Topical Sermons Power Point Show

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:4-11

Part 2

Church Discipline:

The Purposes of Corrective Church Discipline

Intro.

1. For any worthwhile organization to flourish & survive it will need to use corrective discipline (home, schools, military). Lord’s church, 2 Cor. 2:6.

2. Corrective/punitive discipline has a role in edification of the church in love – Eph. 4:16.

a. Discipline is not limited to withdrawal (education & correction).

b. Withdrawal is a “last resort”, but a commanded one – 2 Ths. 3:6.

3. We must be thoroughly grounded in what church discipline will accomplish so that we will faithfully carry it out when needed. What effects will it have on the sinning Christian, on the church & on the world?

I. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHURCH DOES NOT DISCIPLINE UNRULY MEMBERS? (1 Ths. 5:14; 2 Ths. 3:6)

-1 Corinthians 5…

A. The Sinner is Emboldened to Continue in Sin – 5:1 (2 Tim. 3:13).

B. Sinner & His Sin Remains Among Us – 5:2 (1 Pet. 1:15-16; Eph. 5:11).

C. We Become Desensitized to Dangers of Sin – 5:2 (1 Cor. 15:33-34).

D. We Display an Unwillingness to Judge Righteous Judgment – 5:3 (5:12; Jno. 7:24; Lk. 12:56-57; Phil. 1:9-11).

-Discipline should be carried out speedily, but not hastily.

E. We Fail to Submit to the Authority of the Lord – 5:4 (Col. 3:17).

F. The Flesh is not Destroyed & the Spirit is not Saved – 5:5 (Gal. 5:24).

-Overlooking sin will not save the soul of an erring Christian!

G. The Influence of Sin is not Stopped: Sin Spreads – 5:6 (Gal. 5:9).

H. While the Old Leaven of Sin Remains we are not Pure in Christ’s Service – 5:7-8 (2 Cor. 7:1; Rom. 12:1).

I. The Church is Keeping Company with Sinners – 5:9 (2 Cor. 6:17-18; Eph. 5:11).

J. No Distinction is Made Between the Sinning Christian & those of this World – 5:10-12 (2 Ths. 3:6, 14-15).

K. The Church is Disobeying God – 5:13 (2 Ths. 3:6).

-If discipline is not carried out properly it can become cruel & a source of temptation (cf. 2 Cor. 2:6-8).

II. THE EFFECTS OF CORRECTIVE DISCIPLINE.

A. On the Sinning Christian.

1. Promotes & produces salvation – 1 Cor. 5:5.

a. Heb. 12:9-11: Life…Profit…Holiness…Fruit of righteousness.

b. To bring him to repentance - cf. Matt. 18:17…

c. By producing shame through identification & separation – 1 Cor. 5:4-5, 11; 2 Ths. 3:14.

2. Stops sin & its influence – Titus 1:10-13.

a. Sin must be rebuked, exposed & not allowed to continue to ruin souls.

b. Restore sinner to acceptable service unto God – Gal. 6:1.

c. Destroy the flesh as the ruling agent in his/her life – 1 Cor. 5:5.

B. On the Church.

1. Purges of & protects against sin – 1 Cor. 5:6-8; cf. Rom. 16:17-18.

2. Proves a church’s obedience – 2 Cor. 2:9; 7:11.

a. Exercising corrective is a supreme test of a church because it necessitates that all human considerations be set aside in favor of the divine mandate.

b. A church that will not use corrective discipline upon the disorderly is not a faithful church of Christ!

c. Tests our willingness to forgive when the disorderly repents – 2 Cor. 2:10.

3. Causes godly fear – Acts 5:11.

a. cf. OT law - Deut. 19:15-20 – Put away evil, prevent future sin.

b. Public rebuke of sin produces fear of God & sin - 1 Tim. 5:19-20.

C. On the World.

1. Gives a correct view of sin to the world. Shows we practice what we preach about the ugliness of sin.

2. Deters unbelievers while encouraging truth-seekers – Acts 5:13-14.

a. 5:13 – Liars, hypocrites (like Ananias & Sapphira) wanted no part of a church that did not tolerate sin!

b. 5:14 – Believers were increasingly added to the church – They found a faith & people who were concerned with righteous living & correcting sin.

Conclusion

1. Corrective discipline in the church will accomplish God’s purposes when we follow His will concerning it – Isa. 55:11.

2. By faith, we will use it when it is needed, to save the lost & protect the saved.