Powerless Elders

Authority to oversee the Church of Christ rests in the hands of each congregation’s elders (I Peter 5:1-3, Acts 20:28, Hebrews 13:17).   This responsibility means Godly elders will never find themselves lacking something to do.  They face spiritual issues of varying impacts nearly every single day.  They are the chief stewards in charge of guiding God’s children on a heavenly walk.  Man does not present the elders with authority, God stands as the one who imparts authority to these qualified men.  Thus, the power of elders should go without contestation.  Unfortunately, many congregations claim to possess powerless elders.

Over the years the following phrase has made it to my ears from different elders in reference to the sinful behavior of their congregations: “There is nothing we can do”.  The topic at hand in each case was modesty, but the issue could be a number of different challenges.  The self proclaimed powerless elders recognized that a number of Christians exposed their bodies to an appalled assembly through immodest fashion.  In response, the elders rightly directed lessons which pointed out the sinfulness of the occurring behaviors.  However, the offending parties did not change the type of apparel with which they adorned themselves.  One elder stated, “After we have taught on the issue, they could show up naked and there is nothing more we can do.”  Christians ignoring elders doesn’t represent anything new.  Sadly, for millennia individuals identifying themselves as God’s people have disregarded messengers of God.  Some are blatantly ignoring the elders teaching, others don’t realize they are the target of the teaching.  The question that presents itself is this: “Are the powerless elders really powerless to act against sin in the Church?”

Before scripturally breaking this issue down, put yourself in the shoes of a recent mother and father witnessed at an assembly of the Church.  The preacher stood before the congregation and shared the Word of God; simultaneously, a very loud little girl was telling her parents she was not going to be quiet.  She was not going to sit down.  She wanted to do what she wanted to do.  This went on for quite some time.  The words “No” and “I am not going to” were pretty frequent.  What was the response from the parents?  They continued to quietly ask the girl to stop while she shouted them down.  Evidently there were powerless parents present.  What could they have done in response to such defiant disrespectful behavior?  Were they truly powerless?  Proverbs 13:24, 23:13, 29:15 suggest a good source of power – put a rod to that child’s backside.  As long as parents simply wag the tongue, try to appease, or plead with the child; the child will do what it wishes.  There is no difference between that child and her parents and sinful Christians with weak, fearful elders.

When I hear elders say they have no power, I wonder if they read the same inspired scriptures others read.  Do they not recall Paul’s words to the Corinthians in I Corinthians 5 including: “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.”? Woah! There Kemo Sabe!  You don’t just go charging into a crowd with guns a blazin’!  This is absolutely true.  This jump is to the ultimate exercise of power which elders can utilize to illustrate there is no such thing as powerless elders.  Elders can proceed with authority in many directions.  Beforehand they have a responsibility to approach the individual directly in regard to the sinfulness of immodesty in hopes of correcting the behavior (I Thessalonians 5:11-14, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-2).  If they chose to do so they could literally post a dress code for the congregation.  This puts the expectation before the congregation posted and in writing (with pictures if necessary) so there is no excuse.  Elders, solutions to all problems exist and the Bible contains all the answer you need (2 Peter 1:2-4).

A congregation understanding they have authorized, powerful, loving elders who are not afraid to use the rod will have a high degree of conformity.  They will hear the voice of the Shepherd and they will follow.  If they do not conform, the elders have the authority of God to discipline.  Therefore, elders remember “Quit ye like men, be strong”, “If God is for us, who is against us?” Standing before God there are no powerless elders.

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Milk

Milkshakes, Milk Duds, Milky Way, Chocolate Milk, Milk and Cookies, Ice Milk, Milk and Pepsi…  How does the Bible relate to milk?

1 Peter 2:2 – “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

Hebrews 5:12 – “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”

Above are two scriptures concerning milk.  Milk is figuratively used as the nutrition of the Word of God.  Milk is the building block of young life.  The young Christian takes in the milk of the word to develop his body.  In doing so, he grows into an individual who is mature.  The following verse, gives an appropriate description of one who is mature:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.  That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.”

Have you ever drank bad milk?  Bleh!  Ick!  It tastes bad!  It smells bad!

