Address—H. Brinkman
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I know that God has said in the Assembly of God especially have the responsibility of looking after the spiritual well-being of the Saints, the oversight in the local assembly.
But really we all, every one of us, have a responsibility to our fellow believers. There are things that can be handled and as we look at the scriptures that deal with the subject, we will find.
And many more times do we find that things are handled between individuals or in a small circle rather than in the assembly. And I believe, and I'm sure there will be better here, that will wholeheartedly agree with me. And that is that if we would have been more faithful.
In individually seeking to be a help to one another.
Perhaps the Assembly would have never had to be involved in some matters. Perhaps people could have been.
Preserved and it could have been avoided that the assembly would have to become actively involved in a disciplinary matter. So we are a brother's keeper and there's nobody that does not need in one time or another, the help of this brother or even correction or review.
You know, in First Tennessee.
We have an elder should not be reviewed.
You know, that shows that even the oldest ones at times might need to be reviewed. But there's a way to do it, and you better take heed to what the scriptures tell us.
How we should conduct ourselves to those who are older and to the older sisters and so on. Brothers healing with sisters and only has to be carefulness and proper conduct that's necessary.
April had murdered his brother.
But he says, am I my brothers keeper?
Yes, he was, and he had to give an account to God as to his conduct. But now let's turn to the New Testament. Turn to Matthew first. Matthew 18, verse 15. Mohawk, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.
He shall hear thee.
Thou shalt gain thy brother if he will not hear thee. Then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established, and if he shall not, shall neglect to hear them. Tell us unto the church. But if he neglects to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a heated man.
And the Republicans rarely, I say unto you.
Whatsoever he shall bind on earth shall be found in heaven, and whatsoever he shall lose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them, for my Father which is in heaven. For when two or three are gathered together in my name.
Am I in the midst of this? Now let's turn to relations.
Chapter 6, verse one.
Brethren in the main, be overtaken in a fall. He which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
One another's burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But that every man proved his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall dare his own burden we find in Matthew.
And the matter starts with a personal trespass.
And it ends up to become an essentially matter.
But it's very clear on that passage that what is desirable, that the matter is settled in the smallest possible circle. I think that's a principle that we do well. Keep in mind that many things can be settled that way, and it's good that they can be settled that way, and we should struggle that they be settled that way.
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Now there are things that cannot be settled without the assembly becoming involved. We will see that later.
But from what we learned from M3 teams, and it should be very clear to all of us that it is desirable if there's a problem between two people, that those two people settle that problem and then it doesn't go any further. It doesn't always succeed that way. The matter might have to take larger circles, but it is desirable that it be handled with a small circle.
So what we do often do, and what we are guilty of, that we spread the things.
Worldwide and over the whole continent. That should never be spread. That should be handled in a small local circle.
And the enemy and the heyday undermines confidence in the Saints, disrupts the fellowship. But what lessons do we learn is the 6th chapter of Galatians?
He is somebody who is overtaken in a full.
Let me also say this before we go into that there are degrees, if I may say, of wrongs or things that are of a less or more serious natures.
And we have to discern what scripture applies in each case. We will find that there's such a thing as a public review, and there is such a thing as not fellowshipping with somebody. And then more scriptures deal with individual discipline that the individual is responsible to exercise.
Then the assembly as a whole and.
Here now one is overtaken in a fall. This is not such a serious case as what we have in First Corinthian 5.
You have a case of immorality, like in First Corinthians 5. You know two brothers or three brothers cannot settle that matter. You know they have no authority to bind and to loosen the ascension. Yes, they have no right to remit or not to remit sin. Those are scriptures that deal with an authority vested in the assembly. But there are things.
When somebody is overtaken by a fault.
That, brethren, can deal with that matter without evolving the assembly. But what is necessary? It's necessary that it be done.
By spiritual men, and that it be done in meekness.
Considering thyself that thou also be tempted.
You know what is really a spiritual man? How does a man prove his spirituality when matters are wrong in the life of another?
