Amen. All right. The title of the sermon tonight is two or three witnesses, two or three witnesses.
When I was in the UK, I was preaching a sermon about... Actually, I preached a sermon called
Have Fun Deconstructing in Hell. If you haven't seen it, it's up on the YouTube page of Strong
Tower Baptist Church. It's basically just kind of preaching against the concept where
people need to deconstruct from fundamentalism. There's a whole movement of people that are
just... This is kind of like a new thing where people feel like they need to deconstruct
from fundamental Baptist beliefs or just fundamentalism in general. They'll just cast aside their
Christianity and say, well, I just don't believe in God anymore. In that sermon, though, I
brought up talking about two or three witnesses, and I thought it'd be a good topic for a full
length sermon. I went to four or five different sections of scripture where it has the standard
for God to hold people accountable in investigations, in accusations, and when there's controversies.
That's the section we're going to look at here in Deuteronomy chapter 17, but the Bible
is consistent about this from Deuteronomy all the way to the book of Hebrews. It talks
about this concept of needing to have two or three witnesses before you can put somebody
to death, before you can charge somebody with something, and when there's controversial
things that are happening, when there's something that needs to be judged between brethren,
these things must be... There's things that God puts in place so that innocent people
don't get condemned and so that people don't get slandered without having the proof for
it.
There's always these instances where someone could sneak by that and end around that, but
usually it's... We'll look at some examples where people misuse the system, but you have
to be a really evil person to accuse somebody of something that would be a death penalty
situation and your hand is the first person to touch that person when you know that they're
innocent. The people that witnessed a murder, they had to be the first ones to touch them
to be the ones that throw the first stones, basically, and then the whole congregation
would do it.
But we'll look at that. Let's look at verse 2 in Deuteronomy 17. You know what the Bible
says? If there be found among you within any of thy gates which the Lord thy God giveth
thee, man or woman that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the Lord thy God in transgressing
his covenant, and hath gone and served other gods and worshiped them, either the sun or
moon or any of the hosts of heaven which I have not commanded, and it be told thee, and
thou hast heard of it and inquired diligently.
So notice that someone has said, hey, this person's worshiping other gods, this person's
deviated from the covenant, and of course this is in Old Testament Israel where this
is the law, right? This is not something that's optional. You don't worship other gods.
So it says, and thou hast heard of it and inquired diligently. It's not just a rumor
that so and so, you know, it's like these people with the Salem Witch Trials, like,
I heard this person's a witch, and next thing you know, they're burning them at the stake
or something. Like, you have to have evidence, you have to do a diligent search. It says,
and behold it be true, and the thing certain, and such abomination, that such abomination
is wrought in Israel. So you have to know that it's true. And then it says, then shalt
thou bring forth the man or that woman which have committed the wicked thing unto thy gates,
even that man or that woman, and shall stone them with stones till they die.
So the, look, there has to be an investigation. You know, if someone's brought forth to the,
whoever is in charge, and you've heard of it, you inquired about it, you questioned
about it, and it's true, there's no doubt about it, it's a done deal, then what's the
sentence? There's stone with stones until they die. And it says, verse six, at the mouth
of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death.
But at the mouth of one witness, he shall not be put to death. So what is God's standard
of putting someone to death, the death penalty in the Old Testament, and I would say, you
know, God's standard is still the same, because you'll see it in the New Testament too, but
what is the standard? One witness is not enough, because one person's word against another,
that other person, that person could just be lying, right? So the standard is two or
three witnesses. Three is probably better than two, isn't it? But two is still enough,
if diligently inquired. You still have to question, it's not like, yes they did it,
and then it's a done deal. No, you have to still inquire whether these things are so,
because people lie. And so it says, in verse seven here, it says, the hands of the witnesses
shall be first upon him to put him to death. You see that? And so look, that's why I said,
you have to be a real evil person to accuse somebody of something that you know is gonna
get them put to death, and then you know your hands are the first ones upon them. I mean,
that's like almost reprobate status, if not reprobate status, right? That someone would
do that. And it says, and afterward the hands of all the people. So it's like they're basing
what they do off of those witnesses that said, yes this is true, the judges found that this
is credible, the evidence has been presented, and these people are guilty. So like when
we preach sermons, or like these people shall surely be put to death, we're always gonna
say, hey, there has to be an investigation, there has to be two or three witnesses, it's
not just willy-nilly go shoot them in the back of the head or whatever. We've never
preached anything like that. That's not what we believe. We believe that everybody deserves
to have a fair trial, right? So it says in verse eight, if there arise a matter too hard
for the in-judgment. So sometimes matters are just like, I'm just really not 100% sure,
and there's cases like in law where it's a hard decision, where there's like hung juries
and things like that, but it says between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and
between stroke and stroke. Like they're just not really sure how to proceed, and it says,
being matters of controversy within thy gates, then shalt thou arise and get thee up into
the place which the Lord thy God shall choose. Now, it's talking about the place at that
time that would have been what, the tabernacle, or would have been the temple. And it says,
and thou shalt come unto the priests and the Levites, so you come to the priests and the
Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days. Because this is the system
that God set up, the Levites and the judge, and both are supposed to be taking part in
this, and it says, and inquire, and they shall show thee the sentence of judgment. So you
present all the evidence, you tell them this is what happened, this is the witnesses, I'm
not really sure what to do, and then they're gonna say, this is what you do, this is what
the Bible says, this is what God has told us. And it says, and thou shalt do according
to the sentence which they that place, they of that place which the Lord shall choose
shall show thee, and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee.
So once they've made the decision, you have to do whatever that sentence is. You know,
and when it says blood, you know, maybe it's your relative, maybe you're in charge and
it's your relative and you don't want to have to choose, it's a hard decision or whatever.
