(Notes of an Address)
I should like to read three scriptures: one from the 1st of Matthew, one from the 18th of Matthew, and the other from the 28th of Matthew.
“And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and she shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matthew 1:21-23).
“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 of My Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19, 20).
“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:16-20).
“The world” here, should be, as most of us know, translated by the term, “age.”
While I have it on my heart to say just a little to believers tonight, I trust enough may be said concerning God’s glad tidings to meet the need of any here that are not saved.
Matthew 18:20
First, let me notice the 20th verse of Matthew, chapter 18: “For where two or three are gathered together in MY NAME, there am I in the midst of them.”
Now, this text is exceedingly familiar to almost all in this room. We have quoted it many times; we have sought to subscribe to it—though conscious of it being flecked with many de-facings—conscious of very much weakness and failure; but it contains God’s principles of gathering, and I trust we may see somewhat in it that will reach our consciences anew, and touch our hearts afresh.
Now, that little text, if broken up into parts, contains seven distinct thoughts:
“FOR WHERE”—that’s the divine place.
“TWO OR THREE”—that’s the divine testimony.
“ARE GATHERED”—that’s divine separation.
“TOGETHER”—that’s divine oneness.
“IN MY NAME”—that’s divine authority.
“THERE AM I”—that’s divine presence.
“IN THE MIDST OF THEM”—that’s the divine center.
How precious! Now, it is of all necessity if we are going to be agreeable to Him to know just where the Lord would have us be in this world, I mean as to the assembly, our Church relation in this world. Now, we know how that question is commonly considered allowing the widest latitude for human choice. But when we come to Scripture, we find that we are not left with discretional power. We find that God has chosen for us—has distinctly defined His mind—and that we are responsible and under obligations to answer to God’s mind as revealed in His Word.
“FOR WHERE”—the Divine Place
First, as to “WHERE.” Let us notice a little by beginning in Matthew 28:10, for that Scripture contains a principle which holds good until this present moment.
“Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept ... Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain WHERE JESUS HAD APPOINTED THEM.” (Matthew 28:10-13, 16)
What we have, from the 11th to the 15th verses, is a kind of parenthesis, and in the 16th verse you have the thought resumed. “And when they saw Him [Jesus] they worshipped Him: but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:17)
The point I am after in this passage is this: that when we are gathered according to God’s mind we conform to His appointment and we do not choose for ourselves. It is the principle that is in it. Jesus said unto them, “There shall ye see ME.” They answered to His appointment and found Him as good as His Word, and when they were gathered there He was in their midst. There is an immense principle in that. And, as we were saying a moment ago, sometimes during “union meetings” souls are converted; souls are saved; and then they are told to select the church of their choice. To go, in other words, where they please. But you see, Jesus has appointed a place; Jesus has named a place. And, as we are to have His presence, we are to conform to His wishes, His desires, His will, and His appointment.
Let us notice still another Scripture as to “WHERE.” Take for example Hebrews 13:12-14, “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto HIM without the camp, bearing His reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”
Now this is most important in connection with the thought of “WHERE.” If in the earlier Scripture we find that we are to meet the Lord according to His appointment, here we find Him outside of something, and that “something” is called “the camp.” Well we all know what “the camp” was in that day, but what answers to it now? Why it is the whole system of things religious that places man in the flesh in outward relationship with God. Where is Jesus as to that? He is outside of it, and I am called upon, as a believer, to “go forth UNTO HIM, bearing His reproach.”
We can’t dwell at length on these scriptures. Indeed, the line of truth will be simply suggestive, and you may look these questions up at your liberty—but that to me is the most important. It is a system of things that characteristically stands connected with this world; whereas, the believer has no continuing city here, indeed, he is a “stranger and pilgrim” (Hebrews 11:13). It would not be hard to fix the application of such a text as this unless we were seeking to evade the edge of it. And that is true you know, as a rule with us, that where Scripture is difficult of application, difficult of understanding for us, it is because our DUTY and our DESIRE part company. That is when we have our difficulty, and you will have it so almost every time.
