The Good Order We Need for Growth, Protection, & Freedom of the Church
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I am sure you have heard the saying, power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. We live in an age that is suspicious of authority, the North American continent, particularly south of the border, founded on individual rights. America was birthed in age right after absolutist monarchs, amazing how much flourished and got done when the state not interfering with church, church in state, personal business - absolute power not allowed, limited government . Well, what does that mean for the church carrying on its three essential activities - WORD, Sacrament, Discipline and Discipleship? How is this going to happen? Are we going to be organized in to worshipping and serving as a community indwelt by Spirit - with no leadership or organization? How will that work with the in-person leadership that Scripture commands of pastors, elders and deacons, to equip and lead us in gospel ministry here. Are they to sit back laisez faire - each do what they want, or are they to come up with iron fist order, commands do it this way?
The same can be said to have happened in the church. From about the time of Constantine organize with a more absolute power and along lines of the Roman Empire. By 500 AD a monk Dionysus Exiguus at odds with the Pope of his time - said all this canon law - church laws from one leader to next - , multiplying, no helpful and claiming things even against Scripture. By the time of Martin Luther, 95 Theses - not just Reform, one of those Reforms to get rid of canon law - burned the RC Book of Canon Law. Dec 10, 1520. And Luther says: “ Canon law “the abomination of desolation” (Matt. 24:15) and said that the sum of its teaching is that “the Pope is God on earth, above all things, heavenly and earthly, spiritual and temporal; all things belong to the Pope, and no one dare ask, What doest thou ?” The church can operate by legalism, with people not knowing why the rules, the organization is in place, not knowing the Biblical principles behind those policies and decisions. The Church is left like a parent just saying because I said so and I am the ultimate authority!
But at the very same time, Ana-baptists like John of Leiden, at Munster, but also like Quaker’s saying we’ve got the Spirit we don’t need elders and deacons and pastors - just need Spirit and Spirit-filled people.; and you know what resulted - lack of real sustainable growth of members, lack of protection from heresies and tyrannicidal leaders abused, and even if not a pope or canon law - instead of freedom to follow God’s Word according conscience. We are in slavery to human laws and legalism of the charismatic leaders pronouncements and whims.
Well, what about today, many today can tell you about leaders imposing man-made rules and innovation for worship of God, for how we serve, as easily as reactions against it where - Church without Walls - good if mean not bound by race, remove obstacles of sinners coming to church, kind of like doctors without borders. But usually what is meant is that attempt for relevance, make everyone as comfortable as possible - which usually mean not talk of our great problem -sin, nor the only solution of the Atoning Cross and Renewing Resurrection and Indwelling of Christ by the Holy Spirit!
The Cambridge Declaration gives us this statement: As evangelical faith becomes secularized, its interests have been blurred with those of the culture. The result is a loss of absolute values, permissive individualism, amid a substitution of wholeness for holiness, recovery for repentance, intuition for truth, feeling for belief, chance for providence, and immediate gratification for enduring hope.
A church without walls may sound nice, but ultimately it will decay because of its unfaithful. The church becomes like a bad parent saying: “Do whatever you feel is right. It’s the so-called freedom that reminds of a goldfish jumping out its bowl to gain more “space.”
SO if both absolute authority and lack of authority wont’ work, what will? And more importantly what has God planned and revealed for how we are to order His church? Look at our first text: 1 Timothy 3:15
if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
Paul is writing to church leaders appointed to serve, equip, and govern God’s flock: and he says - these decisions about how we’re going to church - I’ve written these principles so you leaders apply and lead. And to those in Corinth - facing huge questions about how each to use gifts, - he says: 1 Cor 14:40
But all things should be done decently and in order.
Two guiding principles we ought to expect - and all of us be subject to in so far as they are at work here! The church like every human organization must come up with a way of doing things - every home every club , every institution - this is a must and it must be done for the service and wellbeing of those church, well and for edifying the church; but it also must be done according to the general principles laid out in God’s Word and not against it.
