October 29, 2000 Humble Messenger
Humble Messenger
6) Isn't this "judging," which is condemned, Mt. 7?
a) Mt. 7 is not condemning "judging" altogether, but rather hypercritical ("the speck in your brother's eye") and hypocritical ("You hypocrite, first...") judging. Interesting that those who say we should not judge others judge you for judging!
b) We must and do render judgment, e.g. v. 15. Paul, in fact, calls what we must do relative to the impenitent, "judging," 1 Co. 5:12.
c) Our judgment must be impartial and fair. Ex. 23:1-3; Lev. 19:35-37; Dt. 1:16,17; 16:18-20; Jn. 7:24; 1 Tim. 5:21; Jam. 2:1.
7) What about someone who "quit coming to church" -- is he to be withdrawn from?
a) One might "quit coming to church" because he is unable to come (bedfast). Obviously, this is not what is under consideration, but it does point to the fact that WHY one quits assembling must be considered.
b) The Hebrews quit assembling because of UNBELIEF, Heb. 10:23-25. See context of entire letter, e.g., 3:12-13; 6:4-12; 10:35-39. "Forsaking the assembling" was the symptom, UNBELIEF the disease. When one "quits going to church" because he no longer BELIEVES that Jesus is the risen Savior and he needs Him, no longer LOVES the Lord so as to keep His commandments, no longer FEARS Him and the consequences of disobeying Him, nor wishes to HONOR Him in the memorial of his death, no longer RESPECTS THE COVENANT He shed His blood to ratify, does not CARE about the Lord's people, nor wish to SUPPORT HIS CAUSE -- is THAT person a subject of punitive discipline?? THAT'S the issue!
c) "Forsaking the assemblies" is not specified in the lists in the passages on punitive discipline, but neither is murder. Either:i) Punitive discipline is NOT to be exercised against murderers and unbelievers because these are not specifically mentioned, or,
ii) Punitive discipline IS to be exercised against both murderers and unbelievers because(1) They are included in the specifics mentioned, e.g., "lovers of self," "lovers of money, "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God," or,
(2) These passages were not intended to form a comprehensive list of the specific grounds of punitive discipline, but are illustrative of a general class, and act of which, though not specifically mentioned, is grounds for discipline.d) Note that if the Hebrews persisted in forsaking the assemblies through unbelief they were said to be "sinning willfully" (Heb. 10:26). Note also the description of them in v. 29. Remember that these people were not turning to atheism, idolatry, rampant immorality, or to hostile aggression against the church. They were abandoning Christ in faith and practice.
e) Heb. 12:15,16 warns about an "immoral or GODLESS ("PROFANE" KJV, NKJV) person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal." Esau was "a man's man." He was "a skillful hunter, a man of the field" and "had a taste for game" (Gen. 25:27,28). But he had terribly poor values--was willing to sacrifice the promises of God associated with his "birthright" for a "single meal." After all, he said, "Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?" (Gen. 25:32). He thus "showed himself to be bebhlov (Hebrews 12:16), a profane man, who cared for nothing but the momentary gratification of sensual desires" (Keil and Delitzch O.T. commentary). THIS is the reason some "quit going to church" today!
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November 1 - Wednesday
Announcements: Gregg Hutson
Song Leader: David Dickey
Close: Kris Emerson
November 5 - Sunday
AM
Announcements: Bill Faulkner
Song Leader: Craig Ottersbach
First Prayer: Rocky Rodriguez
Preaching: Steve Fontenot
Closing Prayer: Charles Tu
PM
Song Leader: Gregg Hutson
First Prayer: Clint Palermo
Preaching: Singing
Closing Prayer: Ralph Robinson
Lord's Table, AM & PM
Bread: Wally Ottersbach
Fruit of the Vine: Jim Porterfield
Contribution: Robert Rice
Assistant: Randy Smith