Thursday Thrive!

Church Discipline

Matt 18:12-14 ““What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

When we consider church discipline we have to understand Gods heart towards the individual.

Its never with the intent to break someone down.

A hartlot can reduce a man down to a piece of bread.

Also finding out someone sin isn't to gossip

Proverbs 11:13 “A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”

Talebearer- one who attacks the reputation of another by slander.

Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”

Kings want to investigate

Proverbs 19:11 “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.”

But when think about authority we usually default to government, the army , police, policies etc etc.

Usually the disciplinary weight in the world seems to trump that which is in the church.

For example.

Like how should the church deal with criminal activity.

maybe a congregant told you he lied on his taxes which is a federal offense.

Or if someone said hey I kidnap four people I felt bad and I let them go.

But authority is usually dictated by the masses.

Church discipline is divine authority delegated to the church by Jesus Christ to maintain order through the correction of persistently sinning church members for the good of those caught in sin, for the purity of the church, and for the glory of God.

Divine authority delegated to the church.

The church has the authority by God to maintain order.

Not just certain leadership. But its the church. Every regenerated person is responsible to maintain order.

2. This correction is for persistently sinning church members.

So it not isolated incident.

There could be a death in the family , some sort of truma.

Just remember HALT

H.A.L.T.

Never judge a person when they are Hungry , Angry , lonely, or tired

People do and say stupid things in these conditions.

I remember in Haiti I was with a Pastor and he Diabetic and he started cussing me out for no reason. and swearing left and right and I didn’t get it.

3. For the good of those caught in sin.

For restoration.

1 Cor 5:5 “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.”

Matt 18:15 ““Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.”

Gal 6:1 “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.”

It always for restoration .

4. For the purity of the church

5. For the glory of God.

What if the church doesn’t discipline.

The church doesn’t persevere in holiness

Curtain individuals would never repent.

The church doesn’t grow and mature.

You have two types of disciplines in the church, you have formative discipline and corrective discipline.

Formative Discipline means order is maintained in the church through regenerate church membership ( if a believer is consistently coming out to church services and getting involved in the work, you are classified and a church member)

theres a regulation on the right preaching and teaching of Scriptures. ( Is there sound doctrine being taught in the church )

Theres also Spirit led preaching and teaching . One Pastor taught the same message 16 weeks in a row and he didnt know it. Then the church died.

Proper administration of ordinances ( communion, baptism )

Observing the “ one another” commands in scriptures

Love one another—John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” & John 15:12, 17.

Forgive one another—Ephesians 4:32 & Colossians 3:13 “bearing ( endure) with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

Be servants to one another—Galatians 5: 13“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Show hospitality to one another—1 Peter 4:7-10 “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent ( marked by care and a persistent effort )love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Pray for one another—James 5:16.

Build up (edify) one another—Romans 14:19, 1 Thessalonians 5: 11“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

Greet one another—Romans 16:16“Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.” , 1 Peter 5:14 “Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

Forbear one another—Ephesians. 4:1–2 & Colossians 3:13–14.

Do not judge one another—Romans 14: 13“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.”

Do not speak evil of one another—James 4:11.

Do not murmur against one another—James 5:9 “Do not grumble ( to complain strongly) against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”

Do not bite and devour one another—Galatians 5:15.

Do not provoke and envy one another—Galatians 5:26 “Let us not become conceited, provoking ( to challenge ) one another, envying one another.”

This really grieves me when this happens, when another man or women of God wants to challenge you. Usually the challenge is rooted in comparison.

People like to challenge the teacher. Its difficult teaching in America everyone wants to google to see if you are correct or not.

Have the same care for one another—1 Corinthians 12:25 “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

Receive one another—Romans 15: “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”

Imagine rejecting a body member.

Teach one another—Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Admonish (counsel) one another—Romans 15:14 & Colossians 3:16

Romans 15:14 “Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.”

Admonish- to warn or counsel of someones behavior.

Submit to one another—Ephesians 5:22 22.

Eph 5:22 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.”

Eph 5:21 “submitting to one another in the fear of God.”

Confess your sins to one another—James 5: 16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

What does it mean to confess your sins to one another?

Theres a mutual concern that happens for one another that brings healing to ones soul. They can pray for you and check up on you encourage you. etc.

Theres a level of accountability when we pray for one another.

Do not lie to one another—Colossians 3:9 “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,”

Be kind to one another—Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Comfort one another—1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11

1 Thess. 4:18 “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 Thess. 5:11 “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

Corrective Discipline- Deals with direct confrontation by the church of ongoing, known, unrepentant sin.

Kahoot

Matt 18:15-20 ““Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”