I believe he's realizing this man needs help. Perhaps I need that same help in a week from now. I'm made of the same stuff as that person. I'm really not superior to him. I'm not beyond falling into those things.
And you know, this is what makes discipline so difficult, that it has to be administered by those who themselves are far from perfect, who have had their own failures in their own life, and perhaps a heading for some failures.
If the Lord doesn't keep them. And beloved, this is, I believe, what we have to remember when matters confront us.
That we need to approach it.
And considering that I might need that same help before too long that I'm trying to give to my brother today, you know those who are wrong and are not.
Restored in their soul to the Lord, you know, might well turn around and say, look, who are you to come here? You have made all kinds of mistakes. Well then the vote can say, yes, I have. But the Lord in his grace has restored me. And we're here to restoring you. We're trying to help you. I'm not better than you are. But if you go on the way, you lose. You're going to head for serious trouble, brother for sister, you know.
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And I believe this is where we so many times fail, becoming a superior attitude. And I think we are above these things as if they could never affect us. Well, this is so important to take it to heart. But all says here, certainly it is better for someone who is not in that state of soul for not becoming involved because.
Tonight only worsening condition that you harm.
Now they might be faithful words that need to be spoken.
You know, I believe that sometimes.
We are outright Sissy. I'm going to use that expression because you want to be handled with kids gloves. But the scripture says faithful are the wounds of a friend.
You know, I hope that if I need to be corrected by my brethren, that I realize that there is love.
To avoid further difficulties.
Now let's also turn.
You know, I should probably say yes.
Bearing one another's burden you can always helping people in their difficulties.
Blessed out of peacemakers. A wonderful verse that is to really try to make peace instead of bringing it further elimination.
They are one anothers so fulfill the law of crime. We have our own burdens to bear. Fall to deals with that in this passage. You know, we have to bear some things by ourselves, but in other things, how wonderful that is the health of our president.
Lord has given us oppression. Brother is born for the day of adversity. A wonderful but now turn to Timothy. I already referred to verse one of chapter 5.
Rebuked, not an elder, but he treat him as a father.
And the younger men as brethren, the elder women as fathers.
The younger sisters with all purity honor videos indeed.
But if any Riddle have children or nephews, a dimmer first to show piety at home and to equip their parents for death is good and acceptable before God. So what we find here there is really nobody in the assembly that is.
Above review.
So.
Might have to be done.
Better be careful how we do it, and that we do it in a way that would amend itself not only to the Saints but also to the Lord, because the Lord would certainly.
Take notice of how we conduct ourselves in these matters, and the Lord will deal with us if we do not.
Here, but we also find that we have responsibilities in connection with our loved ones. We find them in this passage and Father Psalm.
Admonition This is in verse 8. But if any man provide not for his own and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel. You know, we find in Thessalonians, we will turn that before too long that this was a problem. You know, of course we have some brethren here, right here because he's finding employment, looking for employment and that is not what is.
Dealt with here. It's a situation where a person would be able to provide.
Yet He does not. And what a solemn scripture that is. He has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever, solemn and Phoenicians. But we also find in verse 20 then that sin rebuked before all.
That others also make fear. Now here we have again a form of discipline which is not necessarily an assembly.
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Is something like. I'm not saying that assembly cannot act on that scripture as an assembly and administer on public review, but I believe that it has especially responsibility put before those in the assembly that might.
Have to write on the spot, review the situation. Let me give you an example. Supposedly there's reading meeting. It is simply going on and a younger person would oppose an older brother and an unbecoming way.
You know, the Lord might raise up to one or the other to write down the spot, rebuild that individual publicly about his conduct towards an older brother. I'm using that only as an example, but I believe that this form of discipline.
Has to be considered and the same has to be served when that is the appropriate form of discipline, you know.
In the mind of many Christians.
They have this idea that excommunication is discipline. Well, actually I believe it's correct to say that it's the end of discipline.
