For Christians in Perilous Times waiting for Jesus’ Call at the Rapture

What is the Heavenly Vision or Call of the Church?

Recently a brother wrote to me needing to answer the following question:
What is the heavenly vision or call of the church?   People I speak to want to know what is the purpose of the church?  I have spent a lot of time reading and thinking about this question, but what is the best approach or angle to take when answering?  I believe it’s a very important question that I should be able to answer when I’m asked.
This question affects a lot of things. What should be our focus as a local church? The gospel, soup kitchens, ending poverty (social gospel), trying to change culture, etc.

My answer: The true Church – and what it is in the Sight of Men

I have been giving more thought to this question.  We need to see what the church is in the sight of Christ – which is the true Church – and what it is in the sight of men – a religion here.
Before starting, Christians must realise that their calling is a heavenly one.  ‘Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus’ (Heb 3:1).
The Greek word ἐκκλησίᾳ /ekklēsia/Strong 1577 .  The word implies people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church or assembly comprised of all believers formed into one by the Holy Spirit. It is viewed as the body of Christ and also the habitation of God.  In a more general sense. it meant simply assembly – e.g. calling together for a civil function.  Incidentally, the English word ‘church’ or German ‘Kirche’ comes from the Greek word κυριακός/kyriakos/Strong 2960, ‘belonging to the Lord’ (kyrios), the French ‘église’ from ‘ekklēsia’.  The Hebrew word ‘קָהָל/qahal/Strong H6951’ has a similar meaning.
We must recognise the direct role of the Spirit of God.  It has been said that the Holy Spirit ‘is here; but He has taken a lowly place, . . .and has been here on earth for over 1,900 years in that lowliness. He maintains what is due to God according to what God is in heaven; there is a perfect answer to that in the presence of the Spirit down here, and the Spirit is here in the assembly; and that brings out the greatness of the assembly’s place too, but nevertheless the assembly is never part of the Deity.’  and ‘The assembly is nearest to Deity in the whole realm. What is sovereign is seen in the assembly.’ [*]  That being the case what has the assembly to do with the things of this world?

The Church in the Sight of Christ

The church is a perfect vessel (for the want of a better word), formed exclusively of saints worked on by the Spirit of God, apart from sin.  It has been said that it is of heaven in origin and destiny.  It is here in the body of Christ and its hope is totally towards Jesus – as a bride is towards her bridegroom.  Her desire is to be with Him – and therefore has no part here.  But she does care for His interests here.  His interests are what is for Him, His glory and to worship the Father, and for the members of His body to point to Him.  The church’s view is God-ward, not man-ward.
Ministry is for those of the church universally (as there is only one church) – ‘we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness’. (Romans 12:5-7)
The fact that it is ‘called out’ is important.  If it is ‘called out’ it cannot be ‘part of’.  Over the centuries Christians have been called out of every other religious organisation – in the earliest days Judaism and paganism, later Catholicism, later nationally established churches, later clericalism, and more recently social liberalism, charismatic Christendom or systematic legalism.  Importantly, if we are called out of something, we cannot reform it.  It is in the attempt to reform the old lump that Christians have become unstuck.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 makes this clear ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.’
This brings me to:

The Church in the Sight of Man

This is something different, and different people will have different ideas.
1.     A group of disparate organisations with common central beliefs and many interpretations, grouped together loosely for example in the World Council of Churches – sometimes preaching the gospel.
2 A humanitarian force for good, seeking to make the world a better place, while preaching a gospel, but not always the gospel.
3.     A place of religious exhilaration and excitement with rousing music – usually with the gospel but this is sometimes distorted – or a liberal ‘inclusive’ community – no matter what the bible says.
4.     Beautiful buildings, ornate robes and trained choirs, with or without the gospel
5.     A system of contention and oppression, having a form of piety but denying the power of it.
Many Christians see their role and that of their ‘local church’ in terms of no 2 above, preaching the gospel, having a good church community engaged in the support of local and other needs.  But think of it – it is an earthly Christianity.  Whilst there are many genuine believers, sorry to say that in some places the gospel has been corrupted to salvation (if such a thought exists) through works and presenting Jesus just a Model.  This is hardly Christian. I see it differently, as should all true lovers of our Lord Jesus.

So where does that leave true Christians?

