Chapter 6: Is Church Discipline Really Loving?

…Is love — 1 John 4:16 “And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.”

…Disciplines — Hebrews 12:5–6 “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.”

[[Proverbs 3.11-12]]

DISCIPLINE’S VALUE…

Proverbs 15:31–33 “One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise. Anyone who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever listens to correction acquires good sense. The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches, and humility comes before honor.”

SO…CHURCH DISCIPLINE?

YES…in line with our call to follow God, we are called to accountability to one another…for encouragement, and for correction under the authority of Scripture:

2 Timothy 3:14–16 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,”

The reason for discipline:

RC p. 88 — “Church discipline at this last stage is the flip side of church membership. …undermine the credibility of your profession.”

AND IT OFTEN WILL LOOK LIKE THIS…

Matthew 18:15–17 ““If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he won’t listen, take one or two others with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. If he doesn’t pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you.”

Limited to as few as necessary.

Following a deliberate process.

Caveat = 1 Corinthians 5.1-6. [Sometimes the process may need to be more truncated, shorter. An example that comes to mind would involves someone being arrested for (or demonstrably evident [credibly accused]) unlawful, illegal, immoral activity]

1 Corinthians 5:1 “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and the kind of sexual immorality that is not even tolerated among the Gentiles—a man is sleeping with his father’s wife.”

[Always desiring a positive, biblically faithful response.]

To reach back and tie God’s love and our lives as a church family together… RC p. 95 — “If God is love, we love people by sharing…because their only hope of life and love is to recognize that they are cutting themselves off from God.”

AND…DISCIPLINE’S PURPOSE

ULTIMATELY THE PURPOSE OF DISCIPLINE IS TWO-FOLD—UPHOLDING BIBLICAL FAITHFULNESS & REGAINING A WAYWARD BROTHER OR SISTER.

An example of discipline shows us God-honoring purposes at work in a church’s life: [RC p. 93; 1 Corinthians 5.1-6]

Discipline exposes sin — 1 Corinthians 5:2 “And you are arrogant! Shouldn’t you be filled with grief and remove from your congregation the one who did this?”

Discipline warns of a greater judgment to come — 1 Corinthians 5:5 “hand that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

Discipline rescues — 1 Corinthians 5:5 “hand that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” [protecting from self-deception]

Discipline protects other church members — 1 Corinthians 5:6 “Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough?” [The sin could spread to infect others within the church…with a desire to do the same, excuse similar; and then there’s the problem of the victims of so many sins!]

Discipline preserves the church’s witness (when it could be tempted to follow in the ways of the world…or even worse…instead) — 1 Corinthians 5:1 “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and the kind of sexual immorality that is not even tolerated among the Gentiles—a man is sleeping with his father’s wife.” [Not saying this sin didn’t happen in the world, it did. It was also against the law, etc.]

CONCL—

“What does this mean for you?” [RC pp.97-99]

Seeking God’s best, his plan (standards, calling), for our brothers and sisters. (Matthew 18.15)

Restoration occuring when there is repentance.

Repentance does NOT always remove all the consequences of sin…(obvious = physical injuries from sinful actions;…) but should restore fellowship.

Protection from self-deception. (As we’ve already mentioned)

Protection for the vulnerable. [RC p. 98 — “Yet beyond protecting people from self-deception, church discipline also protects the vulnerable from those who would prey on them.”]

Encouragement to be building relationships with others within the church. [Invite people to know you. Invite critical feedback.]

Our relationships. Our discipline…IS OUR JOB. [Not just mine. Not just the deacons’. Not just…]

Ephesians 4:15–16 “But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.”

INVITATION

Salvation

Repentance

Renewal

Matthew 18:15 CSB

“If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.

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