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Commit to the Church: Make Disciples Urgently

November 29, 2022 /
Sermon Series Graphic

I recently preached a sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the eleventh sermon in that series.

Sermon Text: Matt 28:16-20

Today is the last sermon in our Commit sermon series and I think it’s a fitting end. I want to quickly summarize the series.

In our first sermon, I preached from Acts 2:36-47. There, we saw the pattern that we see throughout the New Testament. The gospel is preached. People are converted to Christ, baptized, and added to a local church.

Next, I preached on the importance of committing to a local church through believer’s baptism and church membership. The last seven sermons have covered what committed church membership looks like.

  • Regular attendance and involvement
  • Submitting to God’s Word
  • Fervent prayer
  • Generous giving
  • Serving faithfully
  • Biblical fellowship
  • Church discipline / rescuing those caught in sin

Our final sermon in this series is going to focus on the biblical plan for church growth. We all want our church to grow both numerically and spiritually. So, how do we do it according to God’s Word?

Some of us tend to think about church this way: We attend services when it’s convenient and we take away what helps us to feel better about ourselves and yet we have little concern for others.

But Jesus has given His church a mission in which He calls every believer to participate. This mission is found at the end of Matthew’s Gospel.

Matt 28:16-20

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The theme of evangelism and discipleship is a major theme of Jesus’ post-resurrection teaching (Matt 28:16-20; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-22; Acts 1:8). Since Jesus repeatedly emphasizes this, we as His disciples cannot miss this important command.

BIG IDEA: The mission of every church is to make disciples of Jesus that glorify God with their entire lives.

Context

Jesus rose from the grave probably within the past week or two before he gave the Great Commission. Both before and after his resurrection, Jesus had directed His disciples to meet him in Galilee. He had already appeared to his 11 disciples in John 20-21, where we read that He restored Peter after Peter had denied Jesus.

Verse 16 reiterates that “the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.” The text doesn’t tell us who all was present when Jesus gave the Great Commission. Obviously from v. 16 we know the eleven disciples were there, but some commentators believe that it was the group of more than 500 that Paul mentions in 1 Cor 15:6.

So, that’s the context. Jesus is with his 11 disciples and possibly more. He knows that in a few weeks he will be returning to the Father and he gives his disciples clear instructions to make more disciples.

To make disciples, we must submit to Jesus’ authority (17-18)

“When they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” (v. 17)

Jesus’ worth is the fuel of our mission and his worship is the goal of our mission. John Piper says, “Missions exist because worship doesn’t.”

“Missions exist because worship doesn’t.”

John Piper

There are people that do not know Jesus or worship him and they are headed to hell. I read this week that over 147,000 people die every day without Christ.

“some doubted”

Perhaps some of the 11 disciples doubted their ability to carry on the mission without Jesus. If more than the 11 disciples were present, perhaps some of the other people had a hard time believing in Jesus’ resurrection.

To reassure them, Jesus comes toward them. The text says, “Jesus came and said to them” (v. 18). And look at the words that Jesus spoke: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (v. 18).

Jesus is not just Lord of the Jews. He is Lord over all nations. He is the exalted and resurrected Son of God. We often speak of Jesus being our personal Lord and Savior. We might say, “I decided to make Jesus my Lord and Savior.”

The reality is that we do not decide to make Jesus Lord. Jesus is Lord whether we choose to acknowledge that fact or not. Jesus is not just our personal Lord and Savior, but the universal Lord and Savior over all. Jesus is not just the King of the Jews, but the King of every nation.

If you read the Gospels, you will see Jesus’ authority over nature, over disease, demons, and even death (Mark 5).

Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, and he has authority over our lives. He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him. We are to submit to the lordship of Christ.

To make disciples, we must follow Jesus’ plan (19-20a)

Jesus spoke to the masses but spent much of his time with the 12 disciples. What is a disciple? A disciple is a learner or a follower. A disciples is someone who seeks to learn from a more experienced rabbi.

In short, a disciple of Jesus is a genuine, lifelong follower of Jesus. In the New Testament, the word disciple is used 269 times. The word Christian is used three times. The word believer is used two times. It’s clear that Jesus wants us to make disciples rather than just people who mentally assent to biblical truths.

So, what is Jesus’ plan? To make disciples. To make disciples is the imperative in these verses. There are three participles in the text that correspond to the three steps of making disciples:

  1. Go with the gospel.
  2. Baptize those who respond.
  3. Teach them to obey Jesus.

(1) First, we are to go and tell the good news of the gospel (19)

Even if we don’t serve as vocational missionaries, we are called to be missionaries in our context (Matt 4:19). We all know people that are not Christians. Disciples are to be on mission for Jesus by sharing the message of Jesus. We think of evangelism as knocking on doors but think of relationships you already have (work, neighbors, family, sports, school).

As Christians, we need to get outside of our comfort zone and go to where non-believers are and be a witness among them. Here are some practical tips for evangelism:

  • Pray for lost people you know.
  • Love them enough to get to know them.
  • Invite them into your home.
    • The more of a relationship you have with someone the more effectively you can share hard truths with them.
  • Use a tool. There are many good gospel tracts available.

The word translated “nations” is ethne, which means people groups – every tribe, nation, and tongue. Christianity isn’t just for middle class Americans in Poinsett County. It’s for every tribe, nation, and tongue.

Rev 7:9-10

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

So, we go with the gospel. Second, we baptize those who respond.

(2) “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (v. 19)

Those who respond to the gospel in repentance and faith are to be baptized. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward transformation. When someone is baptized, he is going public with his faith. He is identifying as a Christian and proclaiming that he belongs to the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Baptism does not save you, but it does point to the reality that your sins have been washed away because of the work of Jesus (Titus 3:4-7). Christians must be baptized in obedience to Jesus. To neglect baptism is to disobey and dishonor Jesus.

Baptism is not the finish line, but it is the starting point of new life in Christ.

Baptism is not the finish line, but it is the starting point of new life in Christ.

So, we go with the gospel. We baptize those who respond. And third, we teach new believers how to obey Jesus in all of life for the rest of life.

(3) “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (v. 20)

After someone responds to the gospel and is baptized, we are to teach that person how to follow Jesus Christ. We as disciples are supposed to show this new Christian how to read and apply God’s Word, how to pray, how to worship, how to share the gospel, how to manage their money, how to love their families, and more. When someone decides that they want to follow Christ, that is not the end—it’s the beginning!

Personally, I came to Christ at a young age (8-10) but my parents were not Christians. No one helped me grow spiritually for several years. Then, in college God used several people to help me grow in my faith.

The typical practice in many churches is that after someone walks down the aisle we say, “God bless you, good luck.” We pat ourselves on the back and say mission accomplished. Then we wonder why we don’t see them after a few months. One pastor says, “Many Christians are frustrated because they know what to do but they’ve never been taught how to do it.” I think he’s right, and I think those people will either stop going to church altogether or they will go somewhere where they will be shown how to grow.

How many of you have been shown how to read the Bible by a more mature believer? How to pray? How to share the gospel?

In Mark 3:14 Jesus calls his disciples to be with him. Jesus spent three years living with his disciples and training them and we think Sunday school is sufficient. We think of teaching with more of a western mindset. We tend to think of teaching in a classroom whereas the eastern idea of teaching implies a relationship – being with someone personally.

Again the more relationship you have the more influence and the more truth you can speak into their life.

1 Cor 11:1

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

If someone watched your life, would they learn how to be a disciple of Christ? We are called to make disciples and not just converts. Jesus did not say, “If anyone would follow me, He must pray this prayer.” He said, “If anyone would follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

“Maybe the reason that we are making fewer converts is because we have failed to disciple the converts we have made.” (Jared Wilson)

Once we teach a new Christian how to be a disciple, now it is their turn to replicate the process. It’s clear from this text—a disciple of Jesus makes disciples of Jesus, and a church that worships Jesus is to be a church that makes disciples of Jesus.

None of us can do all the work of the ministry. We must train and equip others, and that starts with me as the pastor of the church (Eph 4:11-12).

To make disciples, we must depend on the presence of Christ (20b)

Lastly, some encouragement. Jesus promises to be with us. Look at the last part of verse 20—“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This mission of making disciples is not to be done alone, but by the power of Jesus living in us through the Holy Spirit. The mission is not based on who we are or what we can do, but it is based on who Jesus is and what He is able to do in us and through us.

Near the beginning of Matthew (Matt 1:23), Jesus was called “Immanuel” which means “God with us.” As Jesus gets ready to go back to the Father, he promises that he will be with us.

All authority and heaven and on earth are his and he promises his presence until he returns.

The mission of every church is to make disciples of Jesus that glorify God with their entire lives.

The Great Commission is the defining mandate for us as individuals and as a church. We must be with Christ after the lost.

CONCLUSION

The Great Commission is not a comfortable call inviting Christians to be baptized and sit in one location, but to make disciples by going to the lost, baptizing those that respond to Christ, and teaching them to obey all that He commanded.

Are we as a church willing to follow King Jesus’ plan to build his church?

Will we commit to making disciples and not just settle for decisions?

Will we seek to help each new Christian that God sends our way grow in spiritual maturity so that he or she can help reach and disciple others?

Who is someone you can share the gospel with?

Who is someone you can personally disciple?

Personally, what will be your spiritual legacy?

Commit to the Church: Rescue Lovingly

November 22, 2022 /
Sermon Series Graphic

I recently preached a sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the tenth sermon in that series.

Sermon Text: Matt 18:15-20

Tough love. Hard love. You probably know what I mean when I say those phrases.

  • A coach is hard on his players because he wants them to play well.
  • A teacher loves her students by holding them to high standards.
  • A military officer pushes his soldiers to the limits so that they will be ready on the day of battle.
  • A mother lovingly disciplines her children to keep them from harm.

