How To Keep God’s Church Holy (Part 1)
Church Discipline Part 1 • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Attention - How do we keep God’s church holy?
Church Discipline.
Main Idea: What is Church Discipline?
Interrogative:
Transition:
It is such a scary phrase that is both misunderstood and often misapplied.
Church Discipline is a part of the discipleship process of a church. To be disciplined is in a very real sense, to be discipled. How is a Christian disciplined? They are disciplined through instruction and correction.
This, in part, is the goal of the Christian life as articulated by Paul to his son in the faith, Timothy when discussing the power of the word of God...
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Do you see the list?
Teaching - Showing what is right.
Reproof - Rebuke when one is not right.
Correction - How to get right.
Training - How to stay right.
This is what the word of God does and this is what the people of God use to help the people of God live in a way that is pleasing to God.
Church Discipline is a tool to perpetuate holiness within a congregation.
More formally, Church Discipline is the process of removing a professing Christian from Church membership and participating in the communion table.
However, it is not forbidding the one under discipline from attending the worship service or sitting under the preaching of the Word of God.
As Jonathan Leeman says in his book called Church Discipline, “It’s a refusal to give a person the Lord’s Supper. It’s excommunicating, or ex-communioning, the person” (pg. 28).
In the life of the church, there are two forms of discipline. There is “formative discipline and corrective discipline. Formative discipline helps to form the disciple through instruction. Corrective discipline helps to correct the disciple through correcting sin” (pg. 27)
Church Discipline is first and foremost loving.
It shows love for the individual because it warns them about their sin and leads them to repentance.
It shows love for the church because it protects the weaker sheep from sin and the sinner.
It shows love for the world that is watching the church and gives hope to them as they see the church be used in transformation.
It shows love for Christ because it exalts His holy name by our obedience to Him. (Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus pg. 23)
LOVE then should be the motivation behind church discipline, not punishment.
My hope is to spend the next three weeks working through this important subject to bring clarity and understanding to it.
Why should local churches practice Church Discipline?
It is a command in the bible.
It is part of the gospel
It causes the church to be healthy and holy
It distinguishes the church’s witness before the world
It warns sinners of a greater judgment that will come
It protects and exalts the reputation and name of Jesus Christ. (Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus pg. 23-24)
Jesus Christ loves His Church and it is His goal to keep her holy.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
Here we see Jesus’ love for His bride and His desire to keep her (us) holy.
If we refuse to be a church that obeys God in the area of Church Discipline we are saying that we love better than God loves (pg. 24).
So, let’s be a church that loves like God loves. Let’s be a church that takes discipline seriously.
After all...
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Let’s spend time together thinking through this very important subject and then determine
This morning I want to walk through three ideas regarding church discipline.
First, it’s important for us to understand what Jesus thought about Church Discipline.
Second, what did the Apostles have to say about Church Discipline.
And Thirdly, I want to discover the purpose of Church Discipline.
Ready? Let’s start with Jesus...
1. Jesus On Church Discipline
Explanation
Jesus teaches the most common understanding of what we call Church Discipline in the New Testament. Keep in mind, the church hasn’t officially started yet. So Jesus is giving teaching for the church that will become reality soon after His death and resurrection.
Look at what Jesus says...
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
Okay, so what is Jesus perspective on Church Discipline? Here are some principles from this text.
Jesus wants the sinner to repent.
Jesus wants the number of people involved to be as small as necessary to bring about repentance.
Jesus wants the church to be different than the world (aka “gentile and a tax collector”). The lives of Church Members should be markedly different than the world.
Jesus wants a process of gracious warnings by the church to the one walking in sin. If that one does not respond to the gracious warnings, then the church should exclude the one determined in their sin from the fellowship of membership.
The particular sin that Jesus discusses is interpersonal, “against you.”
But we mustn’t fixate on the interpersonal part of Jesus’ illustration. Instead, we must focus on the repentance of the individual in sin. Are they repentant or are they determined in their sin.
What is repentance? It is a change of mind (a mind that agrees with God) that leads to a change of direction (the way one lives their life).
There is a bigger issue that must not be missed in this passage from our Lord.
The Church has authority.
This authority was given to the church by Jesus in Matt 16...
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
This passage is not about Peter becoming the first Pope and then the bizarre inauguration of apostolic succession. This is about Peter’s confession that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah (King). And Christ will build His Church on the fact that He is KING! And those subjects in this institution called the CHURCH will exercise His authority to bind and loose on earth (make decisions in the local church) and God will agree in heaven. The point? The local church, the leadership and the constituents has authority.
Matt 18:19 is a throwback to Deuteronomy 19 where Moses lays out the process for how to judge criminal cases.
