The Art of Discipline

Hebrews 12:3-12

CAPTURE

Myself, Mason, Brayden

Ineligibility looming

“Friday school” detention

It was the horrible discipline that came from Friday school that often saved Mason and Brayden from ineligibility. And me from being creamed.

Who got spanked growing up?

Who still gets spanked?

Discipline - painful consequences or other disadvantages that are part of a journey of improving one’s character or actions

Discipline that comes from foolishness. Correction. Lance’s big mistake.

Christening discipline… does not come from sin or a mistake, but comes to make you more like Jesus. Grows and matures you. Cancer diagnosis.

CONNECT

Read Hebrews 12:3-12

Hebrews 12:3–12 CSB

For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives. Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline—which all receive—then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees,

Verses 3 & 4

Consider Jesus. If you will, you’ll be encouraged, not discouraged.

What tough things did Jesus endure during His life?

Jesus was perfect- yet he endured punishment and fiery trials.

How much will you, being an imperfect person, endure trial and discipline to perfect and mature you?

Verses 5 & 6

Now this is tough to understand.

“You’re my son- I love you. Now GO GET THAT WOODEN SPOON BOY”

The Lord disciplines the one He loves.

Why? He cares about who you are becoming more than what you receive in this life.

He wants to see you mature to be strong and mature. Not spoiled.

Verses 7 & 8

He deals with you as sons and daughters

Chandler: I’d be walking down the street in my hometown, give someone some lip, and my dad would start whoopin’ on me. Some random guy at the gas station I didn’t even know would join in.

Correction was out of love. There was hope for him. There is hope for us.

We aren’t disciplined to pay for our sins and wrongdoings. Jesus covered that. But because we are free and a new creation, God wants to grow us into that new creation. He wants us to mature into Christlikeness.

Child who is not disciplined

San Francisco child crying and throwing a fit at restaurant

“Thank you for expressing your feelings”

The Bible is saying that you are an illegitimate child if you are without discipline.

Adonijah, David’s son

Tried to overthrow dad

1 Kings 1:6 CSB

But his father had never once infuriated him by asking, “Why did you do that?” In addition, he was quite handsome and was born after Absalom.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory- WANNA BE A GLOOP?

Now, I’m not telling you to say “Thank you, father. I really needed my phone to be taken away for three weeks” …

… But you should submit yourself to discipline and correction. It is for your good. It is because your mother and father want to protection you from you and others from you.

Our Heavenly Father is no different. Actually, He is infinitely better.

Verses 9 & 10

Earthly fathers can’t discipline perfectly

Adrian Peterson

Gettin’ angry at the wrong things

Maybe they overlooked something they shouldn’t have

BUT GOD can discipline perfectly

Verses 11 & 12

Take Tom Brady. Brady is not an illegitimate football player who just so happened to become the most decorated professional football player ever.

His method of disciplining and training himself, the TB12 Method, is followed by many athletes now

Diet - organic, whole foods, avoids processed foods, caffeine, doesn’t combine certain foods, drinks half of body weight in water per day, doesn’t eat three hours before going to bed.

Workout routine. Throwing routine. Brain exercises. Taking care of body (cryotherapy).

“You have to hurt your body in order to not hurt your body. In training, you feel some pain and discomfort to be built up.” Kwon

The prize is the motivation.

there is power in the PRIZE

Imperishable prize

Philippians 3:8 CSB

More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ

The drive to pursue the goal. The VISION of JOY.

CONSIDER

What does this mean for us?

How do you regard discipline from your parents? How about from teachers? How about from coaches?

How do you regard discipline from God, the Heavenly Father?

Do you have your eyes set on the prize? Do you have the right driving force for discipline?

COLLIDE

Whatever it is in your life- submit to God and His discipline. He is treating you like a son or like a daughter.

What do you need to correct in your life?

Pursue peace with everyone. Conflict and fighting can be discipline.

Don’t be bitter. Practicing forgiveness towards others ushers in the art of discipline.

Disrespect for others. Irreverence for God.

Sexual immorality.

CALL

Take the next few moments to pray.

We’ll break into small groups soon.