Probably all of us have been on the receiving end of some tough love. Even though the tough love (or we might say discipline) wasn’t pleasant at the time, we can look back and see how those situations helped us grow in maturity. This is exactly what the Bible teaches in Hebrews 12.

Heb 12:11

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

While we recognize the need for discipline in academics, athletics, parenting, and on the battlefield, we often ignore the importance of discipline within the church. The Bible says, “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Heb 12:6; Pro 3:12).

Today, we continue our sermon series called Commit, which is about committed church membership. We have seen in Acts 2 that after committing to Christ, the early Christians also committed to one another. That is the pattern we see throughout the New Testament. People hear the gospel. They are converted to Christ and baptized. Upon their baptism, they join a local church and commit to the people of that congregation. That is God’s plan for every Christian.

Today, I am going to talk about something you won’t hear about in many churches. I am going to speak about the need to rescue those who are caught in sin. Maybe you have heard it called church discipline. Most pastors don’t speak about church discipline because they don’t want to offend their members and attenders. But God’s Word speaks to this issue repeatedly[1]Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5; 2 Cor 2:5-11; Gal 6:1-2; Eph 5:11; 1 Thess 5:14; 2 Thess 3:6-15; 1 Tim 5:19-20, 2 Tim 3:5, Titus 3:9-11 and it is an aspect of discipleship and Christian fellowship that we cannot ignore.

My hunch is that most churches today don’t obey the Bible’s teaching on church discipline for one of three reasons:

  1. The church doesn’t know what the Bible teaches about church discipline.
  2. The church doesn’t want to be seen as judgmental.
  3. The church doesn’t understand what it means to biblically love someone.

This message builds on last’s week’s message about biblical fellowship. I said last week that we are not called to share a pew with one another but to share our lives with one another. I don’t know if you’ve figured it out by now, but people are messy. Philippians 1:6 says that God began a good work in us, and he will bring it to completion. The implication is that we haven’t arrived yet. None of us will be perfect in this life. Even though we have a new nature, we are still at war with the flesh.

If it follows that we still struggle with sin, then what happens when a believer is caught in sin? I’m not talking about every time a believer sins. We all sin every day. I’m talking about when a believer becomes hardened or desensitized to sin and then entangled in sin. What are we do to in that situation? The Bible gives us very clear instructions. If you would, turn to Matthew 18.

Literary Context

As I get started today, I want to give you a little bit of the context of our passage. Immediately preceding our passage (Matt 18:10-14), Jesus spoke of a shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep to find one that has went astray. Just after our passage (Matt 18:21-35), Jesus spoke a parable about the need for us to forgive those who have sinned against us. So, that’s the context.

We are to be a people that extend grace to those who truly repent and ask for forgiveness. We are to be forgiving people and people that rejoice when a sinner returns to the fold. But we also must challenge those who are willfully living in sin. We must challenge those who love their sin more than Christ.

With that in mind, let’s read our text together.

Matthew 18:15-20

15 “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. 16 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. 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. 18 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. 19 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. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

BIG IDEA: We must seek to lovingly rescue those caught in sin and be willing to discipline those who refuse to repent.

The first thing we see in this text is that sin must be confronted.

Church discipline is necessary because sin must be confronted (15-17)

We see in this text is that Jesus cares how we live. When someone decides to follow Christ, he no longer lives for himself. Rather, he is to deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Christ. Thus, when someone is living in sin, he is to be confronted.

Jesus says in v. 15, “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.” Sometimes people see the phrase “against you” and claim that you can only confront someone’s sin if they sin directly against you. I think the people making this claim are making too much of this detail. Notice what Paul says in Galatians 6:1-2.

Gal 6:1-2

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. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Paul doesn’t say only confront those who have sinned against you. He says, “If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” I think when most people in the church hear the word “church discipline” they think of someone watching over their back just waiting for them to mess up so they can confront them. But Paul’s language here in Galatians also helps us clarify what is meant. Paul talks about someone that is “caught” in transgression.

This seems to indicate that sin should be confronted when it is outward and serious. Sin should be confronted when it’s something that has an outward manifestation. We cannot know if someone has lust in their heart. We can know if someone is living in sexual immorality. We can see someone’s browser history. We can observe that they are living a homosexual or transgender lifestyle. We can know if someone is living in adultery. Those things are observable.

Second, sin must be serious. As a church, we are not seeking to tattle tell on every person. Rather, we are seeking to save someone from destroying their own lives, the lives of their family, and the testimony of Christ and our church.

We can call one another to repentance over smaller sins, but these outward and serious sins are the kind that may lead to someone being removed from the church.

You may be wondering, what is the point of this? Aren’t we supposed to be a church that is about grace? Of course, we are to extend grace but at the same time, when Jesus saves us, he calls us to live holy lives. Jesus saves us not just from the penalty of sin but also from the power of sin. We are to not to let sin reign in our mortal bodies (Rom 6:12). At its root, correcting sin in the church is about the holiness of God.

When someone is living in open and serious sin, Jesus calls us to lovingly correct them. That’s what we see in vv. 15-17. Notice the process.

Step 1: Go to your brother (or sister) alone and tell him his fault. If he listens and repents, then the process ends there. You have “gained your brother” (15).

Step 2: If your brother (or sister) does not listen, take one or two others with you “that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses” (16). Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 19:15. Churches are to go to great lengths to make sure that the evidence is sure and that facts are appropriately gathered. God cares about justice, and those involved should move slowly, thoughtfully, and graciously through the process.

Step 3: If it’s clear that your brother (or sister) is guilty of open and serious sin and still refuses to repent then the matter is to be taken to the church.

Step 4: If your brother (or sister) refuses to listen to the church, then Jesus says, “Let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (17). In other words, we are to treat this person like an unbeliever because he or she is acting like one. Any true believer, when confronted by the truth of God’s Word will conform their lives to it.

Obedience to God’s Word distinguishes true and false believers. True believers will change their life when confronted with God’s truth. False converts will make excuses to justify their sinful behavior.

Obedience to God’s Word distinguishes true and false believers. True believers will change their life when confronted with God’s truth. False converts will make excuses to justify their sinful behavior.

I want to make a few remarks about this process. Once again, the sins that lead to removal from the church (excommunication) are open, serious, and unrepented of. Ultimately, what leads to removal from the church is that the professing Christian refuses to repent of his sin. He loves his sin more than Jesus and this is impossible for any true believer. The question we should ask is this: does the person repeatedly refuse to repent to the point that his profession of faith has become unbelievable? Here are some examples:

  • Adultery
  • Pornography
  • Homosexuality
  • Transgenderism
  • Fornication
  • Drunkenness and drug abuse
  • Theft/stealing
  • Abuse of spouse and children
  • Unbiblical divorce[2]I know there are varying positions but at the very least every Christian should be able to agree that the only cases in which divorce may be permissible are sexual unfaithfulness, abandonment, or … Continue reading
  • Members who refuse to attend church for an extended period
  • Etc.

It’s impossible to list every situation but remember that church discipline is necessary when someone is caught in sin – sin that is open (people know about it), serious, and unrepented of. This process is to be done carefully and with much prayer. Most of the time, it will take multiple months to complete. Another thing we see throughout this process is that the circle is to be kept as small as possible. First, one goes privately. Second, take one or two others. Telling the church is a final resort. The goal is not to shame the sinner but to restore him as quietly as possible. That brings us to our second point.

The goal of church discipline is to rescue sinners (15, cf. 10-14, 21-35)

The goal of church discipline is not retribution but to rescue. Church discipline is a rescue mission! In doing so, we emulate Jesus. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Like the Chief Shepherd, we are to seek to rescue sheep that have gone astray (Matthew 18:10-14). We see in verse 15 that if a brother repents, Jesus says, “You have gained your brother.” In other words, he has been saved from the sinful path he was on.

Church discipline is a rescue mission!

We see the same thing in 1 Corinthians 5.

1 Cor 5:1-5

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

In this situation, a man was committing sexual sin with his mother or stepmother. In verse 2, Paul says this man needs to be removed from the church. But notice in verse 5 the goal: this man was to be delivered to Satan so that his spirit may be saved. This means that the Corinthians were to remove him from the church so that he will be confronted with his sin. In other words, don’t treat this man like he’s a Christian. Treat him like an unbeliever because he is living like one (1 Cor 6:9-10).

This text confronts us with the reality that it’s not loving to let someone continue in their sin. So often, we think that a person’s faith is a private matter. Someone’s marriage is a private matter. The reality is that when someone joins a church, how they live their lives is a church matter.

Consider the following situations:

John has been experiencing pain in his chest. He goes to the doctor and tells him of his symptoms. The doctor does some tests and realizes that John has severe blockage. The doctor knows that without surgery and lifestyle changes that John will die. However, the doctor doesn’t want to upset the family, so he pretends like everything is fine and gives John a good report. John dies two months later of a heart attack.

Bill has been experiencing pain in his chest. He goes to his doctor and tells him of his symptoms. Like John, Bill has severe blockage and will die if he doesn’t have surgery and change his lifestyle. Bill’s doctor immediately tells Bill the truth so that Bill can be saved. Bill has the surgery and changes his lifestyle. He lives for twenty more years.

Which doctor was more loving? It’s obvious that the second doctor was more loving. Can I tell you something? Sin has far greater consequences than heart blockage. A heart attack will send you to the grave. A life of sin will send you to hell.

A life of sin will send you to hell.

Pro 27:6

Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
Profuse [deceitful] are the kisses of an enemy.

The faithful and loving friend is someone that is willing to wound you in the short term so that you can be saved in the long term. The person that pretends everything is okay when it’s not doesn’t really love you.