It's the end of discipline and really proves that no discipline has been successful and therefore that person has to be excommunicated and.
This is the proper way of looking and extra communication and really, and the Saints all should be humbled in the presence of God that it has not succeeded to win. The assembly has not succeeded to win in person, so that excommunication, excommunication might not be necessary. So there we have another form of discipline that.
Might be exercised by an individual.
But it might also be the basis on a sense reaction, you know?
I know of a case where.
Sisters trying to take over the administration of the assembly in a disciplinary matter, you know, and the Assembly felt that these sisters had to be publicly rebuked for leaving their place.
Which was not given to them of God.
Trying to interfere in a century oversight. And this is the possibility and I'm sure it's other possibilities, but just to give a few now turn please. Just alone again.
First Thessalonians first.
1St Thessalonians 5.
Verse 14.
Now the extortion brethren warn them that are unruly comes at the table minded for the week. Be patient towards all men, but in keeping with our subject tonight, especially this statement warned them that are unruly. So I believe that the old brethren in the assembly.
Might well have to act on that scripture. Somebody is acting in an unruly way.
In the assembly and they don't drive away, excommunicate somebody, but they might have to give them a warning. You're unruly, you're not submitting to God's order, it is sent. You're unruly. It might sometimes be a change.
Also in Second Thessalonians chapter 3 verse six. Now we commend you brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he withdraw yourself from every brother that often disorderly and not answer the tradition.
Which he received of us for yourselves know how he ought to follow us. For we behave not ourselves disorderly among you. Neither did we eat any man's bread or not, but brought with labor, and prevail night and day.
That we might not be chargeable to any of you, not because we have no power, but to make ourselves an example, and sample unto you to follow us. Or even when we were with you, this recommended you. That if any man would not work, neither should he need for being here. That there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all.
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But our Mystic bodies then there are such recommend and explored by a Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. But he, brethren, be not very and well doing. But if any man obey not our word, but this epistle note that man and have no company with him, and he may be ashamed.
Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always. By all means the Lord can make you all. Here we see again a form of discipline that the individual has to exercise, and again I believe that might become the basis for disciplinary action by the assembly. But I believe the predominant thought is.
Individual brother is responsible to judge the situation for himself, that this brother is walking in a disorderly way, he isn't working, he's not providing for his own. And the apostle Paul reminds them how he himself and those who labored with him were providing for himself and in Titus he says.
In the third chapter, let's read it.
In August, these things correctly verse 14 of chapter 3, and then I was also learned to maintain good works for necessary uses that they be not unfruitful. You see, those who labored with Paul were admonished here by Paul.
That they should provide things honestly and they should labor so that Danny and perhaps even the needs of others might be met while at the same time they were serving the Lord. You know, I believe there's too much the idea.
Sometimes pick up on that together, things that when somebody wants to serve the Lord, it wasn't degrading for him to do any other secretary.
Work, or manual labor if possible, labored more than anything. And yet at the same time, he worked with his own hands to provide for his own need and the needs of others. He had the right, he had the power to receive support, but.
Labored.
For his own hands and so he could speak in this way to the Saints more effectively. He said look how we carry on realistic and sample for you. You can carry on the same way. No much of the Lords work can be carried on and his carried on in the part time way. Isn't it? You know how many grand the labor locally more hard.
More strenuously than those who just travel from assembly to assembly.
Couple days and there for a couple days, yet the local brother have to struggle week after week with local problems. I'm convinced that the Lord looks at this much more as laboring than just traveling around. That kind of service. A lot of better is very, very needed and it is not.
Comfortable thing to be an oversight in a sense that there are goals perhaps that be careful that they don't act like a diatrophy, but I believe many would much rather see others.
Take over this responsibility if there would be others.
Because it's not a pleasant time of service to be responsible for the spiritual well-being of the Saints and to have to give an account to God in that coming day. OK, please stand. Responsibility has been discharged. But you and I, every one of us, beloved, have the responsibility to act on divine principles.
In our interrelationship with one another, you know it's not love.