2 Peter 2:1-2 – “But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of.”

Matthew 24:11 – “And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray.”

1 John 3:7-8 – “My little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous: he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

Enjoy the sweet pleasures of milk.  Strengthen the body with its nutritional value.  Prize the spiritual milk above all.  Take care to inspect milk before you drink it (Acts 17:11).  Throw the spoiled milk out!

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One Another: Two Important Words

The term “one another” is used frequently in the New Testament.  There are “one anothers” for man to embrace and to avoid.  The mind of God, the Bible, displays many messages which need no additional commentary.  When laid out in front of the reader, verse after verse declares the importance of different concepts God desires man to know and incorporate in their lives.  Consider the two lists of “one anothers” below as part of a self evaluation.  Have you embraced what you ought?  Have you avoided what you should?

“One Anothers” to Embrace

John 13:34 –   love one another

John 13:14 –  wash one another’s feet.

Colossians 3:13 –  forbearing one another, and forgiving each other

Ephesians 4:2 –   forbearing one another

Galatians 6:2 –  Bear ye one another’s burdens

Romans 15:14 –  admonish one another.

Romans 12:10 –   be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;

Romans 16:16 –  Salute one another with a holy kiss.

Romans 15:7 –   receive ye one another

Romans 14:19 –  edify one another.

Colossians 3:16 –  teaching and admonishing one another

1 Thessalonians 4:18 – comfort one another

1 Thessalonians 5:11 –  exhort one another

Hebrews 10:24 –  consider one another to provoke unto love and good works;

1 Peter 5:5 –  serve one another:

1 John 3:11 –  For this is the message which ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another:

“One Anothers” to Avoid

Romans 14:13 –  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.

Galatians 5:15 –  bite and devour one another,… consumed one of another.

Galatians 5:26 – provoking one another, envying one another.

Titus 3:3 –  hating one another.

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Wise Guy (Part 1)

Have you ever been called a wise guy?  Likely, you were called a wise guy for saying something sarcastic.  This happens to me a pretty often.  However, it would be nice if someone meant it in regard to my intelligence on a matter.  Most people would like to be considered a wise person in regard to some aspect of life.  The question then becomes:  “What does a wise person look like?”  Do they look like Isaac Newton? Albert Einstein? Spock?  How about Marie Curie, Elizabeth I, or Hillary Clinton?  In truth, looks are not a reliable factor in determining wisdom.

A wise person is defined by his or her behavior.  Behaviors are driven by knowledge and wisdom comes from knowledge as well.  Man can demonstrate wisdom in regard to an endless number of subjects.  For instance, knowledge gained from a bee sting can lead to the behavior of carefulness around bees.  This is wisdom.  Similarly, knowledge of cooking can lead to caution around a hot oven.  Again, wisdom is shown.  Finally, consider the knowledge gained of the human body which leads to urgency involving strokes.  All of these situations involve the use of wisdom.  If the behaviors of care, caution, and urgency were missing from these scenarios wisdom would be lacking.

When it comes to Godly wisdom, Solomon provides knowledge inspired of the Holy Spirit.  Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”  Fear in this text can involve both being afraid of God and having reverence toward Him.  Fear and reverence come from the knowledge of God who is Holy (I Peter 1:16).  A man with Godly wisdom will exhibit behavior affirming his wisdom.

This series of articles will examine Godly wisdom as seen through the behaviors of a wise Christian.  For this particular article, let us consider Proverbs 13:7-8:

 “There are rich with nothing; poor with abundant riches.  The redemption of an individual’s life is his wealth and the poor do not hear rebuke.”

The individual to imitate in this passage is the poor man.  His wealth results in redemption, not rebuke.  The words of Solomon here are not discussing earthly wealth.  This can be verified through the words of two other scriptures.  First from Solomon’s father David, then from the apostle Peter:

Psalms 49:6-8 – “They that trust in their wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him (For the redemption of their life is costly, And it faileth for ever)”

1 Peter 1:18 – “knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ:”

The poor of Proverbs 13:7-8 are those who have a humble spirit in God such as in Matthew 5:3 (“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”).  The richness of the poor comes from their claim in the blood of Christ.  Redemption cannot apply for those denying Christ.  How can an individual have a claim in the blood of Christ?