Christians should do good works – towards the Lord, towards each other and towards their fellow human beings.  They do this because they love their Lord and that is what He would have them to do.  They are not interested in politics – national politics, charity politics or church politics. They do what the Lord gives them to do:  However, they don’t do this as part of the Church, they do it as individuals.
Admittedly, Christians can work with others (informally or in registered charities) to humanitarian ends – the relief of poverty, helping those who are sick or mentally unstable, being of support to victims of crime or raising funds for such activities.  Some of those with whom they might co-operate with may not be believers – so this cannot be part of the Church activity.  Some might be shocked at the thought, but if it is the function of a church community, it might be a misguided one or not even a Christian one.  It is not a function of the body of Christ.
Of course, it is better if those who are working together have confidence in one another.  If they gather regularly from the same Christian assembly, they will no doubt know one another well and be able to work together better.  They may even use their meeting hall (what is a building anyway? – a person or a trust has provided a place for saints to gather)– but this is not the local assembly doing it, and should never be thought of as such,
I could go further, and this might be a bit difficult to grasp. When it comes to testimony the church’s service is heavenward, not earthward (indeed if we look at the testimony of the public church it is ruin and confusion).  Paul wrote ’in order that now to the principalities and authorities in the heavenlies might be made known through the assembly the all-various wisdom of God’ (Ephesians 3:10 Darby).  It follows that preaching the gospel, or teaching (indeed what I am doing now) comes into the individual service – the Lord commissioned His disciples to out individually.  As they did the church grew.
The church doesn’t preach; the church doesn’t teach.  Christians do both.
I trust this helps.  I am conscious that not all will agree totally with what I have written.  However I do believe sincerely that it is accordance with scripture (which is infallible), and also the teachings of that servant of God, John Nelson Darby (not infallible) please feel free to write your comments below (or email me directly if you prefer). sosthenes@adoss.co.uk  or my personal email.

Recent Website Additions

The Disappointments of Life – Golden Nugget
Follow Thou Me ‘Today if ye will hear His Voice’
The Church with No Name Sosthenes Letter
Dear Christian Friend
I really would like to get A Day of Small Things out to a wider audience.  Please feel free to pass this on – better still give me a name and email address and I will write to them and invite them to be on our emailing list.  Tell me if you want me to mention your name (and give any background that you feel would be of use in writing individually).
In our Lord’s service
Sosthenes
November 2018
[*] Quotations from the Ministry of James Taylor (1870-1953) Volume 36 page 409 and Volume 61 page 176

J N Darby (?) – The Disappointments of Life – This Thing is from Me

This Thing is from Me. (Extracted from “The Disappointments of Life”,  a tract found in J N Darby’s Bible

This Thing is from Me

(Extracted from “The Disappointments of Life”,  a tract found in J N Darby’s Bible)

Hast thou money difficulties?  Is it hard to keep within thine income?  “This thing is from Me,” (1 Kings 12:24) for I am He who possesseth all things.  I wish thee to draw everything from Me, and that thou entirely dependest upon Me.

Art thou passing through a night of affliction?  “This thing is from Me.”  I am the Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (see Isa 53: 3).  I have left thee without human support that in turning to Me thou mightest obtain eternal consolation (see 2 Thess 2, 16, 17).

Has some friend disappointed thee – one to whom thou hadst opened thine heart?  “This thing is from Me.”  I have allowed this disappointment that thou mayest learn that the best friend is Jesus. He preserves us from failing, fights for us our combats – yea, the best friend is Jesus.  I long to be thy confidant.

Has someone said false things of thee?  Leave that and come closer to Me, under My wings, away from the place of wordy dispute, for I will ‘bring forth thy righteousness as the light and thy judgment as the noon-day‘ (Psalm 37:6).  Have thy plans been all upset?  Art thou crushed and wary?  “This thing is from Me.”  Hast thou made plans and then coming asked Me to bless them?  I wish to make plans for thee.  I will take the responsibility, for it is too heavy for thee; thou couldst not perform it alone (Ex. 18:18).  Thou art but an instrument and not an agent.

Hast thou desired fervently to do some great work for Me?  Instead of that, thou hast been laid on one side, on a bed of sickness and suffering.  “This thing is from Me.”  I was unable to attract thine attention whilst thou wast so active.  I wish to teach thee some of my deep lessons.  It is only those who have learned to wait patiently who can serve Me.  My greatest workers are sometimes those who are laid aside from active service in order that they may learn to wield the weapon of prayer.

Golden Nugget No 205

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5.8 The Truth of the Rapture is Clear from Scripture

Christ’s second coming Is the proper hope of the church.It is clearly presented in the New Testament.  

‘After These Things’ Chapter 5.8 – The Truth of the Rapture is Clear from Scripture

From our book ‘After These Things – Summaries of John Nelson Darby’s Papers on Prophecy – and more…’ Compiled by Daniel Roberts. For more about this book click on the picture or CLICK HERE

 

 

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A Lecture by J N Darby on the Second Coming of Christ – The Rapture in Scripture

In Section 4 of the book, we have summaries of J N Darby’s lectures in 1840 on  ‘The Present Hopes of the Church’. One lecture was on the Second Coming of Christ.  Later Darby gave a series of lectures on the same subject in Toronto – this is a summary of the first lecture’.  The Original is ‘Lectures on the Second Coming of Christ, delivered in 1863 at Toronto, Canada. (Collected Writings Vol 11 (Prophetic 4) page 206).  He outlines how Christ’s second coming is presented in the New Testament.

Christ’s second coming Is the proper hope of the church. The Holy Spirit constantly brings this before us in the New Testament.  It is not some vague speculation; it is a foundational truth which maintains our hearts as we wait patiently for our Saviour’s return.  We are to be raised, our bodies changed, and we will be with Him.   As we had been quickened and justified, there will be no resurrection of judgment for us.   We do not have long to wait now.

