Garden City Church of Christ - CHURCH DISCIPLINE No. 2

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CHURCH DISCIPLINE No. 2

Intro: There Is much indecision as to "who" must be disfellowshipped what sins constitute need for this action; and just what Is the proper course to pursue In Individual cases.
1. SECRET SINS.
  1. Cannot discipline the unknown and secret.
    1. Most dangerous kind to both the sinner and church.
    2. Must discipline ourselves, search own hearts... I Jn. 1:8
    3. God knows--Ecc. 12:13,14; Rom. 2:16; Heb. 4:13
  2. Not the business of the church to search out these sins.
    1. Instruction Is the type of discipline needed.
    2. Some act like detectives, seeking to accuse another.
  3. Some aren't secret while thought to be.
    1. May have been seen by some church member.
      1. What to be done? Go to the sinner--need not become public. Some come to preacher & Involve him.
2. PERSONAL AND PRIVATE SINS.
  1. Conscious personal offenses.
    1. Example: Mt. 18:15-21. Four steps of Tit. 3:10
    2. It may become a public offense against the church.
    3. Some talk about instead of to him.
    4. How often to forgive? Lk. 17:1-4; Matt. 18:21ff; Suppose the Lord tired of our offenses?
    5. If more of this were done, there would be less cause for public action.
    6. "But I just don't like him" Why? Examine own heart!
  2. Unconscious personal offenses.
    1. Example: Mt. 5:23-26. "Ought"--anything at all.
    2. May not be"Just"grounds --imaginary--false charges or unaware of the offense.
    3. Leave worship --all else. Go be reconciled.
  3. Wrong-door & wrong sufferer will meet half-way.
3. PUBLIC OFFENSES --- I Cor. 5:9-11; 6:9-10
  1. Offenses against the church--I Cor. 10:31,32
    1. Fellowship In the church means partnership In all Items.
    2. If a partner in business drives away customers, it is our business. It Is our concern In the church If others destroy what we're trying to build up.
  2. Willful sins & neglect of duty.
    1. Discuss "willful sins"--Heb. 10:26; Jas. 4:17
    2. Is It disorderly conduct? Yes.
    3. Sin of forsaking the assembly--Heb. 10:24,25
      1. Some habitually & completely miss for months, yet, received In fellowship. At what point negligent so as to order this action?
      2. How withdraw if they have withdrawn themselves? By announcing the decision, then, publicly & privately withhold fellowship after all other efforts to reclaim them have failed. I know I'm sinning"but won't repent. Need action.
      3. Many of you couldn't talk to one in this condition. Would have to withdraw from self if consistent.
    4. covetous & stingy In withholding contribution
      1. Example: Acts 5:1-13. Here's seen God's attitude
      2. Such an one Is destitute of love, bases of Christianity.
      3. Covetousness Is Sin--Col. 3:5; Mt. 6:24; Lk. 12:13-21
      4. Is It right for elders to know amount I give? Yes.
      5. Wrong for elders to dictate the amount (2 Cor. 9:7) but they may counsel with us in this matter.
      6. Some may admit they're not giving enough. May admit to sending contributions to another church In distrust of own elders.
      7. Humility In giving doesn't require secrecy-Mk. 12:41-44
  3. Positive & aggressive public offenses.
    1. Busybodies--2 Thess. 3:6-12; I Tim. 5:13-15
    2. Factious & troublemakers --- Prov. 6:16-19
    3. False teachers --- Rom. 16:17,18
    4. Any sins of the flesh --- Gal. 5:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:1-8

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CHURCH DISCIPLINE No. 2