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Dealing with Church Members as Deacons and Leaders 2
We withdraw from those who walk disorderly II Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
II Thessalonians 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
I Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
We do not respond in kind to those that try to hurt us
Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
I Corinthians 6:7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
How does that look in practice
We are to love those that hate us.
Do what Jesus did I John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
We are not to retaliate.
We are to bless those that curse us and do good to those who do evil to us.
Our weapons are spiritual ones.
We are to fight hatred with love, selfishness with unselfishness, cursing with blessing, greed with generosity, unkindness with kindness, criticism with prayer, and bad with good.
I am not to go to court with a Christian brother or sister.
Stay in the Word of God. Psalm 119:165 Nothing shall offend them.
Thinking about how to respond to those that sin against us, offend us, hurt us, etc. Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
Be prepared to forgive even before you get to this point Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Do not put the sin on their account
Be prepared to suffer instead of getting even
Trust God to work it out instead of you trying to prove anything
Treat them well no matter how slighted you feel
Practicing forgiveness
God’s people are to be a forgiving people. The forgiven forgive! Matthew 18:23-35
This is what we are called to do I Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
How failing to forgive affects us!
It imprisons believers in the past
It keeps the pain alive and the sore open
It never allows the wound to heal
It feeds anger and resentment
It robs us of the joy of living
Forgiveness will free us from the past, let us out of prison
It produces bitterness
Bitterness is not only a sin but an infection that affects many people Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Bitterness causes us to speak sarcastically, slanderously, and cutting
Bitterness will distort your entire outlook on life
Bitterness will cause you to have violent emotions
Bitterness will cause you to be intolerant and think of revenge
It is hard to understand why others would not forgive us isn’t it
We understand that we didn't mean it or are sorry and do not want to do it again
Selfishness causes us to exaggerate the faults of others
Humility helps us see the offenses against us as insignificant
We are to forgive even if they do not ask for it
That is what Jesus did Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
That is what Stephan did as they stoned him Acts 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Jesus taught us to not put a limit on forgiveness Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.