06.15.25 Discipline & the Disciple

Series: Church Discipline

Opening Slide: "And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?'" (Luke 9.23-25)

In this short but powerful statement, Jesus gives us the way by which we become disciples, or those who subject themselves to the instruction, training, correction, & even punishment of their master. The stakes couldn’t be higher: Any other path or discipleship results in utter loss, while faithful submission to the training, correction, & punishment of Jesus

In short, to become a disciple of Jesus, one had to subject themselves to His discipline.

*Impact Slide*

The topic of discipline is one that is often twisted, misapplied, or at least neglected in many congregations. Yet, Christians who spend their time in the scriptures see that proper discipline is essential in every area of life, whether it is the home and family, in our interactions with society and government, or the church.

***Title Slide***

Church discipline (or probably a better term for it: Christian discipline), if taught in accordance with the New Testament, is not difficult to understand, but individuals and congregations have found it "difficult" to apply, which has influenced many Christians to be inconsistent and/or totally negligent in their application of it.

Given how emotionally charged this topic can be for Christians based on maybe our own experiences, or the experiences of those we know, I feel I should give a bit of a disclaimer at this point.

I’m not speaking on discipline because I have an axe to grind with one of you. No one should ever step behind the pulpit to “weaponize” the scriptures and attack their brothers or sisters in Christ. If the concept of discipline has been used in this manner in the past, that is condemned before God and I am truly sorry about that.

On the other hand, I am charged with bringing you the “oracles of God” (1 Peter 4.11), and how discipline is to work in our lives as Christians and collectively as a local body of Christ is an essential part of those oracles. To neglect it or ignore it is to ignore God’s word, which is not acceptable.

In this series of sermons, Lord willing, we will be examining the Bible’s teaching on discipline.

This morning, we’ll examine the concept of discipline within the Lord’s church, starting first with the proper, Biblical relationship between discipline and the disciple of Christ.

Next Sunday night we’ll take a closer look at church discipline and the process of correcting an erring brother or sister in Christ, as well as why we must be willing to do so.

Next, we will examine the New Testament’s instructions on how Christians are to deal with an erring brother/sister who is unwilling to turn from their sinful ways. (Withdrawal)

Finally, all of this leads up to July 13th, when I would like to treat the sermon as a bit of a Q&A session. As we study this serious topic, I am sure that questions will arise (or, there’s been questions brewing in the background for years) and I ask that you to share those questions with me prior to that sermon.

The way these sermons are scheduled, you will have two weeks between the 3rdsermon on Admonition and Withdrawal to compose and submit your questions. Two things on that:

1. If you have questions before then, feel free to give/text those to me, just please give me enough notice: If you send me something on June 12th, I’m not going to be able to give it the due diligence, so earlier is better.

2. IF you come up to me and just ask me verbally, 99% chance I will forget the question entirely before July 13th, so please give me something I can read, it vastly increases the chances of retention. A note, text, something like that. Responses will remain anonymous.

What “Discipline” Actually Means

Discipline is defined as "training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental faculties or moral character" (Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary).

The root meaning of 'discipline' is 'instruction,' but in course of time it came to be used for 'moral training,' 'chastening,' 'punishment.'

Typically, we think of discipline in two categories: that which is applied positively or constructively (as in training) vs. that which is punitive in nature (as in punishment)

Baker's Dictionary of Theology adds that, "Discipline implies instruction and correction, the training which improves, molds, strengthens, and perfects character. It is the moral education obtained by the enforcement of obedience through supervision and control."

A disciple, then, is defined as "the pupil of someone, in contrast to the master or teacher ...In all cases it implies that the person not only accepts the views of the teacher, but that he is also in practice an adherent...

The Dictionary of the Apostolic Church says, "'Disciple' means more than one who listens to a teacher; it implies his acceptance of the teaching, and his effort to act in accordance with it; it implies being a 'believer' in the teacher and being ready to be an 'imitator' of him."

