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There are sorrowful.
Roy.
ALS.
When there's frowned eyebrows.
Right.
Are you brother? No, I didn't.
First Timothy about the house first.
In order.
Chapter Yes.
They confined to the end of that third chapter.
Although it's all important, the chapter could be read.
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All right, the third chapter of First Timothy.
This is a true saying.
If a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth the good work. A Bishop, then, must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apartment to teach, not given to wine, No striker, not greedy, a filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, not covetous, one that ruleth well his own house.
Having his children in subjection with all gravity.
For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God? Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongue, not given to much wine, not greedy or filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
And let these also first be proved. Then let them use the office of a Deacon being found blameless.
Even so, must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children in their own house as well, or they that have used the office of a Deacon, well purchased to themselves a good degree and gratefulness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. These things write high unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly.
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the House of God.
Which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth, and without controversy. Great is the mystery of godliness.
God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit scene of angels.
Preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Where did you? Where did you intend to? Well, what was especially upon my mind?
Was that we are a part of the House of God.
And as in the House of God, we get the thought of rule and order.
And here we get instructions how we are to behave ourselves in the House of God.
When everything is in order, we have the regulations laid down for us.
In the second epistle of Timothy the house is in disorder, and is now a great house with vessels to dishonor as well as those to honor, and there we need special instructions in walking in separation from vessels to dishonor.
So we're living in the last days and we need the instructions of Second Timothy.
On the path of separation, but we also need the instructions of first Timothy for we're to walk as though the house were in order were to walk according to the rules given to us.
So both epistles are very important for us, as in the House of God.
We think of ourselves in the House of God. There's rule and order if we think of our.
In the midst of a great house filled with vessels to dishonor, we need instructions to know how to conduct ourselves there. That's chiefly what was before.
House of God is always seen on the earth, isn't it? It's not in heaven. It's it's not composed of Saints that have died, but it's the house here on the earth.
It's that place on earth where the Spirit of God dwells.
God dwelling in the church, in the body, I mean in the in the house, that character here by the Spirit.
Last verse of Ephesians 2, Yes.
Ephesians 2, the last verse.
In whom ye also are build together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
There it is.
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As it ought to be.
The previous verse is another matter, in whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. That's looking forward.
In the 21St verse it's more the temple character. In the last verse is the Tabernacle character. It's the abode of God at the present time.
It would be then, in that 20 second verse, the House of God as of any given time.
And there might be some false material there, but still it is the habitation of God through the Spirit. Like say for instance in Corinthians there wasn't any question but what was the habitation of God through the Spirit.
Well, in the first epistle do not find that there are certain things that first epistle of Timothy that needed correction, but there it is recognized though that there's power there in which the those things can be corrected. And so you don't get separation spoken of there, but in the second epistle.
While it's all confusion and there is no power for corrections.
Soul separation is.
Pointed out as a necessary thing.
I think that is important. Sometimes there's individuals may think well.
Path of separation is it's individual. Well, the Scripture doesn't recognize the individual pathway in that sense. Would you say that even in the second epistle there is provision made for a path? Oh yes, yes, there's a provision made for a path. That is, there is the.
Separation. And then there are those with whom you can go on follow with those that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Reading from the 19th verse.
Nevertheless.
The foundation of God standeth shore. Having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his, and let everyone that nameth the name of Christ, or rather nameth the name of the Lord, that is the one with authority.
Depart from iniquity.
But in a great house they're not only vessels of gold and of silver, but of wood and of earth, some to honor and some to dishonor, If a man therefore purge himself from these.
That is the vessels under dishonor. He shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and meet for the masters, use and prepared for every good work. Now there is the refuge that's left for the Saints of God. As long as the Church of God is found here in this world, there's their refuge right there.
Is there a distinction between the great House and Second Timothy and the House of God in the first Timothy? Very definitely.
In First Timothy, the house is in order and we're given instructions about the order.
In Second Timothy.
3rd chapter we find the conditions prevalent in the great house character and.
The Word doesn't say that the House of God is.
The great house, it doesn't say that. It just says that in a great house there are not only vessels, that is that great house is the illustration that's used, but it doesn't say that the Church of God is the great house. It's like a great house. That was my question primarily, was it? And it doesn't say that we're going to separate from the house, does it? Nor even to separate from the greyhounds. No, a man could not separate himself. I'm Speaking of a Christian.
He couldn't separate himself from all that's happened in the Great House without becoming a thorough apostate.
Because every profession of Christ is in the great house character.
The 22nd verse of the 2nd epistle, the 2nd chapter seems to me is very important the purpose of God. It seems a way back when he chose Abraham was to have a people gathered around himself.