Consider another verse from Proverbs.

Proverbs 13:24

Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Do we really believe this? Do we believe what the Bible says about truth, correction, and discipline? If we do, we must lovingly confront sinners with the goals of repentance and restoration in mind.

Church discipline is necessary because sin must be confronted. The goal of church discipline is to rescue sinners. Third, church discipline is administered by the church under the authority of Christ.

Church discipline is administered by the church under the authority of Christ (17-20)

We see in verse 17 that the church has the authority to determine its membership. It’s not the elders (pastors) or the deacons that can remove someone from the church. Only the gathered church has the authority to remove members.

In verses 18-20, Jesus gives authority to the unified church to discipline a professing believer who has sinned grievously and yet refuses to repent. I want to give you some caution about vv. 19-20. To say that God will do whatever two or more believers ask is to violate the context of the passage. The context of the passage is about dismissing an unrepentant sinner or restoring a remorseful sinner back to the fold. The two or three mentioned in vv. 19-20 refers to the two or three in v. 16. Thus, in these verses, Jesus is teaching that he is present with his disciples and his church when they seek to correct and restore those caught in sin.

Conclusion

I know that church discipline is not practiced in most churches. Perhaps you’ve never seen it done in our church or any other. Maybe you’ve never heard of it before today. I encourage you to read the Scripture passages I’ve given you on the back of today’s bulletin.[3]See footnote 1. Read those verses in context and you’ll get a fuller picture of church discipline.

I want to finish today by encouraging us to think through why practicing church discipline is so important.

First, we want to honor Christ. He has commanded us to lovingly pursue sinners. We pursue the lost by preaching the gospel. We are to pursue those who are missing from our church and those who may be present but are living in unrepentant sin.

Second, we want to protect our corporate witness. We should not be a church full of hypocrites. We are not perfect, but we should be committed to following Christ by obeying what he commands. Because Baptist churches believe that true Christians cannot lose their salvation, some Christians think that Baptists are grace abusers. They think we believe that because we can’t lose our salvation that we can live any way we want. Of course, this is a lie from hell. Churches that refuse to confront sin are lying about the gospel and the world sees our hypocrisy. If the gospel is powerful enough to save us, then it is powerful enough to change us. The gospel that saves is the gospel that transforms us.

If the gospel is powerful enough to save us, then it is powerful enough to change us. The gospel that saves is the gospel that transforms us.

Third, we care about our corporate health. If your body is sick, you treat the sickness. If the body of the church is sick, we must treat it. If left unchecked, unrepentant sin will tear families and churches apart. Consider Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 5.

1 Cor 5:6-7a

Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened.

Those words were written immediately after Paul told the Corinthian church to hand the man caught in sin over to Satan. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

Fourth, we care about the straying sinner. We love the one caught in sin enough to tell him the truth. We would rather confront him with hard truth than let him go to hell by loving his sin. It’s not loving to let a sinner ruin his life, his family’s life, and to put stain on the reputation of Christ and the local church.

The Lord disciplines those he loves. Do we believe it?

Are we convinced that holiness is better than sinfulness?

Do we love one another enough to have hard conversations?

Do we love one another enough to practice tough love?

Will we graciously forgive and restore those who repent of their sin?

Are we willing to love with God’s love and not the world’s love?

Will we fear God rather than man?

References

References
↑1 Matt 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5; 2 Cor 2:5-11; Gal 6:1-2; Eph 5:11; 1 Thess 5:14; 2 Thess 3:6-15; 1 Tim 5:19-20, 2 Tim 3:5, Titus 3:9-11
↑2 I know there are varying positions but at the very least every Christian should be able to agree that the only cases in which divorce may be permissible are sexual unfaithfulness, abandonment, or abuse.
↑3 See footnote 1.

Commit to the Church: Fellowship Joyfully

November 15, 2022 /
Sermon Series Graphic

I recently began a new sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the ninth sermon in that series, which was not recorded.

Every person, whether they will acknowledge it or not, longs to be a part of a community. In the town I live, we see the words “Hornet Nation” on the windows and signs of various businesses. For the most part, the people of my town rally around the school. We could say that “Hornet Nation” is a community.

We could also speak of other types of community. Farmers make up the farming community. Veterans make up the veterans’ community. Sometimes people refer to an ethnic community, such as a Hispanic community. We could speak of the academic community. There are organizations of people interested in social justice or the environment. There is the LGBT community. There are many people that rally around their favorite sports teams. I know this because I have a Facebook feed and I get tired of seeing everyone’s outbursts on Saturdays about the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Here’s the bottom line: every person wants to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves. From the very beginning of creation, we see that God has designed us to be social beings. We are not made be in isolation from other people.

Genesis 2:18

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

That passage is speaking of marriage, but the principle is the same. Human beings are made in God’s image (Gen 1:26-27) and we are made to be in relationship with one another. God has designed the church to be the community that every person is looking for. When we trust in Jesus, we have fellowship with God. Not only do we have fellowship with God, but when we join a church we have fellowship with one another. This is the community for which we have been designed – the community of those redeemed by Christ.

You might be thinking, why do we need a whole sermon on fellowship? I would answer by saying that most of us even in the church have an incomplete view of what fellowship is. We tend to think of fellowship as simply spending time with other Christians. We think of potlucks or ice cream socials. Certainly, fellowship can happen at those events, but Christians can spend time together and never have true biblical fellowship. I’m going to flesh this out in just a moment, but let’s first read Acts 2:41-47.

Acts 2:41-47

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

This has kind of been our main text for this sermon series. Acts 2 is where the Christian church is born through Peter’s preaching about Jesus. Those who received his word were baptized and added to the church in Jerusalem (v. 41). Verse 42 says that these believers devoted themselves to four things: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer.

Verse 42 is the first verse in our New Testament that uses the word koinonia (here translated fellowship). The word is used 19 times in the New Testament. In the ESV, it’s translated:

  • Fellowship (9x)
  • Participation (3x)
  • Share (3x)
  • Contribution (2x)
  • Part (1x)
  • Partnership (1x)

Notice right away from verse 42 that fellowship is not the same as sharing a meal. Fellowship is not the same as breaking bread (or sharing a meal together). Today, I want to help us to understand what it means to have fellowship with one another and how we can do it more effectively.

(1) The basis for biblical fellowship is our fellowship with God

1 John 1:1-3

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

In these verses, John is going to great lengths to show that Jesus was indeed God in the flesh. John has heard him, seen him, and touched him. John was an eyewitness of Jesus’ life. And what John is saying in verse 3 is that to have fellowship with him and those with him you must believe the same things about Jesus. In other words, you must first be a Christian to have true biblical fellowship with other Christians.

You must believe the gospel. You must believe that the Bible is God’s Word. To join our church, you need to believe what we believe.

You shouldn’t join a church because its members share your political party. You shouldn’t join because you share the same social status or economic status or skin color. Instead, you should join a church whose fellowship is built upon the gospel and the truth of God’s Word. If the fellowship of a church isn’t built on the right foundation, then it will not stand.

So, the basis for true fellowship between Christians is that they are in fact Christians.

(2) In biblical fellowship, there is a community relationship

We see this in Acts 2:42. These early Christians were not devoted to just social activities. Rather, they had a relationship with one another. Their fellowship with God (1 John 1:3) had brought them into this fellowship. They had been redeemed by Christ and indwelled by the Holy Spirit, they began to share their lives with one another.[1]Jerry Bridges, True Fellowship, 10-11.

That’s what true fellowship is. It is sharing a common life. Our shared salvation in Christ is an objective truth that provides the foundation for the experiential aspects of fellowship.[2]Bridges, True Fellowship, 50. One passage (in addition to Acts 2:42-47) that encapsulates the meaning of true fellowship is found in Romans 12. I’ve shared some of the verses below.

Romans 12:4-5, 9-13, 15-16a

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another…

…9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality…

…15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another.

These verses describe what it means to experience fellowship. We are individually members of the same body. We are to love one another, to avoid evil, and hold fast to what is good. We show honor to one another. We are to zealous and to fervently serve the Lord. We are to be patient in tribulation and constant in prayer. We’re to care for the needy among us. We are to be hospitable to one another. We rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. We live in harmony with one another.

Acts 2:44 says it simply this way.

Acts 2:44

And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

That sounds like a community that I want to be a part of. I hope you do as well. Does Romans 12 describe your commitment to the church?

  • Do you have a genuine love for other members of the church? Do you know their names? Do you know their kids’ names?
  • Do you honor other members of the church by considering the good of the church above your own preferences?
  • Do you fervently serve the Lord?
  • Do you consistently pray for members of the church?
  • Do you care for the needy among in the church?
  • Do you rejoice with those who rejoice?
  • Do you weep with those who weep?
  • Are you seeking to live in harmony with others?

Does this describe your commitment to the church, or do you view the church as simply a service you attend?

Is the church a group of people you fellowship with or simply a service you attend? Are you sharing your life with others or simply sharing a pew with them?

We are not called to simply share a pew with one another. We are called to share our lives with one another! In biblical fellowship, there is a community relationship. In addition, there is a spiritual relationship.

(3) In biblical fellowship, we have a spiritual relationship

As I mentioned earlier, we are not created to be alone. Spiritual fellowship is necessary for our spiritual growth and health. I think most of us have a truncated (or incomplete) view of fellowship.

We tend to think that Christian fellowship is simply spending time with other Christians. I would push back on that and say that unbelievers socialize with one another every day. Koinonia is more than simply sharing a pew with someone. It’s more than talking over a meal.

Isn’t it true that Christians can sit and talk together for ours and speak about sports, the weather, or politics? They can spend much time together and never discuss God, the Bible, and spiritual matters. If our fellowship doesn’t have a spiritual aspect to it and doesn’t help us grow in Christ, then it’s not biblical fellowship.