When we embrace a brother that is carrying on in an unscriptural way, disorderly way.
You know I remember, dear brother.
Talking to us in his dream on restoration, and he related the incident that there was a brother that had to be good out for some evil, and there were some of the Saints you were in trouble for the fellow and three, that he shook hands with him and so on, and there were those who acted faithfully.
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According to scriptural principles and when that man was restored, he asked permission to say something in a meeting, the present meeting permission and he thanked those of the Saints who had acted faithfully towards citizens and acted undermine principle so that he hopefully would be left to be restored.
Well, sometimes we mix up.
Natural love and affection with My love. You know divine love seeks the good of the object and when that means that soul needs to be restored, needs to be brought to repentance, there is a proper conduct towards such a person. You know our hearts would always love to embrace anyone of God's people.
But can you do that in the family without children?
You know, do we not have to end time, use the rod? We don't like to do that. I don't think fathers really enjoy tending to take the stick and use it under children. But that is what Scripture says is our responsibility of time. And we have to be learned in that case, too, whether we're not just have to talk to the child or whether we have to use this thing. We don't always exercise.
In the family in the same way in every case. Well, the Lord can give us wisdom.
We live in a society.
Where the idea is in many people's mind that the world owes them a living.
And people use social structure.
Well, as Christians, we also have that kind of an attitude. We have to have a responsibility or a sense of responsibility that we have the responsibility to provide, to provide things honestly and do all that you can. And really in our day and age, most of us work 8 hours a day.
Do you think what our fathers and grandfathers have to do, they didn't have to do our day job.
You know, they worked on sun up till sundown. The farmer still hasn't to get into the summer, you know. So we really in many cases have it very easy to provide and take care and to work. And then when we work, we do it with all of mine and do it as unto the Lord. Not just that, we have a responsibility to provide for our family.
But just like the boys and girls when they go to school.
I believe they can do that for the Lord.
You know they can as children realize that adul and trying to do the best I can in school, not to excel above others, not to show up. But if the Lord has given me the ability to produce ace in school. I better try to come home with ace, you know, and if I only have the ability to come home with seeds.
And I come home with seeds. I'm a good student, you know?
I told that to my kids, you know, somewhere extremely students and some couldn't perform like that, but those who came home with what they were able to perform, they were good students. That's all God expects of us. And we begin in our early years.
To develop good habits which will benefit us when we are older. Because if you don't and children try to do the best you can once you get a job someplace, we won't do that either. We try to get away with the lease and let the principle of the labor union, you know, get as much money for as little work as possible.
You know that I wasn't time when employers that the abuse that employees and didn't fairly compensate them and the salaries finally forgot if we have it in the scriptures.
You know what things like a pendulum thing back and forth, you know it's going the other way again. You know people have nothing very fair wages.
In past decades and now.
Things work the other way again, you know, brought his way leveling things out but how wonderful good work habits by a Christian health is Christian testimony. That's a good thing. Boys get a hold of them good work habits.
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Help your patient testimony in the world.
Well, now let's turn to something that your head is almost serious than what we had in Thessalonians, and that is in Romans. Romans chapter 16. Now I beseech verse 17. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned.
And avoid them, for they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ.
But their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches, deceived the hearts of the simple.
He had another form of discipline and another problem that can arise among God's people, and that is that people like Paul predicted in Acts chapter 20 would arise drawing disciples after them and causing.
Risks divisions among.
God's people.
How we to act towards them? How am I? How I used to act towards them? God expects us to be able to discern who is such a character.
Who comes in amongst the people of God and causes rest and drawing disciples after them? And we should avoid them, We should have nothing to do with them.
It might take a while before the assembly comes to the point to realize that they have to deal with that person and set them outside.
But individually, again, you and I, if you're walking in fellowship and communion with the Lord can deserve who is such a character and then we act on this scripture. We might be unpopular when some people who at that point have not seen the need for such a discipline.
But this is the directions that the word of God gives us.