And yet we must remember that Abraham had to act individually. Now we have the same In this chapter we have those two things.
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Faith must be individual acted upon. And so we have the if a man.
That's in the 21St verse.
In the next verse we have.
That which would.
Give us.
A basis upon gathering with others.
And the first thing mentioned is God's side or righteousness.
Now, in the third chapter of Revelation, this line of things we've just had.
What was lacking at the very end and Laodicea was the the gold tried in the fire.
Well, that has to do with the subject of righteousness. Man is substituting his own ideas and theories for a basis of salvation.
Righteousness has been brought in through God Himself, His own righteousness. Christianity rests on that.
About God's claims come first. Now, Faith always is based on the Word of God. There is no such thing as faith unless it's on the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
And so we have two things now. We have righteousness. We have faith.
But love or charity, the bond of perfectness, It's that which would indicate a new nature of.
This shall all men know that you are my disciples, in that you have loved one for another. Now that isn't simply love, that's prompted by some motive, but that's the manifestation of a nature.
Comes from God.
Then we have peace, which is the last. I suppose many would put this first, but it's last, isn't it? Because.
God's claims must come first, and in as much as life within you to be at peace with all men. And now we have in this verse.
With them.
That call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
There must be sincerity, there must be that which goes along. I suppose it it corresponds with that second thing that's in the third chapter of Revelation where we have Laodicea before us. What's lacking there is the garment. The garment there must be the indication, the evidences of that which is in communion with Christ in the outward walk.
We would say, would we not that.
One who was exercised as to the behavior of those with whom he finds himself.
Cannot take himself out of the great house, but he can seek the company of those who call on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart. And that is really the exercise of this portion of Second Timothy, isn't it, That one should purge himself if circumstances have placed him in the company of those who are temporizing with the things of God?
And in any way.
Mitigating the value of the word.
There should be exercise of heart with such.
To know that God is not leaving this scene without a testimony of faithfulness, and to seek then the company of those who so walk.
There's a verse that would indicate Brother Gill that such a testimony, such a.
A ground will be preserved in this word as often to eat this bread, and as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup. You do show the Lord's death till he come. Well, that is a corporate thing.
Just as our brother Anderson was telling us yesterday about that brother over in England who spreads the table and sits down by it each Lord's Day.
He's all alone, perhaps waiting.
If some other brother might appear and then they could break bread, that is, we can't break bread alone. It's a corporate thing. So the the testimony is left with us. As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you do show the Lord's death till he come. Now to go on in a path of division. A division is sin.
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Division is sin and the Lord isn't going to sanction.
Any of us taking up a path of division. So if we're going to show his death till he come and not be in division, then there's positive proof in that verse that there will be a clean place left where we can meet with the Lord Jesus and not be in division. Is that right? I certainly subscribe to that. Well, in this 22nd verse.
One thing emphasized seems to me there is the spirit in which it is done.
It wouldn't do, for instance, for me to say, well, how faithful I was. I had to stand the truth. I had to separate and that kind of thing. That'd be the wrong spirit entirely. It's the the spirit of meekness and the love out of the pure heart should accompany it.
One thing that's emphasized in the first epistle, it seems to me, is a good conscience.
And in our chapter, we read why they're about the deacons holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. Well, that is something that should exercise us all through our pathway. I remember one time, many years ago, there was a question came up among the gathered Saints, and there was one man who was quite active.
And it has been said, you generally find activity on a part of the evil.
I believe that's true.
Great activity. It does not become one who is going on in this path of meekness and holding faith in a good conscience. Well, our brother Heaney, there's one brother who was quite active. And our brother Heaney says to him, John, have you got a good conscience?
Well, he evidently didn't have because he missed the path.
Well, is not the giving up of a good conscience the basic thing that goes wrong with Saints of God? I believe it is. We can go too far in a manner that perhaps we started out Friday. Go too far in it and press it beyond its measure, and we lose a good conscience.
That's good. Conscience is related to this first thought here. All of righteousness, yes. Now there's something I believe in the former verse or the verse before, that's very important.
When it speaks about vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor, the very name of Timothy.
Means to honor God.
A very precious thought, and this is Paul's last epistle, and it is especially for these last days, these difficult times.
Oh, it's so important to have that thought of the meaning of Timothy before us to honor God. You and I, dear brethren, down in our hearts of that new nature, who desire in these last days, I trust, to honor the Lord.
And the great point to this truth here in separating from evil, is for the Lord's sake. Therefore it says in verse 20, But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth.
Well, that's relatively, I believe, incidental to the next thought.
And some to dishonor, and some are some to honor, and some to dishonor.
If a man therefore purge himself from these.
Now this is really corporate truth.
He shall be a vessel to honor.
Sanctified and meet for the masters use.
