Admonition: What & How

Part 2 of 4: Christian Discipline

Introduction: ”church discipline” slide When the phrase “church discipline” is used, this is the concept that jumps into the minds of many people, it’s the “I got kicked out of the church” idea, or I’m being “shunned” (as the Amish still practice to this day), or like in 1538 when Henry VIII was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic church (I know that was fresh on your minds today, right, a real “Hot-button” issue)

But even among brethren, when we hear the phrase “church discipline”, don’t our minds tend to jump to the end of that process? We tend to think of the final step, which, according to scripture, is the withdrawal of Christians from an individual who is persisting in walking disorderly and has abandoned the faith.

Hands Over Bible Slide: When scripture is examined in totality, however, withdrawing from unfaithful Christians is actually the last resort effort prescribed in a restoration process, which is itself an essential part of discipleship.

As we studied last Sunday, discipline refers to training in all forms.  It includes not only punishment but also progressive teaching, nurturing, encouragement, warning, and rebuke. Our emphasis last week was on the larger role of discipline in the lives of Christians. It’s the starting place for one seeking to be a disciple of Christ.

Title Slide: Being a disciple of Christ means we are required not only to discipline ourselves, but we are also called repeatedly to discipline our fellow Christians around us. Because we live in a world of sin and temptation, we Christians are in desperate need of our fellow Christians to help one another stay on the narrow path, to encourage and admonish one another on our way home to God.

Today we continue our discussion of “Christian Discipline” and the concept of “Admonition”, and I’d like to do so by considering three questions:

What does it mean to admonish my brother/sister in Christ?

Which Christians should engage in admonition?

How should admonition be done?

What does it mean to “admonish” my brother/sister in Christ?

“Admonish”

The verb “Admonish” is translated from the Greek verb [noutheteo] a compound word [nous “noose”] = “mind”, and [tithemi “tee-thee-mi”]= “to put, place, or lay”.

Literally, to “admonish” means “to put/lay on the mind”, and you’ve probably heard of someone saying that a subject was “on their mind”, “top of mind”, or was “on their radar”? It means they are aware of it, they’re thinking about it, & they’re preparing to act on it.

When we admonish, we are recognizing a spiritual need or danger, and then placing that thought, or that issue, or that problem, or that danger, on the heart and mind of another, in this case, a fellow Christian.

And that makes you think: “Well, is it a warning or a rebuke?”, and to my mind admonition covers both.

In my mind, admonition given before sin occurs is like giving a “warning”, while admonition that occurs after sin has been committed is like giving a “rebuke”.

When a brother or sister wanders into sin, or is in danger of doing so, we as family in Christ are tasked with laying that fact, that painful reality, on the minds and hearts of one another, so that we may 1. Realize it, and 2. Act to rectify the situation!

Admonition is more than just telling someone they’re wrong and they need to repent; it involves teaching them, explaining and helping them understand why their actions or their situation is sinful or spiritually hazardous.

Biblical Examples of Admonition

Acts 20.26-31: Paul and the Ephesian Elders

What was the occasion that provoked Paul to “admonish” the Ephesian elders?

Start in v.29: Paul recognized that after his departure other, insidious and malicious teachers would come along, and they would not spare the flock. (Which is O.T. Code for “They would consume the flock instead of protect them”, cf. Ezekiel 34 or Zechariah 11)

Worse, in addition to threats from without, Paul says that spiritual threats would arise from within their flock!

This was more than just teaching the truth: Admonition carries with it warning - a recognition and expression of spiritual hazards further ahead! Admonition between brethren should not wait until the danger presents itself or the sin has occurred!

In Colossians 1:28, Paul put it this way: “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Admonition is done for the betterment, not the beating down, of our brothers and sisters!

Note also the timing, both in terms of volume and frequency: Three years, day and night. Now I don’t think we should take that literally, that Paul admonished the Ephesian elders some 2,190 times in three years, but there’s another important principle here: Admonition should happen consistently and frequently!

