Slow and Steady

Seldom is anything accomplished, and done well, through haste. It takes slow and steady determination, hard work and persistent in nearly every aspect of our lives. Church and personal spiritual growth; family, friends and neighbor relations; civic activities, and hobbies all prosper from a slow and steady approach. Let me give you a few examples.

Those of you who have played golf with me know that I am not a tour caliber player. However, I have gotten better over the years. It did not happen overnight. One does not become a great outdoorsman, chef or craftsman without a lot of time and energy invested into those activities. The relationships that I am involved in only get better with time and energy. I love my wife more today than I did nearly 18 years ago when we were married. As time goes, I become a better father and friend. I know that through trial and error, hard work and dedication I will become a better man. However, I still have a lot of growing to do.

In the two and a half years I have been here at Point Pleasant, we have seen growth. We have overcome problems. We are involved in more and have more things happening, but are we where we need to be? It will take a lifetime of slow and steady growth to be what God wants us to be.

How is our service? How is our faithfulness? Do we know the Bible as well as we should? Can it be that some of the things we used to think to be true are not? Do we need to continually keep an open Bible and an open heart before us? Is not this what took place when Apollos was taken aside by Aquila and Priscilla and taught “more perfectly” (Acts 18:26). Was Apollos offended by their attempt to teach him and correct him? Don’t you think Apollos might have had a special place in his heart for their love and help?

The Bible likens our lives here to a farmer who plows his field with patience and determination. Those who look back are not fit to be called His children (Luke 9:62). Paul said he had not yet reached the pinnacle of perfection, but he “pressed on” with steady determination (Philippians 3:13-14). He also tells us to be of the same mind and of the same judgment (Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 1:10).

There is one glaring exception to this “slow and steady” rule. Those who are not right with God should not procrastinate in reconciling with the Creator of their souls. Note the example of the Philippian Jailer and his family who, upon hearing the Word of God, “straightway” or “immediately” were baptized in obedience to Christ (Acts 16:33). The verbiage here means literally, “it was done at once.”

If you are not a baptized child of God today, done put it off, do it now! If you are a child of the King and you have not run with patience the race set before us, come back to God. Act immediately to be reconciled to the Creator of your soul. Then you can face eternity slow and steady, with persistence and determination. Be faithful!

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Disfellowshiping

Can you explain the procedure of disfellowshiping a member of the Church and how the members are to deal with it?

Well, first of all, dis-fellowship is not even a word.  This concept of dis-fellowship stems from the protestant and Catholic religions and has to do with the breaking of a church policy or denying their sacraments.  Now, the Bible does speak of withdrawing fellowship and there is several reasons why that fellowship is withheld as well as a few different situations where fellowship is withheld.  The reasons one can withdraw, according to Scripture are as follows:

In a social setting, meaning that we could not sit and eat at their home or visit them socially.  Those who walk disorderly, meaning those who refuse to work and who go about doing their own thing, we are not to have company with him  (2 Thess. 3:6-14).  Next, those who have perverse disputing’s from corrupt minds who are destitute of the truth because they seek gain (1 Tim. 6:5).  We are to have no company with fornicators, covetous, idolater, railer, drunkard, extortioner (1 Cor. 5:9-11).

Now, there is a withdrawing or marking in a private setting, meaning a problem that exists between just two people.   In Matt. 18:15-17, we learn about forgiveness and how to go to someone that you privately have a problem with.  However, this verse cannot be used in a congregational setting to withdraw from.  This is referring to a private matter.  Vs. 18, it begins mentioning the singular person again with vs. 19 speaking to the one who has done wrong and the other who is the offender.  Vs. 21-the rest of that chapter continues along the same singular line.  Thus, the church is not that involved here.

At a congregational level, one can be withdrawn from based on Rom. 16:17 which creates divisions and offences that are present in the church that must be dealt with.

So, what is the procedure?  Tit. 3:10 tells us that a man who is a heretick, meaning, one who brings division or who is teaches falsely is to be admonished twice.  This means that once he is rejected, have nothing to do with him; have no society with him; admit him not to private conversation; and eject him from church communion.  Now, he is to be publically admonished twice and this admonishing is not to be done in private.  It is to be public and in the name of the Lord.  Now, each admonition according to Jewish standards was 30 days before the next admonition.  After that is done, if one has not turned from his ways, he is to be rejected, that is, his fellowship is refused.  Because, If he will not receive instruction, if he has shut his heart against conviction, then shun him.  Do him no harm in body, soul, character, or substance.  Hold no communion with him; but leave him to God.