Timothy. 2 Timothy.
The epistle stresses the importance of individual faithfulness.
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Wouldn't that answer the question? A challenge that's often raised Well, if you take the path of separation, then you cut off your opportunities for service.
Isn't that the answer right there?
Shall be a vessel, sanctified meat for the Master shoe. Yes. You're not. You're not negativing.
Your place of service by acting on the truth and separation. It's just the opposite. But all has to be measured by Scripture. We are never wiser than Scripture. And so, as you were saying, Brother Harrison, ceaseless.
Activity, noise and display and witnessing and all that.
If it's done with utter disregard to the corporate truth as laid down in the Word of God, how can it be acceptable to God?
I'd like to ask you that connection, the meaning of the first part of the ninth verse of our chapter, that is the third chapter of first Timothy. My brother Harrison has spoken of the pure conscience, but now what is the meaning of holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience?
Well, the natural man would never be able to fathom it would be man in nature.
The vessels of the Lord must be holy, and I suppose the mystery of the faith would embrace Christianity.
What we have at the end of the chapter in the 16th verse is it.
Great is the mystery of godliness.
Yes, that's the whole thing there really.
Really. The mystery of piety, isn't it? Yes, there's no there's no such thing as real piety in God's sight today. If any of these basic facts in the 16th verse are denied, regardless of how great a man standing is and how he's heralded by the public, and then Christendom if he's untrue.
As to any of those things that are brought before us in the 16th verse.
We can just write him off as not pleasing to God.
Mystery of Piatt is contained in the acknowledgment of these basic facts.
And it's the person of Christ. It isn't the work of Christ. Here in the 16th verse. Notice that there's nothing about the cross or the blood, but it's the person of Christ.
But we also connected with the 1St chapter in the 19th verse in First Timothy one verse 19.
Holding faith and a good conscience, in which some, having put away concerning faith, have made shipwreck.
Are there not two dangers that we spoke about? The importance of maintaining a good conscience but holding faith is the whole revealed mind of God. It may be beyond our minds and it surely is because it's of God. So it's a mystery. We can't understand the person of Christ. There are many things in connection with the truth of God that are beyond the human mind.
The great tendency today in Christendom.
Is to give up that simple faith that believes what one cannot understand. So I believe that the two things are brought before us.
Faith that is unquestioning, simple faith in all that God has revealed in His Word. And this is most important for us in this day. And then a good conscience that would be connected more with our personal walk. Either of these things given up may lead to shipwreck of faith.
And what a sad thing, the soul might be lost, but not necessarily. There are those who have made shipwreck of faith. They haven't given up Christ, but they have got into a dangerous path, linked themselves with those who have questioned the things of God, and also have become careless in their own walk.
So a shipwreck of faith is not necessarily a lost soul, is it? But it's a lost testimony.
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And this is a very solemn thing, so important, I believe, in this day.
I think that is right what you say.
The a person going on and is supposed to go off on a tangent and I'm away for several years and then finally maybe I come back. Well still at the same time my testimony as the place would be ruined by that course.
I'd be making shipwreck of the faith in that particular instance. I think A1, as you say, doesn't need to be an apostate to make shipwreck of the faith. But if we go off in South Wales, we are doing that. We continue in that kind of a course.
Might also make a comment in connection with the House of God for the sake of some who are perhaps younger who just visitors here in Christendom. The expression the House of God is connected with a certain building practice used for religious purposes and people speak of how they should behave in the House of God.
So in order to have entertainments, a separate place is built because they wouldn't use the House of God for such things.
Let us remember, brethren, that we're in the House of God all the time, seven days in the week, 24 hours in the day. There's no such thing if we're true children of God or even in the sense of profession of being out of it. So our conduct is to be becoming to those.
Profess the name of Christ at all times. And so the example of the Lord Jesus in his perfect pathway, brought before us in the end of this first Timothy 3 is really the secret of godliness. How did the Lord Jesus walk in his blessed pathway? Well, in everything his pathway was to the glory of God his Father, and becomes the secret of a godly.
For us at all times when we speak then of the great house, it brings in profession. And so it doesn't just mean a certain group of Christians, but it speaks of the whole professing body and what it has become in these last days. So our conduct in connection with it when it's in this confused state.
Is set before us not only as to the remembrance of the Lord.
The center of all our fellowship, but it's our whole course of conduct in Christendom.
Sometimes Christians will even those gathered to the Lord's name may confuse this. They wouldn't have fellowship with those who are walking in a course that is condemned by the word of God at the breaking of bread, but they would in other things that a testimony is connected with it which mixes truth and error well, I believe.
The our conduct got to be according to the Word of God, not only in connection with the Lord's table, but in all it bears testimony to Him here upon earth.
