Sermon in a Sentence: If we are to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ we must exercise discipline in His church.

I. Purpose- Why Does a Church Exercise Discipline?

A. To Proclaim the Holiness of God (1 Peter 1:15-16)

B. To Protect the Purity of the Church (1 Cor. 5)

C. To Promote the Restoration of the Sinner (Matt. 18.12-15;2 Cor. 2.7;Jam. 5.19,20)

Illus.- Ronny E.

II. Problem-When Does a Church Exercise Discipline?

A. Deviant Conduct (1 Cor. 5.1-5)

B. Divisive Conduct (Rom. 16.17,18)

C. Disorderly Conduct (2 Thess. 3.6,14,15)

III. Practice- How Does a Church Exercise Discipline?

A. Step 1- Private (v. 15)

B. Step 2- Party of 2 or 3 (v. 16)

C. Step 3- Public (v. 17)

IV. Power- By What Authority Does a Church Exercise Discipline (v. 18-20)