What do the members do?  Pray for him (jam. 5:16).  Weep for us and for him (Acts 20:29-31).  Do nothing that would encourage him or her in their sinful actions because when we associate with him, we condone the erring member’s sins.  Withdrawing fellowship is never done lightly.  It is a last resort.  It is when all else has failed and it is done to protect the flock (Acts 20:29).

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Unreasonable Expectations

It is unreasonable to expect that everyone will obey the gospel. Of course, it is our job to go into the entire world and preach the gospel to everyone who will hear us (cf. Mark 16:15). Naturally, this commission that Jesus gave His apostles also applies to you and to me (cf. Matt. 28:20). Nevertheless, this does not mean that everyone will obey the declared gospel. As a matter of fact, Jesus went out preaching the gospel (Matt. 4:23; 9:35), but He could not convert all to whom He preached. In fact, many of them became so infuriated with His messages that they killed Him, and His followers after some three years of preaching were relatively few (cf. 1 Cor. 15:6). Thus, if Jesus, the Master Preacher, could not motivate everyone to obey the gospel, why should I unreasonably expect everyone to whom I preach to obey the gospel? Having full assurance of this fact will definitely prevent discouragement in my evangelistic efforts!

It is unreasonable to expect that the church will not suffer problems. The early church began as the culminated effort of our Savior (cf. Matt. 16:18), but it began to have problems early in its existence. Several Christians were not so Christian in their behavior (Acts 5:1-11). Elderly members began to grumble and complain because of prejudicial attitudes (Acts 6:1-4). Some from other religions began to argue and debate (Acts 6:9ff), which eventually led to an all-out murderous persecution against Christianity (Acts 7:54-8:4). Quite the contrary, the early church of our Lord grew in spite of these problems. Nevertheless, it seems as if many want their Christianity to be so comfortable that they ignore such statements as, “Yea, and all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). As a matter of fact, suffering problems is associated with rich blessings (Matt. 5:10-12), and James states that it contributes to the development of Christian character—patience (Jas. 1:2-4). Thus, it is unreasonable to expect that the church will not suffer problems. The key is how we react to them!

It is unreasonable to expect that children should behave as adults. God correlates Christianity with a process of maturity (cf. 1 Pet. 2:2). Naturally, adults should not behave as children (cf. Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Cor. 13:11; 16:13), but we ought not to expect children to behave as adults. If I can understand that my physical child needs time, space and opportunity to grow and develop, making mistakes along the way, then I ought to understand that spiritual children need such also. Far too many young converts have fallen by the wayside over the years because some well-meaning “mature” Christian harshly criticized their behavior, forgetting that they were once young, too. Just as children need gentle teaching and discipline that is age-appropriate, babes in Christ need gentle, reinforcing teaching with discipline that is age-appropriate spiritually.

It is unreasonable to expect that all Christians will remain faithful. In addition to what we noted with our first point, it is certainly the desire of God that all Christians would remain faithful, but such will not be. Jesus made it clear that only a few would enter the appropriate gate and successfully traverse the appropriate path to eternal life (Matt. 7:13-14). His demeanor is one of a longsuffering nature, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Yet, some will accept the gospel, but because of persecution, tribulations or worldliness, they will not last (cf. Matt. 13:20-22). The warning from the apostle Peter is quite clear—the possibility of apostasy is a danger for us all (2 Pet. 2:20-22). It saddens us deeply when our brothers and sisters in Christ lose their first love, and to these, we implore them to repent and do the first works (cf. Rev. 2:4-5). It is unreasonable to expect that all Christians will remain faithful.

While we could offer others, may we learn from these unreasonable expectations and profit thereby!

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In Pursuit of the Right Church

In the world today there are many churches each one claims to be ok with God and most of them are doing good works in the community and are attracting good, honest, people as members. So, what is wrong with this picture; why would anyone criticize such an apparent good thing? It seems, that many churches are doing good for the community and there are many good people that belong to them. As we look at these many different churches from a purely humanistic point of view, it seems that everyone would be content with what is being done religiously in the world and go along with the situation. I believe that many people look on the religious scene in the world today through rose colored glasses; they only see the good works being done in secular society and miss the greater and more important aspect of true religion. There is nothing wrong with any institution that does good works and advance man’s physical well being. Yet, a failure to advance the principles of true religion while accomplishing these humanistic goals is a total failure in God’s plan.

PLEASING GOD:  The greatest failure of the kind of religious diversity that exist in the world today is the fact that God does not approve of division (i.e. a plurality of diverse philosophies on the doctrine of the Bible, etc.) religiously and that He never has approved of it – cf. John 17:21, “that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, (art) in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.” (ASV) Since the Lord does not approve of religious division, it behooves man in his religious pursuit to work diligently for its eradication from all religious pursuits, To eliminate religious pluralism  is to object to the religious division that is acceptable to most of the world’s population today. You see; there are literally thousands of religious people in all nations of the earth practicing some kind of religion, many of these religions are completely in contradiction one with the other – they cannot all be practicing true religion. The only religion that has God’s approval is authorized by His Book and His Book’s doctrine the Bible.