Would that be so? Yes, I believe so. No, there's no such thing today as a sacred or holy.
Brick or board or stone on the Old Testament in connection with Solomon's Temple.
And God accepted it and owned it and manifested his acceptance of it. That was a holy building. But in Christianity we have not one little bit of it. The only building that God is interested in is that building that's composed of his people here in this world.
As far as a physical building is concerned, it's just a place to meet I.
I was making a call.
On a.
Certain place and.
During the day and the janitor was there.
And he said.
I want you to see the model of the new church we're going to make.
And he showed me a table about the size of this one.
And there was a little model.
Well, it was a very nice looking building, but out in the front here was a tower. A tall tower with a cross on top of it.
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And I said, well, the building looks quite nice, as though it'd be a suitable place to meet, but what is the purpose of this tower out in front?
Well, he said, that's just something to make it look like a church.
What I said is that honoring the Lord to spend money that way, to just build a tire out there and put a cross on top of it, does that honor the Lord? Well, he said. Some of us have been wondering about that.
Well, I'm thankful to say that I found out afterwards that the tire was never built, but.
The simplicity of the truth would avoid our ever being entangled in anything that resembles that. Isn't that so? A building for everything, whether it's this building here in Glendale, the Civic Auditorium or wherever it is, it's just a place to meet. That's all it is. There's nothing to the building.
When the Lord was speaking with a woman in the fourth of John and he mentions how that they are common now is when the true worshippers show worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship him. There He was showing that the change would come in at that up to that time why Jerusalem was the center.
But hereafter there would be no center.
Unlike our brother in speaking yesterday about those places in Second Kings too, where Elijah took Elijah around. Well, Bethel, that had a place, a meaning for them and the Lord owned it as to how they how they acted at those places. But the time was coming. The Lord says there when they wouldn't worship.
And be in spirit and in truth.
Now with the background of understanding.
The Church of God is composed of people.
And that we are always in the House of God.
This person is third chapter of First Timothy has a lot of instruction principles in it.
For instance.
Take the very first verse of the chapter.
It's a true saying.
The correct translation is much better here if a man desires to exercise oversight.
Not that he desires the office of a Bishop.
There is no such thing as that as a man getting an office in the Church of God, the House of God. If a man desires to exercise oversight, if there's a real exercise before God of one of the Lord's people in seeking to look after others and help others on in the path of faith, that's a good thing.
Isn't this a good Brother, Wilson? According to what we get in Titus? Isn't this just an equivalent of elder, A synonym? Yes.
Could we look at that in in Titus?
1St chapter of Titus in the fifth verse. For this cause left by the encrete that thou should set in order the things that are wanting and ordained elders, ordained elders in every city, as I had appointed the If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot or unruly, for a Bishop must be blameless. Now the two are synonymous.
Elder is the name of the office.
Bishop is the is the designation of the work he does. Bishop means oversight.
So he, in the name of his office, is elder, but the work that he does is oversight. Is that right? Yes, and we should not despise those whom God has raised up for the purpose of exercising oversight. We needed it. We need those whom the Lord has given us. Now we do not have official elders or those who exercise oversight because we have no apostle to appoint them.
But there are those who have addicted themselves to the ministry of the Saints, There are those who the Lord has raised up who just genuinely care for this affairs of the Saints.
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They get off, we should respect such and honor them for in love for their works and we have that we have those still with us. We thank God for them and instead of challenging them, say what? What right do you have to be interested in how I do. We should thank God for them and their care, their godly jealousy over us perhaps.
Or if we go to Hebrews it says.
It would be unprofitable for us if they gave a report of their stewardship sorrowfully.
If they had some whom they had an exercise and a care over and then they have to report.
And before the Lord, and say, well, Lord.
I'm grieved at the way they've turned out.
I and he takes some of the blame on himself than the way they turned out.
Well, it's unprofitable for those who have to be spoken of in that way.
Wouldn't you say so?
Yes. And in connection with that say challenge them why might say well, what's your chapter and verse for doing that?
Well.
New Testament is written like that.
The Old Testament was as definite instructions, certain things, but they couldn't plead that they had a special revelation from the Lord as to how do it. It has to be in conformity to His Word. And there may not be a single verse that you could point to, but there might be the teaching of the principles in the New Testament that would lead one to act in that way.
This verse in the last chapter of Hebrews that our brother Wilson has referred us to. 17th verse. The last chapter of Hebrews.
Obey them that have the rule over you or take the lead among you is the better translation and submit yourselves for they watch for your souls as they that must give an account. Now, that verse is often misunderstood. It isn't that they're going to give an account for your souls. That's not the point. They're going to give an account of their own stewardship.