If our fellowship doesn’t have a spiritual aspect to it and doesn’t help us grow in Christ, then it’s not biblical fellowship.

Here are just a couple of verses indicating that fellowship is more than Christian social activity:

Heb 10:24-25

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 Thess 2:8

So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

How can we foster spiritual relationships with one another?

  • We must commit to the church.
  • We must seek to encourage, admonish, and pray for one another.
  • We should be willing to watch out for one another.
  • We seek to bear one another’s burdens.
  • You should join a small group in your church.
  • You should seek out relationships with other church members where you:
    • speak of Scripture with one another.
    • are open with one another.
    • are accountable to one another.
    • pray with one another.

Here are some questions you can ask someone to go beyond the surface: [3]Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, 161.

  • What has God been doing in your life?
  • What are some spiritual challenges you’ve had recently?
  • What have you been reading in the Bible?
  • How’s your prayer life?
  • How can I pray for you?

Here’s what I’m saying. You’ll never experience true fellowship with others in the church if you only come to our Sunday morning service. You may be encouraged by the music and the sermon but you cannot have a deep level of Christian fellowship in one hour a week.

Fellowship is going to take some work. Don’t expect to become close with others just by walking through the church doors. Seek fellowship through small groups and conversations with others. If you want to have friends, you must be friendly yourself.

Biblical fellowship is built on a relationship with God through Christ. Biblical fellowship has both community relationship and spiritual relationship aspects.

(4) In biblical fellowship, we share our possessions and resources

Look again at Acts 2:44-46

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

In v. 46, we see that these early believers broke bread together in their homes. Again, you see them sharing their lives with one another. Also note that in v. 45 that these Christians sold their possessions and belongings in order to care for the needy among them. An important aspect of biblical community is that we share our possessions with one another.

Before you ask, I’m not a socialist. I think that our capitalistic system in America has done so much good not just for us in America but for the entire world. That is a subject we could spend many hours talking about. Socialism is an economic system where your money is taken by force and redistributed.  

When it comes to the church, we are not forced to give to others. While we are called to care for the needy among us, it should be something we desire to do because of the grace of God and the working of the Spirit (2 Cor 8-9). We care for others because we are members of one body (Rom 12:5).

Galatians 6:10

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Biblical fellowship isn’t just having coffee and doughnuts together. Sometimes, biblical fellowship is digging deep into our pocketbooks to help a brother or sister in need. We talked about giving a couple of weeks ago. What is your attitude towards giving to another church member in need? Do you love to bless others in the name of Christ?

In our Commit series, we’ve talked about giving and serving. Both giving and serving are aspects of true biblical fellowship. Verse 46 also speaks of the believers breaking bread in their homes.

When is the last time you hosted another church family in your home for a meal? Church, let’s practice fellowship by sharing our possessions and resources with one another. Let’s fellowship with one another in our homes.

Finally, the last thing about biblical fellowship I want to mention is this:

(5) In biblical fellowship there is a shared partnership

We tend to think of fellowship as within the body of Christ and that’s true. As we build up and encourage each other we are in fellowship with one another. But the word koinonia, the word translated fellowship, can also be translated partnership. Look at Philippians 1:3-5.

Philippians 1:3-5

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

The word partnership in v. 5 is koinonia, the same Greek word that is most often translated fellowship. You probably remember from our sermon series in Philippians that the Philippian church were in a partnership with Paul. They supported him through prayer and financial support as he preached the gospel. Because of this, Paul regarded the Philippians as partners with him in the gospel.

Biblical fellowship is also a shared partnership. We work together within our own church for the sake of missions and evangelism. In addition, we support gospel ministry through prayer and giving. We’ve done that most recently with the Huffines and the Mintons. We give to the ministries of the Trinity Baptist Association, the ABSC, and the SBC.

I’ll say it once more. One aspect of biblical fellowship is a shared partnership in the gospel.

Conclusion

I know I’ve said a lot this morning, but I want to sum it up in a few words. All of us desperately need biblical fellowship. We cannot simply share a pew. We must share our very lives with others. Seek to know others. Be willing to be known. Let people into your business so to speak. In doing so, you will be encouraged more than you could ever imagine. Hornet Nation is great, but belonging and committing to the body of Christ is infinitely better.

Donald Whitney writes of a pastor that went to visit a church member who had been neglecting the fellowship of the church. The pastor went into the man’s house and they both sat down by the fireplace. Without speaking, the pastor looked at the fire for several minutes. He pulled out one of the red-hot coals and set it apart from the others. Soon it lost its glow and became dark and cold. After a short time the pastor put the coal back into the fire with the others and it quickly returned to its former strength. The strength of your spiritual fire is related to the fellowship you have with the body of Christ. We need koinonia fellowship with other believers. [4]Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, 158-59.

References

References
↑1 Jerry Bridges, True Fellowship, 10-11.
↑2 Bridges, True Fellowship, 50.
↑3 Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, 161.
↑4 Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, 158-59.

Commit to the Church: Serve Faithfully

November 15, 2022 /
Sermon Series Graphic

I recently began a new sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the eighth sermon in that series, which was not recorded.

This blog post is about the importance of serving within the church. You may not know it, but the verbal form of diakonos (the Greek word sometimes translated deacon) means to serve or to minister. However, serving in the church is not limited to deacons. We could go back to Acts 2:42-47 and see how the early Christians served one another. The call to serve one another is found all over the New Testament.

I would argue that anyone that claims to be a Christian must be a servant because Christ our Lord is the ultimate example of humility and service. We saw that in our Scripture reading from Philippians 2:1-11 and we’ll see it today in our Scripture text. If you would, turn in your Bibles to Mark 10.

As you’re turning to Mark 10, I want to give you some context. In Mark 10, Jesus and his disciples are on their way to Jerusalem where Jesus will be crucified within 1-2 weeks of when the events of our text took place.

Mark 8-10 is the largest text in the New Testament on discipleship. In Mark 8:34-36, Jesus spoke these challenging words:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

In each chapter of Mark 8-10:

  • Jesus predicted his death and resurrection (8:31-32, 9:30-31, 10:32-34).
  • The disciples responded in a foolish way (8:32-33, 9:32-34, 10:35-41).
  • Jesus gave a lesson on discipleship and service (8:34-38, 9:35-37, 10:42-45).

In our text today, we’ll see just how much we are like Jesus’ first disciples when it comes to service.

Sermon Text: Mark 10:32-45

BIG IDEA: As followers of Jesus, we should humbly serve one another.

We know that we need to serve, but it seems to be hard at times. This text helps us see why serving faithfully is difficult for so many of us.

Serving faithfully will cost us (32-34)

Jesus knew what was going to happen (32-34) and he still went to Jerusalem. He loved and served us even when he knew he would suffer and that it would cost him his life. Even while His disciples were fearful (32), Jesus was focused on the mission that had been given to him by the Father.

Jesus’ mission was to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). He came to bear witness to the Father and to die for the sins of the world. While it is unlikely that many of us will physically die in service to Christ, the reality is that God has given our church a mission – to make disciples of Jesus Christ by sharing the gospel, baptizing, and teaching people to obey Jesus in all of life for the rest of life (Matt 28:18-20).

Are you serving Jesus in this way? Are you, like Jesus, focused on the mission that God has given to us as a church? How are you serving the Great Commission? How are you serving the church?

Serving faithfully will cost you. It will cost you to:

  • serve in the nursery
  • teach a Sunday school class
  • show up for church clean up days
  • babysit for a young couple with children so they can have a date night
  • serve on the music team
  • clean up a widow’s yard
  • take a meal to a homebound or sick church member
  • pick up a homebound member and bring them to church
  • host another family in the church in your home
  • disciple that young believer by helping him/her to read the Bible, pray, and share the gospel

Jesus served us faithfully despite an unimaginable cost to himself. Like Jesus, we should faithfully serve the church despite the cost. Jesus bought the church with his own blood (Acts 20:28). Are we willing to give our blood, sweat, and tears to serve him by serving his church?

So, serving faithfully will cost us. Second, it will challenge us.

Second, serving faithfully will challenge us (35-44)

Serving faithfully goes against our human nature (35-37)

The way of the world: self-exaltation.

  • 35 – “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
  • 37 – “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory”

James and John are showing their human natures. Like these two men, we love ourselves and want others to love and honor us as well. Many of us think way too highly of ourselves. Isn’t it true that we tend to see the specks in others’ eyes while overlooking the log in our own eyes?

James and John also seem to have already forgotten Jesus’ teaching on what true greatness looks like. In the previous chapter of Mark, we read the words below.

Mark 9:35

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

On the way to his death here in chapter 10, Jesus is talking about all that he is about to give. But the self-absorbed disciples are consumed with all they can get. When we see James and John, it’s like looking in the mirror. We see our own selfishness, and Mark hopes that we see how foolish we look. Once again, this is one of the reasons that serving is so challenging for us – it goes against our human nature.

Friends, the way of the world is to exalt yourself. The way of Christ is to serve others.

The way of the world is to exalt yourself. The way of Christ is to serve others.

Serving faithfully will challenge us because it goes against our human nature and because it comes at a cost. I’ve already discussed this in vv. 32-35, but let’s now look at vv. 38-40.

38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

Serving faithfully comes at a cost (38-40)

James and John know Jesus is headed for glory (37), but they don’t have a clue how that glory would come. They expected Jesus to overthrow the Romans and establish a political kingdom but Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world. His path to glory was paved with suffering. Look again at v. 38 – Jesus tells his disciples, “You don’t know what you’re asking…”

  • “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?”
  • “Are you able to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?