19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
So, when the church is confronted with those in her membership that confess Christ, but their lives are contrary the holiness required by Christ, the church must do something. And the Lord lays out a process that doesn’t just drive people from her midst, but attempts to draw them back to the one who died for them.
So, the church is called to play a judicial role in the lives of her membership.
What is the church trying to determine in the life of the one determined to live in a way contrary to God’s way?
Do they have a valid gospel profession?
What does the way they are living their lives suggest?
Can we as a church continue to affirm that this person is indeed a follower of Christ or have they shipwrecked their faith and walked away from Jesus?
Remember this - Church discipline is about confirming that Jesus representatives are genuinely representing Jesus.
Illustration
Argumentation - One profitable thing that happens as a result of this discussion is serious self-reflection. Are, as the Psalmist says in Psalm 19:14, “the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart pleasing to the Lord?”
Application - Remember, if you are a member of ABC, that means you are a born-again ambassador of Christ - The church has confirmed this. You must continue to pursue Christlike holiness.
Review - What is Church Discipline?
Jesus on Church Discipline
2. The Apostles on Church Discipline
Explanation - Jesus isn’t the only one to bring up the concept of Church Discipline. His disciples, the Apostles had something to say as well.
Let start with Paul...
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Again, to Jesus’ point, as few people involved as possible.
This verse Paul says “any transgression”
Those in the church who are walking with the Lord have a responsibility to restore - IN A SPIRIT OF GENTLENESS.
Paul’s admonition is two-fold. Discipline also helps the restorer stay on track.
Now look at Paul’s letter to Ephesus...
11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
The Christian must expose sin. Again, not in a spirit of judgementalism, but in the spirit of protection of the person and of the church.
How about Paul’s letter to Titus?
10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him,
It seems the sin of divisiveness has a special distinction in Paul’s mind. If the divisive person will not hear after two warnings, then three strikes and he’s out.
divisiveness is that serious becuase God desires humility and UNITY within His church body!
How about Paul’s letter to Thessalonica?
14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Paul’s letter is the word of God. Thus it is worthy of the obedience of those in the church of Thessalonica.
People that choose to live contrary to the Word of God consistently - in other words, this sin isn’t the occasional slip up, it is, rather, a pattern in their life, Paul says “take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him” in the Christian fellowship sense. In other words, don’t pretend that they are right with God and act like nothing is wrong. Instead, go to that person and warn them as you would a member of the family of God.
This is difficult.
This is necessary for their good and the good of the body. You are a holy white blood cell rooting out infection in the body. Hopefully when confronted they will repent and walk again as a follower of Jesus.
The Apostle John...
9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,
What is the standard according to John? “the teaching of Christ...”
John says the standard is to abide in or live in the teaching of Christ. If they do not, they do “NOT HAVE GOD.”
The warning? Avoid false teaching! Do not welcome false teachers in your home. Do not greet them.
Side application here - be careful about whose teaching you listen to on podcasts and such. You bring them into your home through the internet and they teach you a false Gospel. Please be discerning .
The apostle Peter...
17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
While the church is just starting in this chapter, discipline is already part of its DNA.
Simon, a professing believer gets off track and Peter, in a not so gentle fashion gives him the path back to the Lord.
Simon at least gives a wise prayer request. “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
Illustration
Argumentation - This is a sampling of verses demonstrating that Church Discipline isn’t relegated to one passage in Matthew 18. No it is a theme throughout the New Testament.
Application - What should we do with this?
Be a people committed to personal holiness.
Be a people committed to helping our fellow church members to walk in holiness.
This means we need to get involved in one another’s lives.
This means we need to be willing to lovingly speak truth.
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
In a sense, church discipline should be happening all the time at a personal level. Like level one that Jesus talks about
Review - What is Church Discipline?
Jesus on Church Discipline
The Apostles on Church Discipline
3. The Purpose of Church Discipline
Explanation
Let’s go back to Paul in 1 Corinthians 5 and we will see 7 purposes for Church Discipline.
a. Discipline’s Purpose is to EXPOSE -
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.
b. Discipline’s Purpose is to WARN -
4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
c. Discipline’s Purpose is to SAVE -
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
d. Discipline’s Purpose is to PROTECT -
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
e. Discipline’s Purpose is to PURIFY -
7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
f. Discipline’s Purpose is to make Christ’s Church HOLY -
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
g. Discipline’s Purpose is to be a distinct WITNESS for Jesus to outsiders -
Again, notice the judicial role the church plays in the sinning member of this church.
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
Illustration
Argumentation
Application
Review - What is Church Discipline?
Jesus on Church Discipline
The Apostles on Church Discipline
The Purpose of Church Discipline
Conclusion
Visualization
Reiteration
Action
Connection Group Reflection Questions