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The Urgency and Cost of Discipleship (Defining Evangelism)

/ William F. Leonhart III / 1 Comment

You can listen to the audio lesson here.

You can also find the “Working Definition of Evangelism” here.

_______________________

DEFINING EVANGELISM

PART VI – Tying It All Together

Lesson Fourteen: The Urgency and Cost of Discipleship

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple,” (Lk. 14:26-27).

 

When calling sinners into discipleship with Christ two concerns must be held in tension with one another. We must understand that the call to discipleship is both urgent and costly. New disciples must understand both that the general call to repent and believe is not something to be considered at their leisure and that discipleship, though a joy-filled endeavor, will also mean hardship, pain, and persecution.

The urgency of discipleship. In His earthly ministry, Christ taught on both of these matters. Regarding the urgency of discipleship, He warned men not to presume upon God and, thus, squander the time they had been given on this earth. Man does not often think of his time as being squandered. We have a knack for keeping ourselves busy with stuff. However, Christ would have us to understand that busyness is not in itself virtuous. Consider the man who squanders his life on greed.

“15Then He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.’ 16And He told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man was very productive. 17And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ 18Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’’ 20But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ 21So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God,’” (Luke 12:15-21; NASB).

Man, in considering the gospel, often thinks of it as something to which he will attend one day. It’s another piece of junk mail to be added to the pile. A pre-approved line of credit he can always reconsider at a later date. Right now, there are more pressing matters that need my attention. Jesus says that God will say to such men, “You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?”

God is patient and merciful, but we are never to presume upon His patience and mercy. We are not to presume that we are owed our next breath because, in presuming, many have fallen headlong into their eternal damnation. Instead, like a man who is going into battle or running a race, we are told to lay aside all that encumbers us and launch into action. Delay, even for the moment, could mean an eternity of destruction. This very night, our soul could be required of us!

Hearers must be careful not to say, as many did on Mars Hill, “We shall hear you again concerning this,” (Acts 17:32b; NASB), presupposing they will have opportunity to yet again hear and respond to the gospel. Tomorrow is promised to no man. We are not merely commanded to have soft, receptive hearts ready to receive the implanted seed of the gospel. We are commanded to do so today!

“7For He is our God,

And we are the people of His pasture,

And the sheep of His hand.

Today, if you will hear His voice:

8Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,

As in the day of trial in the wilderness,” (Ps. 95:7-8; NKJV).

Procrastination in the matter of repentance and faith is not merely foolish, though. It is also sinful. Because the one who procrastinates presumes upon the patience and mercy of God, that one stands guilty of the sin of presumption. When tempted to put off Christian discipleship, the hearer must pray along with the psalmist, “Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me; then I will be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression,” (Ps. 19:13; NASB).

The cost of discipleship. Yet, we must keep in mind that Christian discipleship is not a foolhardy endeavor. While we are not to hesitate in turning from sin toward God in faith, the path we choose in that moment will not be easy. Christian discipleship is costly, and that cost must be weighed. No man, woman, or child should be asked to ‘sign on the dotted line’ without at least a certain level of understanding that his or her gaining of Christ might mean losing all else.

Christ does not call us to abandon a few of our more valuable possessions in order to follow Him. If there is anything in this life we are not willing to forsake in order to gain Christ, we will by no means gain Him. “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple,” (Lk. 14:33; NKJV). Many of us tend to think of this forsaking as a forsaking of those things we already hold somewhat loosely. Christ does not mince words, though. In this teaching, He begins with the most difficult bonds to sever:

“26If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple,” (Lk. 14:26-27).

Notice the exhaustiveness of this commitment. Christ uses the term anyone to describe the group of people who would come to Him as disciples. He does not say that a certain select group in far away lands need to be ready to give up everything to follow Him. He says instead that anyone who follows Him must prepare himself in this way. Christian discipleship means being prepared to lose everything and everyone you hold dear. If you value anyone higher than Christ, you do not value Him as you must. You cannot be His disciple. Period.

