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CHURCH DISCIPLINE, No.1

2 Thess. 3:6,14

Intro:

1. Two kinds: Instructive & corrective--2 Tim. 3:16,17
2. One of the most neglected studies. Why?

1. NECESSITY.
   1. Essential In everyday worldly affairs.
      1. Home--Eph. 6:1-4; Prov. 23:13,14
      2. School--We endorse corrective measures.
      3. Society--Civil law. I Tim. 1:8-9
   2. God is for law & order --- against the lawless.
      1. Adam & Eve; Flood; Nadab & Abihu.
      2. Baptism & Lord's supper no plainer taught.
      3. God's government must be upheld: Hence, a penalty for violation of His law.
   3. God turned discipline over to the church--I Cor. 5:1-13
      1. Nature of the church demands it-Col. 1:13; "called out"
         1. Light & darkness Incompatible--2 Cor. 6:14-17
         2. God won't dwell in sin--Eph. 2:20-22
      2. Elders as protectors of flock--Acts 20:28ff; Heb. 13:17
      3. Inconsistent If we observe admission law & disregard law of exclusion.
   4. The objective to obtainable In no other way.
2. MEANING AND PURPOSE.
   1. Restoration of the sinner--I Cor. 5:1ff; Jas 5:19; text.
      1. Not to take vengeance. God does this--Rom. 12:19
      2. Not "turning one out of the church". Still in -- 2 Thess. 3:15
      3. Meaning of withdrawal--Rom. 16:17; I Cor. 5:13.
      4. Sometimes one repents & the church won't receive back. 2 Cor. 2:6-8
         1. May say,"I don't believe has repented". How know?
         2. Repentance Is an act of the mind--I Cor. 2:11
      5. The purpose involves the method & Influences the work.
         1. With meekness--Gal. 6:1
         2. Cooperation of the church--I Cor. 5
      6. When withdraw? If physically sick, when take to doctor?
         1. An operation is the last resort, physically.
         2. Discipline (disfellowship) is Lord a operation.
      7. Work of the church Is to save men eternally. Sinners inside.
   2. To save the church. "leaven"--I Cor. 5:5
      1. Influence others not to sin--I Tim. 5:20
      2. Preserve Influence to the world--Mt. 5:16
      3. Some need house-cleaning. Lost their Influence.
      4. An Infection as it spreads thru-out the body. Lev. 19:17
   3. As an example to the world, maintaining their respect-- Acts 5:13,14
      1. Maintain the honor & authority of Christ--Mt. 28:18
      2. Possible to present conflicting views to the world by neglect of discipline.
3. NEGLECT AND ITS CAUSES.
   1. Incompetency of elders & their unfaithfulness.
      1. Allow preacher to take the lead, hence, not done.
         1. Soft "pastor"tries to please Influential wealthy.
         2. Frequent change of preachers hinders
      2. Eagerness for additions, quantity & not quality.
      3. Afraid to act on an unpleasant duty & prolong It.
      4. Fear that members won't cooperate. Disfellowship them too.
      5. lack of knowledge as to whom & when disciplined.
   2. Some objections responsible for neglect.
      1. "Judge not"---Matt. 7:1,2
         1. Paul had judged--I Cor. 5:3; Church must--I Cor. 5:12
         2. Paul said,"Deliver him (fleshly lusts) to the devil".
      2. "You can't force people to do right".
         1. True, must lead & such Is its purpose.
      3. "You should love, help, be kind to erring"--2 Tim. 2:24ff
         1. God loves those He disciplines--Heb. 12:5-13
         2. Misconception of love & discipline. Corrective-- not punishment.
      4. "Have to be perfect & we all have faults"--Jn. 8:1-9
         1. This explains why so little Is done. Glass houses
         2. Corinth had faults (3:3) Yet--I Cor. 5:1-13
         3. Mustn't be guilty of same or equal sins.
      5. "It will ruin, unduly disturb the church"
         1. If true, then the church Is already ruined, and needs improving. Was Jerusalem church ruined? Acts 5:1-15
         2. We can't avoid trouble by neglect of duty
         3. Do we question God's wisdom & plan? It's not a matter of our discretion but rather of loyalty.
      6. "The disfellowshipped will join denomination
         1. Better off without such who weaken the church.
         2. Purity of church maintained at any cost.
      7. "Parable of tares (Mt. 13:24-30) opposes discipline"
         1. It has reference to final separation of church & world.
         2. This parable has reference to the relationship the church sustains to the world prior to Judgment day.