2 Timothy 2:11-13 – “Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him: if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us: if we are faithless, he abideth faithful; for he cannot deny himself.”

From this verse observe a number of points. First, living with Christ (which would imply a man was redeemed) requires dying with Him.  According to Romans 6:1-9, dying with Christ means man must go through the behavior of baptism.  This brings him into contact with His blood and gives him claim in Christ (Galatians 3:27).  Second, enduring, so that man can reign with Christ, also involves specific behaviors to engage and avoid.  I Corinthians 10:13 makes it clear that temptations to the Christian exist that would cause him to not endure in Christ.  Yet, He is faithful such that man can endure in the required behaviors.  Third, men deny Christ and are denied by Christ though their behaviors: Titus 1:16 – “They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Jesus said in Luke 6:46 – “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”  Finally, to have faithful behavior, men must have faith.  Romans 10:17 declares “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”  Based on this passage, man gains faith by knowledge through the word of God which sparks his godly and therefore wise behavior.

These points being identified, there is a conclusion that exists to be gleaned from Proverbs 13:7-8.  That conclusion is that a man gains his riches through knowing the value of God’s Truth and then using godly wisdom he acts upon it.

Matthew 13:44 – “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”

 

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Love Them Even More

Men often fail to follow God’s will.  They live a life based on the wants, desires, and dictates of manmade standards of popularity, morality, and godliness.  Scriptures can be read and quoted to them regarding their sin, but they seem not to care or pay attention.  Many congregations suffer from a handful of Christians who seem to defiantly continue in sin regardless of any admonition from brothers and sisters or the pulpit.  Rather than engage discipline upon the Christians the Church chooses to put the responsibility for the sin upon itself rather than the sinner. They reason that if they love them even more (code for do nothing about the sin, but increase their outward affection for the individual) the sinner will eventually stop their corrupt behaviors.

I Corinthians 5:1-2 – “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. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.”

 The question often arising from the reader when examining the above passage:  “Why is the Church puffed up (arrogant) about sin?”  Consider the attitude: “love them even more”.  The nature of the sin represented such vileness that even those of the world understood its shamefulness.  Yet, the Church evidently felt that by putting up with the sin (loving the sinner) that they showed what good Christians they were.  “Look at us!  We are inclusive and open to all.  We won’t condemn you.  Even the world may condemn you, but as for sinners, we love them even more.  We won’t judge you.”  This sounds so nice to those ignorant of God’s will.  Many churches today ignore the sins of adulterous marriage.  They boast of their inclusion of homosexuality and female leadership.  Going to their services may seem at times like going to a ball game or pool party for all the skin that presents itself from immodest attire.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7 – “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.”

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 – “For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that they should not be arrogant over their worldly idea of “love them even more”.  Using the example of leaven in dough which eventually affects the entire lump, he calls for them to get the leaven out.  In other words, get the sin out of the Church because it will cause all to sin.  Paul did not accept the whole concept of “love them even more” by doing nothing.  Rather to love them even more he calls upon the Church to disfellowship the sinner.  What if the Churches after admonishing and teaching Christians to be modest, pure, and walk according to godliness (Ephesians 1:1-21) disciplined them for their lack of repentance?  Some might cry out that this would be a lack of love.  Yet, Proverbs 13:24 states, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes”.  Additionally, Hebrews 12:6 declares, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth”.  If a congregation wants to show a sinner they love them even more, then they will discipline them so they might turn from their sin.

Worldly concerns such as a diminished attendance, angry relatives, or hurt feelings should not enter the equation when following the commands of God.  God’s family comes before the family of the world (Luke 14:26).  Churches need to get themselves in order.  Purify the body by removing the sin.  In regard to the sinner, love them even more by loving and obeying the Word of God (John 14:15).  If Churches do not cast the sin out now, by their own actions they will be condemned (Matthew 7:22-27, Titus 1:15-16).  Love means doing the right thing and sometimes that can be a painful process.  Yet, it is by discipline that Christians will endure to be with their Heavenly Father.  Do not neglect! 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong”.  Discipline the sinful and thereby love them even more.

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