Well, you know, I could give up my mother-in-law. She’s painful to be around anyway. No! Who do you value most? If you are to be Christ’s disciple, you must be ready to forsake even that relationship in order to be faithful to Him. You must value Him higher than your parents, your brothers and sisters, your children and, yes, even your spouse.

It is as though you were dead and at the bottom of the ocean with all of this life’s cares pulling you down. Having heard the gospel, you have been revived. A true disciple of Christ, in order to reach the surface and be brought onboard the lifeboat will shed all that encumbers. He or she will be willing to sever all bonds that weigh them down and keep them from Christ. Is your spouse more lovely to you than Christ? Do your parents have more authority in your life than the word of God and the leading of the Spirit? Do you idolize your children? These are all bonds that can potentially be used to drag you down to the abyss.

Few Christians are required, at the moment of conversion, to sever such bonds. Sadly, we have some among us who were. We are not commanded in Scripture to abandon our unbelieving family members at the moment of conversion. Instead, what we are expected to do is to hold loosely to those earthly bonds in comparison to Christ. There is an order of priority here. Men and women are commanded, when they wed, to leave their mother and father in order to cleave to their spouses. This does not mean that the parents are no longer important in the lives of the young couple in question. What it does mean is that the marriage now takes precedence over any concerns of the extended family. The extended family is to be loosely held.

The church is wedded to Christ. We are Christ’s bride, and so we are to hold loosely to all other bonds on this earth. Our love for Christ is to be so much greater than our love for others that our love for all others might be said to resemble hatred.

Not only are we to hold loosely to earthly relationships; we are also called to hold loosely to our own lives. This is where people misinterpret the command to carry our cross. Periodically, you might hear people say, “It’s just my cross to bear,” by which they might mean some infirmity, some difficult person, or a financial hardship. When Jesus spoke of bearing our cross, He did not mean dealing with difficult circumstances or people. He meant that we are to die to ourselves.

The cross is not a symbol of burden or hardship. The cross is a symbol of execution. When Christ says in Luke 14:27, that His disciple must “bear his cross and come after Me,” He means to say precisely what He said in the previous verse. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate. . . his own life also, he cannot be My disciple,” (vs. 26). Christ’s disciples are merely those who hold loosely to others. We are also those who hold loosely to ourselves. We are those who confess with Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain,” (Phil. 1:21; NASB). This is the cost of discipleship. Christ purchased it for us. Now, we are called to walk in it. Our Master was hated. He was persecuted. Should we expect less? Certainly not.

There is yet another promise, though. Surely, we have been promised that many will loose their possessions, their loved ones, and perhaps even their own lives for the sake of Christ and His gospel. We have not only been promised that such would be the case, but that we will receive one hundred-fold in this life, along with persecutions.

“28Peter began to say to Him, ‘Behold, we have left everything and followed You.’ 29Jesus said, ‘Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, 30but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life,’” (Mk. 10:28-30; NASB).

Sure there will be a great cost to Christian discipleship but, when the church is being the church in one another’s lives, there is also great benefit. We may lose shelter, but the church will ensure that we have a place to stay. Our families may abandon us or, for the sake of gospel ministry, we may have to leave our families, but the church will be our brothers, sisters, mothers, and children. We may loose our livelihood and have concern for whether or not we will eat or be able to feed our children, but the church will not let us go hungry. Discipleship requires a great price, but it comes with a great reward, yes, even in this life!

If, then, we are going to be calling people to this urgent, costly discipleship, let us also have a sense of urgency to be the church in their lives. Whatever or whoever they are called to forsake for the sake of Christ and His gospel, let us be ready to meet that need a hundredfold. In this sense, also, evangelism must be seen as a corporate effort.

Corporate Evangelism (Defining Evangelism)

/ William F. Leonhart III / 1 Comment

You can listen to the audio lesson here.

You can also find the “Working Definition of Evangelism” here.