Jesus compares His coming suffering and death to drinking a cup and experiencing a baptism. What does He mean by this? Drinking a cup with someone speaks of sharing in that person’s fate. The cup that Jesus is referring to here is that of God’s wrath.

When Jesus speaks of His coming baptism, He means that His coming suffering and death were all consuming. Just as baptism is by immersion, Jesus was immersed in the destiny that God had planned for Him. Jesus’ suffering and death were all consuming and He was immersed in His mission.

Luke 12:50

I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!

In verse 39, James and John told Jesus, “We are able.” Their quick response, however, makes it clear that they did not understand what Jesus meant. Jesus knew that indeed one day each of them would suffer for the sake of Jesus.

  • James was the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:1-2).
  • John was exiled to the island of Patmos (Rev 1).

James and John had failed to see that the pathway to glory is paved with suffering. Before we receive the crown of life, we must be willing to drink the cup of suffering and be immersed in living for Christ.

Phil 1:29

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

“The early church was married to poverty, prisons, and persecutions. Today, ‘the church’ is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.”

Leonard Ravehnill

Serving faithfully challenges us because it is  contrary to the ways of the world (41-43)

In v. 41, the other disciples were indignant at James and John. In v. 42, Jesus says that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and that they exercise authority over them. People in the world want more power, more position, more fame, and more influence. In the world, the more important you are, the more people you have that serve you.

But Jesus says in v. 43, “It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.”

Once again, Jesus has changed the scorecard. The world says that power and authority are to be desired, but Jesus says if you want to be great, you must be a servant.

Serving faithfully challenges us because we must become like slaves (44)

Jesus says it’s not even enough to be like a servant, but you must become like a slave. In biblical times, slaves had very little rights and were taken for granted by those that they served.

Who are you more like? Are you like James and John seeking to exalt yourself? Are you like Jesus, a servant that is willing to pour out your life for others and to be taken for granted like a slave?

Serving faithfully will cost us. Serving faithfully will challenge us. But serving faithfully is the way of Christ.

Serving faithfully is the way of Christ (45)

Mark 10:45 is the key verse of Mark’s Gospel. Mark 1:15 is Jesus’ message; Mark 10:45 is Jesus’ mission.

Jesus has told us He is going to Jerusalem and that He will die. Now He tells us why. He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Jesus combines the “Son of Man” title from Daniel 7:13-14 with the “ransom for many” language from Isaiah 53:10-12. The Son of Man (Dan 7:13-14) will be given dominion and glory and a kingdom. He came to earth and gave his life as a ransom for many (Isa 53:12).

That’s the amazing truth of the gospel, that Jesus, the Son of God, became the Son of Man to pay the penalty for sin. We needed a ransom for our sin because we had all gladly and willfully sold ourselves into the slavery to sin. Jesus purchased us from our masters of sin, death, and hell to set us free.

By paying the ransom for our sins, Jesus made it possible for the children of Adam to become the children of God (John 1:12). Jesus, the Son of God, and the Son of Man, gave His life as a ransom for many.

We must respond in repentance and faith. After we come to Christ, we live a life of humble service to Jesus and others.

1 John 3:16

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

Conclusion

There are some of you that are members of our church but are not serving in any way. I want to challenge you today. Would you speak with me or someone else about how you can regularly serve in the church?

If Jesus was a member of our church, can you imagine that he would do nothing? Would Jesus simply attend the worship service and leave? We know the answer.

Many people today get married only when it’s convenient (when each person has something to offer), but they aren’t really committed to each other through thick and thin. We have a lot of Christians like that today. Some of you will serve in the church only when it’s convenient but you’re not committed to serving week-by-week in the body of Christ.

Donald Whitney writes, “The church needs soldiers who will enlist and fill the ranks, not people who will help only as last-minute reinforcements and if the battle won’t last too long.”[1]Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, 113..

The way you serve the church reflects your love for Christ. Friends, Jesus is worthy of our service.

Will we believe the lie of the world that life is all about us or will we give ourselves away in service to Jesus, his Gospel, his church, and a lost and dying world?

“Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe.” Will you serve the one who gave it all for you?

References

References
↑1 Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, 113.

Commit to the Church: Give Generously

October 27, 2022 /
Sermon Series Graphic

I recently began a new sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the seventh sermon in that series, which was not recorded due to technical difficulties.

“There is more than one way to get to heaven, but this is a great way.”

Warren Buffet

Those are the words of billionaire Warren Buffett, after pledging to give at least 1.5 billion dollars per year to the Gates Foundation

With respect to Mr. Buffett, there is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 2:5). No amount of philanthropic giving will get you to heaven, but the way we handle money is an indication of what is most important to us.

Before we get to our sermon text in Matthew 6 I want to quickly look again at Acts 2. We’re currently in the middle of a sermon series on biblical church membership which is based on the pattern we see in Acts 2:41-47.

Acts 2:41 summarizes the response to Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost. Those who were converted to Christ were baptized and added to the church. Acts 2:42-47 summarizes the commitment of these early believers. Not only were they committed to Christ, but they were committed to one another.

In our last three posts, we’ve looked how to be faithful church members. So far, we’ve looked at the importance of regular attendance, being submitted to God’s Word, and fervent prayer. Today, we are going to look at the importance of generous giving.

As we get started today, let’s quickly look at Acts 2:44-45.

Acts 2:44-45

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

These early Christians cared for one another to the extent that they were selling their possessions and belongings to care for the poor among them. In other words, they gave generously to one another.

For many, money is a very sensitive subject in the church today. There are many people outside the church who think that churches are all about money. Certainly, there is no shortage of false teachers that love money instead of Christ. However, most of the pastors I know love Christ and the churches they serve.

Just because there are false teachers that love money does not mean that we as a church shouldn’t talk about money. The Bible is full of teaching on money and Jesus spoke on it often. Howard Dayton, the founder of Crown Financial, once cataloged every Bible verse dealing with money. He says there are 2350 verses in the Bible that deal with money (or about 1 out of every 13 verses).

Why does the Bible say so much about money? The reason is that God knows that our attitude towards money is an indication of where our heart is with God. Before giving you the reasons for giving generously to the local church, I want us first to get to the heart of the matter. I say this, because I fear that some Christians have the wrong idea about why we give to the church (out of obligation or guilt) or what our attitude should be.

Our attitude towards money is an indication of where our heart is with God.

With that in mind, let’s turn to Matthew 6.

Matthew 6 is part of what’s known as the Sermon on the Mount, which is found in Matthew 5-7. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is teaching his disciples as well as the crowds that were present how to live as citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus is telling his audience that if you want to follow him and live in his kingdom for eternity, then you need to live as a kingdom citizen even while you’re here on earth. In Matt 6 Jesus speaks of the genuineness of kingdom citizens. He draws a contrast between those in the kingdom with the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees. The scribes and Pharisees had an external righteousness. They lived for the applause of men, whereas those who belong to Christ care more about true righteousness–they live for heavenly rewards given by their heavenly Father.

This is summarized in Matthew 6:1.

Matthew 6:1

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

With that in mind, let’s read Matthew 6:19-24.

Sermon Text: Matthew 6:19-24

BIG IDEA: Our attitude toward money and giving reflects the condition of our hearts.

Our attitude toward money and giving reflects the condition of our hearts.

Be careful where you lay up treasures (19-21)

19

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal…

First, Jesus gives a warning to his listeners. He says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal” (v. 19).

For many of us, we immediately wonder, what does it mean to lay up treasure on earth? It may be helpful if we first establish what Jesus didn’t mean. In Scripture, we read that it is fine to have possessions and to own property. In fact, two of the ten commandments assume that people will own possessions and property. The eighth commandment says, “Do not steal” (Ex 20:15). The tenth commandment says, “Do not covet” (Ex 20:17). If the Jewish people and later Christians were not allowed to own anything these commandments wouldn’t make any sense.

In addition, having savings, or what we might call an emergency fund is also encouraged in Scripture. In Proverbs we’re told to look to the ant who saves food for the winter (Prov 6:6-11). This could also take the form of a life insurance policy for our families.

Finally, we are encouraged in Ecclesiastes to enjoy the gifts of God. It’s okay to enjoy a ribeye steak or filet mignon on occasion. As Christians, we may have possessions. We may own property. We can run a business. We may prudently save for the future. We can enjoy God’s gifts.

What then, does Jesus mean when he says to not lay up treasures on earth? The answer is hidden in plain sight. Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth.” Jesus is telling his audience that they are not to spend their lives laying up treasures for themselves. In other words, don’t accumulate possessions that you are not using for God’s kingdom work.

For example, when you are building or buying a house, the question you should ask is not simply, “What’s the biggest, nicest, house I can afford?” Instead, we should ask questions like these:

  • What is the best way for me to be a good steward of the resources God has entrusted to me?
  • How can this house be used for the kingdom of God through hospitality toward both other Christians and unbelievers?
  • Will the size of this house prevent me from giving generously to God’s kingdom work?

So, Jesus warns us to not lay up for ourselves treasures on earth. Then he tells us why – “Moth and rust destroy, and thieves break in and steal.”

First, Jesus warns about moths. In our day, we typically don’t buy super nice clothes. I know I don’t. I buy almost all of my clothes at Kohl’s. However, in ancient times, clothing was a significant part of someone’s wealth. Nice clothes were a considerable investment because they were handmade instead of mass-produced. Wealthy people would have golden threads woven into their clothing to display their wealth.[1]John MacArthur, Matthew (vol. 1), 411. These fine clothes were made of wool, and moths loved to eat it. Jesus warns about laying up treasures that can be eaten by moths.

Second, Jesus warns that earthly treasures can be destroyed by rust. Rust could destroy the value of coins and precious metals just as inflation destroys the purchasing power of our dollars.