I believe in our problems that we have had in recent years. We haven't deserved these.
Men early enough and we have given them the opportunity to scatter the sheep. I'm not saying that to be hard on my brethren. I take my place with you in that we should have had more discernment and their character is manifesting itself more and more clearly now.
Wolves in sheepskins.
That's the best description, not sparing the flock.
Paul says. Have you seen that? Not bearing the blood and putting everything before everybody, even the babes in price who are not to be faced with such things.
It should be handled by those with responsibility in the assembly. A turn to Titus now. Titus 3 verse 10. A man that is inherited after the 1St and 2nd admonition. Reject.
Knowing that he and his such is subverted, and Sinneth being condemned of himself.
You know, I might not have read all of what I wanted to read in Romans. Maybe you turn back to that before commenting. Yeah, I did read it, but didn't comment on that, I believe.
By their by good works and their speeches deceived the hearts of the simple. For some people might talk very sweet.
But underneath.
The wolves of the sheepskin. We must not go by what people say only. We have to go by what they do. The unscriptural, unprincipled way of dealing with Madison from people. But here, now, we have inherited.
After the 1St and 2nd admiration rejected knowing that he that is such is Suburban and Sinneth being condemned.
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Of himself, you know, I believe we sometimes you don't use the proper terminology in connection with problems that arise amongst God people. We see, for instance of division among brethren.
He sent the monster because the Division I believe is an internal thing.
Such as we had incorrect, you know, in Corinth there were divisions, there were parties, but they had not broken out into opening splits.
You know, but a second is.
That which breaks out in an open split, and we should really more accurately refer to those ribs that have occurred once the gathering.
Here we have a.
You know a man who demise and separates the people of God. You know what three many times speak of a heretic as a person that brings wrong doctrine and that might welcome soul that he brings strong doctrine like Paul says in X20 speaking perverse things, but I believe it's Brendan had pointed out in the past.
That.
The person might divide the Saints of God with the truth itself, and it's the spirit of the man that characterizes him as a heretic more than what he speaks.
And you know, we must be careful not to stress and press things amongst God's people, although He might be right in this, but our brethren do not see it.
And we had to give them time that they see it themselves. The Lord shows these things to them. You know, rather have gone on in happy fellowship, having had different thoughts on certain subjects like baptism, but they have gone on in keys to harmony, realizing that these differences would not be permitted of the enemy to.
Divide the Saints of God.
It wasn't a fundamental issue that we couldn't tolerate. Now we might have strong convictions on such matters, but we do not allow these things to divide the Saints of God. I understand that.
Ch Brown and Brother McMillan had different thoughts on that. Harmoniously traveling together, ministering amongst the Saints of God.
They have given us examples of what is servant of the Lord in contrast that is going on pleasing to the Lord, in contrast to what we find here. Well, the Lord can help us that we do not become guilty of the tool in the hands of the enemy to divide these people. There's nothing dearer to the heart of God.
Than his people, the Church of God.
And he looks.
Very seriously.
And such men who divide the people of God, we ought to try to help one another. We ought to try to prevent one another of getting off the deep end. You know, the path of faith and the danger on the right and the left. You know, you might say, to be part on the side of righteousness.
Working part of the side of grace.
Picture is very clear about the eternity grace with regard to Lisbon justice you need the grace of God for an excuse for sin. But then on the other hand, you know stressing righteousness to the point of dividing the Saints of God. I enjoyed so much the.
The the attitudes in Matthew 5. When you look at them carefully, you see that there are some the first ones, people of righteousness.
And the others speak of grace, and you cannot, whether it's a family or is a group of people or the century of God, you cannot survive in harmony without both principles existing and being upheld amongst those people. The Lord can help us with that. But now let's turn again to men through 18.
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And also to 1St 25.
You know Matthew 18 has been attacked.
Very much in recent years and what we have to really see is this, that the main point of man to 18 is and then the administration.