The main words in the N.T. for “discipline” are [paideia] and [paideuo], meaning roughly “discipline, educate, train, teach, or correction/punishment”.

Both words come from the root word [pais] which is slave/servant/child.

In short, the sorts of things a child must experience in order to know how to properly navigate the world around them!

As children of God, as servants of one another, and as slaves of righteousness, it shouldn’t surprise us that “discipline” is a huge part of our lives as Christians!

A description of the suffering or persecution God allows to come upon His children because of their faith, not their wrong-doing (Heb. 12:5-11), which is designed to strengthen, refine and purify (1 Pet. 1:6-7).

Look with me at Heb. 12.5-11

Several things are plain about discipline of suffering in this text.

First, it is administered by God in love, for the betterment of His people. If God didn’t put us through trials and test the mettle of our faith, it would be a sign of an illegitimate claim to be in relationship with Him!

Second, such trials are painful, yet they produce pleasant results. Weight-training is painful, cardio-vascular conditioning is painful, in a sense all exercise is painful (either that day, or over the next two days), but the results are enjoyable: Greater strength, stamina, etc.

God’s discipline, though painful initially, produces pleasant results. Remember that!

Finally, the Heb. writer notes that God’s discipline is not subject to the shortfalls of our parents’ judgment. They disciplined us “as it seemed best to them”, but God disciplines us “for our good”.

When God instructs or orders that discipline be done, we needn’t judge the goodness or rightness of it by it’s painfulness. God disciplines us “for our good”. Remember that!

If we are unwilling to submit to God’s discipline in any sense, whether it be disciplining ourselves or one another as brethren, we are ultimately rejecting that which God declares as good for us and in our best interest. Bear that thought in mind as we move through this study: Discipline, in all its aspects, is for our good!

Similarly, Peter notes in 1 Peter 1.6-7 that these “various trials” (which God permits us to undergo) tests the genuineness of our faith. If these disciplinary stresses reveal cracks or entire voids in our faith, guess what we get to do? Fill them! Repair them! Replace what is weak with what is strong!

Discipline also refers to the teaching, training or general education of an individual

Acts 7:22: Stephen speaks of Moses being instructed in the wisdom of Egypt

Acts 22:3: Paul speaks of being educated at the feet of Gamaliel

Eph. 6:4: Fathers are expected to bring up their children in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord”

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

Titus 2:11-14

Now, that doesn’t sound like a life lived willy-nilly, does it?

Furthermore, note v.15: We’re not only to discipline ourselves, but others! (more on this in a bit)

Finally, discipline refers to correction or punishment of a person/group because of disobedience.

Luke 23:16,22: Pilate here speaks twice of punishing and releasing Jesus: “I will therefore punish and release Him”

Now, obviously Jesus’ “disobedience” was merely supposed by Pilate, but what was the point of the scourging? For one, it was to convince Jesus that whatever He did which led to that point (i.e. claiming to be a king and the Messiah) He should not do again!

1 Tim. 1:19-20: Hymenaeus and Alexander were delivered to Satan by Paul: “that they may learn not to blaspheme”

Paul’s deliverance of these two men to Satan wasn’t a spiritual death sentence. Their exclusion from the brethren due to shipwrecking their faith was designed to show them the folly of their decision to abandon Christ!

2 Tim. 2:24-26: Paul here tells Timothy to correct his opponents with gentleness.

What is the point of this painful correction? “....that they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”

Rev. 3:14-19: part of Jesus’ message of warning to the church in Laodicea

What was this church in need of? Discipline! Correction! Instruction! Training!

Why? Their souls were in danger of being lost to Hell for all eternity.

Discipline in the Scheme of God

God has always sought to educate, train, teach, and correct His people.

This emphasis on Discipline is not merely a N.T. development: God has always sought to bring His people closer to the path they should walk!

Deut. 8.5: “Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you.”