So, Protestant Churches went about the hard work of discerning the simple and relatively short direction God gives us for making His churches constitution. What we call a church order, essentially simple bare bones of how we do what we do. It’s not Scripture, but it is to be fully based on Scripture’s principles and agreed upon for orderliness!
A. Local Leaders of Congregations are Empowered with Limited Authority to Govern.
A. Local Leaders of Congregations are Empowered with Limited Authority to Govern.
We saw this in Acts 15’s wonderful story of Paul and Barnabas at odds with other congregations, and they call a council - apostles, elders of the congregations, and the lay out the problem and they discuss it. Remember Peter and then James, stands up with Scripture - debate it - Gentiles do need to follow God’s moral law - going to command believers not participate in idolatry with that meat, not give into their pagan cultures sexual immorality , but they like all Christian’s in Christ free from other dietary ceremonial laws, - why because the principle of Scripture is that they are part of the Rebuilt Tabernacle of Israel f David not two churches, Jewish and Gentile not two ways of salvation, not two moral set of commands. Do you see that some real commands arrived at, real authority of these leaders, but not arbitrary and not imposed, from above from a broader or higher human authority or organization. Listen to the key verse in this type of decision making: Acts 15:28
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
The Church is led by the Spirit of Christ indwelling us and our leadership, and yet at the same time the Spirit leads by the Word. They work together. So Article 30 which introduced the whole matter of how the church works: of the BC says:
We believe that this true church ought to be governed according to the spiritual order that our Lord has taught us in his Word. Belgic Confession Art. 30
Limited authority because it is only by deliberating on the principles of God’s word. Though the specific decision wasn’t in Scripture, God had revealed the principles in His Word, and left it up to those called to lead - you decide this according to my word, you have to make a decision for the good of my church, for protection from abuse.
We are to see that this is first of all to happen on a congregational level. Then for matters where it touches on common ministry of other congregations, same issues or service - then we delegate that to representatives to do the same work of discerning God’s will from His word, by good reason for good and well being of the church. This happens local, regional, national and beyond. Do you see in OT and NT this part of the calling of our leaders - to establish rules procedures and so govern so things are done well and in line with God’s Word! And it should be noted here the order is important, for when a broader assembly, a bureaucracy take authority and imposes from above - no longer faithful to Scripture. Not a hierarchy but what Scots worked out as connectional government!
Paul says when local leaders exercise that authority to make decisions about how we are doing church - some are just agreed on for “good order”, like how many services, what time, Covid restrictions, or how to do elections, Paul says when it is done this way it will serve especially two purposes: Eph 4:13-14 real growth in holiness, members becoming like Christ and it will result in members not holding heresy that deceive and trip them up
until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
But the Second thing that having this kind of leadership - real but limited authority for elected and ordained local leaders to make decisions and procedures based on God’s Word is so simple and good.
B. Local Leaders are Forbidden from Binding Consciences on things not Taught By Scripture
B. Local Leaders are Forbidden from Binding Consciences on things not Taught By Scripture
To illustrate this point. When Marianne and I were 22, camp had no full time director, hired together as temporary - given a manual to review - over 200 policies … so detailed that it was of little real help. It is amazing how little the Church Order of the CRC has actually changed in substance since 1618-19. Yes certainly adapted and added to over time, especially 1965, some unforeseen opportunities and procedures have to be agreed upon and worked out, according to Biblical Principles. But roughly 85 stayed the same, short, 8 minutes read them all, but supplements explaining decisions how to apply added and change!
What we have in our church order is not on the level of the Bible, or Creeds or Confessions. No, here we have the basic principles from Scripture on how to do church - with agreed upon application for the times we live in. And these applications says, our church order are for the good of the church direct by Scripture are to be considered binding, unless it is proved that they conflict with the Word of God!
Under a hundred Articles - how calls, examinations, roles of deacons.... So I hope you see there is much on how we agree to do church - for Good Order and under direction f Christ by general principles of His word, prayerfully deliberate, led by Spirit for our context - that is not directly addressed by Scripture but still we follow in good conscience. Ministry of Word and Mercy - John Calvin, puts it this way: “‘some form of organization is necessary in all human society to foster the common peace and maintain concord,” and, accordingly, churches must have certain laws. Without them, he claims, “their very sinews disintegrate and they are wholly deformed and scattered” (4.10.27).