What characterized the Assembly of God at the beginning as it came afresh from His hand? What characterized it in anticipation, if you please, when the Table of the Lord was first spread? Is it something connected with this world as “the camp?” No! Let us see. Look please at Luke 22, verses 9 thru 12.
“And they said unto Him, Where wilt Thou that we prepare? And He said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the Goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with MY disciples? And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: THERE make ready.
Now, you see that this is consistent with the position of the Christian in this world who is told that here he has “no continuing city.” It is in contrast with that which is called “the camp;” that which is a parcel of the world’s system, and that which is an established thing in this scene. What you have here are the brethren gathered by HIS APPOINTMENT in a guest chamber, not in the temple, but in a guest chamber. That is a remarkable thought. What is a guest chamber? Just a room where one might tarry for a night. Just the opposite of something fixed and sure and of an abiding character in this world—just the opposite. And you have the same thought, I believe, in Acts chapter 1, verses 12 and 13, haven’t you?
“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room.”
So, the place—the “WHERE”—is not only outside, it is not only characterized by being transient, but it is also out of the world. It is an upper room. It is an out-of-the-world-place and it is in an out-of-the-world-position. And indeed, if you carry out the thought—going on to Hebrews 10, verses 19 thru 22—in heart and in spirit it is within the veil, it is within the holiest of all. Blessed fact. So, you see, as to the “WHERE,” as to the PLACE, it stands detached from this world and attached to heaven. And all that characterized it here speaks of what is transient, or of what is not abiding, of what is outside and above it all. But perhaps that is as much as we should say as to the “WHERE.”
“TWO OR THREE”—the Divine Testimony
“Two or three.” “Where two or three.” There is something very blessed in that. And do we really understand the secret of this blessed text? “Two or three.” You see, with all of their blessings on the day of Pentecost, the early Christians never could have known the specific application of this Scripture as we may know it. It is just as though the Lord Jesus anticipated all the ruin that has come in: just as though He had seen how the Church would be wrecked, divided and sub-divided, and that there would be just a little handful that would be willing to turn aside from the mass, to gather to His Name alone. Blessed fact. You see, you could not have an assembly composed of less than TWO. If there were just one that would not be an assembly. But He puts it at the lowest plurality and says: If there are just two that are willing to abide by these principles, “there am I in the midst of them.” Marvelous truth. Blessed fact. You see, it shouldn’t be a question of numbers that would affect us, we never could arrive at the truth in that way. It either is the truth or it is not. Numbers can cut no figure whatever.
But you know, and I know too as a matter of fact, that never did the WRONG stand stronger, and never lay the RIGHT so weak. That’s a fact, and you know it. You know, I repeat it—never did the wrong stand stronger, and never lay the right so weak—but God’s truth is just the same. The principles that govern the assembly are just the same, and what we are exhorted to do as God’s children is to go on with that which was “from the beginning” (1St John 2:7). It may not have the appearance of up-to-datedness, and it may look a little like a back number if you are going to think of it in a human way, but GOD’S TRUTH NEEDS NO DATE. If it were the truth two thousand years ago it is the truth tonight and it will be the truth eternally. Yes, it will!
God give us through His own precious grace in this day of weakness, in this day of feebleness, in this day of littleness, not to despise this “day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10). We may not have the appearance of an army with banners, but we can at least be leaving “the wilderness, leaning upon our Beloved” (Song of Solomon 8:5). We may be seen leaving the wilderness, owning our weakness, owning our feebleness, owning our failure, and as we were saying a moment ago, we shall be flecked with many de-facings—but the truth of God abides. It is one thing to start out subscribing to what is unscriptural, it is another thing to subscribe to what is scriptural and to fail in accomplishing your endeavor.