_______________________

DEFINING EVANGELISM

PART VI – Tying It All Together

Lesson Thirteen: Corporate Evangelism

“23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near,” (Heb. 10:23-25; NASB)

 

Pragmatic Gnosticism. Most books you will read on the art and importance of evangelism will center on what is commonly called personal evangelism. They are in essence how-to manuals that are often filled with bits of special knowledge (gnosis) accumulated through trial and error. One approach to evangelism is only more valid than any other if it is demonstrably valid (pragmatism). In weighing the truthfulness of ideas about evangelism, many Christians have come to agree with the father of modern Pragmatism when he wrote: “Truth happens to an idea,” (William James, Pragmatism, pg. 92).

As a result, those who sell books and get speaking engagements on the matter of evangelism are those who have developed methods and seen them “work.” They are seen both as having a special knowledge about the subject that only they can offer, and as having seen their means justified by their results. This brand of Pragmatic Gnosticism is detrimental to our understanding of evangelism. Just as detrimental, if not more, is any notion that evangelism is primarily meant to be a personal endeavor.

It’s in the realm of personal evangelism that the results of this gnostic, pragmatic Christianity is said to prove its worth. If you follow Joe Schmoe’s approach to evangelism, you will surely see an upsurge in people who “pray the sinner’s prayer” and “invite Jesus into their hearts.” You might even see a greater number of annual baptisms and an increase in church membership.

Individuals or kingdom citizens? We must remember, though, that our goal in evangelism is not to get people through the door or even into the baptismal waters. Our goal in evangelism is to fulfill the whole of the Great Commission: to make disciples, baptize them into covenant membership with a local church, and teach them to observe all that Christ commanded. Our goal in evangelism is to make kingdom citizens, not individuals. Sadly, many of us have come to think like Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who wrote: “I am waiting to be shown this prodigy in order to know whether he is man or citizen, or how he manages to be both at the same time” (Rousseau, Emile, pg. 6).

In the kingdom of God, we find our identities chiefly in our kingdom citizenship. Our worship is primarily corporate, and evangelism is calling others into our corporate worship of our sovereign King. We must, then, recognize that our evangelism is also primarily corporate. In our personal interactions with the lost, we must be always ready to give a defense for the hope that lies within us (1Pt. 3:15). We must also be overflowing with love for God and zeal for His kingdom to the point that we cannot but speak of it to the lost in our lives (Tit. 2:14).

Corporate commitment to teaching and preaching. However, we cannot of our own accord expect to give our lost loved ones everything they need for the conversion of their souls. The gospel is deeper and wider than anything we can hope to present in short snippets on our own. Furthermore, no individual Christian is anywhere commanded to teach any one disciple to observe all that Christ commanded outside the context of the regular, corporate assembly of the saints. The primary context for teaching the observance of Christ’s statutes and preaching God’s word is among His people on His Day.

“23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near,” (Heb. 10:23-25; NASB; cf. John 20:1, 19; Acts 20:7; 1Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10).

It is as the church comes together as the church that evangelism becomes possible. When we think about evangelism, today, we think of it primarily in terms of making individual converts. In ages past, though, evangelism encompassed the whole of the corporate life of the church. For the Reformers and the Puritans, evangelism meant church planting—evangelism meant missions. These are areas where we really need to broaden our thinking about evangelism.

Corporate recognition of the gifted. It is the church corporate who recognizes godly men who are gifted for the task of preaching and teaching. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me,” (John 10:27; NASB). In this age in which direct, divine revelation has ceased, God directs His church through the indwelling of His Spirit and the leading of humble, yet vigilant, church leaders (Eph. 4:11-13; Acts 20:28-31). It is through the common suffrage of this Spirit-indwelt, elder-led body that God raises up godly men for the ministry.

“The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself; and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted therein,” (The Baptist Confession, 26.9).