Or you know, you're just not sure, it's a controversial situation, whatever the Levites
and the judge came up with, that's what you have to do, that's the sentence that has to
be passed. Okay, it says in verse 11, according to the sentence of the law, it's not just
whatever people make up in their mind, it's the sentence of the law which they shall teach
thee. So they're gonna say, this is what the Bible says, this is what the law of God says,
and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do. Thou shall not decline
from the sentence which they shall show thee to the right hand nor to the left. So today
you got like judges where they'll sentence somebody that's a pedophile or a rapist or
some murderer and they'll give them a lesser sentence, they'll give you two months suspended
sentence and rehab or something. For a pedophile, for someone that violated someone else's child
and they'll put them on a suspended sentence. There was a man that was stabbed in downtown
Portland a couple years ago for wearing a Trump hat, a black guy by the way, and he
was stabbed for what? Wearing a Trump hat. The guy that did it, it was on film. He stabbed
him five times and the guy was on film and they gave him a suspended sentence, time served,
it was like three months in jail. How's that justice? And there's people from the January
6th trials or whatever, they didn't even see a courtroom for years. There was a guy that
was just sentenced and he broke a window and went in for 10 minutes and came back out.
And he was sentenced to four years in prison and he was already in a holding tank for four
years without seeing any trial or anything. So now he's doing eight years in jail for
breaking a window. I mean people in downtown Portland were throwing Matov cocktails at
police officers and shining lasers in federal officers' eyes trying to blind them permanently.
They were bringing stacks of bricks into downtown and then they were throwing bricks at people,
throwing bricks at police officers and this guy broke a window and went into the Capitol
building. Nobody got hurt, no police officers died even though they tried to lie and say
that police officers died. You have natural causes later on but it wasn't because of the
riots or whatever. It's funny they won't call those things a riot but they'll call what
happened on January 6th a riot. What was our verse of the week here? He is the rock. His
work is perfect for all his ways are judgment. A God of truth and without iniquity, just
and right is he. I'm glad that we have a God that we can count on for having justice. He's
right about his judgments and he's always going to do the right thing. He's always going
to judge that which is right. So when he says hey, they're going to judge according to the
sentence of the law and they're going to teach you what it says and then you're not going
to decline from that sentence and you're not going to change it and say two months suspended
sentence when somebody murders somebody and there's witnesses to see it happen. Not going
to happen. That's not the way God does things. And it says and the man that will do presumptuously
and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord
thy God or unto the judge, even that man shall die and thou shalt put away the evil from
Israel. So who's going to die? The man that doesn't do the sentence. He doesn't carry
out the sentence that God's priest and the judge tells him to do. So that's the death
sentence to not carry out God's judgment is what it is. And it says in all the people
shall fear or excuse me hear and fear and do no more presumptuously. What does that
word mean presumptuously? I'm sure you've heard it a lot but maybe you just don't know
the definition so let me help you. It means showing little respect for others by doing
things you have no right to do is a good definition for it. Showing little respect
for others by doing things you have no right to do. So when it comes to judgment if that
person deserved to have the death penalty and you're like no I don't think so. I don't
think he deserves it. I think he deserves a one month in jail suspended sentence. That's
a travesty of justice. There's people that are going to be missing that relative that
you murdered and they have to watch as a judge doesn't put the right judgment down.
That's wicked. That is wrong. So they don't have the right to do that and so the right
thing to do is to judge righteous judgment but it's still under the mouth of two or three
witnesses. Let's go to Deuteronomy chapter 19. Just a couple chapters down the road there.
Deuteronomy chapter 19 verse 15 the Bible says one witness shall not rise up against
a man for any iniquity. What does that mean? One witness shall not rise up against a man
for any iniquity. So if you're going to try to bring something and you only have one witness
you just shouldn't do it. Isn't that what it's saying? Or for any sin in any sin that
he sinneth. At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses shall the
matter be established. Now this carries forward into the New Testament. This is the same exact
thing Jesus teaches in Matthew chapter number 18. It's not like God has changed the way
he wants to do things. It's still in the mouth of two or three witnesses. You can't just
go around accusing people of things without having the facts. Without having the witnesses.
You cannot do that. Now if somebody does something wrong to you and you want some kind of inquiry
to ask about the person. You know the person's denying it and you want someone to ask them
and if they lie you know there's nothing you can really do about that. But if they tell
the truth then you can because they've admitted it. But without the witnesses you have nothing.
So and it's saying any iniquity any sin that someone sins. So this is what this you know
the first one was talking about crimes that are actual crimes in society. This one's talking
about things that would probably happen just you know things that you would do to each
other. Things that you would sin against each other. And where you're having an issue with
the people in the congregation. So which you know back then was different than it is in
the New Testament. But still a lot of things transfer over and are the same. It says if
a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong then
both the men between whom the controversy is shall stand before the Lord before the
priest and the judges which shall be in those days. So I mean if someone's just lying about
somebody then the controversy gets you know it gets a little amp up here and you're actually
standing now it's become a big deal. Now you're standing before the Lord the priest and the
judges. So I mean do you see how things would be a little bit more fearful to lie about
people and to just bring up fake reports on people. I mean you're standing before the
Lord. Like that would be a scary situation because these people have already seen what
God does to people that just sin willfully and you know they've watched people drop into
hell. You know I'm sure it was pretty scary to sit there and try to say yeah that guy
took my you know he took my money. And then you're like you just oh you want to carry
this up to the judges. Is that what you really want to do. You really want to go before the
Lord with this. It's like no never mind. It's just like it would be a little more scary
wouldn't it if you had you know this situation happen back then it says and the judge judges
shall make diligent inquisition. What does that mean. Diligent means that they're going
to really search out the matter and they're going to ask a lot of hard questions. It's
not just going to be you know some willy nilly thing. They're going to really ask and it
says and behold if the witness be a false witness and have testified falsely against
his brother then shall you do unto him as he thought to have done unto his brother.