Job 5.17: “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.”

Ps. 94.12-13: Note that while we usually assign negative connotations to discipline, notice that the Psalmist calls this man “Blessed”, and does so in order to “give him rest from days of trouble”!

Furthermore, no one can be a true disciple of Christ who is not willing to exercise self-discipline.

We began this morning by reading Luke 9:23-26 which is the parallel passage to Matthew 16:24-26 where disciples are told to "deny self" and submit to the will of God by following the teachings of Christ.

The follower of Jesus must discipline himself to walk the "narrow" and “hard” way that leads to life (Matt. 7:13-14).

We know that self-control is to be added to one's faith (2 Pet. 1:5-7)

Self-control is also part of the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:22-24), an essential aspect of the person who has “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires”

The apostle Paul not only spoke of self-discipline but exercised it himself (1 Corinthians 9.24-27)

God’s word provides the standard to which we must conform as disciples.

1 Tim. 3.14-15: Paul’s words to Timothy, inspired by the Holy Spirit, were sent so that Timothy would “know how one ought to behave in the household of God”

Parents: You ever have to lay out for your children what it means to behave? I’ve caught myself saying that: “Hey, behave yourself.”

Well, unless I’ve communicated to them (repeatedly) what sort of behavior I expect of them, that command is meaningless, isn’t it?

In God’s word, we are given the “how” to the “what” of behave, the instruction, the disciplines of God!

If we are to know how to exercise discipline, whether of ourselves or toward one another, there is only ONE authoritative source of information on the subject.

REMEMBER THAT, especially when we get to the aspects of discipline which have provoked this entire series of lessons. If we abandon God’s word on this subject, we have no hope of getting it right!

Proper discipline among brethren is also essential to God’s plan for the church.

The discipline among brethren within the congregation is to include action that is first positive, directive and preventive.

Hebrews 10:24–25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hebrews 3:12–13 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”

If necessary, discipline must be corrective when a brother or sister has fallen into sin (Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:14).

Finally, radical or intensive corrective discipline must be exercised upon the impenitent brother or sister who continues in sin, when fellowship must be withdrawn (acc. to 1 Tim. 1:20; 1 Cor. 5:1-13, etc.)

We will talk more in detail, Lord willing, about this sort of inter-Christian discipline in the next few sermons.

The Benefits of Discipline to the Disciple

I hope that already you’ve been able to see the great necessity for discipline in the lives of Christians, but these last couple of passages puts the icing on the cake, so to speak.

Spiritual discipline prevents condemnation alongside the world

1 Corinthians 11:32 “But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.”

The yielding of the peaceable fruit of righteousness

Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

The knowledge that one loves and is loved by God (John 14.23), by their brethren (1 Pet. 1.22), and even by themselves (Eph. 5.28-29)

John 14:23 “Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

1 Peter 1:22 “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,”

Ephesians 5:28–29 “In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,”

Conclusion: Simply put, the disciple of Jesus is to be molded by His teachings and then use them to discipline themselves and their brethren.

My final question for you today is this: Are you a disciple of Jesus?

We defined “disciple” earlier as being “...more than one who listens to a teacher; it implies his acceptance of the teaching, and his effort to act in accordance with it; it implies being a 'believer' in the teacher and being ready to be an 'imitator' of him."

You have probably heard much about Jesus, but not everyone who heard Him was a disciple.

Disciples believe Jesus to be the Son of God. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

Disciples know that Jesus did no wrong, He did not sin. You and I have, but a disciple turns from their sin, because it is something Jesus would not do. Are you willing to repent of your sins?

Disciples like Peter expressed to God and to others that Jesus is the Son of God. Are you willing to confess Him aloud to be the son of God?

Disciples are baptized because Jesus was baptized. Jesus’ first disciples baptized those who would follow Jesus, and Jesus instructed them to baptize all who believed in Him for their salvation. Are you willing to be baptized today?