1 Cor. 4.6-16

What was the occasion here that provoked Paul to admonish the Corinthians? “let me count the ways”, right!

Specifically, they are v.6:“...puffed up in favor of one against another”, which had led to their dividing up into different factions “I follow Paul… I follow Apollos… I follow Cephas… I follow Christ” (1.12)

In this section Paul isn’t speaking about a future threat or danger, but about something they are currently embroiled in as a church! This shows that Admonition should not only warn, but address and rebuke current ongoing sin!

Now, look closely at v.8-13: How did that section strike you as we read through it together? It was a little more intense than “Hey, I know times are tough, but what you’re doing really isn’t for the best, and it’s just not a good look for you as a church or as Christians, so while I’m not here to get in your business, this is just something maybe you to think about.” (makes you want to gag, right?)

Did the Corinthians literally think of themselves in this way, as greater than the apostles? Probably not. Did Paul actually think the Corinthians were truly “wise in Christ...strong...held in honor”, or that “Without us you have become kings!” No!

Paul is using strong, sarcastic, even hyperbolic language to get his point across, to “lay it on their mind”, to get them to see the problem with their inflated pride!

Now some will say “Well now, Paul was an apostle, he had the right to talk to them that way.” Shall we wait for the next batch of apostles to come around so that we can all be strongly rebuked, or shall we be so overwhelmed for the spiritual welfare and maturity of our brethren that we say what needs to be said, to the intensity and candor of which it must be said?

He even says in v.14 that his intent wasn’t to shame them, but to admonish them “as my beloved children”. Sometimes with children we have to use means other than direct statements to get points across. Often with children of God, we become numb and deaf to language that is “meek and mild”.

Admonition can be done through strong rhetoric, parables, or other means and styles of communication.

In 2 Sam. 12; How did Nathan get David to see that his sin with Bathsheba was abhorrent before God? He didn’t just march in and tell him: He told him a simple story with an abhorrent ending, which caused David immediately to call for the death of the offender and restoration of what was lost!

1 Th. 5.12-14

Here, Paul is writing to the Thessalonians and gives us two more important principles for admonition What if we’re being admonished?

First, in regard to elders, “respect them...esteem them very highly in love”

If you are receiving admonition (whether a warning or a rebuke), recognize first that this person loves you and wants what’s best for you, or that the eldership loves you and wants what’s best for you!

I’m sure you’ve probably noticed this, but not everyone in your world (family, work, school, recreation, etc.) is looking out for YOUR best interests!

Second, note v.14: Who is to be engaged in admonition? “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle...”

Now, is that only elders, or only preachers, or is that for everyone? Note what else follows the call to admonish: (Read the commands between v.14-22)

Now are all those things for elders/male leaders, or are they for all of us? Kinda sounds like all of us are to be engaged in the work of admonition!

Transition: But why is it all of us? Matthew 7.12 tells us why all of us have to admonish, to warn and rebuke our brethren.

Which Christians Should Engage in Admonition?

The “Golden Rule” of Admonition

At some point in your Christian life, you will see that a brother or sister is starting to veer off the path, or that they are carrying a heavy burden of sin that they have not “laid aside”, as Hebrews 12.1 describes.

And at some point, a Christian brother or sister will see that you and I are starting to wander off the path, or that we are carrying sins that need to be laid down.

One key motivation behind administering admonition comes from the “Golden Rule”. (Matthew 7.12)

If you were falling headlong into the pit of hellfire and brimstone, would you want your brother to grab you by the shirt collar and snatch you away from the pit?

What if they said one of the following?

“Oh, well, it isn’t my place to say something.”

“Well, that’s between them and God.”

“Well, only God knows their heart…”

“Ooh, I better tell so-and-so (or, sometimes, the elders) what I saw them doing.”