That they may do it with joy and not with grief. So John says in his.
2nd epistle. A similar thought there Second epistle of John.
The eighth verse.
Look to yourselves. Look to yourselves that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
John wanted them to go on well, he he thought it would be a reflection in that day.
Just being the local assembly, these overseers, is that the thought? Always officers, always local, never general?
Gift is always universal and never local.
Our power and testimonies all will depend upon our own walk and the condition of our own household. And I believe this is a very important thing because we need to be exercised ourselves. Not that there isn't failure with every one of us, but we should always bear in mind that what we say bears only the weight, that it has its own power and our own practical life.
And sometimes we might say things without the sense of that and.
So there's a loss of spiritual power with it. Well, I believe that each one of us who seek to in any way help our brethren should always bear in mind our own weaknesses and our own failures, whether we have conducted ourselves as we should in our own personal life, in our home life, these things have to do with how the word that is spoken is received.
So it's when we read on the instructions here, we find.
As to the man, his wife and his his whole family, they have a bearing on it. Well, I believe that we should always have this in mind. I was thinking of a passage in Romans.
Romans, chapter 15.
And verse 14.
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And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. It isn't everyone that is able to admonish another person. And so we need to be exercised in our own personal walk that it bears the.
Bears testimony to what we say.
Filled with all goodness. Well, supposing I speak to another brother about something in his walk, I speak in love. I seek is good, but I ought to be exercised. Have I ever shown kindness and goodness to that person so that he feels that I conscientiously and honestly seek his good? Well, he says, if you're going to be able to admit, you need to be filled with goodness, and we are.
Don't know if a brother comes and speaks to us about something and all his dealings with us have always shown that he loved us, he was interested in us, he did kindnesses to us well. Then when he wanted to correct us now how much more easy it was to take it Well, brother, And I say this because I think very often little things in our personal lives.
Are neglected. That would prepare us for difficulties that arise.
When we would be able to speak and the word would be more readily received.
And then the second thing, of course, is filled with all knowledge. That is, they're not only needs to be the weight of our own personal walk and desire and love for the Saints, but there also needs to be a knowledge of the Word. So as it says in 2nd Corinthians 4, not handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth.
Commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Well, let's build with all knowledge our brother Harrison just mentioned. There might not be a definite chapter in verse, but there will be that in Scripture which we can bring before that person that will commend itself to his conscience and carry weight.
And be a blessing to him. Well, I thought, these things are very important in these days in which we live. Because if, if we speak to someone and he doesn't receive our correction, we ought to ask ourselves, well, is there something in myself?
Is there something in my own walk? Have I failed to present the Scripture in such a way as to reach his conscience? Well, it's a healthy exercise for the one who speaks as well As for the one who received the word of correction. Would that be so, brethren?
I'm sure it is. And that verse there in 15th of Romans. Why?
There is the ability there in Rome there was that they could receive admonishment as well as give it.
There will never be a situation arise in our spiritual lives, either individually or in the Church of God. There will never be a situation arise where there isn't some scripture that has the answer to that situation.
His brother Yasmin was saying it isn't going to be necessarily in definite terms, but there will be principles there that will answer that particular situation. In in that connection, I like to tell of a situation that arose all this many years ago, many years ago, and we were quite puzzled.
But.
We believe the Lord LED us and we acted according to a certain scripture.
So I was telling Brother Potter about it afterwards. Well, he said if you had written and asked my advice, I would have directed you to. And he named this very scripture that we had acted upon.
The the principal was there in the word, the principle, not not just pinning it right down to this specific case, but we'll never find ourselves.
Left with no direction in the word of God for any situation that arise.
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Is there not also this though that many times we were exercised about some brother?
But if we really went before the Lord about it, we may never have to go to Him.
Haven't we noticed that by being exercised before the Lord about a certain case?
They were led to the same exercise and if that can be accomplished, it's it's by far the wiser path.
Because.
All the flesh is so easily ranked when we attempt to say something.
Especially of ones in an unhappy state.
Isn't it Mr. Darby that says I don't think so. He makes this remark. Flesh never could rebuke flesh.
Nor will the flesh stand for it.
Oh, the flesh is easily antagonized.
But the flesh has no no chance if if we're carrying it before the Lord, and the Lord would speak to them.
And brethren, let us always remember the.
Admonition and spirit of Galatians 6/1 The object of love in bringing before and airing St.
His deviation and seeking to help him is restoration, not discipline, and the restoration there is in the spirit of meekness.
If we had this and the principle of the washing of the feet, how much?
Friction there would be when brother feels compelled to go to another one as to his way. Or perhaps his sister does this to a sister.
Let that object be to restore such an one, and let meekness be what rules the whole conversation.
