God's Discipline Sept 22nd

Story- YMCA different kids, different families.

Ex- Sleepy kids(video games) vs healthy kids

Point- We(Christians) are Gods children

1 John 3:1–2 (NIV)

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Transition- Some kids can do whatever they want, we need to go to school(Charles Spurgeon)

Proverbs 3:11–13 “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,”

Vs 11- Q- Three questions we will seek to answer

1. What is Discipline?

2. What is the purpose? Why does God use it?

3. How should we respond to it

Question- What is discipline?

Discipline- Correction, discipline; training and education of children.

This is correction that might hurt(that’s the punishment)

Punishment/To Condemn- To express strong disapproval, to inflict a penalty for our sin, Guilt.

Reminder- We have peace with God.

-We may feel the consequences for our sin, but God is not angry with us, he also doesn’t ignore my sin(discipline)

-Summary- Discipline is loving correction.

Hebrews Chapter 12

Vs 7- Endure, because God is treating as his sons/Daughters

Example earthly fathers

Vs 8- God’s discipline only happens to his kids(reassurance)

-Good fathers discipline their children, God is the perfect father.

Vs 9- You respect good fathers(imperfect) God is perfect.

Story- Walmart spoiled kid,

-You respect good parents, why be suprised if the perfect parent disciplines?

Vs 10- Purpose of Discipline?

-For our Good(Repentance/change direction)

Trials in our lives grow our faith!

Romans 5:1–4 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Takeaways-

God prepares you to minister to others(hardship to help others in hardship)

Transition- Think about the parable Jesus uses of the Vinedresser in

John 15:1–2 ““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

Point- He is cutting off the parts of your life that do no bear the fruit of the spirit.

Vs 11- It is painful(spanking) but its purpose is to create fruit of Righteousness

Q- How should we respond to this?

Discipline is hard.

1. Response is to take it too lightly

Vs 5- Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord

Miserable Christian’s

2. To be discouraged(vs 5) or weary.

Vs 12-13- Dont be like a weary runner, endure.

“get your second wind”

-MacArthur

Final- He walks with us lovingly(not distant discipline)

Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.””

If God is for us who is against us.

Final point- He disciplines us for our good.

1 Peter 1:14 “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”