Aledo Church of Christ Summer Series 2014 “What about…” Aledo Church of Christ Summer Series 2014

“What is the most effective way to approaching brethren who are habitually absent (not for illness) or have stopped attending altogether? Is there a point where you “shake the dust from your sandals or not? (Assuming you have repeatedly reached out to them.)” “Why is it so difficult to recognize the “wolf among sheep” within the context of the church? What is the best way to identify it?”

“Can someone still be considered a Christian who has not denounced God but lives in a way that is contrary to Christ? (i.e. may still attend church and keep up appearances yet hold hatred for people or spread gossip, etc). “The Lord’s Church today seems to hold a very hesitant, if not apathetic, view of dealing with brethren who cause discord and divisiveness. Should we have a healthier fear of where that apathy may leave us on judgment day?”

“What is the most effective way to approaching brethren who are habitually absent (not for illness) or have stopped attending altogether? Is there a point where you “shake the dust from your sandals or not? (Assuming you have repeatedly reached out to them.)”

Is there Biblical basis for church attendance? Consider: The Lord’s Supper: 1 Cor. 11:17-34 Singing: Ephesians 5:15-20 Diligently Serve: Romans 12:3-16 (esp. v. 11) Equipping: Eph. 4:11-16

Is there Biblical basis for church attendance? The command: Heb. 10:24-25 “forsaking”: to desert or forsake a person and thus leave that individual uncared for – ‘to desert, to forsake.’ (Louw & Nida) Leave, abandon (Balz & Schneider) Forsake, abandon, desert (BAGD)

Ways we “desert” or “abandon” Sleeping-in Fishing/Golfing/Hunting Upset Frequent travel/Weekend @ Lake Athletics

How to Approach Individually Shepherds Send card/call Especially if close take aside Meet for coffee Attend Summary Sheet Shepherds Send note Call after 2 weeks Visit Disfellowship process: letter, follow-up,

“What is the most effective way to approaching brethren who are habitually absent (not for illness) or have stopped attending altogether? Is there a point where you “shake the dust from your sandals or not? (Assuming you have repeatedly reached out to them.)” “Why is it so difficult to recognize the “wolf among sheep” within the context of the church? What is the best way to identify it?”

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing Idiom in Matthew 7:15, Acts 20:29 “You will know them by their fruits” What kind of fruit? We tend to think in terms of quantitative results Jesus offers a contrast: grapes from thorn bushes & figs from thistles Bear good fruit – qualitative results

False Prophets, Perverse Speakers But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:12-15, NASU

How to Identify Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing We have to know the basis: God’s Word Compare teaching with what know in Word. We must be willing to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ…, Eph. 4:14-15, NASU

“Can someone still be considered a Christian who has not denounced God but lives in a way that is contrary to Christ? (i.e. may still attend church and keep up appearances yet hold hatred for people or spread gossip, etc).

Church Discipline Is the sin public or have I witnessed it? How have I sought to restore the person? Seek to restore: Gal. 5:19-6:1, cf. Jude 22-23 Show him his sin: Mt. 18:15-18 How has the person responded? Refused to listen – “let him be…as a Gentile…” Mt. 18:17 Disobeys – “do not associate…do not regard as an enemy” 2 Thess. 3:15

Church Discipline Do I consider the person a Christian? Paul’s immoral man of 1 Cor. 5: “so-called brother” “to be given a name, called” (BAGD) Idea is one of fellowship & obligation (TDNT) Doesn’t say “not a Christian”, but cf. vss. 12-13 It is true there are some who digress: 2 Peter 2:13-22.

Church Discipline Therefore: Do I consider the person a Christian? Christian = Disciple = has love: Jn 13:35, 1 Jn. 4:20-21 I should be careful not to condemn: James 4:11-12, Romans 14:1-4, Jude 4-13 (esp. 9) Therefore: Identify and confront sin Disfellowship if necessary Leave final judgment to God

“Can someone still be considered a Christian who has not denounced God but lives in a way that is contrary to Christ? (i.e. may still attend church and keep up appearances yet hold hatred for people or spread gossip, etc). “The Lord’s Church today seems to hold a very hesitant, if not apathetic, view of dealing with brethren who cause discord and divisiveness. Should we have a healthier fear of where that apathy may leave us on judgment day?”

The Divisive Brother “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10, NASU) Divisions: 1 Cor. 1:10, 11:18, Jude 19 Factions: 1 Cor. 11:19, Gal. 5:20 Dissensions: Romans 16:17, Gal. 5:20 Unity: John 17:23, Eph. 4:3, 4:13, Col. 3:14