2 Keys To A Healthy Church

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Secular -

Today we are talking a little bit about praying God’s Will. A lot of times we pray, but don’t take into account Scripture or the Will of God. Here is one such prayer:
Dear Lord,
Help me to relax about insignificant details, beginning tomorrow at 7:41:23 a.m. EST.
Help me to consider people's feelings, even if most of them are hypersensitive.
Help me to take responsibility for the consequences of my actions, even though they're usually not my fault.
Help me to not try to run everything - but, if you need some help, please feel free to ask me.
Help me to be more laid back, and help me to do it exactly right.
Help me to take things more seriously, especially laughter, parties, and dancing.
Give me patience, and I mean right now!
Help me not be a perfectionist. (Did I say that correctly?)
Help me to keep my mind on one thing ... oh, look, a squirrel.
Help me to do only what I can, and trust you for the rest. And would you mind putting that in writing?
Keep me open to others' ideas, misguided though they may be.
Thank you, Lord.
Amen

Historical/Cultural Context -

The book of 1 John is one of the five books in the New Testament that was written by John the Apostle, brother of James. They were known as the sons of thunder. This letter was written between A.D. 85 to A.D. 100. First John was written to a church or group of churches in crisis—churches who were being attacked by false teaching. Some individuals who had once been associated with the church had accepted heresy and had left the church. After they left they continued to spread their false teaching to the church. They went so far as to organize and send out itinerant preachers to various churches with the goal of converting those in the churches to their beliefs. This created confusion and plunged the churches into crisis. In response to this situation, John wrote 1 John, following that up with 2 and 3 John. His goal was to stop this false teaching and to bring comfort to the Christians in these churches.

Biblical Text -

1 John 5:14–17 NKJV
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Healthy Churches Have Christians Who Are Confident In God’s Will & Who Pray For Restoration Of Those Who Have Sinned Against Them.

Life Point- Be Confident In God’s Will

Exegetical -

1 John 5:14–15 NKJV
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Homiletical -

There is a lot going on these short verses. So let’s break them down.
1 John 5:14 NKJV
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Previously John had just written about the assurance we have in Christ, both in salvation and in life
1 John 5:9–13 NKJV
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
Before Jesus came and not only redeemed us but regenerated us and gave us the down payment of our salvation, the Holy Spirit, people could not have confidence that whatever they asked it would be granted.
Now we can have that confidence because the Holy Spirit has been given and resides in us.
John 14:17 NKJV
the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Ephesians 1:13–14 NKJV
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:13–14 HCSB
When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.
We, who believe, have been sealed to the day of redemption with the Holy Spirit being on the inside of the believer.
Now we can have the mind of God thanks to the working of Him who dwells in us. So, when we ask something that is according to His will, he hears us.
The key that so many false prophets out there forget, is according to His will. If the Bible doesn’t say something is according to His will they will twist the scriptures and quote them out of context to make it say what they want to say.
You know who else does this? Satan himself.
Matthew 4:1–11 NKJV
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
I got some news for you. Satan knows the scriptures exceedingly well and is a master at twisting them and taking them out of context; and so are Satan’s false prophets.
1 John 5:15 NKJV
And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
When we are unsure of God’s will, then we need to come to God and spend time in prayer and meditation on the Word of God.
As we align ourselves with God’s Word, we can truly pray in His will and see His Hand move in people’s lives. Either supernaturally or through physical means.
The key is God’s will, sometimes it isn’t God’s will to physically heal you or to remove that thorn from you. Sometimes he wants to leave that in your life for a purpose.
You mean God may not want to give me all the money in the world or physically heal me? How dare you say that.
I didn’t say it, God did. Through Paul. Here is but one of many examples:
2 Corinthians 12:2–10 NKJV
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I can’t be dogmatic, but I personally believe the thorn was a health issue for Paul. Most notably his eyes. I won’t get into my reasoning on this today, but you can see me later for my reasons.
The point is that God didn’t want Paul to be haughty, arrogant, and prideful. So he had a thorn in the flesh allowed to “buffet” him.
God is much more concerned about your character than your comfortability, your bank account or even your physical health.
Hebrews 12:6 NKJV
For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

Illustration -

Standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand, "Listen," said the CEO, "this is a very sensitive and important document, and my secretary has left. Can you make this thing work?"
"Certainly," said the highly confident young executive said.
He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button.
"Excellent, excellent!" said the CEO as his paper disappeared inside the Shredder. "I just need one copy."
Life Lesson: NEVER, NEVER assume that your boss knows everything.

Life Point - Pray For Restoration Of Those In Sin

Exegetical -

1 John 5:16–17 NKJV
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

Homiletical -

This section of scripture, if not properly understood in the context of the entirety of scripture, can be confusing to us.
You mean there are sins that lead to death?
Yes. There are several places where this is discussed. I will touch on them briefly as we could spend hours on this subject.
The sin that leads to death is discussed in the book of Hebrews:
Hebrews 10:26–35 NKJV
For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
A few things to point out here.
1) Paul is writing to believers. Yes, I said Paul as I believe Paul wrote Hebrews. This is the traditional view and there are many evidences for it.
2) This is written to Christians for he uses the term “we” when talking about this sin.
3) Paul is writing to not just believers, but specifically to Jewish believers. So he makes use of common understandings that every Jew would be familiar with.
4) Toward the end of this section, he states they are not of the kind to shrink back, but reiterates the opening statement in verse 38.
Hebrews 10:38 NKJV
Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”
So what is in view here?
Paul is making an appeal to the sin offerings that were provided to the people in the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus which are broken up into 3 categories.
Sins of ignorance, Sins of Omission, and sins of defilement.
You know what is not listed?
Living in willful disobedience to God. The sin of continuing to live in such a way, even though you have been saved, that you bring shame and reproach on the Shed blood of Jesus Christ.
In other words, you will do much more harm to the kingdom, than you will ever do for the kingdom.
Does this mean you can lose your salvation?
No.
How do we know this?
Hebrews 10:35 NKJV
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
Hebrews 10:35 KJV 1900
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Hebrews 10:35 NASB95
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
What is in view here is that you will lose your confidence; which is your assurance. Loss of rewards is in view here. Not loss of salvation.
Need an example? Look no further than 1 cor. 11
1 Corinthians 11:27–32 NKJV
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
What do these 2 passages have in common? Living in such a way that treats the Shed blood of Jesus Christ, His bodily sacrifice for sin as a common thing, an unholy thing. Bringing reproach upon it.
1 John 5:16–17 NKJV
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.
So yes, there are sins that lead to death. Willful, continual sin to the point of reproach on The Sacrifice of Christ. To the point that God will take you out of this world, just like he did with Ananias and Sapphira back in Acts 5:1-11. We looked at this not too long ago.
That being understood, that is not the focus of what John is trying to say here.
His focus is on the restoration of a brother or sister sinning a sin which doesn’t lead to death.
Our job is not to shame anyone. Our job is to pray for such a one.
To ask God to restore and bring back into the fellowship of God and the church.
You mean I should pray to God that He would restore someone to the fellowship who has caused all kinds of havoc and chaos? Yes, you should.
You know what else? If they are truly repentant and have shown that they have changed, then you should welcome them back.
Ex: (FBC Paisley, cast out a trouble maker and then brought them back after repentance…)

Life Principle Healthy Churches Have Christians Who Are Confident In God’s Will & Who Pray For Restoration Of Those Who Have Sinned Against Them.

Call to Action – altar call….

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