Discipline Won’t Work (2 Corinthians 2:1-11)
Conclusion of Many Evidence says it will work God’s ways work Instructive (Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Timothy 2:2) Corrective (1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6) Does God fail?
Important Subject Scope and purpose of discipline Save a soul (James 5:19, 20) Keep the church pure (Ephesians 5:27) What is the problem then? Valid objections? Other reasons?
Whole Process Not Followed Recall preventive discipline Training, education, etc. (Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Ranges from encouragement to rebuke
Whole Process Not Followed Ignored by some churches Teaching program nonexistent Haphazard choice of subject and content Edification is essential (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Whole Process Not Followed Will discipline work? Yes, if we edify the members Yes, if we take advantage of opportunities to be edified
Not Always Done Out of Love God chastens those He loves Motive: Love (Hebrews 12:6) Cannot have “sin in the camp”
Not Always Done Out of Love Partiality Concerning elders (1 Timothy 5:21) In general (James 2:1-4) God is impartial (Romans 2:6-11)
Not Always Done Out of Love Delay For many reasons Delay is detrimental (Ecclesiastes 8:11) Speedy action needed at times (Jude 23)
Not Always Done Out of Love Will discipline work? Yes, if we love one another (1 Peter 1:22) Yes, if love is the motivation
Faulty Relationships Consider the action required We are not to eat with such as person (1 Corinthians 5:11) We are to reject them (Titus 3:10) Mark and avoid them (Romans 16:17, 18) Withdraw ourselves from them (2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14)
Faulty Relationships Here’s the problem No company with one another anyway Our friends are in the world (1 Corinthians 15:33) What association will they miss?
Faulty Relationships Will discipline work? Yes, if we will draw closer to one another (Acts 2:46) Discipline would be more effective
Failure To Work God’s Plan Many excuses Where do we start? We might make someone mad They might quit coming It does more harm than good
Failure To Work God’s Plan God’s plan must be followed True with reference to redemption True with reference to the church Why is this an exception in some minds?
Failure To Work God’s Plan Will discipline work? Yes, if we have enough faith in God’s plan Shall we question His wisdom?
Conclusion We are losing too many God has a plan Will we work the plan?