, plan and provision for church discipline. Though uncomfortable to talk about, uncomfortable to hear, the church at Thessalonica needed to hear it, and so do we today.
Paul is bringing to a close his second letter to the church, this one though brings a hard message, a serious charge, in fact a command when it comes to protecting the body of Christ (the church)
The charge to withdraw (2The3:6, 14)
Since we know bad company corrupts good morals that is easy there to withdraw, but what about the unruly brother in the church, in the fellowship of believers, there is a charge with withdraw.
The authority to withdraw (2The3:6)
Paul will call upon the name of Jesus as the authority to withdraw
The example to withdraw (1Cor1:10)
There is other biblical examples of withdrawing from Jesus, and even of Paul
The circumstances to withdraw (2The3:11-12; 2The7-10)
There is a reason to withdraw
Paul offers his previous instructions too in (vv.7-10)
The way to withdraw (2The3:14-15)
Take note by watching then withdrawing, but it comes with another purpose so don’t miss out on the re reason to withdraw (v.15)
This is a hard thing to hear and harder to apply and to accept, but it was vital then and should be vital to the church today. As we look at this passage we should consider even the words of Jesus Himself, Paul’s charge as well as John’s too, on this uncomfortable issue as we go.
Now this could be a very long, multi point message, but in effort to be out of here before noon, only two points today but I think you will get the point.
The point of the command
The point of the purpose
The command
The command
When it comes from God’s Word and the word “command” is used it is not an option, not open for discussion, it is what is to be done, even if unpopular or uncomfortable. May we look at the passage and then look at the command to withdraw fellowship.
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,
8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.
10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies.
12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.
14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
The command by Jesus Himself (Mt18:15-17)
15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 “But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.
This is not the rumor mill, this is seen, sin what has gone unchecked that is now known and is being addressed, personally first, then with other witnesses of the known sin. (expand on the reason and importance of witnesses and why a drastic step)
17 “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.
This is spoken of in social relations, Jews did not do anything with Gentiles or with tax collectors. This is not putting the person out of the church but out of social gatherings. We have no authority to say who is in the church and who is out of the church, but there is a way and a purpose to handle church discipline, we will get to the purpose shortly.
Jesus used the word “brother” twice in v.15, 16, so this is a believer not a heathen. We need to remember that.
The command by Paul to church at Rome (Rom16:17-18)
17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
Paul to the church at Rome it was watch out, look out, for anyone who brings on dissensions (which is a disagreement that leads to discord); and hindrances that are not in line with the teaching of what had been taught to them previously.
The instruction is to withdraw and the purpose is they are serving self and not God and they can deceive others and bring division within the body of believers
The command by Paul to church at Corinth (1Cor5:1-13)
To the church of Corinth that was not dealing with the sinning brother by not dealing with means they are saying it is OK, and sin is to be grevious and needs to be dealt with.
Paul handed the man over for a purpose in (v.5) it was so that his flesh could be destroyed but the spirit saved!
And, yes the command to the church at Thessalonica (2The3:6-15)
We are going to discuss this more as we go. But you can check v.6, 12 both use the word command so it is not optional, it is with purpose.
But wait, there is more, the command by John too (2Jn9-11)
If we were to look at 2Jn2:9-11 we would see that John says do not even receive one who does not abide in the word of God. Hum, so do you think it is important? It is.
The charged in Thessalonica
The unruly, some versions say disorderly (v.6)
Those who do not follow the tradition which was given (v.6)
This is not the tradition of men, except it is the exampled tradition of godly men who labored day and night (vv.7-9)
Those unwilling to work (v.10)
For some it was sloth, laziness, these are the ones who had the ability but chose not to work
Those who thought the return day of the Lord was upon them and why work when the Lord is coming now.
Those leading undisciplined lives (v.11) - expand on this
Those acting as busybodies (v.11) - expand on this
The evidence is presented to substantiate Paul’s charges. There is a reason Paul is addressing this issue, it has a purpose and may we look at that next.