Corporate education of the gifted. Consider for a moment the churches that supported Paul on his missionary journeys. They not only enabled him to journey to Ephesus and plant a church. They also enabled him to start up a school of ministry from which church planters like Epaphras were sent out to neighboring cities like Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea to plant even more churches. We can conclude from this noble effort of the first Christians that it is proper for local churches to associate with other likeminded churches to support seminaries and schools of ministry. The result of such schools is the inevitable planting of churches and the furtherance of the kingdom into farther parts of the earth.

One such seminary is being established over the next few years in Fort Worth, Texas, one of just a few Reformed Baptist hubs in the United States. The Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies (IRBS) is a joint effort of the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America (ARBCA) to ensure the education of the next generation of Reformed Baptist pastors. As our church seeks membership in our state and national association, and as the Lord grants success to our evangelistic efforts, we can expect that such noble institutions will eventually benefit from our contributions.

Corporate commitment to church planting and foreign missions. Evangelism means the recognition and education of the gifted, but it also means the sending of the gifted. Evangelism means sending, because evangelism and missions are so intrinsically intertwined. This sending begins locally and works its way outward. Minimally, it means that a church will support fully its local ministry. After that level of local support is achieved, then other local churches can be planted. From there, and through the joint efforts of church associations, support for foreign missions should be a desire.

Support for foreign missions means two things. First, it means the planting of churches. We must recall that every aspect of the Great Commission assumes the local church. If the lost in foreign contexts are to be reached, the corporate church must recognize, educate, and send gifted men. If they are to be baptized into covenant membership with a local church, a local church must be established in that foreign context. Finally, if they are to be taught to observe all that Christ commanded, they must have a local congregation with which to assemble under the ordinary means of grace.

The second thing support for foreign missions means is translation. If new disciples in foreign lands are to be taught to observe all that Christ commanded, they must be able first to hear all that Christ commanded in their own native tongue. This teaching is where charismatics get 1 Corinthians 14 so wrong. Paul’s concern in 1 Corinthians 14 was primarily on the lost. In the mission field, it was necessary for Paul to be able to speak in multiple tongues, so that people of many different languages might understand the word of God. In a local church context, though, the use of many languages would only confuse the preached word. This was the understanding of the Particular Baptists when, heavily citing 1 Corinthians 14, they confessed:

“The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as in all controversies of religion, the church is finally to appeal to them. But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have a right unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope,” (The Baptist Confession, 1.8).

They understood the gift of tongues not as some erratic, unlearned gifting that bore a close relation to direct revelation and, thus, must have ceased with the apostolic era. They understood the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 to be the local expression of the gift of translation from one tongue to another for the edification of the saints and the furtherance of the gospel. Such non-revelatory gifts are still in practice today through translation committees, schools of textual criticism, live translation at multi-lingual local churches, and the mission field. It is not in the least charismatic, therefore, to say that the gift of tongues (translation) never ceased. In fact, this gift must likewise be recognized and honed for the furtherance of the kingdom through the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Personal implications. What does this mean for you as the ordinary person in the pew? It has a few different implications. It means that evangelism suddenly means a lot more than trying to figure out how to “break the ice” on a religious discussion while sitting next to a stranger at a ball game. It means a lot more, but it also simplifies matters. Rather than feeling all the weight of trying to figure out the perfect way to break out of your shell and start up conversations with total strangers, you are free to focus on how you can personally help the corporate church to fulfill the Great Commission.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • In submission to God’s word, how might I prayerfully help to recognize the gifted among our body?
  • How does my giving, outreach, and hospitality toward visitors help our local church to be fully sustained, plant churches, support seminaries, and support foreign missions?
  • How can I better support my elders in teaching new disciples to observe all that Christ commanded?
  • How can I be praying for the fulfillment of the Great Commission through the efforts of our local church?
  • How might you support your local church’s efforts to fulfill the Great Commission through prayer, regular attendance, hospitality, the discipleship of new believers, and fidelity to the teaching you have received?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 344

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Day 344

Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Chapter 28, Paragraph 2.

