2 Corinthians 2: 5-11 Grace in action

Overview Who is the passage referring to? The importance of church discipline The purpose of church discipline The challenge of forgiveness: Grace in action The dangers of an unforgiving heart So what?

Who is the passage referring to? Some disagreement about this Earlier commentators: 1 Corinthians 5 Recent commentators disagree – One of Paul’s opponents – Had been excommunicated – Had divided the church

What do we know? This had been a painful matter for Paul and the church – Painful letter / visit The member had been excommunicated for their sin The sinner had repented Some in the church were struggling: – did not forgive – would not restore him to fellowship

The importance of church discipline 1 Corinthians 5: discipline is important – For the honour of God’s name and his holiness – For the present and future purity of the church –For the restoration of the sinner A matter of obedience to God

The importance of church discipline Matthew 18: – When your brother sins against you Matthew 18: – The parable of the unforgiving servant A loving, caring community of grace – Romans 15:14 – able to admonish one another – Ephesians 4:15 – speaking the truth in love – Colossians 3: 16 – teach and admonish one another

Remember the purpose of church discipline To protect the purity of the church To bring about repentance – 2 Corinthians 7: 10 – godly sorrow brings repentance and leads to salvation The purpose is not to crush – build faith, don’t crush it Proportionate punishment: – v 6 – the punishment…is sufficient

The challenge of forgiveness: “grace in action” The offence was real – The church had been grieved and divided The cost of forgiveness – The prodigal son – Philemon Paul’s instructions: – Forgive, comfort, restore, love

The dangers of judgemental and unforgiving hearts The devil is always at work He will always try to outwit us Dissuade us from discipline – Compromise and cowardice – Compromises holiness & makes light of sin Harsh and unforgiving – Forgetting who we are: pride and arrogance – Compromises grace and love Both contradict God’s character

So what? Are we willing to obey Jesus in discipline? Are we willing to do this in the way Jesus told us? Are we ready to show the love of Christ by speaking the truth to one another in love Are we building a community that can admonish and teach each other? Are we willing to show grace in our attitudes and actions? – Will we forgive, comfort, restore and love? Are we on our guard against the wiles of the devil?

Any comments or questions?