Third, Jesus warns that earthly treasures can be stolen by thieves. The phrase “break in” literally means to dig through. Thieves could dig through the mud walls of a house. Today, we know that thieves are still a threat to break into our homes and steal our treasures.

We could sum it up this way: don’t lay up for yourselves treasures on earth because they don’t last! The same is true today. Houses perish due to tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires. Vehicles break down. Our things are susceptible to theft, depreciation, and destruction.

Don’t lay up for yourselves treasures on earth because they don’t last!

A summary of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:19

20

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Instead of laying up treasures on earth, Jesus says, “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

What does that look like? To lay up treasure in heaven is to do good works on earth. When Christians do good works on earth, we are laying up heavenly treasures. If you read the Sermon on the Mount, you’ll see that there is an emphasis on heavenly rewards. The Pharisees were living for earthly rewards – material prosperity and the praises of men. In contrast, Jesus says to those listening: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

Any good work done by Christians leads to heavenly rewards. But in context (Matt 6:1-4, 25-34), Jesus probably means that we’re to store up treasures in heaven by using our earthly resources to bless other people. Like Abraham in Genesis 12, we are blessed to be a blessing. Randy Alcorn says, “God prospers me not to raise my standard of living but to raise my standard of giving.” This means that we are to use all our resources for the glory of God because we recognize they’re not really ours at all (Ps 24:1). Everything we have belongs to God and comes down from his loving hands (Jam 1:17).

Here’s the good news about heavenly treasure – it’s not susceptible to moths, rust, or thieves. Treasure in heaven is incorruptible (1 Pet 1:4)! The vaults are secure. The banker is altogether reliable. So, Jesus says, “Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven.”

Like Abraham in Genesis 12, we are blessed to be a blessing.

21

Then, in verse 21, Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Our treasures are the things that receive the focus of our thoughts and time. And Jesus says that our hearts belong to what our hearts most treasure.

My oldest son, Joseph, is three years old. The last few days, he has been carrying around a little shoe box full of his most treasured possessions. He guards it with his life. The things in this box get much of Joseph’s attention.

Here’s my question for you: What’s in your box?

  • What do you think about most?
  • Where do you focus your time and attention?
  • What is something you cannot live without?
  • On what do you spend your money?

Answer those questions and you’ll know what your heart treasures.

  • Your treasure may be money and the focus of your life is making more of it.
  • Your treasure may be beauty and you spend your time and money trying to be beautiful.
  • Your treasure may be video games and you play them endlessly.
  • Your treasure may be sexual pleasure.
  • Your treasure may be athletics or academics.
  • Your treasure may be your children. Perhaps you can’t give to God’s kingdom work because you’re spending extravagantly on your children’s birthday presents, Christmas presents, and extracurricular activities.

What are the things you cannot live without? What are the things that give your life meaning and purpose? Those are the things that your heart most treasures.

The things you cannot live without and the things that give your life meaning and purpose are the things that your heart most treasures.

So, we’re to be careful where we lay up treasures. We’re also to be careful to have the right perspective.

Be careful to have the right perspective (22-23)

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Jesus says, “The eye is the lamp of the body.” The purpose of a lamp is to emit light. A lamp emits light so that our feet can stay on the path, as Psalm 119:105 says. The prevailing thought in Jesus’ day was that light was emitted from the eye and this enabled them to see.

So, Jesus says, “if your eye is healthy, then your whole body will be full of light.” In the ESV, it says a “healthy eye.” In the KJV, it says a “single eye.” In Scripture and Jewish writings, having a single eye means that a person gives to others generously (Prov 22:9).

Prov 22:9

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

So, the person with a single (or healthy) eye is open-handed rather than close-handed with his money and possessions.

The opposite of someone with a single (or healthy) eye is someone that has a bad eye. In Scripture, a person that has a bad (or evil) eye is someone who has a bad heart and is selfishly indulgent. He is like Ebenezer Scrooge, holding tightly to his possessions and saying, “Bah, humbug! To hell with anyone else’s needs.” I saw this with my three year-old just this week. He was given a little John Deere tractor by a couple at our previous church. A few days ago, I heard him crying in the backyard because the girls were playing on the tractor. I said, “Son, can you let the girls have turn on your tractor?” He replied “No, it’s MINE!”

The person with a bad eye, like Ebenezer Scrooge gripping his moneybag or a young child holding tightly to his toy, is full of darkness. Jesus continues, “If then the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Here, Jesus uses irony to say that those who are in darkness think they have light. Thus, those with a bad eye think they have light, but they are full of darkness, and this darkness is even worse for those who fail to recognize it.

It’s kind of like someone that’s crazy. There are some people who call themselves crazy, but they’re not actually the crazy ones. The truly crazy people are those who think they’re fine, but everyone else knows they’re crazy. That’s what Jesus is saying here.

The people who are truly full of darkness are those who fail to even realize it. Consider again Ebenezer Scrooge–everyone around him feared him and even resented him because of his stinginess. And yet, Scrooge thought himself to be wealthy and prudent until the ghosts of Christmas convinced him otherwise.

That’s what Jesus is doing here. Like the ghosts of Christmas, He warns us that we need to have a healthy eye. We should lay up treasures in heaven by having generous hearts, especially when it comes to money and possessions.

As I read this passage this week, I couldn’t help but think about the importance of discipleship. Some of us are prone to think much too highly of ourselves. We think we’re generous when everyone around us knows us to be greedy and stingy. I know someone that is very active in church and was even a deacon in his church for many years. He gives only a very small fraction of his income to the church despite the urging of his wife to give much more.

Friends, Jesus gives us a sober warning here. The way we look at and use our money is a sure measure of our true spiritual condition.[2]MacArthur, Matthew (vol. 1), 413-14. Thus, we need to be careful to have the right perspective. And finally, we need to be careful to serve the right master.

Be careful to serve the right master (24)

Jesus sums up this section of his teaching in v. 24. He says,

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money [some translations = mammon].”

Jesus, the master teacher, once again uses a word picture to make his point. This time, he speaks of a slave with two masters. By definition, a slave was to be totally dedicated to his owner. There is no such thing as a part-time slave or a partial obligation. A slave is to be totally committed to his owner and no one else.

It’s not just difficult but it is actually impossible for a slave to faithfully serve two masters. Remember Jesus’ words – “He will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” We are all faced with a choice about which master we will serve. We can serve ourselves by pursuing money and possessions, or we can serve God with our money and possessions. Mammon is a word that means more than money – it refers to everything a person owns.

Jesus doesn’t just want your money. He wants your heart. He wants you to have a healthy eye. He demands that you serve him with your whole life – with all your heart, all your mind, with, with all your strength, and with all your soul.

Friends, we cannot do this in our own power. We are all born with a sin nature. We sin because we are sinners. We have selfish desires because we are selfish. We love money because we love the selfish pleasures it can bring us.

It is okay for a Christian to have money and possessions, but friends, be careful that they do not possess you. During his ministry, Jesus once encountered a rich young man (Mark 10:17-31). Here’s how it went: The rich young man asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). Jesus knew that this man loved his money and possessions. Jesus said to the young man, sell all you have and give it to the poor (Mark 10:21). The Bible then says that the young man “went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22).

Jesus’ disciples were amazed, and asked Jesus how anyone could be saved. They assumed that if someone was rich, he must be blessed of God. Jesus replied, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27). Through Jesus, even selfish people can be saved. Even those with a bad eye can be saved because of the work of Christ.

I know this sermon is part of our sermon series on church membership. I want to very quickly tell you how generous giving relates to church membership.

Why give to the church and God’s kingdom work?[3]These were taken from Spiritual Disciplines within the Church by Donald Whitney, pages 117-33.

  1. We give as an expression of our love and gratitude for Jesus Christ (2 Cor 8:9).
  2. We give to help build Jesus’ church, the only eternal institution (Matt 16:18).
  3. We give to help fulfill the Great Commission (Matt 28:18-20).
  4. We give as an act of worship (Phil 4:18).
  5. We give to help others in the church (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37).
  6. We give to support the church by supporting its pastors who minister to us (1 Cor 9:6-14; Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17).

There is much more we could say about giving. We could talk about whether or not tithing is required of New Testament Christians.[4]See this video for one perspective. But here’s the thing, if you have been saved by Jesus, you will value eternal treasure more than earthly treasure. I’m not concerned about the percentage of your giving. I’m concerned about the state of your heart and the condition of your soul.

Conclusion

Your treasure is either on earth or in heaven. Where are you laying up treasures?

Your eye is either healthy or bad. What is your perspective on money and possessions?

You will serve God or money. What master are you serving?

References

References
↑1 John MacArthur, Matthew (vol. 1), 411.
↑2 MacArthur, Matthew (vol. 1), 413-14.
↑3 These were taken from Spiritual Disciplines within the Church by Donald Whitney, pages 117-33.
↑4 See this video for one perspective.

Commit to the Church: Pray Fervently

October 18, 2022 /
Sermon Series Graphic

I recently began a new sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the sixth sermon in that series. You can watch the sermon here.

Today, we continue our sermon series on biblical church membership based on the pattern we see in Acts 2.

We started our sermon series in Acts 2 and I want to again look at a couple of verses from there. If you would let’s look again at Acts 2:41.

Acts 2:41

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

This verse summarizes the response to Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost which occurred a few days after Jesus had ascended back to heaven. Those present heard the gospel. Many responded by receiving Peter’s message, repenting of their sins (Acts 2:38), and trusting (believing) in Jesus. After trusting in Jesus, they were baptized and added to the church.

So, what happened next? Look at verse 42.

Acts 2:42

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers

The rest of Acts 2 describes how the early Christians committed themselves to one another. This is the paradigm we see in the rest of the New Testament – conversion, baptism, committed church membership.

