Why Do We Withdraw From Unfaithful Members?

Introduction:

When A Member of The Church Becomes Unfaithful The Church Withdraws From That Member

We do not withdraw the first moment he sins.

Only withdraw after it is evident that he is not repenting.

Make several attempts to talk with the person.

Communicate to person that we will withdraw fellowship (usually by letter) within a week or two.

Statement made before the congregation.

Other members do not socialize with that person.

Common Questions / Charges That Are Raised

Kicked them out of the church.

How could you mistreat people this way?

Shouldn’t you show love and concern?

Tell them can’t come to church / attend?

This is mean and hateful.

Two Main Passages That Discuss Withdrawing

1 Cor. 5

The Situation: (vv. 1-2)

Fornicator – Not repenting

The church had done little

The Instruction: (vv. 3-13)

Put him away (vv. 3-4)

Purpose (vv. 5-8)

Keep no company (vv. 9-13)

The Conclusion:

Ignoring unfaithful – wrong

Withdrawing is an effort to save

It works (2 Cor. 2)

2 Thess. 3

The Situation: (vv. 7-13)

Doc that 2nd Coming imminent

Some not working (vv. 7-12)

Some busybodies (vv. 11-12)

The Instruction: (vv. 6, 14-15)

Withdraw from disorderly (v. 6)

Note that person (v. 14)

Don’t company with (v. 14)

Not an enemy – thus admonish (v.15)

The Conclusion:

Command to withdraw

To bring them to shame – repent

This is not being an enemy

1. Because the Authority of Christ Says to

Christ has all authority (Matt. 28:18-19)

Must abide by the authority of Christ (Col. 3:17)

Christ commands withdrawing.

1 Cor 5:4-5 “When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

2 Thess 3:6 “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.”

2. To Bring the Unfaithful to Repentance

Goal should always be to restore the erring

Jas. 5:19-20 “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

Gal. 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”

Should show love & concern (1 Cor. 5:2)

Withdrawing is designed to produce repentance

1 Cor 5:5 “you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

2 Thess 3:14-15 “If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”

It Works! (2 Cor. 2)

How it Works:

Brings him to shame (2 Thess. 3:15).

Causes him to think about his sin.

Continually admonished.

3. To Keep the Church Pure

God wants the church to be pure (Eph. 5:26)

If sin is not corrected – corrupts the whole church

1 Cor 5:6-8 “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Withdrawing takes away the unfaithful

1 Cor 5:7, 13 “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”

“God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

It causes others to fear (cf. Acts 5:11)