So shalt thou put the evil away from among you. And I believe that this principle still
exists today. You know I don't think that this is something that is done away in the
law. I think that this is something that still applies today because Jesus talks about this
in the New Testament. Again some of the operations are different but you know ultimately we still
have to have two or three witnesses. When we Matthew 18 someone's you know quote unquote
we still have to have the same thing two or three witnesses right. But and diligent inquisition
still has to happen and when you take it up another level you know so you go to your brother
you try to make it right and then what you get two or three witnesses and if that doesn't
work then you take it before the church. Then what are you doing. You're bringing it before
the Lord and you're bringing it before the rest of the congregation who are all priests
and kings unto the Lord right. So I mean really it's amped up even more in my opinion. You're
not just between a couple people it's like the whole congregation is seeing this and
so it's really I mean in my mind maybe even more serious than before. It's not like it's
the different God or something. It's just now it's a lot more witnesses. So let's see
it says then shall you do unto him as he had thought to do unto his brother. So shall
thou put evil away for among you. Now this actually situation happened at Strong Tower
Baptist Church and we had a situation where a guy said I got some witnesses and they stood
up in front of the congregation and bore false witness against Pastor Taverner who was brother
Ian at the time. And you know one of the guys wasn't even in the room when the supposed
infraction had happened and really it wasn't that big of a deal. He just kind of brought
a couple two couples in to just say hey you know you said some insensitive things you
know we could do better. And then they just like dug in and you know just were acting
really weird and he had recorded the conversation because in England you can do that. Here I
couldn't do that but there you could. And they didn't realize that he had recorded the
conversation and so they all got up in front of the whole church and bore false witness
and then they thought they had him. Like they're like when they came to church that day they're
like yeah you know like they really thought that they're going to get rid of brother Ian
and you know they were wrong because then he began to play the recording. And you know
what the accusation was? The accusation was that brother Ian who was brother Ian at the
time that he shouted at this guy's wife and made her cry. So shouting over there is yelling
to us. And first of all where's the Bible say that's like some kind of you know infraction
all right. But the other thing is is that you can tell right from the very beginning
of it that it's just not true. You can hear her crying but he never raises his voice.
At the end maybe slightly but it's just a talk over someone that's talking over him.
But like it's like almost 30 minutes long. And then the accusation was that he doctored
the recording. It's like first of all he doesn't know how to do that. I don't know how to do
that either. So but you can you can hear the door open and close. You know you can hear
the recording and then like now the accusation is it's doctored. They didn't really deserve
to get kicked out. Look if you stand up in front of the congregation of the Lord and
you lie about someone and you're in what your plan was was to overthrow him. Do you think
that they would have said oh we forgive you brother. You can just stay as a leader. No
they were trying to overthrow him as the leader and they thought they had it in the bag. But
what they didn't realize is that God was on Pastor Tavener's side and that they were the
ones that had to go. And my judgment was based upon this passage right here that as they
thought to do to him that's what I did to them. I permanently kicked them out and marked
them and they're never welcome back at that church. And if anybody wants to tell that
little tale and spin that little tale and say oh no it wasn't really that big of a deal.
It was a big deal. It was a huge deal. And to just sit there and boldface lie in front
of God. And you know look it was played in front of the church and he was like did I
yell or did I shout. And the whole congregation is like no in unison. And then like when they
kicked him out they're all like Amen. So look people can say whatever they want but the
truth is they got what was coming to them. They got the right judgment. The right judgment
was you're out of here. Look at verse 20 it says and those which remain shall hear and
fear and shall henceforth commit no more such evil among you. That's the point. So like
you know people get mad when things like that happen and it's you know it's unfortunate.
You know it's not like we just get in the business of pastoring or you know to do God's
work and just think I can't wait till I can kick out my first person. Like you think that
that's actually how how we think as pastors or something. It's not. It's like we just
were like man I wish just you know these weirdos would quit coming to our churches and causing
trouble that's what we really think. Look at verse 21 says and thine eye shall not pity
but life shall go for life. Eye for eye tooth for tooth hand for hand foot for foot. Now
in the New Testament we of course cannot put anyone to death nor would we do that when
we deal with a matter not on the books of human government. Our judgment is to cast
them out of the church once all the matter is established and proven. What do I mean
well if someone is a child molester we can't we can't throw rocks at them until they die
or what do we have to do. We have to call the local police. Here's the evidence. Here's
what we have. You know take them away book them or whatever. But unfortunately today
they're going to get a two month suspended sentence but that's we're bound to have to
do those things. But you know this is late in the game. This isn't how it used to be.
You know people used to just do whatever they want. Like I watch videos on Twitter sometimes
just if I'm just like I need to like you know kick back and let my hair down so to speak
and I'll watch these pedophile videos where they're they're catfishing these these pedophiles
and then they show up and they just start slapping them around and stuff. And I'm just
like Amen. You know hit them again. You know and they deserve to die. But like it's funny
that there's you know sometimes these guys are pretty tough that they come and mess with
but I just I don't feel sorry for them. You know they get socked in the face by somebody
that person was trying to meet a little boy that person that man was trying to meet a
little boy for you know what. And so when they get smacked around by some grown man
it's just like trying to protect kids. I mean I wouldn't do it but I don't want to be around
them but like I mean they're doing it's not right that they're like being vigilantes but
I don't feel sorry for him. So anyway so it is a serious if it is a serious matter in
which the crime would be in the realms of man to punish. We have to call the police
in those situations. We have to present the evidence. Now if we don't have evidence then
we can't report it right. So you have to have again you have to have evidence when you're
reporting a crime or at least you know we have to know or have a good reason to call
the police. Now because if I wasn't sure then why would I call the police on somebody because
then what are you doing. You're just saying oh one witness is OK. Well then I'm being
a hypocrite by doing all right. So let's see. Yeah. So like in twenty twenty four like
if so like say say we knew that someone murdered somebody and I called the police. Unfortunately
there's a moratorium on the death penalty and you know I know Trump's trying to bring
the death penalty back. He says a lot of things but when it comes to actually implementing
them when he's president he doesn't really actually do them. But you know we'd like we
like to hear that kind of talk right. That gets us like yeah maybe I will vote or something
you know. But you know so you know here's here's the thing. These liberals and these
weirdos they'll go and pick it at a you know where someone is going to get put to death.