Intended result of withdrawing
Intended result of withdrawing
Withdrawing fellowship with someone is not an easy thing to have happen and is not taken lightly. It is to be done purposefully with an intended result. So may we look at some scriptures about that subject in line with our text today too.
To save the soul of the unrepentant sinner (2Th3:14; Heb10:26-31; 1Cor5:4,5, 13)
Paul wanted the person to have sin exposed so to bring shame and save their souls.
14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.
It is important for us to note the severity of an unrepentant sinner, this is not an occasional sin, this is a sinful choice and lifestyle. For the 1st Century former Jew that once tasted the goodness of God and returns to a sinful lifestyle there is no hope of return and you can read about that in Heb10:26-31, and sin was serious then and is serious now.
Paul in 1Cor5 delivered over such one, unrepentant sinner, to Satan.
This is tough love in action, this is withholding Christian fellowship, godly influence in an effort for the destruction of the flesh.
Shame can go a long ways in helping to destroy such things as the flesh.
This command to the church at Corinth it was publically notice of the the withdrawl. I think maybe we better for a minute look at the passage in whole.
1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. 2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.
3 For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
Unrepentant sin does not just impact the sinner, it can impact the church, the body, the all.
5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?
If we jump down a few verses in the passage you see. Paul had previously written to the church on what to do and they were not doing it. He had told them not to associate with immoral people and they were allowing immorality to be a part of the body.
9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
then just a little further
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.
Paul tells the church it is about the church not those outside of the church. And this removal is so that the flesh can be destroyed and the soul saved, restored to the body.
To save the souls of other members (1Cor5:6-8; Rev2:14-16)
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.
8 Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Don’t socialize with the old leaven (unrepentant sinner) for they can impact the whole lump (church); May we hope that the Word of God will pierce a heart again and there will be a repentance and return.
This command has nothing to do with worship, it has to do with social setting, so don’t think we are not to love them when they come to the assembly to hear God’s Word, for we are!
To magnify the Lord, His church in eyes of the world (Act5:1-14)
In the first act of church discipline after the birth of the church in Act5 we see the story of Ananias and Sapphira who lied to the Holy Spirit and to God and it cost both of them their lives because of unrepentant sin, but in the end look what happened.
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. 12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s portico.
13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. 14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number,
Sin was drastically dealt with and it brought more people in. Some want to leave when church discipline happens, may we remember again, this is not about judging, it is about saving the soul of the person and protecting the souls of the saved.
In this passage the end result was more people.
(insert story about ex wife living together and the conviction of the Lord and my heart, soul was in danger- lead to marriage and baptism for forgiveness of sins) Was a member of a church where sin was preached as deadly and the solution to sin was the one who died for us!
Drawing a conclusion
Drawing a conclusion
Christ is coming for His church, His church that is holy because He gives us everything we need for life and godliness. A few more words on Church discipline.
We cannot ignore sin and the subject of church discipline, souls are at stake. It is commanded by Jesus, by His apostles and we hold the formula in our hands.
This is an eternal life issue here for the very soul of the erring brother and the protection of the the brethren.
It is tough love not done in spite, it is done in the spirit of love it is an admonishment of a brother with a purpose (2The3:15)
Remember it is about love and we need to love one another (1The4:9-10)
9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,
(invitation slide 1-love the sinner picture)
Love- we are to love, God loved us and sent Jesus (Jn3:16); at just the right time He died for us (Rom5:8) He died so our sins could be forgiven (ACt2:38) when we believe and confess (Rom10:9-10) and are baptized (Act2:38) so we can walk in the newness of life (Rom6:4). Remember we all fall short, so love! Let love lead the way!
You are loved more than you will ever know by the one who wants you to know Him, He died so you can come to know Him! Come as you are as we stand and sing.
(invitation slide 2- you are loved more picture) song (exit slides)