Is no longer God's administration among his people, is no longer among the Jews, and it's now among those gathered for the name of the Lord Jesus. That's the main point I believe, and it does not give us details how the essentially deals with all that establishes is that the assembly has the highest authority.
The only time to pass you know where the 16 shots of the Lord Jesus speaks of the church that he was going to form and now he speaks of the authority here is West in the past it was requested in Israel.
But now his authority is rested among those that are gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus. That's the main point to get a hold of. And there is no higher authority than that which is vessel in the local assembly.
No. No other assembly has authority to come into the assembly in Kirkland and take over the administration.
God has vested authority in Kirkland. They have to act for him now. If for some reason they would not deal with evil in their midst, would not deal with evil doctrine, with immorality, others can labor with them.
Those especially who have killed my tongue and seek to exercise the conscience of the brethren in Kirkland or another assembly, might put before them their responsibility of dealing with their evil, but they cannot come into Kirkland and take over the administration.
God is vested then in Kirkland, and in Kirkland refuses to deal with evil evidence after has been clearly brought before them. All that can be done is to say we can no longer recognize that essentially as an Assembly of God, They're not a true expression of the Assembly of God.
Never, ever, I believe, can others from the outside come and take over the administration in the local assembly. God has rested authority in the local assembly to deal with such things.
If that would have been clearly seen, if we could have been spared some of the heartache.
Well, Matthew 18 is a wonderful passage. The Lord Jesus is in the midst, and he being here is to the assembly the authority to act on his behalf. That's the truth of this passage. It's a very solid thing, but it's an irresponsibility.
Cannot neglect.
You know, it's much nicer to try to encourage people. I very much enjoy going to places where it is a new work, like in Brazil or in Egypt. They're so hungry to listen for the truth, they can't hear enough. It's much more pleasant than to deal with problems among the states in the local safety. It is, but it's a responsibility. We cannot church it. We have to face.
Thank the Lord for those who take on that responsibility.
And we better beloved support them and remember.
They're never going to be a perfect one in that place, never be perfect one, and they're not perfect themselves. And I sometimes sit oblate. There are better husbands and better fathers than myself, but I've never seen a perfect father. I've never seen a perfect husband. The Lord is the Lord is our God, is our Father. He's perfect as our father. Neither have I ever seen a perfect brother in responsibility.
The only servant that ever heard served perfectly was the Lord Himself. Let's remember that. Let's not undermine those who see in their feebleness to carry on responsibility. But I'll turn to 1St grade here.
There's one adjacent occasion among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's right, and he are puffed up, and have not rather warned that he that has done this deed might be taken away from among you.
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For I verily is absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already as dual. I'm her present concerning Him and has done this deep in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when He are gathered together in my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ to deliver stunts and one untestation for the destruction of the flesh, that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Your glory is not good, knowing not that a little leaven leavens the whole lamb.
The end of the chapter says put out some among yourself that we did person.
Well, here we have the most serious form, which is really the end of discipline.
He it was commonly reported the Saints were not rebuked that they had not dealt with the matter because I believe they had not been instructions well to deal with that matter. They were reviewed that they were not humbled about this sin occurring among them, and that they had not looked to the Lord that He would remove that mask.
Because he had done that with an analysis of fire.
So.
Now we have the instructions given was given to them, and we have it today that the assembly with the Lord in the midst has divine authority to excommunicate one who commits such a sin. And the name of the Lord Jesus needed to be clear. Many times people say the object is the restoration of the person. That's one of the objects, one of the reasons.
But I believe the first reason is that the assembly give a demonstration that such evil is not tolerated, and that the name of the Lord must be cleared by that person being dealt with. Now when did this person was unrepentant? At the time when this was coming before Paul, And then Paul by behind inspiration gives them instructions how to deal with that one.
But even if that man would have been repentant.
I believe they would have still had to deal with that man publicly. Maybe he didn't have to be out very long because perhaps they such a thing as a person having committed some things and being already restored in his soul to the Lord. Yet it was commonly reported was known in the world. The name of the Lord needed to be clear.
