Church Discipline #1 - The Purpose

Church Discipline #1:

The Purpose of Discipline

Text: 1 Cor. 5:1-13; et. al.

Thesis: To note that discipline is necessary and is an expression of love for the purpose

             of the one(s) who have gone astray.

Introduction:

(1)   Discipline is not a popular topic in any scenario.

(2)   Nevertheless, it is a necessary part in any healthy relationship.

(3)   Discipline may either be 1) Preventative or 2) Corrective.

(4)   Let us examine the purpose of corrective church discipline…

Discussion:

I.                   First, discipline is for the purpose of restoring the one who has gone astray.

A.    Consider:

1.      “Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor. 5:5).

2.      “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).

3.      “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

B.     Objections Answered:

1.      Isn’t judging wrong?

a.       Sure, hypocritical judgment is condemned (Matt. 7:1-5).

b.      However, righteous judgment is commanded (John 7:24).

2.      Am I my brother’s keeper?  YES!!!

II.                Second, discipline is for the purpose of keeping the church pure.

A.    Consider:

1.      “Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor. 5:6-8).

2.      True, the church will never be perfect, in one sense, because the church is made up of imperfect people; however, the church must never tolerate unrepented sin.

B.     What sin(s)? Any sin(s) of which one refuses to repent.

Conclusion:

(1)   Let us receive preventative discipline so as to avoid corrective discipline.

(2)   However, if we ever receive corrective disciplines, then let us repent.