Earlier in this sermon series we saw the importance of baptism and church membership. Since then, we’ve been looking at how we can be faithful church members. In other words, what should we do after joining a church?

Look at verse 42 again. It says that the early Christians “devoted themselves” to four things: the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.

Last week, we saw that just as the early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, we should submit to God’s Word both as a church and as church members.

Today, we are going to see how we can be committed to the church by being people that pray.

During the week of his death, Jesus made this statement: “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matt 21:13). The temple is no longer standing, but the church of Jesus Christ is alive and well. We do not gather in a holy place. Instead, we gather as those who have been redeemed by Jesus, our great high priest. And when the members of His body gather, they should gather as a prayerful people.

Just as these early believers devoted themselves to prayer, we should devote ourselves to prayer.

BIG IDEA: In order for our church to experience the fullness of God we must be devoted to prayer.

What is Prayer?

There are two ends of the spectrum when it comes to prayer. On one end of the spectrum, we may think that prayer is all about us and our needs. In this way, God is a means to an end. We only pray when we need something – material provision, healing, etc.

On the other end of the spectrum, some people believe that God has already decided everything so they believe that prayer is pointless.

But really, what is prayer? Graeme Goldsworthy writes, “Prayer is our response to God as He speaks to us.” That definition makes sense when you think about it. God has spoken through the gospel and in the Bible, His written Word. Prayer is our response to God as He speaks to us through His Word.

  • We pray because we believe God hears our prayers. Why do we believe that? The Bible.
  • We pray because we believe God loves and cares for us. Why do we believe that? The Bible.
  • We pray because we believe God answers prayer. Why do we believe that? The Bible.
  • We are commanded to pray. Why do we believe that? The Bible.

We pray because we believe God has spoken through His Word. We believe that He hears us when we pray. We believe He cares for us as a loving Father. We believe He answers prayer in accordance with His will. Therefore, we pray.

The Model of the Early Church

We’ve already seen that the early church was devoted to prayer (Acts 2:42). If you read the book of Acts, you’ll find that the early church prayed about anything and everything.

  • They prayed as they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
  • They prayed as they choose leaders for the church.
  • They prayed for Christians who were in prison.
  • They prayed while they were in prison.
  • They prayed for boldness to proclaim the gospel.
  • They prayed for the spread of the gospel.
  • They prayed for the sick.
  • They prayed for safety.

The early church understood two things. First, they knew they were totally dependent on God through prayer. Second, because they knew they were totally dependent on God, they set aside time to pray when they got together. They were not limited to two or three prayers in a worship service.

The early church could not have imagined not praying with one another. The truth is that if we want to see in our church what happened in the early church, then we need to pray like they prayed.[1]Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, 165.

Like the early church, we need to remember the necessity of prayer. We must realize that without prayer our labor is in vain.

The Necessity of Prayer

Ps 127:1

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

Psalm 127:1

One theme of Ps 127 is that without the Lord’s blessing, all human work is worthless. The same holds true in our church. If we change the word house to the word church, here’s what it says:

“Unless the Lord builds the church, those who build it labor in vain.” That is the clear teaching of the New Testament. Look at the following Scriptures.

Matt 16:18b

I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Acts 2:47b

the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

1 Cor 3:6-7

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

If you’ve ever tried to share the gospel or plead with someone in unrepentant sin, you know that none of us has any power to change someone’s heart. The Holy Spirit has to work before there can be spiritual fruit.

In the Bible, God has given us His plan for building the church. Through prayer, God supplies the power for building the church.

When we pray, we are acknowledging that we have no power in and of ourselves. In John 15:5 Jesus told his disciples that apart from a relationship with Jesus, they could do nothing of spiritual value. When we pray, we are acknowledging that we are helpless without God.

Many churches today think if they do certain things that their church will grow:

  • If we get an eloquent preacher who doesn’t speak too long.
  • If we do enough marketing.
  • If we change our music style.
  • If we design our services around unbelievers.
  • If we have flashy children’s and youth programs.

To that, God says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

Many churches are in steep decline and it’s in large part because they are operating without the power of God that is supplied through prayer.

Our sound doctrine, our good works, our money, and our seminary degrees can never accomplish what only the power of God can accomplish. And the power of God never comes upon a prayerless church. It’s been said that “Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the hand of God.”

Our sound doctrine, our good works, our money, and our seminary degrees can never accomplish what only the power of God can accomplish.

If our church wants to experience a movement of God, then we need to be on our knees in the presence of God. This is something that’s been on my heart since I’ve been a pastor and I want to grow in this area. I want us as a church to pray together. It is wonderful if you are a prayer warrior at home, but churches need to pray together.

At this point, I hope I’ve convinced you that we need to pray. I want to now help us know how to pray and whom to pray for.

How to Pray

If you’re like me, then prayer is hard. We know that we need to pray and because we often don’t pray, we grow frustrated because we are not praying.

There’s obviously a lot we could say about how to pray. Books have been written on the subject. I’ll mention two things.

First, we should pray constantly (or consistently).

1 Thess 5:17

Pray without ceasing.

This verse doesn’t mean that we are always praying. It means that we have an attitude of prayer and we’re ready to pray at any time.

Rom 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Col 4:2

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Phil 4:6-7

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It’s been said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”[2]Quoted in Prayer by John Onwuchekwa, p. 17.

As church members, we need to be constant (or consistent) in prayer. Second, we need to pray in the Spirit. This doesn’t mean that you have a private prayer language or that you’re speaking in tongues. It means that as you are praying, you are being controlled (or filled) by the Spirit (Eph 5:18; 6:18).

Eph 5:18

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Eph 6:18a

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Again, when Paul says to be filled with the Spirit, he means to be controlled by the Spirit. He says don’t be filled or controlled by wine, but instead be filled by the Spirit. If you are filled with the Spirit  then you will pray according to the will of God which is of course found in the Word of God.

So we’re to pray constantly and in the Spirit.

What and Whom to Pray For

Pray for other church members (Jam 5:14-16)

I hope that someday we’ll again have a membership directory so that we can regularly pray through it. Pray for those on prayer list. Pray for those in your Sunday school group (or small group). As you begin to pray for those in the church, you will grow to love them more.

Pray for the preacher and his sermons (Eph 6:18-20)

Pray that the preacher will speak God’s Word accurately and in the power of the Spirit. Pray for those listening, that they would have ears to hear and obey God’s Word.

Pray for revival and reformation (Acts 1:14, 2:1)

Pray for a movement of God in our church and our community. Pray that we would be bold to share the gospel and that God would prepare the hearts of those who need to receive it. Pray for people to repent and trust in Christ.

Pray for gospel laborers (Matt 9:36-38)

Pray for missionaries that are sharing the gospel. Pray that many will receive the gospel and come to know Christ. Pray for God to raise up more pastors for our church and pastorless churches. Pray for other churches.

Pray for those in authority (1 Tim 2:1-3; Rom 13:1-2)

In Scripture, we’re told to pray for our government officials. This includes national, state, and local government. Pray that they would seek the good of all people. Pray that they would govern in accordance with God’s Word and that we as a church would be free to share the gospel without hindrance from the government.

Pray for those who persecute the church (Matt 5:46-47)

We are even called to pray for those who persecute the church. Pray for those who are persecuting the church and for the persecuted church.

I hope in that by now you’re seeing the importance of prayer. We need God to move in our lives and others’ lives. John Piper says this about prayer:

“Prayer is a walkie-talkie for warfare, not a domestic intercom for increasing our conveniences.” [3]John Piper, Desiring God, 147.

The most obvious way to lose a war is to not realize you’re in one. Friends, we’re in the middle of a spiritual battle for the souls of men. If you were in a war and you desperately needed supplies, you would be on your walkie-talkie trying to get them. Let us never forget the power of God that we can only access through prayer. We’re in a battle and we desperately need God’s help.

Conclusion

Friends, how’s your prayer life? Are you seeking God daily through prayer?

How can we be more faithful in prayer?

  • Discipline yourself for prayer.
  • Plan times of prayer in your life.
  • Pray with others.
  • Attend church prayer meetings.
  • Be informed as you pray.
  • Pray God’s Word.

If we long for the blessing of God upon our church, then we must seek the face of God.

References

References
↑1 Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines within the Church, 165.
↑2 Quoted in Prayer by John Onwuchekwa, p. 17.
↑3 John Piper, Desiring God, 147.

Commit to the Church: Submit to God’s Word

October 11, 2022 /
Sermon Series Graphic

I recently began a new sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the fifth sermon in that series, which unfortunately was not recorded due to technical difficulty.

Sermon Text: Acts 2:42; Col 1:18; 1 Tim 3:15; Rom 12:1-2

Our attitude toward God’s Word has eternal consequences. I want to begin this morning by reading two passages. One is from 2 Tim 4 and the other is from Acts 17.

2 Tim 4:3-4

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Acts 17:10-11

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

I would submit to you that these two passages illustrate the difference between true and false churches. True churches love the Word of God. False churches turn away from sound teaching.

Brothers and sisters, like those in the early church, we have a choice. We can turn away from sound teaching and find false teachers who will coddle us, or we can be careful students of the Scriptures who know and love the Word of God. If we as a church choose to not endure sound teaching, then we will cease to be a church. If we as a church will submit ourselves to God’s Word, then we can be used of God to further His kingdom.

If a church chooses not to endure sound teaching, then it ceases to be a church.

Today, we continue our sermon series on biblical church membership. We started our sermon series in Acts 2 and I want to again look at a couple of verses from there. If you would, turn to Acts 2.