“These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are qualified and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ.”

Scripture Lookup

Matthew 28:19

1 Corinthians 4:1

Reflection

Friends gathering together wish to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. They are all believers, but none of them are elders in their church. Is it right for them to celebrate communion in that setting?

A young man comes to faith in Christ and desires to be baptized. His father, while not an elder, proudly baptizes his son. What a touching event, sure to be remembered by both family members – but is it biblical?

When we read about baptism and the Lord’s Supper, it seems at first glance there are no stipulations regarding who is to perform these ordinances. Doesn’t Matthew 28 pertain to Christians today? Aren’t Christians supposed to observe the Lord’s Supper? To have such events occur only at church seems stifling to our modern sensibilities, yet those who penned the LBCF state that only those qualified and called (i.e. the elders in the church) are to administer them. Why would they think this?

When we realize the importance of the assembly of saints, and the respect given to Jesus Christ as head of the church, we will rethink how lax we are with the institutions He has given the church. Jesus directed the Great Commission to the apostles and the church as a whole. Sam Waldron writes:

The Great Commission is not addressed…to every individual Christian….The right conclusion is that the Great Commission was given to the church corporately and not to the Christian individually.

Elders are given the responsibility for feeding the sheep in their care. That includes administering the ordinances. As we look into what baptism and the Lord’s Supper do for the believer, we will guard more carefully how they are performed.

Questions to Consider

  • Why is it important that the ordinances are observed correctly?

 

 

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 340

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Day 340

Of the Communion of Saints.

Chapter 27, Paragraph 1.

“..and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, in an orderly way, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.”

Scripture Lookup

1 Thessalonians 5:11,14

Romans 1:12

1 John 3:17,18

Galatians 6:10

Reflection

Ever want to become a hermit?

I know there are times when I do! Avoiding everyone and living by yourself can appear to be the most peaceful and stress-free option. Studying and praying with no interruptions, no strife, no disagreements, no annoying people. You’ve got to admit, even being part of a church can be frustrating. Some of your brothers and sisters in Christ can get on your nerves, and living among them and loving them is a lot of work!

While isolation can be attractive at times, its appeal presumes that the church has nothing to offer you. That is wholly untrue. All those who have been called by Christ are given gifts to be used on behalf of others. Each one of your brothers and sisters in your congregation have something to contribute. They are sovereignly placed in your life for your benefit and good, even if you may not see it at times.

Perhaps the life of a hermit does not appeal to you. But there may be times when you wonder if you have anything to offer the church. When a church doesn’t have strife, and everyone is getting along and encouraging one another, it may seem that your place in the church isn’t necessary. Again, that is not true. As a Christian, you are given gifts to be used for the betterment of others. Find a need, and fill it. Sometimes just showing up to service is an encouragement to others. The Lord has placed you there to bring Him glory. Do not hide away from your church.

Questions to Consider

  • Do you view your relationship with your church as necessary for your mutual good?

 

 

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 338

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Day 338

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 15.

“In cases of difficulties, or differences, either in point of Doctrine, or Administration; wherein either the Churches in general are concerned, or any one Church in their peace, union, and edification; or any member, or members, of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth, and order: it is according to the mind of Christ, that many Churches holding communion together, do by their messengers meet to consider, and give their advice, in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the Churches concerned; howbeit these messengers assembled are not entrusted with any Church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the Churches themselves, to exercise any censures either over any Churches, or Persons; or to impose their determination on the Churches, or Officers.”

Scripture Lookup

Acts 15:2,4,6,22,23,25

2 Corinthians 1:24

1 John 4:1

Reflection

When a disagreement arises in a church, it is fitting that it should seek out the counsel of like-minded churches. There is no perfect church, so there is wisdom and humility in obtaining advice outside of its local structure. Associating with other churches is healthy and Biblical.

When seeking the advice of other churches, however, it is important to note that this advice is not binding. The local church does not have to submit to the advice given. It is up to the congregation to decide what action to take, if any. There is no authority above the church except for Christ, so an assembly of churches cannot impose a decision upon a church.

