Church Discipline #2

Church Discipline #2

Intro.

A. Review: God has always disciplined His people (Heb. 12:5-11).

B.What is it? Delivering to Satan (1 Cor. 5:5), withdrawing (2 Thess. 3:6), refusing (Tit. 3:10), let him be as a heathen (Gentile) and tax-collector (Mt. 18:17)

C. This lesson - what are the purposes of church discipline?

Body:

A. The motive is to obey God

1. It is not to get revenge, “kick someone out of the church,” or to hurt someone - just as God’s discipline is not for those purposes.

2. We were baptized to please God - for the right action and purpose (Acts 2:38; 19:1-7).

3. We sing to please God - the right action and purpose (Col. 3:16)

 4. Discipline is clearly commanded of God (2 Cor. 2:9).

B. To save the one who is walking disorderly

1. It is the last resort - after other efforts have failed - because we love his soul.

2. For the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved (1 Cor. 5:5).

3. “Do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed” (2 Thess. 3:14).

a. This company is social company - such as picnics, meals, showers,  recreation, etc.

b. Families have responsibilities to family members - but be considerate of those who are not family members. Do not invite them “so the can have company with Christians” -

that’s what God forbad.

4. It is a means of turning back the one who has wandered away (Jas. 5:19,20).

5. To refuse to do this is to: disobey God and condone the one walking disorderly.

C. To maintain the purity of the church.

1. It is like leaven in the church (1 Cor. 5:7,8).

2. The church is to be pure - which necessitates purifying (Eph. 5:27; Rev. 2:20).

3. A church that does not deal with rebellion to God will lose respect of other members (1 Tim. 5:20 “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear”) and of the community (Acts 5:1-14). Even those who do not respect Christ, know that churches should not fellowship people who do not respect Him.

4. It also invites problems - when disagreements arise. (Louisville, Ky. Taylor Blvd. - the institutional group brought in unfaithful members to side with them - to out-vote the conservative brethren.)

5. What about those who have not come for years? No purpose in withdrawing - but should be known that they are not considered members. Some of them will tell others they are members of the church - although they never attend. They need to be informed, if possible, that we do not consider them members.

D. Effectiveness:

1. Some say “it will drive them further away” - therefore should not do it. Even if that happens - two of the purposes have been fulfilled (1) we obeyed God (2) church is clean.

2. Begins with the right attitude of the faithful:

a. Genuine love for the souls of men and the word of God.

b. Especially in the attitude of those closest to the offender. If one member coddles the unfaithful - he will think that member is right and all others are wrong. (In the home, sometimes a coddling parent will not discipline child because “will make him hate me” - the truth is that the child will disrespect that parent and use him/her against the other - to get his way.)

c. It is the action of the whole church - not the elders or just the men (1 Cor. 5:4,5; 2 Cor.

2:6 ).

Concl.

Proper administration of church discipline requires - faith in God’s plan, love for souls, willingness to sacrifice our personal feelings, patience but determination to follow God’s word.