They'll call the governor they'll they'll raise awareness they'll sign all these signatures
to try to get some freak you know not to not have to be put to death. But you know it's
open warfare on women's wombs all across America all across this world where premeditated
murder is happening. And you know it's not safe in a mother's womb. But these predators
and these weirdos that are sentenced to death they're more safe than a baby in a womb. That's
sad. That's not justice. That's not judgment is it. And it's premeditated. It's not like
they just stumble into the abortion clinic and go oh man I'm a while I'm here I might
as well just get an abortion. You know second degree murder. No it is premeditated. They
choose to do it. Look at Matthew chapter 18. Now we'll go over to the New Testament. So
far we've seen two big passages where it's talking about it. Two or three witnesses now
look at Matthew chapter 18. And people act like Matthew 18 like we're all just one big
universal church. Like I'm supposed to Matthew 18 someone from another church or something.
It's like when I preach against false prophets like Billy Graham and whoever else. How come
you didn't call Billy before he died and you know stuff like that. I'm just like first
of all I don't think he's taking my calls. You know but he's not a member of my church.
You know and last time I checked Paul didn't have to ask for permission before he was ripping
on Hymenaeus and all those other guys right. Alexander the coppersmith and you know their
names are permanently marked in the Bible for us to read. And I don't think he had to
you know do a Matthew 18 on them. So anyway it says moreover if thy brother shall trespass
against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. So this is what the New
Testament Jesus is saying that we should do when we have controversies amongst ourselves.
So we're supposed to go to the person that offends you right. If he shall hear thee thou
ist gain thy brother. So you clear up the controversy by saying hey you know what you
really you know you offended me or you know you ripped me off or whatever it is. And if
they hear you and you settle things and everything's all good. No other steps have to be taken.
It says but if he will not hear thee then take with thee one or two more that in the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. So here it is again our
third passage where it says the same exact thing. God's standard does not change for
needing to have evidence or that words be established that make it true. And it says
and if he shall neglect to hear them tell it unto the church. But if he neglect to hear
the church let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. So you know if the controversy
isn't settled with the two or three witnesses judging that situation say no you're wrong
you need to fix this then that situation gets amped up to the next level which is to
the church. Now I know people just get weird with this kind of stuff but look don't ever
come up here and say hey I got a matter to bring before the church. You need to come
to me first okay. I'm going to I'm going to have these things take place. It's not you
know a free for all up here. So anyway I think you all know that but it says and if he shall
neglect to hear them hear them tell it to the church. But if you neglect to hear the
church let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. So at that point you know
you you would treat them as a heathen man publican barely I say unto you whatsoever
you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed
in heaven. So you know whatever the judgment is of the church if that person is to be cast
out then that person that is bound in heaven. God you know looks at that and he's like hey
that person's kicked out. And then what what happens after that. Well they're given over
to Satan for the destruction of the flesh until they get things right and then they
can come back you know unless they've just done so much that there is no coming back.
So it says again I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything
that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my father which is in heaven. So again
these are serious judgments it's not like you know these things don't mean anything
but people act like when we mark somebody or kick somebody out like oh that's just your
church it doesn't really matter. No God pays attention to this stuff and he marks it and
he says hey I agree with you I'm going to I'm going to do what you as long as you're
doing things right as long as the witnesses agree as long as it's true then God is going
to see that and he's going to agree and he said it's going to be done for them of my
father which is in heaven. Look at verse 20 for where two or three are gathered together
in my name there I am in the midst of them. So what is that referring to you know people
will say that's the church right that's the basic church that's not what it's saying though
it's referring back to when you get the two or three witnesses to try to settle the controversy.
That's what it's referring back to so if this is like hey we're going to get two or three
witnesses and then those two or three witnesses say this is the judgment that needs to take
place and then the guy doesn't hear it then you know God still honors what those two or
three people were saying and Jesus Christ said what there I am in the midst of them.
He's not saying this is the basic church that's not I mean that's completely out of the context
of what is being talked about here. Do you see what I'm saying. Now go to Second Corinthians
Chapter 13. So that's the New Testament famous Matthew Chapter 18 it's just telling you how
to deal with controversies in church with God's people. Now of course you do have you
know First Corinthians Chapter 5 where it tells you to kick people out but same thing
you still have to have witnesses you still have to have evidence of these things happening
before you can just throw people out. OK so even if I suspect something or you know if
I hear a report I still have to do so you can't just say pastor you need to kick so
and so out because I saw them doing this or that like that that isn't necessarily going
to cause me to kick somebody out just because you said something to me because what you
have to have two or three witnesses don't you know. So I would probably inquire about
that and ask that person and if they tell me yes then that's all I need. If they admit
what they've done then I don't need to have that witness anymore because they've admitted
it so but don't go around telling everybody else bring that controversy to the person
that can actually judge the situation and take care of it. Now look at Second Corinthians
Chapter 13 verse number one the Bible says this is the third time I'm coming to you.
This is the Apostle Paul speaking and it says in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall
every word be established. So what's going on here. Paul's just keeping up with tradition.
This is what the Bible says to do. And what's happening here is that they're calling Paul
into question about his apostleship about his works and about whether Christ is really
speaking in him. Like Paul started this church. Paul's the one that initially started everything
here and you got people there apparently just questioning everything about him which is
just really strange isn't it. Because you know how are you going to say is Paul really
speaking for Jesus. It's like Paul got you saved bozo what are you talking about. But
anyway it says I told you before and foretell you as if I were present the second time and
being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned and to all other that if I come
again I will not spare. Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking to me which to you
word is not weak but is mighty in you for though he was crucified through weakness yet
he liveth by the power of God for we also are weak in him but we shall live with him
by the power of God toward you. He's like you know since you know you're saying you
want some proof now he's going to flip the tables on them right here and he says examine
yourselves why don't you examine what's wrong with you first. Whether you be in the faith
are you even saved. Prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves how that Jesus
Christ is in you except you be reprobates. So what's he saying he's like well hey if
you're not saved by now you're reprobates. But I trust that you know that we're not reprobates
now I pray to God that you do know evil not that we should appear approved but that you
should do that which is honest though we be as reprobates. Like they're saying he's saying
that like even though you know you're acting like we are for we can do nothing against
the truth but for the truth. So again Paul is saying hey I'm going to come to you and
you know what every word is going to be established with what two or three witnesses. So here
we have the fourth passage in the Bible that directly covers the two or three witnesses
and in this situation you have people speaking against the apostle and this this this isn't
just a one time thing where people are messing with Paul and saying he wasn't really an apostle
you know because he's one born out of due time he didn't follow Jesus at the time when
he was on the earth he appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus as he was going to round
up more Christians and have them killed. So Paul was just like you know he was trained
and taught by the Lord through special revelation but he was after he saw the risen Christ and
so apparently the test that the apostle said for in Acts chapter one was not exactly 100%
true because Jesus picked Paul didn't he. Jesus is the one that picked Paul they picked
Matthias and you never hear about Matthias again for the rest of the Bible do you but
you hear a lot about Paul and the fact he wrote a lot of the New Testament didn't he.