Sadly, many Christians overlook the Rapture and think only in terms of the resurrection in the last day, a resurrection for judgement.  They confuse what Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:3 with what is in the previous chapter. The first scripture says, ‘The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them’ and ‘the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory’.  This is not what we are looking for.  Our expectation is, ‘For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord’ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).  Those who await the final judgment, hoping that all will be well, are mistaken.

If I was comforting someone who had just lost a dear one, who had put their trust in the blood, and was therefore forgiven, cleansed and justified, and told them that their loved one would return with Jesus, they might think that think I was mad.   But that is exactly the comfort that Paul gave to the Thessalonians.

The world rejects His coming, and the worldly church dismisses and devalues it.  But it dominated the lives of the early disciples.  It should dominate ours.

Scriptures on the Lords coming:

Bible – Darby Version

 Notes[1]
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  Matt 25:1-6 There is the essence of the church’s calling. The virgins had lost the expectation of Christ and sank into the comfort, pleasures and the hierarchical structure of the world.  The Bridegroom tarried and they had given up watching.  They had to be aroused; Behold, the Bridegroom cometh: go ye out to meet him” (v.6).  Those with the Holy Spirit were able to go in.

Lecture in Toronto CW Vol. 11 (Prophetic 4) p 210
Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. 

Luke 12: 35-36

 Waiting for the coming of Christ characterises the Christian.  Men speak of death, but death is not ‘my lord.’

CW Vol. 32 (Miscellaneous 1 ) p 245
And as in the days of Noah and of Lot, they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, planted and builded, even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Luke 17:25-27 This passage does not warn people as to sin, but as to the unholy notion that the world will go on indefinitely. As soon as Noah entered into the ark, the flood came and destroyed them all.  As soon as the church is taken up, Satan will fill men’s hearts with lies.  Judgment follows.

Note: This does not apply to the Great White Throne. When Christ sits on that, the heavens and the earth flee away; there is total destruction of everything.
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains. . . 

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;  Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.  Luke 21:20-21,25-28

 V. 20-21 refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70.

The rest is much later – the time of the Gentiles will have been fulfilled.  The last beast’s – the Antichrist’s wickedness will be exposed.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  John 14:1-3 Such is the promise: the comfort Christ gave to His disciples when He was leaving them.  He comes to receive them to Himself.
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts 1:10, 11. This too is not the end of time. The angels comfort-ed them, indicating that Jesus would come again.  Scripture points to His return.
It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that the judgment. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and to them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Hebrews 9:27, 28.

 That is the allotted portion of the seed of the first Adam.  The Christian awaits His coming, with no reference to sin.
We shall not all die; 1 Corinthians 15:51
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part has happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

 Romans 11:25-27

 When the church is complete, and its last member will have been brought in, Israel will be saved as a nation. Christ will appear for their deliverance.
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:7-8 All the promises of the prophets will be fulfilled at that coming.
He now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world (i.e., this habitable earth) in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained, whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.

Acts 17:30-31

 Though God winked at the times of ignorance, there was now a clear testimony which could not be ignored.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

1 Corinthians 15:23

 The distinctive resurrection of the saints will be at His coming.
Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. For our conversation is in heaven, from when also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Philippians 3:19-21

 No comment
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3: 1-4

 No comment
1 & 2 Thessalonians The theme of both letters – see Synopsis
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 6:14

 The apostle exhorts Timothy to go on diligently and faithfully looking for the appearing. When the word of God speaks of joy to the saints, it is referring to the Rapture; when God speaks of responsibility to the world or the saints, it always refers to His appearing.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8

 Love! – Do you love, can you love, that which will put a stop to everything pleasant in the world?
For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Hebrews 2:5, 6 The world to come is the habitable earth here.  Christ is now at God’s right hand till God puts all things under His feet.
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrews 9:24 Man was tried, up to the death of Christ, by the law, the prophets, and finally, by the mission of God’s Son, but in vain.  Man finds out that he is lost, and that redemption is by the cross.  When sin was complete Christ appeared to put away sin by His sacrifice. Now that that work is complete, those who through grace believe, await the same Saviour to come again for their final deliverance.
Be ye also patient: stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh

James 5:8

 We are to be patient in our daily life as yet knowing what will change the whole state of the world.
Jesus Christ: whom, having not seen, ye love; on whom [though] not now looking, but believing, ye exult with joy unspeakable and filled with [the] glory, receiving the end of your faith, [the] salvation of [your] souls. Concerning which salvation prophets, who have prophesied of the grace towards you, sought out and searched out; searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ which [was] in them pointed out, testifying before of the sufferings which [belonged] to Christ, and the glories after these. To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves but to you they ministered those things, which have now been announced to you by those who have declared to you the glad tidings by [the] Holy Spirit, sent from heaven, which angels desire to look into.

1 Peter 1:7-13

 In 1 Peter we have a remarkable testimony to the order of God’s ways.