HOW IT IS REVEALED:  God has provided mankind with three major dispensations of true religion (i.e. each possessing its unique doctrine and actions – each being established for those that lived under the 3 contrasting religious concepts.

The Patriarchal – This period began with Adam and continued to be binding upon mankind until the – SECOND – The Law of Moses was instituted.

The Law of Moses – This period began with God’s giving of the Ten Commandments and subsequent laws and rituals – this law was binding upon those that lived and died under it. This law of God was in vogue until Christ established His Church on the first Pentecost after His resurrection.

The Law of Christ – This period began at Acts 2:1-47 and brought to an end the Law of Moses. This new law united both Jews and Gentiles in to one Body (i.e. the church of Christ). This law will be binding upon all humanity until the trumpet of God sounds and time will end as we know it.

1 Cor 15:22-29, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ’s, at his coming. Then (cometh) the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.  For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.  For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him.  And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.” ASV

As is surely apparent to even the casual reader the first two periods of God’s dealings with mankind are no longer in vogue (i.e. are unacceptable to God for establishing and maintaining an acceptable relationship with HIM)

As we have established God requires obedience from man in order to receive the benefits of God’s grace. Since the grace of God is already available to man, he ought to do whatever is necessary to acquire its benefits. NOTE THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

Acts 2:37-38, “37 Now when they heard (this,) they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? 38 And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (ASV)

John 6:66-68, “66 Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, Would ye also go away? 68 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” (ASV)

In the passage just answered, we see the great question that is on the heart of each person sometime in his/her lifetime. Indeed, that question is; “What shall I do to be saved from my sin?”

THE TRUTH IS SALVATION FROM SIN IS AVAILABE TO EVERYONE TODAY

Even though everyone in the world may be saved from their sin, all will not be saved because they will not come to Jesus Christ on His terms.

Hebrews 5:8-9, “8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;” (ASV)

Mark 16:15-16, “15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.”

Acts 2:38, “And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (ASV)

WHAT CHURCH?  We have already stated that there is only one true church (i.e. religious movement), that one true church is found in the New Testament.

Its origin:

Isaiah 2:2-4, “And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem.  And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (ASV)

Its Builder:

Matthew 16:17-20, “ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall  bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  Then charged he the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ.” (ASV)

Its beginning:

Acts 2:37-47, “Now when they heard (this,) they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?  And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, (even) as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added (unto them) in that day about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them (i.e. the church) day by day those that were saved.” ASV

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Why Do Churches Meet Every Week?

It is remarkable how a simple question can help give greater insight into deep spiritual matters. Jesus showed this when He asked the Jews two simple questions. “The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” (Matt. 21:25). In a similar manner, two questions can be given to those who ask, “Where does the Bible say we should have the Lord’s Supper every Sunday?”

The first question is, “Where does the Bible teach that we should worship every Sunday?” There is no question that almost every denomination meets every Sunday and expects members to assemble. By what authority? Where does the Bible teach this?

It is true that three major events happened on the first day of the week. Sunday was the day of His resurrection as He described as happening on the third day. His disciples said that Sunday was the third day (Luke 24:1, 21). The second event was the beginning of the church on Pentecost. Pentecost always occurred on Sunday (Lev. 23:15-16). The third major event was baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, the fact these events happened on Sunday does not demand a regular weekly Sunday gathering.

There are only two references which show the early church met on Sunday.  Acts 20 shows that Paul, while hurrying to get to Jerusalem, delayed his journey seven days in Troas and preached to the church on Sunday (Acts 20:16 and Acts 20:7). This shows that, at least in that city, the church assembled to worship on Sunday. Is this proof enough for most churches to assemble on Sunday?  There is more proof.

Look at the only other reference which shows the church assembled on Sunday. Paul mentions that he commanded the churches in Galatia to gather money for the poor on Sundays and gave orders to the church in Corinth to do the same (1 Cor. 16:1-2). The Greek indicates these orders involved doing this every Sunday, and several translations show this.

The point has been established. The church did assemble every week. That second question is, “Why did they meet?” The answer—it was to eat the Lord’s Supper. Acts 20:7 says they assembled to eat the Lord’s Supper. The church at Corinth assembled every Sunday and the expressed reason they assembled was to eat the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:22-33, especially verse 33).

When we establish that the Bible demands a weekly assembly, the same verses establish the fact they assembled to eat the Lord’s Supper. The Sunday assembly is mentioned only twice and both times the Bible shows the primary reason they assembled was to have communion!

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