Many times the flesh gets so in the way and speaking to one that all the good effect is lost.
In Ephesians chapter 4.
I believe very often we forget verse 2.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith your call.
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Well, I purposely omitted verse 2. But we can't omit verse two. That second verse is so all important.
With all, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering.
For very one another in love, and certainly we'll have to be before the Lord, looking to Him for grace that this thing might characterize us. Heather Anderson That was the spirit of the Lord, wasn't it? He could say, take my yoke upon you and learn of me. For I am meek and lowly. And this is the character that we should seek to follow in endeavoring to be more like Him.
Doesn't this verse?
The second verse call our attention to something forbearing one another.
I should never demand perfection of my brethren until I'm in a position to deliver perfection.
But there's a verse in James.
That is also wholesome for us to read often.
For bearing one another.
That means that my brethren have something to for. Bear with me for bearing one another now, James.
The third chapter.
My brethren, be not many masters or teachers.
Knowing we shall receive the greater judgment, to whom much is given of him shall much be required.
Now this next verse, and I'll read it a little differently from what it's written here.
For we all often offend.
Now that's a wholesome verse to remember. We all often offend. It isn't that I might make a little slip once in a while, no.
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We all often offend. Well, if we remember that, won't it make it easier for us, as we go to a brother, to speak to him, to take the low place? If we remember that? Another translation.
Very wholesome admonition.
Brother Brown, the word offend there is that not entirely a different word than what the Lord uses in in the gospel concerning offend one of these little ones there it's stumble.
It's really turning them away from Christ there, yes.
The Lord was very sensitive about this matter of offending when he wanted to pay the temple tax there, He said, lest we offend.
The mystery is something that the natural man cannot understand.
And it's only that the Spirit of God revealing it, and here in connection with the House of God, is it not in this chapter. But the natural man can't understand this mystery.
And if a child of God attempts to unravel in with his mind set upon it, he won't be able to either.
Probably end an error.
If the human mind tries to solve or unravel the things of God, error is frequently the result.
With a view to systematized error.
Is it true that we never read of systematized truth?
Well, I've heard that expression very often.
That when you seduce tempt system tries the truth, you find you have some error in it. We can have an outline.
That's what Mr. Potter used to call our attention to.
Ends up in systematized error.
Well, in most schools in system theological schools, they have a course that they call systematic theology.
Well, I think it's a very, very dangerous thing to try to systematize the truth of God.
13th verse of Second Timothy, the 1St chapter.
Hold fast the form of sound words. Now, is that not an outline of truth which thou hast heard of me?
In faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus. Now it wouldn't be possible to hold this fast if we didn't have it. And so it supposes that one gets into the presence of God and waits upon God for it, and then to hold it fast.
I have run across an expression something like this.
Our thoughts are to be formed by Scripture.
Not to be formed into theological expressions.
Take the various crease, well known to many.
I suppose there's not a creed formulated by a man that's perfect.
Well, the so-called Apostles Creed, the first statement in it is false.
I believe in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth. Well, that's not true. God the Father didn't make heaven and earth.
Yes.
What we need to be aware of formulating creeds or any formulated creed?
Would you say that in so-called Bible schools, your progress there really is measured by your intellect? It isn't the conscience.
No, and one can get a large knowledge.
And not have much exercise of SOAP.
And without exercise of soul, it will neither profit the one himself nor those of hearing.
I was thinking here in this chapter, the sixth verse, more or less just skimming down this third chapter.
Brother Aaron called our attention to the principles of Scripture in the New Testament principles connected with Christianity. There's six verse not a novice less being lifted up with pride. He fall into the condemnation of the devil that is the devil fell through pride.
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If the young man were recently converted and rushed into a place of prominence in the House of God, he may soon be lifted up with pride and fall. Fall through pride like the devil found.
Well, I remember years ago a young man was pushing himself. He wasn't just being pushed, he was pushing himself. And some older brethren objected and said that he was a novice.
Well, he took great umbrage at that statement that he was a novice.
And he said you can't limit the gifts of God like that. He says that is Speaking of a.
An elder are those of exercise oversight, but he says with connection with the gift there isn't such a thing as a not man being a novice.
Well, it wasn't long till he proved that he was a novice.
And he walked out and left the path.
And Chris, beg your pardon, brother? Oh, no, go ahead. These principles are for our admonition.
They had a case like that in Columbus years ago.
A young teenager.
Bright and clever.
Read the synopsis.
And he said, well, I don't care to go to the meeting and listen, have to sit, listen to those old brothers stumble around in the scriptures.
Said I'd rather stay home and read the synopsis.
Well, the last I heard of that brother, I don't know whether he's living or not. I'm going back 50 years, I suppose.