Luke 17.3 makes this plain when Jesus said: “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him”

As I said last week, if we’re not willing to discipline each other in Christ, we’re not trying to defend the relationship. We’re trying to excuse the lack of depth in that relationship!

If we ignore one another, we don’t love one another!

So, ultimately, the “Golden Rule” means the “Who”, is each one of us! And that brings us all to Matthew 18.15-17

Admonition and Matthew 18.15-17

Some of you knew Matthew 18 was coming at some point in the lesson, and here it is!

Jesus made it clear that when we see a brother or sister sinning, we must first simply go and talk to them about it.

If you see your brother in sin, speak to him privately alone. Ideally, this is as far as it should go. The Majority of Sins among brethren, if addressed in this manner, will be successfully addressed.

Now, how will you go about going and telling them their fault? “Hey, You’ve done XYZ, and you need to quit it, straighten up and fly right. If not, I’m going to sic some more “brethren” on you, and if you refuse all of us we’re kicking you out.”

NO! HERE is the moment to “explain the way of God more accurately” as Priscilla & Aquila did for Apollos, the moment to admonish “day and night with tears” as Paul did in Ephesus, to lead them back and save their soul from death, as James describes at the end of his letter!

As we do so, we cannot abandon tact, wisdom, persistence, empathy, and listening! There is a difference between admonition that is done well, and done poorly!

Coming back to the text: If he doesn't listen to you, take others with you, who will establish the matter and admonish him further.

What is happening here? Are we building a jury so so that we can get a “conviction”, or are we building a coalition of concerned brethren seeking a spiritual resolution?

I think about Brad’s recent transplant, and talking with him one afternoon as we were riding around together about his “care team”: Brad had a squad, maybe even a platoon of doctors, all seeking his physical health, working together towards a singular goal!

Matthew 18 isn’t about building a jury or a tribunal to rubber-stamp someone to Hell: It’s building an intensive care team to try and save the life of a brother or sister in Christ!

Sometimes the first person for whatever reason can’t get through to them. So we take a couple more brethren with different experiences, different ways of putting things, different shortfalls, but with ONE goal in mind: Clawing a child of God back from the darkness and into the light!

Finally, Matthew 18.17: If this one doesn't listen to the others, tell it to the church, who will further admonish him.

The “care team” grows to its’ largest level, because the admonition of the individual has failed, as well as the admonitions of the group have failed.

Now we’re really seeking the help of everyone in the family.

Before we hand someone over to Satan, the way Paul describes the way he had to do with Hymenaeus and Alexander for shipwrecking their faith in 1 Tim. 2.1; they’re going to have to say “no” to all of us.

I’ve heard it said that local churches aren’t museums, they are hospitals. This final level of admonition is the spiritual “ICU”: Intensive Care Unit!

Ultimately, if he doesn't listen to the church, and all levels of admonition fails, we as brethren personally withdraw social involvement.

Now, if we circumvent or ignore this process in how we deal with our brethren, we reject the teachings of Jesus and become as sinful and lost as those for whom we must intervene!

All of us must take up our role in the spiritual healthcare of everyone here, and everyone who is recognized as being a part of our number here in Jamestown.

How should I admonish my brethren?

A case study of Admonition: Acts 18.24-28

We mentioned Priscilla and Aquila a moment ago, let’s return there and see what happens.

Apollos was “fervent in spirit”, he was speaking and teaching accurately “concerning Jesus”, but “knew only the baptism of John”

There was a gap in Apollos’ understanding, and therefore his teaching, which Priscilla & Aquila recognized.

So, “they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” (ESV)

I heard it said once that an invitation is comprised of two things: Information and Motivation.

An admonition is essentially an earnest invitation extended for one to remain in, or return to the light.

For an admonition to be godly and effective, it must consist of right information and right motivation. No only does what we are saying have to be correct, but we must be saying it for the right reasons.

First, Right admonition requires right information.