If you’re reading this, I want you to know that the bulk of my preaching is expositional in nature. That is, my preaching aims to make the main point(s) of the message based the main point(s) of the passage. It is also my normal practice to preach through books of the Bible. I say all of that to give you all time to get to Acts 2 and explain that I’m not being hypocritical since I’ll be advocating expositional preaching today even while preaching and blogging in a more topical way. Let’s again look at Acts 2:41.

Acts 2:41

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

This verse summarizes the response to Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost, which occurred a few days after Jesus had ascended back to heaven. Those present heard the gospel. Many responded by receiving Peter’s message, repenting of their sins (Acts 2:38), and trusting (believing) in Jesus. After trusting in Jesus, they were baptized and added to the church. So, what happened next? Look at verse 42.

Acts 2:42

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers

We’re not going to read the rest of Acts 2, but Acts 2:42-47 show how the early Christians committed themselves to one another. This is the paradigm we see in the rest of the New Testament – conversion, baptism, committed church membership.

Last week, we looked at the importance of regularly gathering with other believers to worship God and encourage one another. Today, we are going to look at the importance of submitting to God’s Word.

Look at the first phrase of Acts 2:42 again. It says that the early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” The apostles were those who had been set apart by Jesus for ministry. Jesus had given the apostles His authority in Matthew 16:18-19 and Matthew 28:18-20. Ephesians 2:20 says that the church was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.

So, when the text says that these early Christians devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, it means that they were devoting themselves to the authoritative teachings of the apostles, the authoritative teachings of Christ, and the authoritative teachings of the Old Testament.

Today, there are no apostles. Instead of modern-day apostles, we have the completed canon of Scripture written down. We have the teachings of Christ, the apostles, and the Old Testament. They are found in our Bible, which is one book that is composed of 66 books – 39 in the OT and 27 in the NT.

Just as these early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, we should devote ourselves to God’s Word. Said another way, we are to submit to God’s Word.

BIG IDEA: We must submit to God’s Word both as a church body and as individuals.

We must submit to God’s Word both as a church body and as individuals.

Why is this so important? In 1 Timothy 3:15, Paul calls the church a pillar and buttress of the truth. One application of this text is that the church is called to proclaim the truth and to protect the truth. As I preach today, I stand here as one who believes that the Bible is God’s Word – that all Scripture is God-breathed and authoritative for life and ministry (2 Tim 3:16-17).

To be a faithful church, we as a church must submit to God’s Word. To be faithful church members, we must personally submit to God’s Word.

As a church, we must corporately submit to God’s Word (Col 1:18)

What does it mean to submit to God’s Word as a church? To submit to someone means that you are yielding to their authority. A church that submits to God’s Word is a church that is therefore ruled by God’s Word.

Col 1:15-18

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Colossians 1:18 says that Christ is the head of the church. Therefore, as a church, we are not ruled by a pope. We are not ruled by pastors. We are not ruled by deacons. We are not ruled by church members. Ultimately, we are to be ruled by Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church and Jesus rules the church through His Word.

The only authority we have as a church is from Jesus himself. He is the one who purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He is the head of the church (Col 1:18). The apostles had been called and equipped by Jesus and that is why the early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42).

The apostles had been sent out with the authority of Jesus to make disciples (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The early Christians took the apostles seriously because they took Jesus seriously. They knew that Jesus was indeed God in the flesh. On multiple occasions, Jesus prophesied His own death and resurrection. Only God can do that!

If Christ rules the church and He rules it by His Word, then how can we as a church be submitted to His Word?

(1) We submit to God’s Word over tradition

This was the point of the Protestant Reformation. Not only did the reformers seek to recover the gospel – that salvation came not by good works but by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. They also sought to regulate the church according to God’s Word – not the pope, the Roman Catholic Church, or any other tradition.

We must do the same. Every church has traditions. The point is that if our practices and traditions contradict God’s Word, we must submit to God’s Word.

(2) We submit to God’s Word in our teaching and preaching

We teach and preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2). In my preaching ministry, I seek to mostly preach expositional sermons, where the main point of the biblical text is the main point of the sermon. Topical sermons and series are okay from time to time, but context is still important.

In every teaching ministry of the church, we need to be faithful to God’s Word. Sunday school and Wednesday night teachers should be prepared to teach.

This also includes our music ministry. We teach by the lyrics of the songs we sing as well as our approach. We sing to honor God and encourage others, not to entertain and attract lost people.

We are called to teach and preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). We do not water down the truth or apologize for it. If you’ve read the New Testament, you know that Christians were at odd with the culture (see for example Mark 6:14-29). The same holds true today but we must not fear those who can destroy the body – rather, we are to fear the one that can cast our souls into hell (Matt 10:28).

(3) We submit to God’s Word in our polity and governance

God has given us His Word to show us how the church is to be governed. The church is to be ruled by Jesus. The church is to be led by pastors (elders). The church is to be served by deacons. And finally, the church is to be governed by the congregation.

Our pastors and deacons should meet the qualifications of Scripture. We should have biblical standards for church membership and be willing to administer church discipline to those who are in ongoing, unrepentant sin (Matt 18:15-20).

Our constitution and by-laws should reflect God’s Word. Our decision-making processes should seek to be faithful to God’s Word.

(4) We submit to God’s Word in our statement of faith

Our statement of faith should be based on God’s Word. If you don’t know, our statement of faith is the Baptist Faith and Message (2000).

(5) We submit to God’s Word for our mission

Jesus has given His disciples a task – to make disciples by evangelizing, baptizing, and teaching (Matt 28:18-20). We must never deviate from evangelism and discipleship. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. While we care about social issues, the way we address social issues is mainly through evangelism and discipleship.

We also help fulfill the Great Commission through our giving. We give to international missions through the IMB. We give to church planting, college ministry, disaster relief, pregnancy centers, jail ministry, theological education and more though the Cooperative Program of the SBC.

Obviously, we could go on and on. A true will church will hold fast to God’s Word. Therefore, as a church body, we must submit to God’s authoritative Word over our traditions, our culture, and our denomination if it comes to that.

Not only should we submit to God’s Word as a church, but we must also do this as individuals.

As individuals, we must personally submit to God’s Word.

Once again, to be submitted to God’s Word means that Scripture is the authority for our lives. We recognize that the Bible is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching us, rebuking us, correcting us, and training us to live in a way that pleases God.

A church will only hold fast to God’s Word if its members are committed to God’s Word. So, how can we as individuals commit ourselves to God’s Word? The answer is actually quite simple. We must know God’s Word and we must obey God’s Word. We could turn to many passages of Scripture, but I’ll limit myself to one.

How can we as individuals commit ourselves to God’s Word? The answer is actually quite simple. We must know God’s Word and obey God’s Word.

Rom 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

In this passage, Paul appeals to the Roman church to live holy lives because of God’s mercy. Paul gives the basis for holy living – God’s mercy. Then he gives us a plan for holy living:

  1. Do not be conformed to the world. (holy living, obedience)
  2. Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. (knowing God’s Word)
  3. By having our minds renewed with God’s truth, we’ll be able to discern God’s will. (holy living, obedience)

Don’t be conformed to the world. Renew your mind. Discern God’s will. In other words, know God’s Word and obey it.

Quickly, I want to give you three ways you can know God’s Word and obey it.

(1) Grow in your knowledge and obedience of God’s Word through personal study

This is easy to say but harder to do. If you want to live a life that is pleasing to God, you must study the Bible for yourself. Get a good study Bible. I prefer the ESV Study Bible, but there are so many good ones out there. If you need help picking one, let me know and I would be glad to help.

Get a Bible reading plan. If you’ve never read the New Testament, start there. Eventually, read the whole Bible. I’ve also found it very fruitful to read books of the Bible repeatedly for a certain amount of time. One great book on how to do this is a book called How to Eat Your Bible.

(2) Grow in your knowledge and obedience of God’s Word through small groups

It’s great to study the Bible in your personal life. It’s also very helpful to study the Bible in small groups. We do this in Sunday school. We do it on Wednesday nights. You can also do this with men’s and women’s groups. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” We need each other’s help to understand God’s Word and we need others alongside us to help us obey it.

(3) Grow in your knowledge and obedience of God’s Word through listening to biblical preaching

I spoke earlier of our church’s responsibility to teach and preach the Word of God. But it’s not just my responsibility to preach the Word. It is your responsibility to receive it. On at least one occasion, Jesus told His audience to be careful how you hear (Luke 8:18).

When you come to church, expect God to speak through His Word. Have you thought about that? If the preacher is preaching the Bible correctly, then God is speaking through His Word. Therefore,  listening to preaching is an act of worship. As you listen, expect the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin.

Before you come to church, pray for the preacher. Pray for yourself, that you would have ears to hear God’s Word. Get enough sleep Saturday night and eat enough breakfast so that you can better focus on the message instead of your growling tummy.

The regular preaching of God’s Word does more for your soul that you realize. I’ve heard the preaching of the Word compared to the growth of children. I don’t notice my children growing every day, but I can look back at pictures and see how much they’ve grown. You may not realize that you’re growing in God’s Word each day, but over time I hope you can see how far you’ve come.

When you put all three together – personal study, small group study, and preaching, you have a recipe for spiritual growth. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4).

Is that you? Are you submitted to God’s Word or are you starving yourself of its lifechanging power?

Conclusion

True churches love God’s Word. False churches turn away from it.

True believers love God’s Word. False believers turn away from it.

We saw in Acts 2:42 that the early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. Likewise, we should devote ourselves to God’s Word.

The church is to be a pillar and buttress of the truth. We are called to proclaim and protect the truth of God’s Word. If we’re to be faithful to this task, we must devote ourselves to God’s Word both as a church and as individuals.

We must give God’s Word its proper authority over us and submit to it gladly. Let’s be committed Christians and church members by knowing God’s Word, loving God’s Word, and obeying God’s Word, all to the glory of God.

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