He'd ended up in some kind of a cult God, gotten clear astray and gotten into some kind of a cult.
Well this thing of getting all puffed up as head knowledge and expecting that to be acknowledged by our brethren is just the rule to rule.
Case that I spoke of the young man.
Would get up on the Lord's Day morning after the breaking of bread, and exhort all the older Saints.
Young man, well, it was unbecoming and when he was challenged about it, he said. I have the gift of an exhorter.
I don't read about that.
A young man having a gift of him being an exhort he forgot.
Says let the prophet speak two or three, and let the others judge.
I'm not the judge of my own ministry. Never.
When you say something, brother.
Well, would you say?
That there is a power.
Felt of the Spirit of our, manifested by the Spirit of God collectively.
That we would not have at home if we said we would stay home and read the ministry. We might be in a week meeting where there wasn't much gift and might say well I can get more if I stay at home and read some of the writings of the older brethren.
Well, there is, I believe, a power of the Spirit of God when we're gathered together that one couldn't have in that way. I go with that thoroughly. I certainly believe it. You get things revealed to you in the in the meeting that just don't come to you otherwise.
And the fact that there's discipline in the assembly.
The the principle of correction we have in the Proverbs.
Something joined together in in Pasadena on Thursday mornings. The way of correction is the way of life.
That is there, there must be that submission to one another, the principle of it.
The principle of it in each one of us as being subject 1 to another, goes along with it and in the assembly.
In Luke's Gospel chapter 24.
We have the disciples and others gathered together.
And the Lord is in the midst. Verse 36.
There we have a company with the Lord in the midst, really, I suppose, representative of the assembly.
And then in verse 45 it says he opened then opened he their understanding.
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That they might understand the Scripture. Where was it? In the assembly, where the Lord was in the midst?
Well, certainly if we want to have an understanding of the Word of God, we'll get it where the Lord is in the midst. There's no mistake about it. You can't improve upon this. This is God's way, God's order.
But interesting to notice in that chapter, the Lord walked with him on the road to Emmaus, and He opened the Scriptures to them, and He made Himself known to them in their home. But when the time came that they ought to have been up there with the Saints in Jerusalem, He vanished out of their sight. Well, I thought of it this way, that we can get much blessing from reading the Word of God at home.
And how often the Lord meets the person, regardless of their state of soul, if there's any turning to him at all, He meets them and ministers to their hearts of himself, the things concerning himself. But when the time came, as I remarked, that the the assembly or the disciples were going to be gathered together at Jerusalem, He managed out of their sight. And I thought of it in a very practical way that.
Enjoy these things, but when the time comes for the meeting of the assembly, we can't expect to enjoy the Lord's friends at home, even if we enjoyed it an hour before.
Where he wants us to be is in the place where He shows himself in the midst of his own. When you build a fire on the hearth, the embers that get cold first are the scattered ones on the outside, aren't they? The ones that are together hold the warmth. It's been, it's been remarked, that the place of growth.
And prosperity in the soul is found in the reading, in the prayer meeting, isn't it? And we shouldn't neglect this. And there are young people can learn.
And we wouldn't discourage them from.
Inadequate question, or the injection of a thought, but modesty becomes them. It's lying upon line, and precept upon precept, through which are the experience of every Christian moves one into a place where he can be used.
Wasn't there willful isolation be corrected by Hebrew 1025?
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of sun is.
But exhorting one another and so much more as you see the day approaching.
You have to remember, do we not, Brother Whitaker, in connection with that in Hebrews 10, that it was a bad sign for those converted Hebrews to start forsaking the assembling of themselves together. It was very often the first signs of apostasy. They were shunning the reproach connected with being together, and it was a bad sign, and I believe it's a bad sign yet.
We need to be careful of it, but then there's the other side of it too.
We who are older and who may take some part in the Bible readings in our local assembly, need to be careful that the young people are properly nourished. If if we're not careful, we may get into carelessness or lack of care for them. I think we need to be exercised before the Lord that.
These meetings may be profitable, and I don't mean the meeting here today, but all of our meetings and our local assemblies.
Sometimes we're a little careless about.
I came in contact with something just recently.
A brother in a in a certain meeting, he'd he'd come in, he'd come into fellowship.
But he was staying away and someone spoke to him about it. Well, he said that's the way that I was brought up. He said in the meeting that I came from, if things didn't go right in the in the meeting while we stayed away to show our disapproval.
Well.
That that isn't Hebrews 13, is it? It's not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is.
So that's not the cure for difficulty in the assembly to stay away. We don't help our brethren by staying away. The thing is to be with them and share their exercises, be on our knees with them. Then we can look for blessing.
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And it wouldn't be in accordance with the 1St Corinthians 14 either, was it?