Now let's go to first Timothy chapter five first Timothy chapter five so Paul is defending
himself and this is kind of a theme in the New Testament where the apostles are getting
accused of things that they're not doing. Big surprise right I mean Jesus Christ was
accused of a lot of things that he did not do that I mean his everywhere he go everywhere
everything he did there was false accusation made against him false things were said about
him and even up to the bitter end they're they're just railing on him you know they're
stalking him they're going every place he goes I mean they're just popping up asking
them all these questions they're sending people to him with all these loaded questions trying
to catch him in his words I mean they're very crafty they would have caught anybody else
with you know they probably would have tripped up other people but you know Jesus was too
smart for them he's God after all and he just knew the right thing to say in every situation
and you know of course he's God so and he's righteous so now look at what it says in first
Timothy chapter five verse 19 it says against an elder received not an accusation but before
what two or three witnesses so what is an elder that's like a pastor okay that's another
word for pastor a pastor bishop elder shepherd whatever you want to call it but it says and
against an elder received not an accusation but before two or three witnesses so if someone
just says something about a pastor to you what are you supposed to do not receive the
accusation isn't that what it says then that sin rebuked before all that others also may
fear now this is an epistle that's written to Timothy by the Apostle Paul and he's saying
hey if some other person comes up to you Timothy and starts accusing another pastor of something
you are not to receive that accusation but before two or three witnesses and these witnesses
you know this is like probably it's not just random people just run up the Paul you know
this is probably some kind of organized deal that happens it's not just random rumors and
tale bearing so it says I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect
angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another doing nothing
by partiality so here's the thing like sometimes you have favorite people you know people you
prefer more than others but when it comes to these types of things you can't have you
can't prefer somebody and then avoid judging correctly in that situation so that's what
he's saying here I charge you before God the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that
you observe these things without preferring one another before one another doing nothing
impart impartially by partiality excuse me so partiality is by is by choosing someone
that you like oh I don't believe that they did that because I like them like that that
cannot be how you operate your mind and judgment just because you don't like someone doesn't
mean that every time you hear something bad about them that they actually did it you know
what I'm saying like even with people that we hate even with you know Barack Obama or
something right even with the worst scum on the face of the planet just because you know
because the Bible talks about not railing even against the devil not to receive a railing
accusation against even the devil himself because you know if it's not true you shouldn't
be saying it and you shouldn't be repeating something and look we live in a time where
people are found guilty based upon social media they're instantly found guilty based
upon somebody posting something on social media or based upon what the news says you
know the news lies you know how do you know the news is lying well the moment they open
up their yap then you know that something a lie is going to come out of their mouth
I mean they are in the bag for the new world order they're in the bag for the established
shadow government that rules over us I mean who do you think has actually been running
our nation do you think is actually Joe Biden with his ice cream cones I mean seriously
do you actually believe that it's like well if he has had all this cognitive slip this
whole time which everybody's known this everybody's known this for years and then they just are
pretending that it's not true and then when he finally gets exposed on national television
because they tried to drug him up as much as they can but he still got you know got
caught in the bait just not knowing what he was talking about and you know then they're
like finally admit okay yeah he is slipping but you've known this the whole time so anyway
I don't want to get all political but I'm just saying that there are people out there
that have an agenda and their agenda is to usher in a new a one world government a one
world religion and you know along the way they want to smash Christianity along with
it I don't know if you've noticed this lately but there is a big dark shift and it's zeroed
in on Christianity and they want to destroy the foundations of Christianity and the Bible
says that the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do and so we are in a big
spiritual battle right now and you know the apostle Paul's like why is why is it why is
he talking about you know out of all these things he's just like saying hey against an
elder don't receive an accusation you know why I think he's saying it because I think
that pastors that are actually doing God's work are the most accused people that I've
ever seen like I never would have believed it I've heard it but before I became a pastor
I knew it was going to happen but I just didn't know I just you just can't prepare
yourself for it and when people just start to just make up completely just make up false
accusations against you all the time at first it does bother you but now it's just like
you know okay you know they're just going to keep doing it right but this is just I
think that this is why Paul's saying it you know you just can't receive accusations against
an elder without two or three witnesses why because they're constantly being accused of
stuff that's why and look people that think that being a pastor is an easy job maybe the
pastor that of the church that you go to maybe it is an easy job if you're just preaching
one sermon a week and like that you're playing scratch golf games for the rest of the week
maybe that is the easy job and that you know like society really thinks that being a pastor
is an easy job in general I guarantee if you put like all the hard jobs in the world
next to each other and then you put like pastor there people would always pick the pastors
the easiest one but they don't they don't take into consideration you know all the you
know if you're actually doing what you're supposed to be doing as a pastor you're going
to get maligned you're going to get accused you're going to have people say all kinds
of evil things about you and you just have to kind of take it on the chin and keep going
you know and if you can't handle that then you should never be a pastor you know and
I remember the first feelings of anxiety that I got over over accusations and it you know
it's it's not the best feeling in the world but you know the more it happens the easier
it gets okay you know the first time you get persecuted as a Christian over something that
feels it feels like an anxiety attack almost right I don't know if anybody's ever had an
anxiety attack but that's what it feels like when you're getting persecuted for something
when you're standing up for something that's right and you know it's just but look Christians
get persecuted so you should understand you know what what it's saying here but of course
nobody should receive an accusation against anybody without two or three witnesses but
it's specifically saying an elder here so I'm an elder and I didn't write the Bible
right so people oh he's just like you know trying to make himself like look no Bible
says this okay I didn't write this but I do believe it is because of all the false
accusations and you know it is a hard job it's not just all it's not just preaching
preachings you know the fun part and the easy part for the most part and there's a lot of
other things that are just a lot more difficult so but yeah I mean I think that being a pastor
is a hard job and it takes a toll on you and it's hard to explain unless you actually