Let us notice a little further “two or three.” You know, Scripture says, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2nd Corinthians 13:1). That is another way to look at the “two or three.” Not only that it would require this many to form the assembly of the very smallest character, but also, if you have just “TWO,” you have the witness number, and if you have “THREE,” you have the full witness number. So, let us not be discouraged since it is a “day of small things,” knowing that we have the Lord. I say “WE.” And when I say we, whom do I mean? Any, who through grace—with bowed hearts and chastened spirits—are willing to own no name but His.
“ARE GATHERED”—Divine Separation
But now a little further: “For where two or three are gathered.” Now to be gathered supposes separation, and that is just what is true of God’s people according to God’s thought.
If you take Israel of old, what was said of them in Leviticus 20:26? “I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.” And now what is said of us? By “US,” I mean all the children of God. “I have chosen you out of the world” (John 15:19). If there were in our hearts a state that answered to this, you would find something of what you have in character in Acts 4:23: “And being let go, they went to their own company.” The line of distinction and separation between saved souls and this world would be more distinct; it would be plain, and it would be clear. But is it? You know full well to the contrary. Instead of our being gathered—I speak now of the so-called “church at large,” including all of the systems of man—you have all sorts of mixtures from the most devoted Christians to the boldest infidels, all under the Name of Christ! That is not being gathered, that is not according to God’s principle of separation. It is not according to God’s principle of unity, for God’s principle of unity is SEPARATION from evil, and not toleration of it. It is good for us to learn that.
“TOGETHER”—Divine Oneness
Then I want to notice another thing here. “Gathered together”—there is divine oneness. And now, what about it in the world? If you take a swift sweep over Christendom tonight, what meets your eye? Nearly thirteen hundred different religious bodies! Instead of the saints of God being gathered together—if gathered at all—they are gathered apart. They are scattered. I tell you, beloved, we should feel, everyone, that we have contributed to this state or condition of things, more or less. But how far are we going on with the principle set forth here? “Where two or three are gathered together in MY NAME there am I in the midst of them.”
You know, the Apostle Paul anticipated this state of things. It isn’t that the Spirit of God has been taken by surprise, if I may speak in that familiar way. No! But the Apostle says: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” And he says: “Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29,30).
He anticipated what has come in. Not only would evil assail the assembly from without, but also, the Church of God would become the very birthplace of it so that in its practical manifestations it would be divided and subdivided again—just as we have it tonight.
How did Paul meet that spirit among the saints? “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided?” (1st Corinthians 1:10-13)
It would be just as consistent to think of a divided Christ as of a divided Church. It is a solemn thing when we think of it. It is the bud and shoot of all sectarianism as we have it tonight—full grown. May God bring us back in our thoughts to HIS thoughts, and may we be willing to accept what HE has set forth, and “set to his seal that He is true” (John 3:33).
It was a principle in the death of Christ that we should be one. We get that in Ephesians chapter 2. And what I press upon your conscience is this: If this unity of God’s people was a purpose in the death of Christ, if it cost Him His sorrow, His grief, His passion, His agonies when He hung on the tree, how can you dismiss it from your conscience as a subject of little consequence and little moment? How can you get rid of it? How can you brush it aside so lightly since it was a purpose in the death of Christ? Beloved friends, God give us to come back to just what He says in His own Word and to be willing to abide by what it teaches.
In spite of difficulties, in spite of our littleness, in spite of our want of strength, let us seek grace—those who know the truth—to hold fast that which we have, “that no man take thy crown.” (Revelation 3:11) It is not the accomplishment of new victories, not entering into new conquests, it is simply holding what you have lest you lose your crown. That is what you are asked to do, that is what you are exhorted to do.
But then again, how could this be carried out practically now? “By endeavoring to keep,” or, according to the correct translation, “using diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
Three Characteristics of the Spirit’s Unity
Now, there are three characteristics of the Spirit’s unity.
In the first place, the Spirit is the Spirit of LIFE:
In the second place He is the HOLY Spirit:
In the third place, He is the Spirit of TRUTH.