Consider a few phrase that riddled our earlier examples of admonition:

Acts 20.27: Paul did not shrink from declaring to the Ephesians “the whole counsel of God”

Acts 20.32: “...I commend you to God and to the word of His grace...”

1 Cor. 4.6: “...that you may learn by us not go to beyond what is written...”

Even in our account in Acts 18 there is a strong emphasis on the Scriptures, for it was Apollos who was v.24: “competent in the Scriptures”, and who then went on in v.28 “showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus”

What’s the standard here? What’s the right basis for our admonition? God’s word!

Admonition must not be done on the basis of opinions, “think-so’s”, personal qualms, or matters of judgment (cf. Rom. 14, 1 Cor. 8)

If you’re “girding up your loins” to go and give “Brother or Sister So-and-So” a good talking-to, make sure you have book-chapter-and-verse for what you’re about to lay on their minds!

Second, Right admonition requires right motivation.

Apollos shows up to Ephesus and immediately begins making waves, it seems most of them good.

When his incomplete knowledge concerning John’s baptism makes itself evident during his synagogue teaching, Priscilla and Aquila “took him aside” and taught him more accurately.

After this, when he wanted to go to Achaia (i.e. where Corinth was the capital city), these brethren encouraged him and wrote ahead (presumably to Corinth) asking them to welcome him!

Can you imagine brethren looking to defend “their turf” or “be in charge” treating someone like Apollos in this way? What about brethren who instead would choose to gossip about Apollos?

When we seek to admonish, we need to closely examine our motivation for doing so. Are we truly seeking their best spiritual interests, or are we looking to profit ourselves in the flesh?

Again, consider a few phrases from verses we’ve seen already today:

Matt. 18.15, when Jesus said: “If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” Are you looking to admonish in order to gain your brother, or to gain advantage over your brother? Are you looking to lift yourself as “brotherhood watchdog”, or seeking to save the life of a sheep caught in the thorns of this world?

Acts 20.31-32: Why did Paul admonish the Ephesians “night and day” with tears, seeking to commend to them “God and the word of His grace”? The text tells us in v.32: “which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” Are you seeking to admonish because you seek to build up, you seek to ensure they have their part in Jesus’ inheritance, you seek their holiness before God?

1 Cor. 4.14: Paul writes - “I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.” Because we love our children, we are not content to let them run headlong into harm’s way. We don’t call them out because we’re trying to shame or embarrass them. We both warn them and rebuke them because we love them. If you love the people in this room, the people of this number, you owe it to them and to me to admonish us.

Conclusion: Why must we admonish one another?

I want to leave you with this passage to consider, I want to lay this passage “on your mind” and “on your heart”.

Proverbs 24:10–12 “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?”

Why should we admonish? 1. If we cannot stand as adversary to evil among our brethren, how shall we oppose the world? If we will not admonish each other, we have proven we have no strength at all! 2. Unless we say or do something to help, a brother or sister in Christ is going to be spiritually slaughtered. We cannot stand idly by while Satan murders one of our own. 3. If we claim or feign ignorance, we’re not fooling anyone. God knows, and do we think for a moment that He will not judge such an abject lack of brotherly love leading to our silence?

It is Fitting, is it not? If we refuse to intervene for one another, God will not intervene for us!

Friends and brethren, the same God who knows our hearts knows whether we recognize that we should obey the Gospel of Christ, and He knows when we ignore His invitations to believe and be baptized.

He knows of the sin in our lives for which we have not repented.

Wouldn’t it be better to clear the air and the conscience, to obey the Gospel of Jesus and have everything that separates you from God washed clean in baptism?

Or if you’re a Christian who is living in darkness: Wouldn’t it be better to return to God’s service, repenting of your sins and begging God’s forgiveness, & being restored to walk again in the light?

If we persist in walking separate from Him, it’s not on Him.

He both warns and rebukes, but it is us who must respond to Him!

If your situation before God weighs heavily on your mind and heart today and you’re ready to do something about it, let us help you. You don’t have to do it alone.