Reading this, you may wonder: what does this have to do with me? Assemblies, church decisions, jurisdiction of authority – it seems to have no bearing on the average woman in the pew. However, knowing that a local church is answerable only to Christ gives a heightened responsibility to its members. It is incumbent upon you to determine the best course of action for your church. With the Spirit’s help, you are to study the Scriptures diligently so as to learn the doctrine contained in them. You are to seek peace and righteousness as much as you are able, so that division and strife are handled lovingly and Biblically. The actions of church members have a great impact on the church. Take your membership seriously.

Questions to Consider

  • Do you consider theological debates and discussion among church associations to have no bearing on your role in your church?

 

 

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 337

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Day 337

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 14.

“As each Church, and all the Members of it are bound to pray continually, for the good and prosperity of all the Churches of Christ, in all places; and upon all occasions to further it (every one within the bounds of their places, and callings, in the Exercise of their Gifts and Graces) so the Churches (when planted by the providence of God so as they may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it) ought to hold communion amongst themselves for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification.”

Scripture Lookup

Ephesians 6:18

Psalm 122:6

Romans 16:1,2; 3

John 8-10

Reflection

No church is an island. The local church is not meant to be an isolated compound interacting with no one. The head of the Church is Christ, and while the local body is answers only to Him, it does not mean it is the only church that belongs to Christ. Remember, the saints are called out by Jesus from all times and places. We pray that those saints are encouraged, that they may increase, and that they will be strengthened in the faith.

It is encouraging to know that as a church you are not alone. When possible, meeting with other churches is an uplifting occasion.  You are with fellow believers who “get it”: they share your love for Christ, they understand the struggle against sin, and they know the need for the fellowship of the saints. When you hear how the Lord is working in other churches, it refreshes you, spurring you onward in the faith.

Holding communion with other churches also ensures that your church is not erring in some way. When issues arise, there is prudence in seeking advice from sister churches. “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) The church is strengthened in her doctrine by the wisdom of fellow churches. Evidence for this is seen in the very Confession we are reading! Its very existence is a result of churches meeting together for mutual edification.

Christ’s command to love one another extends beyond the scope of the local church. Through intentional interaction with fellow churches, the local body as a whole is encouraged and edified. The local church ought to seek fellowship with like-minded churches.

Questions to Consider

  • What are the advantages to churches holding communion together? Are there any disadvantages?

 

 

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 336

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Day 336

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 13.

“No church members, upon any offence taken by them, having performed their duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any church-order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church, or administration of any ordinances, upon the account of such offence at any of their fellow members, but to wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the church.”

Scripture Lookup

Matthew 18:15-17

Ephesians 4:2,3

Reflection

Too many times someone gets offended in a church. It could be something someone said, it could be a decision of the leadership, or it could be that not enough people said hello to them that causes the offense. And too many times it seems easier to the offended to start afresh at another church in town. But is it the right thing to do?

Life in the church is not all sunshine, lollipops, and roses. There will be times when we get on each other’s nerves. We will be sinned against. We will sin against others. When we journey together as a church, we must remember to “ Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves…” (Phillippians 2:3).

While working through an offense, our instinct is to avoid everything and everyone involved. Assembling with the saints to worship God may be the last thing we feel like doing. Unless this church proves to be a false one, though, it is still governed by Christ. Obedience to his commands are not optional no matter how we feel. Until the matter is resolved, we are still called to fellowship with the saints to whom we are joined.

Questions to Consider

  • When should you leave a church?

 

 

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 335

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Day 335

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 12.

“As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.”

Scripture Lookup

1 Thessalonians 5:14

2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15

Reflection

When looking to join a church, what do people usually look for? Sermons they agree with, friendly relatable people, programs to plug in to. How many, if asked, would say they were looking for accountability?

