Two Kinds of Church Discipline: Instructive and Corrective

CHURCH DISCIPLINE

Two kinds of Church Discipline: Instructive and Corrective 2 Tim. 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. The Necessity is essential in everyday affairs: Home - School – Society Eph. 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) [3] That it may be well with thee, and thou may live long on the earth. [4] And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 1 Tim. 1:8-9 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners. God is for Law and Order Adam & Eve - Flood - Nadab & Abihu – Ananias & Sapphira God Turned Discipline over to the church 1 Cor. 5:1-3 & 5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Nature of the church demands discipline – It’s the “Called Out” Col. 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Discipline can only be done as indicated in the Bible – No other way But it must be done when necessary – Our spiritual lives are at stake. Meaning & Purpose of Discipline Restoration of the Sinner - Primary 1 Cor. 5:5 To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Not to take vengeance - God does this ! Withdrawal is necessary to keep the church pure.

What’s the meaning of withdrawal ? Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. All discipline must be done in love and meekness Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. To Save the church 1 Cor. 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Influences others not to sin

1 Tim. 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. Preserves the influence of the church Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Brings fear to the church Acts 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. We often neglect church discipline because:

“Judge Not” Matthew 7:1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. [2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. We are not judging – the sinner has judged himself The church is charged to judge 1 Cor. 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? “You can’t force people to do right” - Very true - But we must lead Such is the purpose of discipline “You should love, help, & be kind to the erring brother” God loves those he disciplines. Hebrews 2:6-7 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visited him? [7] Thou made him a little lower than the angels; thou crowned him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: When we do not discipline - we do not love Often those disciplined quote: John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. We all sin - The Corinthians had faults – Yet we have I Cor Chapter 5 Each has his own faults – yet we must discipline those out of order. If we do not – It will ruin & unduly disrupt the church No discipline will ruin the church – Proper discipline will build the church The purity of the church must be maintained at all cost. Do we really believe that statement ? When should the church exercise discipline ?

When someone is OVERTAKEN in a fault and they will not listen.

When someone brings REPROACH/DISGRACE upon the church ands they will not repent when the fault is brought before them by two or more brethren.

When the fallen REFUSES to CONFESS to the church their error. YES - discipline is not easy !!! YES - discipline is very hard !!! But if it is not done – the church will suffer. When the sinners life publicly brings reproach upon the church An undisciplined child will never grow up to be of any value.

Remember – Discipline is PRIMARILY designed to bring the fallen BACK

1.The erring Christian must be confronted with their error. 2. If the one does not repent – then two or more should confront the sinner. 3. If the one does not repent – then the matter is brought before the church.