Prophets speak two or three, and the others judge. There's a responsibility there.
I'd like to ask a question in connection with that last remark about staying away, with that being our chapter of First Timothy 3 and the third verse. No striker.
Being the spirit of it, perhaps a striker is a a violent character, a man that's that loses his temper and and says.
Says hasty things. A violent temper.
I believe is what is meant by a striker.
Regarding verse three of Ephesians 4.
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace.
Do we have the principle of unity mentioned in Isaiah 1 latter part of verse 16?
And the first part of verse 17, Isaiah 116 Cease to do evil, learn to do well.
Precious sound principle always can depend on it.
Slipping on down to the 7th verse of our chapter.
Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without.
Lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
That's another line of things that is overlooked sometimes.
A good report of those without.
If a one if one is taking your place in the assembly, well, does he have a good report on the outside?
What do you say that doesn't alter his state in the church?
But it does.
Suppose he has a. He has a reputation for dishonesty and among his neighbors.
He's disqualified.
He's disqualified himself by it.
Moreover, he must have a good report of them that are without. We have to be careful of our conduct on the outside.
That would be different from where it's says beware when all men speak well of you.
That would be a hail fellow, well met.
But what you refer to is things as too important as to whether.
There is that would commend the truth.
Act 16.
First one then came in, deserve the restroom, and behold, a certain disciple was there, named the Malcolm, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewish belief, but his father was a tree which was well reported on by the brothers, well reported on by the brother.
That's right, Mr. Naikonia.
Connection with this 16th verse.
God was manifest in the flesh justice scene of angels preached under the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. This is very interesting and instructive for us is that we don't have the atonement brought in here because it's the example for us. It's the secret of godliness in our pathway.
And here we find that the Lord's pathway.
Was one has just been mentioned about a good report to them that are without. Well, the Lord Jesus, the Spirit of God came upon him and marked him out before everyone, as this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. The angels look down here they saw the 1St man that ever been in this world, and whom God could delight. There was nothing but perfection in him.
And then it says preached under the gentiles.
This is quite a remarkable expression here, because the Lord said on one occasion, I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, bunch of big brethren, that the thought here is that when he was rejected by the nation, that grace caused him to go out in blessing to the Gentile. Well, I think there's a very practical lesson for us here in connection with godliness.
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And that is, perhaps there's been something that we wanted to do.
God has allowed some opposition to come in the way and so we just got angry about it or discouraged about it and side well, I'm going to give up don't know the opposition. Well, how lovely it is to see with the Lord Jesus that when he was rejected by the nation of Israel that grace over leaped the bounds of Israel and reached out in blessing to the Gentile. And I say again, this is a practical lesson for us.
Brethren, is there opposition and difficulties in the assembly and the things that we have to meet and we say, well, there's no use because everything is just in opposition. Well, grace can always overleaf the bounds. Grace can always go on in service of love to the Lord and to his people and in the gospel in spite of it all. And this is most important because this is the secret of godliness. This is the way the Lord.
Jesus acted. We need so much of this because the tendency so often with us is when things go wrong just to get discouraged while the Lord continued in that pathway of service. And what was the result? Well, there were results. Believe that in the world so that we might say, well, there seems so little blessing for the effort put forth.
God's going to look after that, believe that in the world.
And then what was the end received up in glory? That is, should we say the precious Savior ended that pathway of perfect obedience and glory in the presence of God His Father, having his fullest approval for him when he returned? It says in my presence his fullness of joy. Well, surely I believe there are practical lessons, and I'm here for us.
In our pathway and all the situations we may have to meet too, wouldn't you say to Brother Hale, just to guard against any misapprehension?
If I had it on my heart.
To do something I thought was for the Lord, and my brethren thought otherwise.
That it wouldn't be a case of my leaping over it, it would be my my place to be subject.
And wait on the Lord to clear it.
I just, I just mentioned that as somebody might take the other thought out, because there is such a thing as waiting upon the Lord to incline the hearts of our brethren. That's right.
But go on, embrace just the same. That's yes. It may not be in that particular thing, but we're not to give up the service of love and grace. And if the brethren are not happy, well, there's other work that can be done and can perhaps be done and be acceptable and the Lord will be pleased with it. So that there's the the lesson. I'm not shriveling up in our souls. Don't you think so? Yes. And then I was thinking of first of Matthew 11 where the Lord.
Rejection of Israel, but he accepts it as from the Father's hand. He says Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.
He accepts it from the Father's hand and rejoices. In that hour he rejoiced in spirit. Isn't the point in this scene of angels that isn't that incarnation Dean of angels incarnation. They had never looked upon their Creator before.
238.
We are.
Breathing.
Our soul.
We will.
Blasting from.
I love my God.
Really.