And so in the second fiscal?
He commenced. They had done that. But let me say, excommunication is more than removing somebody from the Lords Table. You know, we do not find in the Word of God this statement that we remove somebody from the Lords Table.
Put out some among yourself that we could person. And if there is such a thing as somebody walking disorderly, and we don't fellowship with him, should we fellowship with one that has been put under a more severe punishment and has been excommunicated?
Undermining the authority of the Lord in acting towards those that have come under discipline by the assembly. As if you can't just embrace them and eat with them and fellowship with them. We're undermining it and they're doing harm to the person.
That needs to be disciplined well.
These things are not pleasant.
And I don't think anybody that really feels things with the Lord would enjoy to carry out disciplinary measures.
I believe it is especially hard to persist to act on divine principle because why is that? Because sisters, ladies are gentle loving creatures. You know, it's very hard for a woman to act on the non principles when it comes to discipline. You know I've sometimes said and I don't really mean.
If the Lord has not made women the way he did.
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They couldn't put up with a husband or with children, but because he has made them to be loving, kind creatures while they can be in that position, but it also means that they are unfit to have a part.
In administration, in the Assembly and you know in First Timothy 3, when we have the overseer, we find that the woman is not mentioned.
Because you cannot be involved in that. But when it comes to the Deacon, the woman is mentioned. Why? Because of her being such a kind and feeling considerate person, she can be a tremendous aide to her husband in recognizing the needs among God's people. Because the Deacon was to take care of the material and treat the needs of the Saints and in those days.
It wasn't the brothers meeting that decided this. They gave that responsibility to serve individuals.
And they discharged that responsibility. And if they had a godly sister as a wife, tremendous help. She can teach, but she cannot be a help herself in matters that pertain to administration, disciplinary matters in the assembly because women see things with their heart.
With their affections rather than with their mind. Not that they are not some exceptions.
But all the Lord can help us, beloved, to carry on for Him.
And we have to remember that in our life is Saints together, living with one another. We have to glorify the Lord Jesus, we have to bring honor to Him, and we have to maintain in our relationship with one another divine principles, sound divine principle. The Lord can help us stop by having taken up this subject.
Claimed, and I have exhausted this subject, but I had sought to give us, as it were, an overview. And let me just mention too, what we need among our people is Levi and the sons of four. What I mean by that is.
Why was Levi chosen to have the place in connection with the sanctuary? Because they took their own gravity. They were on the Lord side. The sons of Korah took a stand against their own father. When that call went forth, depart from the sense of wickedness, they departed. That's why they didn't perish with their father.
And they were chosen.
To be doorkeepers in the temple. Love it when it comes to our own flesh and blood, our real principle that we hold as tested. And I believe the Lord can give us help, that we act for Him even when it comes to dear and dear to us. How often do people go spray?
In the Christian pathway.
Because of somebody in the family, they're following him, you know, they're supporting somebody wrong in their family and they're going straight or a friend.
Needs to be faithfully dealt with and people signed with him against the assembly. Well, the Lord can help us and all we can do is bring the principles of scriptures before the things and hopefully we will look at these things, every one of us, and then perhaps we are better fit to be a help to one another. It's true. It's always one of the.
Object is the restoration of our brother, and love will not rest until an individual is really brought back to the Lord. And sometimes it has to be to take, or that we have to take a faithful, firm stand and that the Lord will honor them in the long run.
Well, may the Lord keep us each and everyone, because we do not.
Walk close with the Lord Jesus. We ourselves, my tongue under the discipline of the Lord and of the assembly. For how much wonderful, wonderful it is when you go on harmoniously and when you benefit from one another. When we receive the help that others trying to give us. The Lord has put us together not to go on like Robinson, truthful Christians, you know, all by ourselves.
00:55:17
Some isolated islands? No. He has put us together in one body and we need each other. We need the help of each other, not only the health of the Lord Jesus. Sometimes He will use our brethren to bring the health that we need.