Christians are called out of this world by Christ. They are commanded to not walk alone, but to walk with other saints in a local church. By joining together, they mutually encourage one another. They rejoice with those that rejoice, and weep with those that weep. They speak to one another in “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). They teach and admonish one another.

However, there are times when confrontation needs to occur. Action needs to be taken for unrepentant sin. Sometimes, fellowship has to be broken and discipline enforced. This is the duty of the church. When we join a church, we don’t just receive the happiness of being together: we become answerable to the government of the church.

Accepting and submitting to the authority of the church is not easy. It means we are vulnerable to those we worship with. What if we get hurt? When we remember who the head of the church is and how He has demonstrated His love for us, we gain the reassurance that whatever command He gives, it is good. Jesus commands us to place ourselves under the authority of a local church. This is good.

Questions to Consider

  • How would you counsel someone who claims to be a Christian, but does not want to formally be a member of a church?

 

 

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 334

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Day 334

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 11.

“Although it be incumbent on the Bishops or Pastors of the Churches, to be instant in Preaching the Word, by way of Office; yet the work of Preaching the Word is not so peculiarly confined to them; but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved, and called by the Church, may and ought to perform it.”

Scripture Lookup

Acts 11:19-21

1 Peter 4:10,11

Reflection

Who gets to preach? Could any man get up and deliver a sermon? Should only those who are pastors be allowed to preach?

While pastors ought to preach to their people, the role of preaching is not limited to ordained ministers. There are men who may not have had training or have been called to an office within the church, but have been gifted with teaching and preaching. In giving these men a chance to display their skills, the church is further strengthened and edified by the preaching done in her midst.

While the church should recognize those with the gift of preaching, it should be careful not to thrust any man into that position quickly. The recognition of a layman’s gift for preaching should come after a time of observation, and it should be the decision of the whole church. This way the preaching of the word is kept in high regard, not to be taken lightly.

With the rise of popularity among Calvinists for public preaching, it is important that measures be taken among churches to approve and call men who are gifted for preaching. While all are called to share the Gospel, not all are meant to be preachers. Having the church recognize some for preaching the word will ensure that these men are held accountable and that those who are gifted are able to use their gifts.

Questions to Consider

  • Does your church recognize any laymen that have the gift of preaching?

 

 

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 333

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Day 333

Of the Church.

Chapter 26, Paragraph 10.

“……and this is required by the Law of Nature, and by the Express order of our Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they that preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel.”

Scripture Lookup

1 Corinthians 9:6-14

Reflection

Sick? Go to the doctor. Need legal advice? Hire a lawyer. Want to learn a subject? Take a class with a teacher. When it comes to needing instruction and counsel, we do not blink an eye at going to a professional. We expect them to spend time with us, instruct us, and aid us. In return we pay for their services.

It is only fitting that those who work receive compensation for their work. Why, then, is the issue of paying a pastor such a difficult one? Here are some possibilities as to why that is the case:

  • It is not considered work. Earnestly studying the Bible and shepherding souls is erroneously viewed as a cushy job.
  • The wealthy pastors get all the attention, and we despise their consumerism (or secretly covet it).
  • It is personal. We might pay someone for their services in the secular world, but we do not always know their salary or go to their house for dinner. If we are involved in our pastor’s life, we will not only know his salary, but we will get an idea of how he spends it.
  • We still equate the pastorate with a vow of poverty.

All of these reasons fail to understand how the Bible defines the role of the pastor. It is a lifelong calling, and one the Lord Jesus commands should be compensated. As Christians who desire to obey our king, we should never begrudge our minsters their wages.

There are great spiritual consequences, for better or for worse, depending on the performance of this duty (Galatians 6:7-9). The wicked and oppressive failure of most evangelical churches to support their pastors amply is at the root of much of the dearth and curse which is upon the professing church of Jesus Christ. Those who highly value the labor of the servant of God will find themselves blessed with highly valuable labour. -Samuel Waldron

 

Questions to Consider

  • How are you helping to support your pastor?