But there also areas that Scripture does speak clearly about, particularly in the area of worship, our leaders are to make sure that what is expected of the whole body to do, is what God Himself tells us to do through His Word. This is how the BC puts it in
“Therefore we reject all human inventions and laws introduced into the worship of God which bind and compel the consciences in any way. We accept only what is proper to preserve and promote harmony and unity and to keep all in obedience to God.” Belgic Confession Art 32
Do you get that our consistory a council can organize and govern the church along biblical principles, but when it comes to them commanding its members. This is especially in the area of worship.. Listen to Jesus words in Matthew 15:9
in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
The Anabaptist’s didn’t want to put any restriction on charismatic leader - could say the Spirit tells me . Well, we believe that Christ assigns elders the responsibility to spiritually govern and to lead in godly worship - but the limits of their authority to what is expressly revealed in Scripture!
Can we uses images as objects of worship, national flags and oaths, can we devise dramatic presentations like the Greeks and Romans did in their worship to teach God’s Word, can we command a certain posture for singing or praying imposed on the whole body of worshippers? This is known as the regulative principle of worship and it means -God regulates His worship by His Word! we not only do what God commands in worship, but avoid using what He hasn’t commanded. It is not about contemporary vs. traditional, but about what elements of worship do we use - praise, prayer, preaching, giving, greeting blessing.
Paul assumes that in the Scriptures, God’s given the church what it needs for making for how God’s business, his worship his ministry his service will be carried out! This is why the church the pillar and ground of truth - they have 1 Cor 4:6
I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
There are areas indifferent to what Scripture commands, like time of worship, what clothes we wear, vary from culture to culture - but in worship, in doctrine, in Christian living - we are to make decisions based on both what Scripture explicitly teaches, or what by good and necessary consequence by logic we can derive. And we are not to go beyond these!
In the book of Galatians, and Colossians - see that it doesn’t have to be in man-made traditions that are super ceremonial old and stuffy bells and smells, but also in trendy new man-made ways of spirituality that God hasn’t commanded: Colossians 2:20-23
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
That is what our forefathers called will-worship. And any time someone here would say worship and this way and not in a way commanded by God they are bringing you into bondage to their man-made way of worshipping! One of the most important ways our leaders are to lead is by providing and ensuring pure simple gospel worship and gospel service . In Galatians, Paul makes it clear that if our leaders introduce their own innovations and laws - like Judaizers said “You need these particular ceremonies, physical circumcision, - that kind of worship - makes proud puffed up people, that kind of worship feeds the sinful-self, and is focused on individuality - superficial. There is no real freedom in that kind of worship. But when free to worship simply as God commands, when gospel and Christ is not covered over in ceremonies or entertainment that distracts from Christ, look: Galatians 5:13-15
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
In worship, every single worshippers should be able to say, I am freely worshiping God according to my conscience as He shows us in His word.
And that brings us to a last way, we ought to expect godly leaders who are leading in a biblical way to be active in our lives. The last two paragraphs speak of leaders who will seek to keep all in obedience, not to human traditional and laws, a club or tribe rules, but to the revealed ways of God and those agreed upon decisions for the good of believers!
Leadership is to be about, (yes, decisions about the policy and direction the work of the Church, also to be about the worship and service of God); but this last area is where it gets even more personal. We are to expect leaders who encourage, and even correct our walk with the LORD! This is the area of Discipleship and Discipline!
C. Local Leaders Will Lead in Discipleship & Discipline according to Matthew 18
C. Local Leaders Will Lead in Discipleship & Discipline according to Matthew 18
I am happy to say that when people have a falling out here - it is noticed - and there is an attempt to make things right. I am happy to say that when there is moral failure - crushing guilt , despair of things ever changing - people have approached leaders including myself - Matthew 18 is the model here and it is to be at work in all of our lives at personal level first. We are not perfect wont’ be in this life . Discipleship and Discipline is not about self-righteousness person hammering someone in a legalistic framework. It is about saints who also know until heaven, the also remain sinners - but who put faith and repentance at the core of their lives.
