www.touchet1611.org
The
entire King James Bible is written FOR us, but it is not all written TO
us!
We
learn from the "For" and study Paul's writings to apply the 'TO!"
Sermon
Notes
July
6, 2008
Part III
But
none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself,
so that
I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry,
which
I have received of the Lord Jesus,
to testify
the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24
Church
& Paul review
-
assembly vs body
of Christ individuals
-
assemblies did
exist, but not like today.
-
approx 200 years
later came the 'church' that we know of today
-
Paul was speaking
to individuals - members of the body of Christ
-
to the saints
in...
-
to all that be
in...
-
them that are
sanctified...
-
with all that
in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
-
all the brethren
which are with us
-
unto the "churcheS"
Yes, Paul did
have issues with the 'church' at Corinth and the churches of Galatia, actually.
(anything
like trying to 'insert' Paul's teachings into the churches today?
I Corinthians
4:17 - For
this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful
in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in
Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
-
contentions among
them
-
worldly wisdom
-
I Corinthians
1:11-13
-
I Corinthians
1:21
-
I Corinthians
2:4,5
-
I Corinthians
3:18
-
glorying in their
flesh
-
Carnal
-
Puffed up
-
gone on to another
gospel
-
been bewitched
-
turn again to
the weak and beggerly elements - lead to bondage
-
They exclude you
that ye might affect them
-
too big
-
incest
-
lawsuits
-
can't settle any
disputes
-
marriage problems
-
meat sacrificed
to idols
-
adults acting
like children in understanding and doctrine, application and behaviour!
-
preacher not paid
properly by church members
-
non givers
-
the ones who do
the trouble making and division within the assembly
-
selfish
-
women out of order
in the church AND out
-
misuse of spiritual
gifts
-
lack of...
-
charity
-
mercy
-
longsuffering
-
knowledge
-
understanding
-
wisdom
-
schism in the
body - the membership
-
ignorant of God's
words
-
not standing fast
in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free...
-
and became entangled
again with the yoke of bondage
-
doing things lawfully,
but not expediently!
-
doing things lawfully,
but allowing themselves to be under the power of them.
-
doing things lawfully,
but causing others to stumble.
-
doing things lawfully,
but without edification
-
doing things lawfully,
but using it as an occasion to the flesh
Our personal
goals!
-
Ephesians 4:13-15
-
When we strive
for these personally, then the church family will grow together, as well.
But if we don't
grow as a church family according to Paul's directions...
For the sake of the church family unity, we then have to look at how
Paul kept his joy with folks not wanting to go Paul's way... (the scriptural
references for the list below is in Part
III)
-
From folks who do not have that earnest desire, the mourning and fervent
mind towards Paul.
-
From folks not knowing or wanting to know Paul's doctrine, manner of life,
purpose, faith, longsuffering, patience as well as his persecutions and
afflictions.
-
Folks that are not learning, receiving, hearing from and seeing in Paul
to do in their own personal lives.
-
Show grace
-
Have charity
-
Pray for them - be thankful
-
Tears will be real if you care
-
After you have tried a few times to show them the way of God more perfectly
- a more excellent way... and they still want to remain in their snare...
-
avoid them
-
from such turn away
-
don't strive with them
-
do not give heed to them
-
purge them
-
do not partake with them
-
have no company with them
-
Ship them off to the god of this world
-
Do something about it for their sake or for your own family...
-
don't trade off your own for your 'attempt' at rescuing them.
-
don't wait for "Jesus to fix it."
-
He gave us the Bible - read it and do accordingly!
-
It hurts but if it is right, then it is God telling you what to do!
Our 4th of July evening
no desire to do games
we fellowshipped
it was a like minded group
it was nice - it helps the joy of the church family as we all continue
to learn and get the strength to make those hard decisions about those
who won't follow Paul's way.
Romanian Churches, etc. wouldn't even invite folks to church until they
KNEW they were of the same cut!
Rocco - Acts 28:30,31 - people will
go to him as he works a regular job to support his family!