1. The prophets

2. The gospel

3. The appearing of Jesus Christ, whom, having not seen, we love.
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming 

1 John 2:28

 Our consciences are clear
It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is: and everyone that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

1 John 3:1-3

 His appearing rejoices the heart and affects the walk of the saints.  Our blessed and assured hope is to be like Christ Himself. The present effect of this special hope is that the saint purifies himself even as He is pure, and seeks to be like Him now.
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints

Jude v.14

 The epistle looked at the decline of the professing church – the false brethren coming in unawares.  It would be the object of the judgment of the Lord when He would appear.

 

God’s moral glory was seen

[1] Notes from (JND Collected Writings Vol. 11 (Prophetic 4) p206-216 – Lectures on the Second Coming of Christ, unless otherwise stated.

 

Follow Thou Me

The Lord’s last words recorded in John’s gospel are ‘Follow thou me’. This is a simple statement comprising:
A verb – the action ‘Follow’
The subject – who does it ‘Thou’ – that is you and I, as well as Peter
The object ‘Me’ – that is Jesus.
This is really the essence of Christian life

Issue No 5

Address by Paul Burton at Malvern, 26 May 2018

When therefore they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Feed my lambs. He says to him again a second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Shepherd my sheep. He says to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, art thou attached to me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Art thou attached to me? and said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. Jesus says to him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say to thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst where thou desiredst; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and bring thee where thou dost not desire. But he said this signifying by what death he should glorify God. And having said this, he says to him, Follow me. Peter, turning round, sees the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned at supper on his breast, and said, Lord, who is it that delivers thee up? Peter, seeing him, says to Jesus, Lord, and what of this man? Jesus says to him, If I will that he abide until I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me.
The reading this morning focused on two words: ‘Hear him’ (Matthew17:5). In this occasion, we have three words: ‘Follow thou me’. 
I do not believe that God intends that there should be anything complicated about Christianity. It is profound and inscrutable, beyond our human minds to comprehend in its fullness – but it is simple to the eyes of faith.
Each gospel writer leaves us with different words of the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s last words recorded in John’s gospel are ‘Follow thou me’. This is a simple statement comprising:
  • A verb – the action ‘Follow’
  • The subject – who does it ‘Thou’ – that is you and I, as well as Peter
  • The object ‘Me’ – that is Jesus.
This is really the essence of Christian life. The Lord Jesus in His wondrous grace and saving power has called us to follow Him. It is no more complicated than that. Of course, we have the epistles. They were written before these words were written, but not before they were said. In the epistles there are long words and deep thoughts. The thoughts of God and His blessing for us are immense. That is one of the reasons we have reading meetings so that, with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can understand God’s wonderful thoughts for us. But God does not want us to merely understand His thoughts, He wants us to experience and enjoy His blessings as well. The questions are:
  • How are we going to enjoy what God in His love has purposed and prepared for us?
  • Why do we struggle, and why do we find following Jesus so difficult?
For a start, we experience and enjoy them by simply following Christ.
Imagine a local assembly filled with persons who follow Christ and hear and do His word; then imagine the church as a whole, and even the whole world following and obeying Him. This wonderful world of peace, order and joy will be seen in a coming day. It speaks of ‘these are they who follow the Lamb wheresoever it goes’ (Revelation 14:4). Now, let us now look around our Christian companies: and we have to humbly admit that things are not as they should be. It cannot be because the Lord has asked us to do something complicated or unclear. The simple word is ‘Follow thou me’.
 
This was not the first time that the Lord had asked Peter to follow Him. He had already been following the Lord for a little over three years. Earlier, when Peter did not know Him anything like as well, the Lord had said, ‘Come after me’ (Matthew 4:19) – and Peter had obeyed.  So had Andrew, James, John and the other disciples. Peter had had three years’ experience of the Lord’s love, care and companionship. Many followed the Lord because of what He had done for them: having been cured of blindness, deafness, leprosy or demons. However, the gospels do not suggest that any of the twelve chosen disciples followed the Lord as a result of such miraculous healing. However, there must have been something more than the disciples saw in Jesus.
Matthew is another example. As far as the scripture records, Matthew was sitting doing his job, taking the taxes, counting the money and keeping records. We know nothing of Matthew’s prior experience with or knowledge of the Lord. However, when Jesus just says to him, ‘Follow me’ (Luke 5: 27).
I think that what caused these beloved disciples to leave what they were doing, was that they saw something about that Man that they had never seen before. He had no great outward personality or charisma (Isaiah 53:2) nor did He make promises of outward greatness or power. Here was a Man in outward humility, with no natural distinguishing features that would mark Him out. Yet there was something different which caused these disciples to follow. So what makes us follow the Lord Jesus? We have put our faith and trust in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, as the One who suffered and died for us. That alone would make Him worthy to be followed. He is worthy, but there is something deeper.
If we are going to be enduring, constant, faithful followers of Jesus, we have each for ourselves to answer the question, ‘How much does the Lord Jesus Himself mean to me?’. In John’s gospel, the Man Christ Jesus is the absolute centre: persons like the woman in John 4 were drawn to Him, not just because of what He did but because of what He was. The woman said, ‘Come, see a man’ (Matthew 17:5). Such was the humanity of Jesus: He thrilled the Father’s heart in every step, thought and movement. He also thrilled the hearts of those who followed Him. Peter illustrated this in John 6. The Lord had ministered His word, but there were two completely opposite results. Many of the disciples said, ‘This word is hard. . . and walked no more with him’ (v.68). Peter had found an all-absorbing object in the person of Christ, a kind of Man that he had never come across before. Peter continued following.
At one point, Peter had said, ‘We have left all things and have followed thee; what then shall happen to us?’ (Matthew 19:27). Now Peter was asking what was going to happen to them. The Lord had spoken of receiving a hundredfold.  In (John 21) we see the Lord giving Peter another commission and He re-issues this challenge to follow, for the Lord would be physically here no longer.  What was the Lord offering Peter from a natural perspective? There was nothing for his personal benefit. Jesus said, “I want you to be a shepherd”. Peter might well have answered, “Lord, that is a little bit odd. You took me up to be a fisher of men. I know about fishing, that is in my blood. Now you are telling me to be a shepherd. I do not have any experience of being a shepherd”. In fact, Peter was probably the most qualified person there to be a shepherd having spent three years with the Good Shepherd, observing the greatest, most skilful and wonderful Shepherd there has ever been. The Lord effectively says, “Peter, you are going to have a career change. You are now going to be a shepherd. It is will be hard work: you are going to have to feed My lambs; you are going to have to shepherd My sheep; you are going to have to feed My sheep. Then, when you get old you are going to have your liberty taken away, ending up in prison, and ultimately Peter, you are going to die for Me. But despite all that follow me.”
 
