Accountability and Church Discipline

Accountability

Galatians 6:1 KJV 1900

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

We live in a world where everyone is offended someone pointing out something in their life that they shouldn’t be doing.

But lets think is it better if someone has a: zit on the front of their nose.

if you realize that you have a stain on the back of your pants would you want your friend to tell you

Imagine a parent that never corrects their children. That child is, in time, going to be very unliked by people in his life.

Why? Because no one held him accountable.

A good parent corrects a child whom he loves.

Hebrews 12:6 KJV 1900

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

We shouldn’t make a public shame of these things in the lives of our friends, but if we go to them to help them know that something is wrong we are being a good friend.

This is what the church is. Not just a place you show up and get talked to but rather a place that you come to and become part of a family of friends.

now go back to

Galatians 6:1 KJV 1900

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

The word overtaken also shows that they are currently in that sin.

This shows that they are not wanting to repent. This is what causes us to take action in this verse.

Ye who are spiritual. Who is spiritual?

Galatians 5:16 KJV 1900

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Notice it does not say the fruits of the spirit. It says a single fruit. All of these attributes are the descriptions of this singular fruit of spirituality.

It is the churches responsibility to help bring people out of sin. Not in their own power but in the power of Christ.

If the person refuses to turn from the sin. There may be a necessity to use church discipline.

Matthew 18:15–20 KJV 1900

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 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. 17 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 an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

privately

with witnesses

before the church

church excommunication

How many times do you think Jesus referenced the church?

Twice.

He said on this rock I will build my church and this is the second only other time Jesus mentions the church.

If Jesus loves the church so much why is he dealing so harshly with its members?

If he did there would be poison in the body.

there is poison in the sick person they need help and not to just continue