73a) Cultivating Inter-Church Relationships #2

In this part of the sermon: Pastor Martin reviews foundational principles for inter-church communion and begins to present biblical data from the book of Acts, highlighting examples such as Paul's reception…

When Paul came to Jerusalem, he didn't immediately announce his apostleship but sought church membership, and the church initially rejected him due to suspicion, illustrating the need for discretion and later, inter-church aid (Barnabas).

Now sit down and listen to me. Now he filled out an application for church membership. That's the first thing he did. He came to Jerusalem, sought to become a church member, and they said, No way, Jose. We think you're here to just get on the inside and be a fifth columnist.

1:32 - 1:48 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Pastor Martin reviews foundational principles for inter-church communion and begins to present biblical data from the book of Acts, highlighting examples such as Paul's reception…

The Antioch church, troubled by those claiming authority from Jerusalem, sent representatives to Jerusalem to sort out the doctrinal issue, demonstrating inter-church communion in resolving problems, even without a formal synodical structure.

He's already been speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. It meant that some church affiliation, and we can assume that as Paul sought to become a church member in Jerusalem and base his ministry in the life of the church, so there at Tarsus as well, he would have been involved with some community of the people of God, so there was some give and take in this inter-church experience, and there's the principle in broad outlines. And then, of course, the Acts 15 passage. You had a church in the Gentile world, the church in Antioch, that is troubled by people who say, we come from the Jerus...

3:49 - 5:03 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Pastor Martin reviews foundational principles for inter-church communion and begins to present biblical data from the book of Acts, highlighting examples such as Paul's reception…

Martin recounts how Presbyterian brethren used Acts 15:3 to argue for a general assembly, but his study showed it didn't support their claim of picking up presbyters, illustrating his commitment to biblical interpretation over denominational tradition.

That's the way our Presbyterian brethren read the passage. And it's one of the things that kept me from becoming a Presbyterian when I was trying desperately to become one. This was the passage that they constantly kept referring to when I studied it. I said, it doesn't tell me what they're saying it tells me.

6:38 - 6:52 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The sermon extensively surveys New Testament epistles, from Romans to 3 John, to demonstrate how apostles fostered inter-church communion through communication, mutual support…

Paul's greeting to 'saints in Caesar's household' is highlighted as a marvelous conjunction of paganism and faith, used to expand the Philippians' hearts and prayers beyond their immediate circle, nurturing inter-church communion.

All the saints salute you, especially those that are of Caesar's household. Now, why did he put that in there? Saints in Caesar's household? I mean, what a marvelous conjunction of things that we would normally keep apart.

17:47 - 18:04 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The sermon extensively surveys New Testament epistles, from Romans to 3 John, to demonstrate how apostles fostered inter-church communion through communication, mutual support…

Martin asks if Paul is 'going around trying to puff people up and pin medals on them' when he uses flattering titles for Tychicus, concluding that Paul is commending servants to churches to foster trust and benefit, not for personal praise.

Why didn't he just simply say, Tychicus is going... I mean, is Paul a man going around trying to puff people up and pin medals on them?

20:08 - 20:16 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not receive or read materials from disgruntled, disciplined members attempting to slander their former church or pastor; return them and inform the pastor.

Martin describes receiving a packet from a disciplined church member in California trying to slander his former pastor. He immediately returned the materials unread and informed the pastor, illustrating the principle of recognizing the validity of other churches' discipline and avoiding being a 'busy body'.

You see, the assumption is this recognition of the validity of the oversight and discipline of other churches. Now, I had a classic example of this this week. Lastly, I got a packet of materials addressed to the church. It was in my folder.

33:12 - 33:27 Read in full sermon

The point: Be prepared to offer counsel when requested, even if it means self-denial and taking on others' burdens.

Martin humorously suggests making 'NYOB' (Mind Your Own Business) posters for the church, comparing a busy body to murderers and thieves, to emphasize that counsel should only be offered when requested, not unsolicited.

I've often said in recent elders' meetings I'm going to ask someone who has the gift of art in the area of making beautiful posters to come up with some very scintillating, visually attractive poster that just has on it these letters N-Y-O-B. And I'd like about six of them posted in various places around the church. Mind your own business. Mind your own business.

35:31 - 36:04 Read in full sermon

The point: Always treat brethren as brethren, understanding the difference between damning heresy and imperfect grasp of truth, as your disposition will be reflected in your people.

Martin recounts Dr. Rudolph's refusal to establish a Baptist division at Reformed Episcopal Seminary due to differing convictions on baptism, yet his willingness to lecture, illustrating how to avoid sectarianism while holding tenaciously to distinctive convictions without being threatening.

only heresy is to say that you believe there is such a thing as heresy and that's part of the liability of serving God in this generation where different strokes for different folks, if that's your truth fine, but don't impose your truth on me well, I recognize we're going to have to live with that, but we can avoid a sectarian attitude while holding tenaciously to our distinctive convictions of conscience I remember one of the classic examples of this was old Dr. Rudolph, I may have mentioned this in another setting at Reformed Episcopal Seminary and when we put out overtures to Dr. Rudolph a...

48:01 - 49:29 Read in full sermon

The point: If someone slanders another church or minister, reject the report and send it back to the source.

Martin uses the metaphor of 'ecclesiastical navel-gazing' to describe churches that become too inwardly focused, leading to disproportionate focus on internal 'warts and molds,' contrasting it with the health that comes from an outward perspective fostered by inter-church communion.

in fostering inter-church communion, a little bit of courtesy and the Matthew 7-12 passage goes a long way to establishing a framework of goodwill and of a recognition of these biblical principles well, we've covered an awful lot of material brethren, but I hope this has at least challenged you to think through this issue and to realize as you anticipate serving Christ in his church no little part of your work of oversight and government and shepherding of the people of God is to be found in this area of seeking to be an instrument in God's hands to nurture biblically directed spirit-empowered...

53:53 - 55:21 Read in full sermon