At first, Peter did not get the full point of what the Lord was saying. ‘Peter, seeing him [John], says to Jesus, Lord, and what of this man? Jesus says to him, If I will that he abide until I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me.’ (John 21:21-22). The Lord is saying to Peter, “Let Me make it absolutely plain and clear to you: ‘Follow thou Me’: nothing else matters”. We must give Peter the credit for honouring His Lord: in the main, he followed his Lord faithfully. His link with Christ and his valuation of that blessed Man kept and preserved him. Peter was a true follower of Jesus Christ, even to martyrdom.
How about each one of us? Your comfort zone or personal choice does not enter into it. The Lord’s word is: ‘Follow thou me’– a very direct command that comes to each of us individually. it is right to value one another, but ultimately our Christian pathway is defined by how we follow Christ personally. As we follow Christ we find that there are others are following Him too: we are all heading towards the same destination because we are following Him, not one anothe.
When we come together we have a single objective, following Christ. That is what unites us. Each one of us will have received the command, ‘Follow thou me’. It is not a complicated command: the big question is, ‘How?’.
We might say that if Jesus were here, it would be easy to follow Him – if He walked out of the door, we could all follow. I think the gospel suggests that it would not make it any easier if Jesus was physically here or not.  The Lord Jesus in His wondrous grace and in His infinite wisdom has given us things to help us. Peter says ‘Christ…leaving you a model that ye should follow in his steps’ (1 Peter 2:21). We have Christ as a model before us, and we can follow in His footprints. In virgin snow, where no one has walked before, a person’s footprints are clear, and we can follow them easily. The Lord has left us clear footprints:
  • There is a footprint of suffering.
  • There is a footprint of wondrous grace.
  • There is a footprint of perfect humility.
  • There is a footprint of utter dependence.
  • There is a footprint of complete trust in God.
  • There is a footprint of prayer.
  • There is a footprint of devotion.
  • There is a footprint of righteous indignation.
All of those things were seen in the life of Jesus here. A follower of Jesus Christ has been given a perfect example in the life and footsteps of the Lord Jesus. Hence we can ‘follow in his steps’.
We cannot see Him physically; we have to use what we call faith. That is the difficult bit, needing concentration and a committal to follow Christ. We cannot set our path automatically like a plane on auto-pilot. There has to be a day-by-day commitment to follow Christ. My scripture for that is Hebrews 12:2, ‘Looking steadfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith’. The Spirit will help you. If you still struggle and find it too difficult, put your hand out and Jesus, in His precious, condescending grace, will take it and lead you, if necessary, by the hand. Hebrews tells us that one of the reasons he came into manhood was so that He may take hold of the seed of Abraham by the hand (see Hebrews 2:16). But He will lead us together to a very glorious place, into the greatest and most wondrous privileges that we can ever know. The heart of God is full of blessing and happiness for us. God has called us to be happy. I am not sure how much we believe that what Christ has in mind for us is the very best.
Let us not think that His voice is different in our sphere of responsibility here from our sphere of privilege. Sometimes we divorce the two. It is the same blessed Person who leads us, whether it is in the difficulties of the wilderness path here, or in the joy and privilege of going with Him to the Father and entering into that sphere of praise. The character of the leading might be different, but it is the same Person. The better we know how to follow Him, the greater we will know the blessing.
In summary, we have had two messages in our meetings today:
  • ‘Hear him’,
  • ‘Follow thou me’.
I leave these thoughts with us all, for His Name’s sake.

Revised by Paul Burton and checked by others.  All scripture quotations are from the Darby translation

October 2018

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A Church with No Name

The question comes up. ‘Who do you meet with?’  –
Answer – ‘We don’t have a name’.
Question ‘I see, so which of the many groups of Brethren are you?’ 
However much we try, it seems as we cannot get away from that label. 

