Church DisciplineThe difficult means of spiritual maturity

Church DisciplineOPrinciple of Discipline Defined

O Evangelism ministers to those outside the church in bondage to sin

O Edification is designed to build up the believers

O Discipline is part of the edification process which ministers to believers who are dominated by some area of sin so they can experience liberation from its power through fellowship with Christ

ODefinition: “The confrontive and corrective measures taken by an individual, church leaders, or the congregation regarding a matter of sin in the life of a believer”

Pattern and Basis for Discipline

1. The Lord Himself disciplines His children (Heb 12:6 "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.")

2. Based on the Holy Character of God (Heb 12:11 Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.)

3. Based on the divine command of Scripture (1 Timothy 5:20 Those guilty of sin must be rebuked before all, as a warning to the rest.)

4. The Testimony of the church in the world (1 Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?)

Purposes of Church Discipline

1. To restore, heal or build up sinning believers Matt 18:15 "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have regained your brother. ”

2. To produce a healthy faith 1 Timothy 1:20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan to be taught not to

3. To set an example for the rest of the Body and promote godly fear 1 Tim 5:20 Those guilty of sin must be rebuked before all, as a warning to the rest.

4. To silent false teachers blaspheme. Titus 1:13 Such testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply that they may be healthy in the faith

Four Loses for Failure to Discipline:

1. Loss of Purity: 1 Corinthians 5:6 … Don't you know that a little yeast affects the whole batch of dough? :7 Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch of dough--…

2. Loss of Power: Joshua 7: sin of Achan3. Loss of Progress: Revelation 2:5 Therefore,

remember from what high state you have fallen and repent! Do the deeds you did at the first; if not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place--that is, if you do not repent.

4. Loss of Purpose: 1 Peter 1:14 Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance, :15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct,

Practice of Church Discipline: The Manner

1. Must be done by those who are “spiritual” (Gal 6:1 … if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness.)

2. Must be done in a spirit of humility, gentleness and patience (Gal 6:1… restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.)

3. Must be done without bias, or spirit of partiality (1 Timothy 5:21 Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.

4. Must admonish, warn and appeal in love to those who walk “disorderly” 1 Thess 5:14 “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined,…” 2 Tim 4:2, “…reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction. ”

Practice of Church Discipline: The Manner5. Must rebuke publicly and withhold from

fellowship if no response: 2 Thess 3:6 But we command you, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition you received from us.

6. Must excommunicate if no response to church discipline Matt 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, treat him like a Gentile or a tax collector.

7. Must be ready to forgive, comfort and reafirm the repentant 2 Cor 2:6 This punishment on such an individual by the majority is enough for him, :7 so that now instead you should rather forgive and comfort him. This will keep him from being overwhelmed by excessive grief to the point of despair.

Reasons for Church Discipline

OGeneral CausesO Disorderly conduct, conduct out of line with commands of Scriptures which negatively impact the testimony of Scriptures (2 Thess 3:6-15)

OSpecific CausesO Difficulties between members (Matt 18:15-17)O Divisive people causing divisions in the church (Rom 16:17-18)

O Immoral conduct: 1 Cor 5:1, 11; 2 Thes 3:10-15 include incest, immorality, covetousness, idolatry, abusive speech, drunkenness, swindling or idle busybodies who refuse to work but spread dissension

O False teaching that concern the fundamental of the faith – not lesser differences of interpretation (1 Tim 1:20; 2 Tim 2:17-18)

Procedures for Church Discipline1. Seek Private Correction and/or Reconciliation with

offender (Mat 18:15)Express genuine appreciation for the personListen to the other person’s side and seek the factsIf the person fails to respond, warn them that you will have to get others as witnesses

2. Take witnesses to strengthen the effect of discipline, preferably spiritual leaders so it can be firmly proven and established (Mat 18:16-17; 1 Tim 5:19).

If no results, then warn that further action will be taken providing ocassion for serous rebuke (2 Tim 4:2)

3. Seek reconciliation and restoration through the whole body (Matt 18:17; 2 Thess 3:14-15; 1 Tim 5:20)

The body is to exercise group disapproval by way of social ostracismIf ineffective, the church is to exercise excommunication: removal from the church membership, loss of voting privileges, and ostracized (1 Cor 5:4)There is heavenly action that coincides with this church action! (Mat 18:18-19)

Procedures for RestorationOForgiveness

O Accepting the person and forgetting the past (2 Cor 2:7a)

O How do we know when genuine?O Luke 3:8, when they “…bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance”

O Acts 26:20, “…that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.”

O Freely acknowledge his sin (1 Jn 1:9; Prov 28:13a)

O Cease activity for which he was disciplined, or seek help if problem was a life dominating pattern (Prov 28:13a; Gal 6:1; Jam 5:19-20)

O Make restitution or ask forgiveness from those hurt (Phil 18-19; Mat 5:23-24)

O Demonstrate a genuine change of heart, godly sorrow for actions because of harm to glory of God and hurt to others (2 Cor 7:8-11)

O Begin to manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22)

Procedures for Restoration

OComfortO Reaching out to them, assuring them of your support, encouraging, exhorting and challenging them to move on (2 Cor 2:7b)

OLoveO Means including them, drawing them close, doing whatever will help their recovery (2 Cor 2:8)

O Encouraging them to get involved in ministry to others (Luke 22:31-32)

O For leadership, there should be a time of testing to demonstrate their qualifications (1 Tim 3:10)