experience it I'm not trying to scare you out of it either like I want people to become
pastors too so but you know and it's not like I that I don't like it I love it it's very
rewarding job it really is and and it's good to see the blessings that come from being
a pastor but it is also sometimes you know a heart it's just it's just hard on you it's
hard on your I don't know it's just hard to explain like I said but you know people
say like oh you know quit whining and crying it's not that hard it's like I'm not whining
and crying I'm just saying that it's not as easy as people think it is turn to Hebrews
10 Hebrews 10 it says in Hebrews 10 26 now in context this is talking about you know
people that would forsake church and I'm not going to read those verses because we know
really well but we're not supposed to forsake the assembly and then it says in Hebrews 10
26 for if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there
remains no more sacrifice for sins but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation which shall devour the adversaries he that despised Moses' law died without mercy
under two or three witnesses so and then it's really interesting all the stuff that it says
underneath this it says of how much more sore punishment suppose ye shall he be thought
worthy who hath trodden under foot the son the son of God and hath counted the blood
of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto
the spirit of grace for we know him that has said vengeance belongeth unto me I will recompense
sayeth the Lord and again the Lord shall judge his people it is a fearful thing to fall into
the hands of the living God so really I mean when it comes down to it what's he saying
well you know I know what you're doing and God doesn't really need two or three witnesses
because he can see everything that we're doing so it really is a fearful thing once you're
falling to the hands of the living God I mean you think it's scary to stand up in front
of a bunch of people and be judged for something but how much more fearful is it to know that
God is going to judge you and he knows everything about you he you're stripped like you can't
you cannot cover what you've done at all it says but call to remembrance the former days
in which after you were illuminated you endured a great fight of afflictions partly whilst
you were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions so what's he talking about
here made a gazing stock well that's when someone is focusing in on you so what is he
talking about people that were focused in on by bad people by reproaches and afflictions
they were made a gazing stock he's talking about the people he's talking to here and
partly whilst he became companions of them that were so used so he's talking about these
people you know joined up with Paul they joined up with leadership and because they
joined up with them they also became partakers and gazing stocks and reproaches and afflictions
because they attached themselves to these men of God and it says whilst he became companions
of them that were so used for he had compassion of me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling
of your goods knowing in yourselves the they have in heaven a better and enduring substance
so what's he saying well why did this happen well because they had compassion on Paul see
and look if you stand with a man of God and that man of God is being this this target
for the devil and for all the enemies and they're just like taking all this you know
taking all this flack and you like that's my pastor that's my guy then you're gonna
deal with the wrath of other people too have you ever noticed that that like you know they're
not just taking pictures of me when I'm walking in they're taking pictures of all you because
you dare to come to this church when that happened that day and so they're not just
gonna be after me even though a lot of the targeting is towards me they're calling me
on the phone they're emailing me and threatening me and all this other stuff and you're not
probably not having to deal with that much of that stuff but you're still getting targeted
to a certain extent I mean at steadfast they're having these freaks are contacting all the
people in their neighborhoods and putting flyers and saying these hate church people
are living in your neighborhoods and putting flyers all around their doors I mean that
I mean you got some time on your hands if you got time to do that that's some true hatred
that's some that is persecution I mean when you first move into a house and then the people
come you know once they know you bought I mean they must be following them they must
be stalking them and why are they doing that because they hate pastor Shelley they hate
steadfast Baptist Church and they therefore hate those people that go there and they want
to accuse us of all kinds of wicked things look at first Corinthians four first Corinthians
four first Corinthians four verse number five it says and these things brethren I have in
a figure transferred to myself and to Apollo's for your sakes that you might learn in us
not to think of men above that which is written we got to keep things in perspective of okay
men are men they're not God but it's good to follow men that are following God right
but he says hey don't don't think of us or don't think of other people that are men of
God to be you know think of them above what that which is written that not that no one
of you be puffed up for one against another for who may get thee to differ from another
and what has thou that thou didst not receive now if thou didst receive it why does thou
glory and if thou hadst not received it now you're full now you're rich you have rained
as kings without us and I would to God you did rain that we also might rain with you
he's talking about you know the people that are there that are serving God that like they're
getting to enjoy their Christian life so to speak and he's talking about as the apostles
they're not really enjoying life very much because they're being targeted it says for
I think that God has set forth us the apostles last as it were appointed to death for we
are made a spectacle unto the world and to angels and to men they're you know they're
seen with the apostles or the leaders that Christ sent out to start you know all these
churches and things and so the world is just focusing on what they're doing and so he's
like I think that we're the last I think that people are treating us like we're the last
we're and we're appointed to death and of course a lot of them did die martyrs deaths
it says we're fools for Christ's sake but you're wise in Christ we're weak but you're
strong you're honorable but we're despised so this is how Paul's you know Paul's feeling
I think he's right you know sometimes people just don't realize what men of God go through
in the ministry it says even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked
and are buffeted and have no certain dwelling place and labor working with our hands being
reviled we bless being persecuted we suffer it being defamed we entreat and look you know
people are defamed defaming pastors all the time pastors that don't deserve to be defamed
what does defamed mean it means damaging the reputation of someone by saying or writing
things about them that are not true the apostle Paul is saying this being defamed we entreat
we are made as the filth of the world and are the off scouring of all things unto this
day what's he saying hey you guys are living you know a great life in Christ but we're
kind of taking some damage here we're treated like garbage we're being persecuted we're
being defamed I mean they people Paul had his own fan club too and it seems like a lot
of pastors that I know have their own fan clubs of demons that follow them around to
demons and evil workers and wicked people and they're constantly just popping up with
new stuff to try to mess around with us right it says in verse 14 I write not these things
to shame you but as my beloved sons I warn you so again I'm not trying to like make it
seem like oh pastors poor pastors poor leaders whatever we signed up for it but it says I
write not these things to shame you but as my beloved sons to warn you why it says for
though you have 10,000 instructors in Christ yet have you not many fathers for in Christ
Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel what's he saying I got you saved you're saved