Why do we like to Fall Back on Labels?

I am guilty of a serious thing.  This week I met a fellow believer and we enjoyed a happy conversation.  Then came up the inevitable question ‘Who do you meet with?’. My friend said something indirectly pointing to a group of Christians.  Immediately I pigeonholed him into a division of that united vessel (I wish I could think of another word) and associated this with preconceived negative thoughts and doctrinal differences.  The result – our warm and happy conversation was marred, and we went away thinking of differences, not of our Saviour, His glory and His return to rapture His saints.  I owe that brother an apology.

Why do I do such a thing?  Doubtless, Satan has us resting on this or that group of Christians.  We are comfortable with the fellowship, the structure and the part we can play.

This is so different from what we have been taught.  There is only one church – the assembly of the living God, purchased with the blood of our Lord Jesus; there is only one fellowship – the fellowship of God’s Son.  We have confused the true function of the church – something perfect, with its origin and destiny in heaven with what we as Christians can and should do down here.  In God’s grace, we may have been led to reject human organisation and church leadership, sectarianism, the building up of things here.

The question comes up. ‘Who do you meet with?’  –

Answer – ‘We don’t have a name’.

Question ‘I see, so which of the many groups of Brethren are you?’

However much we try, it seems as we cannot get away from that label.

A Church with No Name

The Church with No Name

Here is a picture of a little chapel or meeting room, about an hour’s drive from where I live.  Formerly an evangelical church, it was disused and in a bad state when a few lovers of our Lord bought it and painstakingly renovated it.  When finished they invited many from the area to join in prayer – not to bless the room or any group, but to seek the Lord’s guidance as to what they should do.  I was led to give a little word from 2 Cor 8:5 – ‘They gave them selves first to the Lord, and to us by God’s will.’ (Darby).  (See ‘Have we had it the Wrong Way Round?’)

.

There is no name.  All you can say that is where there is a gathering of a few simple Christians who seek to be true to our Lord in very confused circumstances.  They break bread in obedience to the Lord’s request ‘This do in remembrance of me’ (Luke 22:19).  Those who go there regularly know the certainty of their eternal salvation and have received the Holy Spirit.  They are not connected with any humanly organised sect – nor are they in that meeting by membership.  Collectively, they do not know who they are, apart from a collection of lovers of the Lord Jesus, and, though bound for glory, do not know where the Lord is leading them in their testimonial pathway. May it remain that way!

May you be encouraged

In God’s grace

Sosthenes

October 2018

F E Raven – God never rebuilds what has failed but rather falls back on His promises

While many were claiming to have the Lord with them, I just longed for the experience through contrition and repentance, of being with Him in what He is doing currently.

Frederick Raven

The position that confronts each one of us now is what are we to do as involved in the sorrowful scattering and breakdown of a testimony we had so learned to value and love.  To find a way out of it, I cannot.  I am part of it and contributed to it.  But to find a way through it is my whole concern and that Christ may be my object and motive.  While not wishing to speak of myself, my experience found me quite alone and cut off from my brethren – my beloved wife and family…I had nothing.  But, thank God, in His sovereign mercy and exceeding grace I had Christ – my Lord and Saviour.  It is easy to say it, but it has to be proved that therein lies the precious inward secret that alone can make one superior to the most testing of circumstances.  It is just, “Thou remainest when all else is gone”…I then remembered that from the divine side there is no failure – the unity of the Spirit remains.  Does not F E Raven say that God never rebuilds what has failed but rather falls back on His promises?  While many were claiming to have the Lord with them, I just longed for the experience through contrition and repentance, of being with Him in what He is doing currently.

(Extracted from a letter by Brian Deck, NZ  1979)

Golden Nugget Number 19

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Walking in the Light of the Assembly

Dear Readers

Over the past year or so the Lord has shown me that many of my thoughts as to the working of assembly administration have been based on man’s ideas not God’s.

I may have been looking at such things in other denominations hand have been quick to criticised.  I needed to look closer at home and to see that much was based on prescriptive thoughts of godly men and gifted servants – but taken to be ‘rules’ rather than help.

What is primary is the Lord’s view – it is His assembly.  Who is here to help us the Holy Spirit.  Is there a written guide – the Holy Scriptures.  Did the Lord give us any commandments – just one ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another’ (John 13:34) .

As a result I am pulling temporally several pages whilst I review what I have written.

F E Raven – Exclusiveness

what is it that will make me exclusive?  Love will do it.  I know that many people think the opposite of this and that our exclusiveness is anything but love, but I am sure of my ground when I say that nothing but divine love will enable you to be exclusive of what is in man.

