Why we withdraw from unfaithful members Why we withdraw from unfaithful members

When A Member of The Church Becomes Unfaithful The Church Withdraws From That Member  We do not withdraw the first moment he sins.  Only withdraw after it is evident that he is not repenting.  Make several attempts to talk with the person.

When A Member of The Church Becomes Unfaithful The Church Withdraws From That Member  Communicate to person that we will withdraw fellowship (usually by a letter) within a week or two.  Statement read before the congregation.  Other members do not socialize with that person.

Kicked them out of the church. How could you mistreat people this way? Shouldn’t you show love and concern? Tell them can’t come to church / attend? This is mean and hateful. Common Questions / Charges That Are Raised All such charges are based on a misunderstanding of what withdrawing is.

Two Main Passages That Discuss Withdrawing 1 Corinthians 5 2 Thessalonians 3

1 Corinthians 5 “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles--that a man has his father's wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ …

1 Corinthians 5 “Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth…

“I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person.” 1 Corinthians 5

1 Cor. 5 The Conclusion : Ignoring unfaithful – wrong Withdrawing is an effort to save It works (2 Cor. 2) The Situation : (vs. 1-2) Fornicator – Not repenting The church had done little The Instruction : (vs. 3-13) Put him away (vs. 3-4) Purpose (vs. 5-8) Keep no company (vs. 9-13)

“But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6ff

“For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6ff

2 Thess. 3 The Conclusion: Command to withdraw To bring them to shame – repent This is not being an enemy The Situation : (vs. 7-13) Doc that 2 nd Coming imminent Some not working (vs. 7-12) Some busybodies (vs ) The Instruction : (vs. 6, 14-15) Withdraw from disorderly (v. 6) Note that person (v. 14) Don’t company with (v. 14) Not an enemy – thus admonish (v. 15)

Why we withdraw from unfaithful members Why we withdraw from unfaithful members I. Because the Authority of Christ Says to

Authority of Christ Christ has all authority Christ has all authority (Matthew 28:18-19) Must abide by the authority of Christ Must abide by the authority of Christ (Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11) Christ commands withdrawing Christ commands withdrawing

1 Corinthians 5:4-5 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. Authority of Christ

Why we withdraw from unfaithful members Why we withdraw from unfaithful members I. Because the Authority of Christ Says to II. To Bring the Unfaithful to Repentance

1 Corinthians 5:5 Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. The Goal

Bring to Repentance Goal should always be to restore the erring  James 5:19-20  Galatians 6:1 Should show love & concern (1 Corinthians 5:2) Withdrawing is designed to produce repentance It Works! (2 Corinthians 2) How it Works :  Brings him to shame (2 Thessalonians 3:15).  Causes him to think about his sin.  Continually admonished.

Why we withdraw from unfaithful members Why we withdraw from unfaithful members I. Because the Authority of Christ Says to II. To Bring the Unfaithful to Repentance III. To Keep the Church Pure

Keep Church Pure God wants the church to be pure (Ephesians 5:26) If sin is not corrected – corrupts the whole church 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Keep Church Pure God wants the church to be pure (Ephesians 5:26) If sin is not corrected – corrupts the whole church Withdrawing takes away the unfaithful 1 Corinthians 5:7, 13 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person. "

Keep Church Pure God wants the church to be pure (Ephesians 5:26) If sin is not corrected – corrupts the whole church Withdrawing takes away the unfaithful It causes others to fear (Acts 5:11)

Why we withdraw from unfaithful members Why we withdraw from unfaithful members I. Because the Authority of Christ Says to II. To Bring the Unfaithful to Repentance III. To Keep the Church Pure