because I preach the gospel to you and you can have 10,000 people that have taught you
things from the Bible but you only have one person that got you saved and are you going
to treat me like garbage and treat me like the out all scouring of the world and treat
me like a filthy piece of dung when I got you saved are you serious and he says I begotten
you through the gospel wherefore I beseech ye be followers of me Paul's just saying hey
follow me you know I'm still the same guy just because people are defaming me just because
people are saying things that aren't true doesn't mean you still still shouldn't follow
me hey again what is the sermon about two or three witnesses and look people are just
constantly just accusing Christians of all these types of things and pastors and leaders
and look it's never going to stop it's always going to happen and that's why it's terms
like this need to be preached because look we can get gullible and just fall for anything
look there's such deep fakes that they look real and I'm not saying that's happening to
me or anybody I know but I'm just saying the technology is so good now it's hard to tell
whether it really is something like you just know they wouldn't say that like there's a
Trump one where he's saying pastor Shelley is the best pastor in the whole world you
know I know Trump didn't say that so you know what I'm saying it's like so we live in a
world where there's a lot of deception going on and we just have to really have our guard
up and say hey how do we filter information how do we filter what's coming into our eyeballs
into our ears all the time well you know if it's an accusation against an elder don't
receive it unless you have two or three witnesses that are credible and look those witnesses
have to agree you can't it's just not like well two or three witnesses let's chuck rocks
at them no diligent inquisition has to be made and they have and those people have to
agree in their witness so if their witnesses are all over the place and they're not agreeing
then something something's not right something is wrong the bible says the simple believe
every word but the prudent man looketh well to his going so which one are you are you
a simple one are you a simple person that just believes everything that you hear I hope
not because hopefully you've been going to this church long enough where you're able
to filter things the correct way it says but the prudent man looketh well to his going
what does prudent mean well it means marked with wisdom or it means a lot of different
things but marked with wisdom or justice shrewd in management of practical affairs cautious
and discreet so I would say that that last one's a really good one the prudent man looketh
well to his going hey you know you better make sure before you start saying things before
you start typing things on a computer that what you're saying is true because you know
you really look dumb when something ends up not being true so and again the enemy's tactic
is what to turn the world against us what does the devil do he has the world attack
us over things and then what does he do well he turns the government against us he turns
other churches and religions against us and really it's it's what the reproach of Christ
it's the reproach of God's word and you know and then like then if that doesn't work then
we fight each other he's got us fighting each other over over things and then he's got our
own families attacking us you know our families are one of the first things that actually
start attacking us our outside family but look that shouldn't surprise us we were told
from the very beginning you don't get five chapters in the Bible before the Bible starts
saying turn to Matthew chapter 5 before the Bible starts saying that we're going to be
accused of things all the time we're going to be hated we're going to be persecuted people
are going to revile us people are going to persecute us they're going to say false things
about us and so when it happens it shouldn't be a big shocker it just shouldn't be look
at Matthew 5 10 it says blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven blessed are ye when men shall revile you oh everybody
hates you somebody put a comment on YouTube the other day was like even his family hates
him it's like well how do you know maybe they do I don't know but and persecute you and
shall say all manner of evil against you what does it say there falsely for my sake are
people going to lie about us of course they are are people going to hate us yes are people
going to persecute us absolutely it says rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward
in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you look it's happened all
from Abel on Cain killed Abel why because he was righteous that's why turn to Matthew
chapter 10 Matthew chapter 10 and look I mean these are things that are just hard to think
about that will happen the Bible says will happen and have been happening since Christ's
time and even before that even with the prophets but it says in verse 15 behold I send you
forth as sheep in the midst of wolves be therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves but
beware of men for they will deliver you up to the councils and will scourge you in their
synagogues and you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake isn't that
what I just said they beware of men they're going to deliver you to councils you know
the religious people and then the governments and kings and for testimony against them and
the Gentiles but when they deliver you up take no thought of what you shall speak for
it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak for it is not ye that speak
but the spirit of your father which speaketh in you and the brothers shall deliver up the
brother to death I mean to death your own brother I'm talking about your physical brother
and the father the child imagine I mean I can't even imagine saying hey just kill my
you know my my child's you know kill my kid really and the children shall rise up against
their parents and cause them to be put to death I can't even imagine how horrific that
would actually be but look when the Bible says it it's saying it because we should expect
it and ye shall be hated of all men hated of all men for my name's sake but he that
endureth to the end shall be saved but when they persecute you in this city flee you into
another for verily I say unto you shall not have gone over all the cities of Israel to
the son of man become the disciple is not above his master this is something that we
need to understand whatever they did to Jesus they're going to do to us maybe even you know
of course we're not going to go through what Jesus did necessarily but I mean look what
it says nor the servant above his lord we're not better than him we're not above him it
is enough for the disciple that he be as his master and the servant as his lord if they
have called the master of the house Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of his
household we are his household we're his brothers in Christ and sister we're his we're
his you know we're he's our lord he's our master and so what are they gonna do they're
gonna treat us worse that's what it's saying isn't it skip down to verse 34 think not that
I'm come to send peace on the earth nobody called the prince of peace but what's he saying
don't think that I've not come to send peace upon the earth I came not I came to not to
send peace but a sword for I am come to set a man at variance against his father and the
daughter against her mother and the daughter in law against her mother in law and a man's
foe shall be they of his own household this is your immediate household he that loveth
father or mother more than me is not worthy of me when you're faced in this situation
what do you have to choose you have to choose the lord and he that loveth son or daughter
more than me is not worthy of me who do you have to choose you have to choose the lord if your
mother betrays you know but you know if your mother hates God and you have to make that choice
you gotta choose God if your children hate God and and don't want to choose you know to be with
you you got to choose God you can't say well I'm just gonna get out of the Christian life
because I won't have a relationship with my kids that's that's retarded what are you talking about