Frederick Raven


I shall speak of the idea of exclusiveness.  We have been in reproach because of what has been termed our exclusiveness.  Now l want to be exclusive of all which Christ would be exclusive.  I do not think Christ is exclusive of men.  I am sure He desires to receive every man, and would save them all, but men are not willing that He should.  I am not exclusive of men, but shall I tell you what Christ excludes?  All that is of man.  What is in man?  Why, the world is in man and Christ will not tolerate it, and nor will I, by grace, go on with it, either.  I want to be exclusive of all that He excludes; lust and pride are in man’s heart, that is really the world.  Now what is it that will make me exclusive?  Love will do it.  I know that many people think the opposite of this and that our exclusiveness is anything but love, but I am sure of my ground when I say that nothing but divine love will enable you to be exclusive of what is in man.

(F E Raven, Letters p302)

Golden Nugget Number 191

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Who can Preach the Gospel?

 

Preaching
John Nelson Darby

They that were Scattered Abroad went Everywhere, Preaching the Word  Acts 8:4.

Paul prayed ‘that the word of the Lord may have free course’(2 Thess 3:1).  All true Christians should pray for that too.  But alas, preaching is beset by human perverseness, especially in establishments of any sect or denomination where only appointed or ordained individuals are permitted to preach.  Scripture does not support ordination or authorisation – whichever word is used.  In a world under condemnation, there are sinners ready to perish.  Ordination and the distinction between laity and clergy (which includes so-called lay preachers) was not known in the early church – nor is it scriptural.

No human qualification should be needed in order to declare to them God’s remedy in love: that Jesus died for sinners.  Man has set up restrictions: the gospel which was ‘to be preached to every creature under heaven’(Col 1:23) has been bound and shackled.  Multitudes have been shut out from the springs of life for want of hearing a clear invitation which should have been upon the lips of all who have drunk of the living waters.  The Spirit of God has been grieved.

The questions are –

  1. Do those in appointed office have the Spirit of God?
  2. Can any member of the church of God with love for souls preach if the Lord gives them the ability and opportunity?
  3. Is any human sanction needful for their doing so?
  4. Are those who are not ordained, or otherwise appointed, disqualified from preaching?

As to Christians speaking in the church, the only restriction is, ‘Let your women keep silence in the churches’ (1 Cor 13:34).  Women have other blessed services.  Many godly women have spiritual gifts, and we read elsewhere the directions for their exercise (in the home, with their heads covered – see 1 Cor 11:5).  They were not to use them in the church, because that would be out of order.

The apostle says, ‘every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation’(v. 26).   So, if God has given some men the ability to speak, they were to speak in an orderly way in the power of the Holy Spirit:  not all at once or every day, but as God led them.  Because of the presence of the indwelling Spirit is in the church, it is built up, and God is worshipped  ‘in spirit and in truth’(John 4:24).

It is most mischievous to say that times have changed.  The Spirit of God does not break His own order by systematic rules.   Christ initially gave in his church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers; ‘for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, . . . speaking the truth in love, [that we] may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love’ (Eph 4:11-16) .  Some quote to justify ordination, ‘the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2).  But the thing committed here was the doctrine: it does not appear that they were ordained for the purpose.

Human prescription regulates everything in matters of religion, as in politics, commerce, education and most other aspects of life.  The result of this is that much has been lost in the public profession: the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge, for example.    If that is true, then the effectiveness of the word is further weakened by asserting that the Spirit of God is has left the Church.  This then raises the question: ‘What are we, and where are we – are we the church of God without the Spirit?’   If the Spirit is not there, all union between Christ and His members will have been cut off, and the promise, ‘I am with you always, even unto the end of the world’ (Matt 28:20) made of no effect.  It would no longer be the church.

But present-day disciples of Jesus know that He is with them in spite of public failure; and that He said, ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Matt 18:20).  His Spirit is with them for instruction and blessing.

The question becomes more critical when we consider speaking outside of the church.  We read, ‘They that were scattered abroad, went everywhere preaching the word’ (Acts 8:4). – that was all except the apostles. ’The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord’ (Acts 11:21).  The idea of ordination had never occurred to them.  Paul preached without any other mission than the Lord’s glory and His word.  He preached everywhere including synagogues and encouraged others to do the same.  He said simply, ‘I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak’(2 Cor 4:13) .  Apollos too preached very effectively, and it is said that, when Paul would have sent him from Ephesus to Corinth, he would not go.  He was not ordained, and earlier knew only the baptism of John.  Aquila and Priscilla had‘expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly’ (Acts 18:26). [Note that we have here a woman performing a very vital and authoritative service in the right way.  She was as competent as any].

In the previous dispensation, much of the order was according to birth.  Nevertheless, there was a clear distinction according to position – priests, Levites, princes, Nethinim etc.  However, even in Jewish worship, far greater liberty was permitted than in the restricted systems of the present day. ‘Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on’ (Acts 13:15).   When Eldad and Medad prophesied by the Spirit in the camp, without coming to the door of the tabernacle, Moses said, ‘Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!’ (Num 11:29).

There is therefore ample evidence from Scripture to an impartial mind.  Appropriately gifted Christian men have the liberty and right to speak, in or out of the church, without needing any human authority.   This is the dispensation of the outpouring of the Spirit qualifying for speaking of Jesus all who can do so.  The assumption of priesthood by any person is wrong (save as all believers are priests).  Priesthood and kingship belong to Christ alone.