A church that will not take discipleship and discipline seriously will be one where the moral character and gospel focus of the membership will erode. Someone that doesn’t take holiness seriously will have little real transforming love in it either. Discipleship and Discipline are designed for upbuilding, for life of Christ to grow in us.
When failure, sin, offense, hurt, we go to each other. Matt 18:15 We do the gospel life together.
“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.
And when persistent won’t repent. I am not talking try to repent and fail and try again. But stubborn refusal to see God’s ways and seek them. Matthew 18:16 tells us: try to get another the person trusts to see what is at stake - with their defiance,
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 that fails leader representing Christ - confidentially but persistently with judgment of the group of leaders - to plead - Matt 18:17
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.
1 Cor 5:10-11 not saying this is how we snottily look at sinners outside the church, - don’t separate from sinners - but if someone claims to follow Christ their is no repentance, pretends Christian - then for sake of Christ, reputation of the gospel - removed from the fellowship,
not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
basis for this is in Deuteronomy - one who … makes light of the transforming power of Christ and the seriousness of sin and rebellion if that person is allowed to continue not just falling into sin, but living in it and still saying I am one with Christ, I’m living the gospel - that defies the holiness of God and what he says sin is, it stains the reputation of Jesus and His Church, and it is spiritually dangerous for a person to continue living like that thinking he is alright with God. For the protection f the church, like bad yeast - removed from fellowship as a bro/sisters in Christ, PURGE. for the persons own protection - not come to the table till dealt with, even removed from fellowship . If it goes all the way to excommunication, still the goal in declaring you aren’t walking with Christ, is that they now declared to be walking outside of Christ, would come to their senses and realize Satan has them in bondage, and turn and still be saved: 1 Cor 5:8
Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
See that’s third reason for the good of that persons soul. I will never forget the book we had to read in seminary about this - written by a Mennonite - For the Love of the Brother - unloving to let someone you care for to go on with a problem - but treat it as if everything is hunky dory. IE Lettuce on Mustache… SO too addicted to porn, or pattern of sabotaging friendships, or security so in money stealing from government dishonest in business, or just neglect your spiritual life… what do you do . when what should you expect and welcome if you are trapped in an area like that?
The answer is if we really practice church here, led by Christ through - Matthew 18 will happen. And Discipleship is focused on restoring each other to Christ’s ways. Doesn't start with excommunication, hopefully seldom needs to go that far. Starts with member to member - when someone wrongs you, or Matthew 7 you remember that someone has something against you - go - name the problem - what would repentance look like - ; if not not hastily, harshly with compassion and understanding call for repentance. Goal Jude - rescue others … Goal is never punishment and the consequences isn’t that we inflict shame and punishment, but that we accurately let them know where they stand as much as can be discerned with the Lord and with His People. Not a command not to love, not a command to shun all fellowship. But not as a brothers or sister in Christ, love them like neighbour, but unbelieving…
But if not …
Never done hastily, and 1 Cor says can’t be done harshly, Jude says, showing mercy but not being stained, act decisively to restore. Gal 6:1
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.
CONCLUSION - This evening I want to remind you of a vow all who profess Christ, on Him and His covenant ways, respond back to God…The fourth vow is not just joining in serving with these brothers and sisters in Christ, not just commit to worship and for win Christ with, but also honouring and submitting to the leading of Christ in this church. That will work well -if our leaders conducts this ministry according to God’s Word, and limit what it leads us in to things taught in the Word. Then both order and unity and growth but also freedom of conscience will be preserved.
But as a concluding application, in fulfilling this part of your membership vow, will you also re-commit to praying for our leaders, for fellow members who struggle, who err and are falling away, pray that this congregation be preserved from scandal, heresy, and schism. Pray that this church will grow and God will add new members to His kingdom, both those growing up in covenant community, but also from our neighbours, even moving into subdivisions down the road. Would you pray that doing God’s business, God’s way here, glory and honour due to the name of Christ would be given from this place into this neighborhood and into the world. Amen.