So, in order to keep that unity, you have to have LIFE—you have to be born again. You would need to be a child of God.
In order to keep that unity, you would need to seek—through grace—to walk in HOLINESS.
In order to keep that unity, you would need to have regard for the TRUTH.
Any principle allowed, or tolerated, that would compromise the question of LIFE, or HOLINESS, or TRUTH—even though there were oneness—it would not be the unity of the SPIRIT. I speak now as to its practical manifestation in this world. But that is enough as to our being “GATHERED TOGETHER.”
“IN MY NAME”—Divine Authority
What is next before us? “For where two or three are gathered together in MY NAME, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). People sometimes say, “There is nothing in a name.” You often hear that. But oh! How much there has been in a Name for each saved one in this room tonight. And oh! Precious lost soul: let me turn aside just for a moment to speak to you as to that Name. Did you notice at the beginning of this evening we read from the 1st chapter of Matthew: “And thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins?” Is there anything in that Name? Take the 4th of Acts, if you please, and allow me to read verses 11 and 12 which speak of Jesus Christ.
“This is the Stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the Head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
So, you are shut up as to that. There is no other way, no other “NAME.” There is no other escape, no other outlet, but thank God that “NAME” is UNDER heaven, and so it is available to sinners in this world for salvation.
I want to show you something further as to that “NAME,” and it is in Philippians 2:8. I want to show you God’s thoughts about it before we flippantly say, or allow, that there is nothing in a name:
Jesus, “being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him,”—now listen—“and given Him a NAME which is above every name: that at the NAME OF JESUS every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” The word “things” should be “beings.” “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” And would you say after reading this testimony of God, or would you tolerate the thought that “there is nothing in a name?” God forbid!
Now, I say, this is the only name to which we are to gather—THE ONLY NAME. If it is the only name for salvation, it is the only name to which we are to gather. You wouldn’t think of putting Martin Luther’s name beside Christ’s for salvation, nor John Wesley’s name beside Christ’s for salvation, and yet you are willing to put those names beside Christ’s when it is a question of gathering. I will use only those two names; they stand for all the rest in principle. There you have it. Whatsoever is less than that “NAME”—is too little. It is the “NAME” of the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you gathered in that “NAME” alone? Well, now you see a little further. We might dwell on that, but not tonight.
“THERE AM I”—the Divine Presence
“There am I.” Here is the divine presence. Oh! That wonderful thing! And, beloved friends, let us see to it that we cultivate more and more the thought that the Lord Jesus is in our midst. There is nothing that will hold the heart like that, there is nothing that will attract a soul like that. There is not one who has the charm about his name that Christ has, whose presence is vouchsafed to the two or three gathered to HIS NAME. And why did I read the text from Matthew chapter 1, verses 21 Thru 23, at the beginning of this talk tonight? Simply because you have here, what you have there. You say, “What do you mean?” Now notice, we read, “And they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Not “God with me,” but “God with us.”
That is what you have here in Matthew. Did the Jews ever realize that? No, they never realized it. They never saw in Him the Messiah. Since this is true, where is this fact now to find its application? Where is God with us? You find its realization in the two or three gathered to the Lord’s Name: “God with us.”
“IN THE MIDST OF THEM”—the Divine Center
“There am I in the midst of them.” Blessed wonderful fact! “Oh,” you say, “That might have done in another day.” But why did I read the last verse of the last chapter of Matthew? Simply because, as Matthew begins so Matthew ends.
Let us notice again in the last clause of the 28th chapter. “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age.” To whom is He talking, to individuals? No! He is talking to His gathered saints who have conformed to His appointment and in whose midst He stands for the joy of their hearts. In the 1st chapter you have “God with us.” “With us.” Emphasize the “US.” In the 18th chapter you have, “There am I in the midst of them”—and for how long? In the 28th chapter—“even unto the end of the age.”