we're supposed to love God above all things he that findeth his life shall lose it and he
that loses the life for my sake shall find it look I mean it sounds horrific to have to you
know not have you know relationship with these close types of family members but you know
sometimes you know things like this happen and Jesus said it's gonna happen so it's something
that you know we don't want to have to face or or think will happen but look you can't make people
do things you can't make people love God you can't make people get saved in the end everybody has
their own choice to make so and like I just want to show you a couple more things real quick and
we'll get out of here but think about Naboth so there are people that will forgo you know that
they'll use they use the two three witness system to get around and they what do they do they got
children of Belial to to to take away Naboth's vineyard and give it to Ahab Jezebel did this
right and they stoned him with stones that he died so there's one account where he because like some
people say well like two or three witnesses it's a done deal that's it it's like no it's not because
they were lying weren't they so still the diligent witness has to happen but think about Jesus let's
go to Matthew chapter 26 and they'll be the last place I have you turn Matthew chapter 26 and while
you're turning there I'm just gonna read Psalm chapter 27 this is a prophetic Psalm from Jesus
he said deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies for false witnesses are risen up against
me and such as breathe out cruelty Christ had false witnesses testify against him and Psalm
chapter 35 verse 11 says he says false witnesses did rise up they laid to my charge things that I
knew not they rewarded me evil for good wasn't Christ good to all the people he came to what he
came to save people's lives not to destroy them and it says to the spoiling of my soul men that
he did right towards he probably fed there were probably some of the five thousand that he fed
the three thousand people he helped and ministered to and they rewarded him by what look at Matthew
chapter 26 verse 59 now the chief priests and the elders and all the council sought false witness
against Jesus to put him to death but found none yea though many false witnesses came yet they
found they none so what happened all these people are coming forth to bear false witness against
them it said many false witnesses came yet they found none so they weren't real witnesses were
they at the last came to false witnesses so that's what they needed right and said this fellow said
I am I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days did he say that destroy
this temple and I'll build it in three days that's what he said right but what's the context
he's talking about the temple of his body if they kill him then he's gonna rise again right says and
the high priest arose and said unto him answer astound nothing what is it which these witness
against thee but what to say there but Jesus held his peace what does that mean he didn't open his
mouth he didn't say anything he didn't defend himself and sometimes the best thing you can do
when people are accusing you of stuff that isn't true is just don't even acknowledge it just don't
say anything and that's what Jesus did like what's the point because look the more you answer people
like this these reprobate type people they're just gonna have another accusation to hurl at
you right after that they're never gonna stop nothing's ever gonna suffice them no answer is
ever gonna be good enough it's just gonna be one more accusation to throw at you right after that
so the best thing to do is to starve them out and don't don't answer them that's what Jesus did but
Jesus held his peace and the high priest answered and said unto him I jur thee by the living God
that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ the Son of God now this he did answer Jesus sayeth
unto him thou has said nevertheless I say unto you hereafter shall you see the Son of Man sitting
on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven so he did after he I don't know
if he had to answer but he did answer and told them he's the Son of God right he's the Son of
Man and he told him he was gonna come with the clouds then the high priest rent his clothes
saying he has spoken blasphemy which is not true what further need have we have witnesses and
here's the thing when people want to accuse you of things and and lie about you and bring false
witnesses like they did what what they really don't care if they have witnesses or not because
they're just gonna bring another false accusation against you behold now you have heard his blasphemy
what think ye they answered and said he is guilty of death and this is exactly how they're gonna
deal with us it doesn't matter what we say you might as well just say the truth and let the
chips fall where they may because there is gonna come a time when things get really ugly in this
world we just have to be ready for it you have to understand that people are gonna do this they're
already doing it and you know but but you know I want to give you a silver lining that say you're
in a situation where you have to answer and you know that you know your answer is gonna get you
killed the silver lining is that you get a better resurrection you know I mean that is a silver
lining you might go through some horrific times at that point but you're still going to heaven
with better rewards than you were gonna go with so I mean to me yeah it doesn't sound like fun I
get that but you know and really the main point I want to I want to point out is look two or three
witnesses are required that's what the Bible teaches and we ought to make sure that we filter
everything through that lens that's how we receive information that's how we put forth information
and we shouldn't just be talking about things willy-nilly that are first of all none of our
business and second of all you know just thinking that accusations are true when you don't really
know if they are or not for other people especially like a pastor but then you know just even amongst
yourselves you know in our congregation look it's hurtful to people when when they find out they
even talk about about him behind their back like that's just not what God wants us doing and
behaving like so look we should we should have love for everybody in this church you know there
might be somebody you don't get along with that good but you know you can still be decent to them
you know just don't think that's right so the Bible is very clear though you know in matters
of evidence for crimes wickedness wrongdoing sin you know establishing disputes between believers
accusations against other believers especially again the elder that we are not to just believe
things without having actual evidence in two or three witnesses period something someone just
saying something and you believing it without having proof is wrong if you have an issue arise
then you know if it's something that needs to be reported to you know the pastor it's a serious
issue if you saw so-and-so smoking behind the building or something don't please don't come
with that to me all right so that's not a kick-out type situation so anyway I don't think I need to
explain it to you but and then you know when you begin to believe facts or things as facts without
evidence then you're just being foolish and you ought to stop yourself before things begin to flow
out of your lips and out of your fingers without merit so you know sorry if we're going so long
tonight but I just want to make sure that we got that in there let's pray Lord we thank you so much
for the Bible and the clear teachings Lord and Lord I pray that you just help us to have discernment
when it comes to you know just receiving accusations and and Lord just how do we deal
with each other as Christians how we deal when it comes to matters of dispute matters of criminality
and just the two or three witnesses are required and Lord I pray that you just help us to just like
retain this in our knowledge and when we you know hear something that we would just make sure that
we're cautious in the way that we receive that information and the way that we distribute that
information with discernment so pray that you just bless our church tonight as we go home in Jesus
name we pray Amen
you