At Pentecost, 120 were assembled together and spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance (See Acts 2:4).  And Peter, standing up, explains to the Jews that they were not drunk, but it was what was spoken of by Joel, ‘I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy’ (Joel 2:29).  The Spirit was poured on people without distinction – men and women, young and old, rich and poor, even slaves.   Subsequent history has been to create classes according to social, academic, racial, financial and ecclesiastical status.  This has been a cause of the loss of power in Christendom.  And the consequence – unrestrained irregularities in the church.

There are, of course, other services such as pastoral care.   A good shepherd will go after the scattered sheep in order to present God’s glad tidings to them, and to help them further in their souls.  One significant advantage of God’s order is that all men and women are able to fulfil their part according to the gifts that God has given them.  Those who should be teachers, shepherds or evangelists should not be hindered due to the lack of official academic and theological qualifications. This ought to be obvious: God appoints the field of their operations, in order do the Lord’s work.   Persons should not be prevented by the spirit of Diotrephes in the system.   God’s manifold grace and the gifts that He has given to the church blend together in true harmony and love in the body of Christ.

Nothing demonstrates the preference of man’s authority to the Lord’s more than the way in which the free and unrestrained proclamation of the gospel of God’s grace is discredited.  Those who should be preaching are obliged to modify their message and restrict their work, for fear they should be in breach of the authority which has placed them in their appointed position.  For example, an area of the country is destitute of the gospel, despite a lot of religious activity.  One in whose heart God has put the desire and whose mouth He has opened to speak of His love, goes and preaches there, and many souls previously in darkness are blessed.  The district is already full of men and women holding office in the various churches, but who are not shepherds and do not preach a sound gospel – replacing it with the fleshly excitement and emotional happiness of popular charismatics, or teaching doctrines which deny the deity of Christ, or telling souls that God’s love is such that they can attain salvation by their own works – or are just as the word to Sardis – dead.  What is the labourer to do in these circumstances? – Is leave souls at the mercy of these unsound church leaders, or is he to abandon them altogether?  There is no godly righteousness in either.  Faithfulness to Christ demands that he should preach to those who in need.  However, he is restricted in his activities by the systems (of whatever denomination) which have also sanctioned those appointees who harm poor souls.  The church hierarchy, even if formed of devout Christians, must recognise their officially sanctioned ministers and pastors and reject faithful men of God, working in the power and guidance of the Spirit of God, but who do not hold the appropriate office and qualifications[*].

So why does one take an ecclesiastical office – vicar in the Church of England, pastor or minister in the Baptists or Methodists etc.?  Because it is the only way to serve within the confines of the system.  One who habitually waits on the Lord is obligated to work in an organisation which is not regulated by the Lord’s headship.  The Master’s service can be undertaken in complete, unhindered dependence on the Spirit of God.  If service does not fulfil the Lord’s own time, place, and purpose, servants are what Paul calls busybodies (see2 Thess 3:11), whatever may be the apparent (defective) results of their labours.

One further observation: we ‘should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints’ (Jude v.3).  Look at the multitude of conflicting interests in the church – ‘wars and fightings’(James 4:1) amongst brethren.  So much spiritual and natural energy is spent on defending one human system against another.  Ask calmly: ‘For what are we contending?’  If the contention is for our own views or interests, or to support the system to which we owe allegiance, God cannot support us.  It is not for the things of Christ; it is not of His Spirit.

All this shows that these traditional opinions are worthless and deeply injurious to the glory of God unless based upon His word.  Let it be observed that the liberty of the believer is not the spirit of insubordination, but of entire subjection to the Spirit: not the spirit of enthusiasm, but of a sound mind – of a mind at one with God, which alone gives righteous judgment.  And let the people of God wait on Him for His guidance.  It is a time in which God is separating reality from mere outward form.  May God work abundantly fill His labourers with His spirit!  ‘The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest’(Matt 9:37-38).

 

Based on J N Darby: ‘Christian Liberty of Preaching and Teaching the Lord Jesus Christ’ – JND’s Collected Writings Vol 1 Ecclesiastical 1 page 68

 

 

[*]In modern times, there may be more lay preachers due to limitations of resources.  Packaged lectures, even with PowerPoint presentations, may be used to spread a word.  Such sermons, cannot be energised by st Spirit of God, meeting the needs of those who attend these preachings. [Sosthenes]

W M (Walter) Brown Bind on Humility

…we are to ” walk humbly with thy God

…we are to “walk humbly with thy God, (Micah 6: 8)”. Never was the word more needed than today, when pride and ambition are even exalted as virtues. We are to bind on humility, and, again, we are reminded of Him–our Lord and Teacher–who humbled Himself as no other ever did or could, and presents Himself as our glorious Model. He ever glorified God in His lowly pathway here, and His word to us is, ‘Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest to your souls<‘/em> (Matt 11:26). There is truly rest and joy in following Him.

(W M Brown, Words of Grace and Comfort 1951) – No photo
Golden Nugget Number 188

Golden Nuggets are published by:- Saville Street Distribution, Venture, Princes Esplanade, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex CO14 8QD, UK

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