What is it that so much stands in our way as to the realization of this? I will tell you what it is. Let me turn back to Genesis 28, verses 10 thru 12, and the 16th.
“And Jacob went out from Beer-Sheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it ... And he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.”
Has the sun gone down on this world? How about it? Has your heart been abstracted, and your eyes closed to what is here? It is very likely you will find more than Jacob found. What did he find under these conditions? Notice verse 16. Have you ever been made to say as gathered to His Name, “Surely the Lord is in this place?” And if you haven’t, why haven’t you? Just because the sun has not gone down on this world for you, just because your heart has not been abstracted from this world, just because your eyes have not closed against it all. That’s a fact. You noticed, in Matthew 28, what? “Some doubted.” Jesus appointed a meeting place, they conformed to His appointment, they found Him there, they were glad when they saw the Lord, but some doubted. And very likely they might have reported it a dry meeting—a dry place. But why a dry meeting? Why a cold place? Because they doubted, because they were still in their souls under the ensnaring effects of this world. Man wants something to look at—the spectacular. “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
When you take your place at the Lord’s Table repeat to your soul: “Surely, the Lord is in this place.” What was Jacob’s conclusion from this? He says, “This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” (Genesis 28:17) Why is it that we don’t get more often into the neighborhood of heaven in our meetings? Why is it that there is not more, with us, the sense of what it is to be in “the house of God?” It is because we are not setting to our seal that God is true when He says, “There am I.” That the LORD is true when He says, “There am I.” But might I be bold and say that we will have gone a little further than Jacob? For if he speaks of “the gate of heaven” he speaks of it from the OUTSIDE. If we speak of “the gate of heaven” we speak of it from the INSIDE. You say, “How is that?” OUR place is “THROUGH the veil.” (Hebrews 10:20) Thank God for this! Oh, how holy! How holy is the subject we are considering at this moment; and one feels like taking the shoes off the feet and bowing the head again, and repeating solemnly, and yet with joy, “Surely the Lord is in this place.”
Oh! May God Himself increase and deepen in our souls a sense of the privilege that is ours of being gathered to His Name. Didn’t the Lord Jesus repeat this when He said in Hebrews 2, part of which is a quotation from Psalm 22:22, notice it please, verses 11 and 12, “For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare Thy name unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee?” (Hebrews 2:11-12)
Thank God I triumph now if He is in our midst—He is there to lead the song. Oh, how blessed that is! If He has title to sing, having come out in victory from death—that death was for you and me—then we may sing too. Blessed, blessed be His Name! Do you remember that word in 1st Corinthians 14, verses 24 thru 25, where you have a condition of things contemplated which is orderly? We learn that even if an unbeliever is in such a meeting that he will be obliged to go forth from that place saying, “Surely, ‘God is in you of a truth.’ ” I tell you beloved friends we just dabble at the edge of what it is to be gathered to the Name of the Lord Jesus—He is in our midst.
Oh! May God deepen, deepen in our souls what it is, the sense of it, the holy blessed sense of what it is to be where the Lord is. And may our souls repeat with deepening conviction, it is true, “SURELY, THE LORD IS IN THIS PLACE.”
At Thy Table
Precious Saviour, we are gathered
To Thy sacred peerless Name.
Faith beholds Thee there the Center,
As with Thee our place we claim.
At Thy table, O how precious!
There, to see Thy love divine.
O the cost! It moves us deeply
As we take the bread and wine.
O what love! What deep affections
In these emblems, Lord, we see.
Thus our hearts, in deep thanksgiving,
Bow, as we remember Thee.
Thanks we give Thee, praise and honor,
Precious Saviour, Jesus, Lord,
For the love which has redeemed us
By Thine own most precious blood.
“Till I come,” O thought most cheering,
And Thy words, “Remember Me,”
Fill our hearts with adoration
As we wait, remembering Thee.
The Place of His Appointment—Notes of an Address
F.C. Blount
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Note: all Scriptures quoted are from either the King James Version (KJV)
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