A Renewal of Church Discipline

Intro

*Start with story of visiting Montana 6 years ago*

Stayed with Karen’s friends; excellent at discipline with their kids (talking about the heart of the issue, matching consequences to the actions)

More than just taking away screen time and sugar

Much like parenting, church discipline is all over the map

Sometimes completely lacking, sometimes harsh as a jail sentence, and everywhere in between

In our search for spiritual renewal as a community of faith, church discipline can play a role

Read Matthew 18:15-20

May include someone sinning against you, or someone stuck in the mire of sin that you desire to help

We need to know the prerequisites, process and promise of church discipline

Pray

Prerequisites for Church Discipline

Look in the mirror

Cf. Matthew 7:3-5.

Examine your own heart, mind and soul. Get right with God before you help someone else do the same

Think (and pray) before you speak

It doesn’t matter if someone has wronged you or you are aware of a sin in their life, the question is the same: Is this an issue worth bringing up?

What needs to be said, and what can be set aside?

Don’t use this to air out all types of little greivances!

It’s a 2 way street

Never walk down the road of holding someone accountable unless you are open to the roles being reversed

Accountability = mutuality

This is part of what it means to be a true spiritual family; we need to be open to someone pointing out our sin

Awkward!

The goal is restoration

Cf. Galatians 6:1 - 2.

This is not about championing the truth, convincing people you are right, pushing people out of the community

You start on the wrong foot you miss the whole point

The whole point is to “restore”

Restore back to right relationship with God

Restore back to right relationship with the community of God (“you have gained a brother” v. 15)

And we do so “in a spirit of gentleness” for the benefit of the one trapped in sin

*Share strong words with Silas when pushing away from the table via Eli’s experience*

The Process of Church Discipline

Step 1: One-on-One

Go!

True unity does not come from turning a blind eye to unrepentant sin at work

Also, do NOT talk about someone to others (gossip), go directly to them

Friendly reminder: the commitment to avoid gossip is part of the SBF Membership Covenant

Personally correct the sin someone is entrenched in

Tell = correct or reprove; convict

Ultimately, conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit, so pray to that end

Step 2: Bring a Witness

Jesus is using a legal reference: Cf Deuteronomy 19:15.

Avoids “he said/she said” situations; promotes justice

Witnesses also bring some weight to the discussion

Ensure that the right people are involved (everyone goes through the prerequisite checklist!)

It is harder to turn down multiple people who are trying to look out for you

*Use example of men’s small group and leaving wife*

Step 3: Include the Church

The circle broadens to include the entire community, because unrepentant sin effects the entire community

Easier in the time of Christ and early church, as gatherings were smaller

SL&CT can represent the church community in our context

Step 4: Ask to Leave the Community

“Let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector” (v. 17)

Not to harsh on those on the margins (Jesus is constantly drawing them in and treating them well)

Just an example of how someone should be on the outisde looking in

Truly, a last resort, as the goal all along has been restoration

If a church gets excited about excommunication… watch out!

However uncomfortable this may be, asking someone to leave the spiritual family due to unrepentant sin is vital in looking after the health of the church

Cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8.

We need to take seriously the negative effect of unrepentant sin in the church (leavens the whole lump)

We need to take seriously the grace given to us by Christ, our Passover lamb

He is our perfection! He is our forgiveness and mercy. He makes us into a new creation

The church will always be for imperfect people, repenting of sin and seeking after Christ together

The Promise of Church Discipline

Jesus promises the church authority to what is or is not sin (binding and loosing)

We are not alone in this process! Jesus is at work in His community, helping us discern what to do and how to do it

Authority not just given to Peter (like in chapter 16), but now the disciples (and later the church)

Jesus promises His presence as the community works towards restoration together

“2 or 3 together” is another legal reference to the Law in Deuteronomy

More than a legal situation; Jesus promises to be present

He reiterates this in a new way in His final words to His disciples as they are given the task to plant the church:

“I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mat. 28:20)

We are a spritiual family:

NOT because we work hard at unity

NOT because we follow Jesus’ teaching on church discipline

But because Jesus is truly here among us, binding us together and helping us become more like Him

Pray