Discipline Followup

Recent Wednesday night class – covered the topic in a thorough study This lesson is a follow-up to that study In this sermon:  Summarize – WHO can be disciplined?  Misapplication – HOW used wrongly?  Expand – HOW are they disciplined?

Who can be disciplined? There are many specific sins and acts that are mentioned in the NT In summary – there are three categories 1.Moral – 1 Corinthians 5: Doctrinal – 2 John Trouble-maker – Romans 16:17  Cause division  Stir up dissent, gossip, busybody, talebearer  Rebellion, disrupt the fellowship

Misapplication Many churches don't practice discipline because:  We did once. It did not work.  We are afraid that many will leave.  It was done out of anger.  It was done in haste, too quickly. The most common use of church discipline is Lack of Church Attendance.

Misapplication Church membership is voluntary  You choose to be a member at Cades  You can choose to stop being a member If one stops attending They have already “withdrawn fellowship” from the church. Court case in Collinsville, Colorado, 1981  Woman in fornication – stopped attending  Sent letter to be removed from church

Misapplication Lessons to learn 1.Membership is voluntary 2.Member can stop anytime they choose 3.Once they withdraw themselves – church has no further action they can take 4.You can not punish them by “withdrawal” when they have already withdrawn themselves

What is the punishment? The area that is most confusing to many – How do I treat the offender?  Can we eat at the same restaurant?  Can we play golf? Travel, vacation together?  Can we be at the same PTA meeting?  When can we NOT associate with them?  What if they keep coming to worship services?

What is the punishment? Focus on “Fellowship” Define: Partner, share in common, joint participation More than eat together in “fellowship room” Our fellowship is spiritual – in the church, in our relation to Christ ISSUE: Do we have it?

What is the punishment? Issue / Problem: Do we have it? You can not take away what they don't have. Take away driving privilege from 3 yr. Old Parents – When you take away a privilege – make sure it is something they will miss. If they don't have it – they will not miss it!

What is the punishment? Remove Fellowship means: Not recognized as a member Remove from church directory Not used in any way in church activity Things are not the same in our relationship We still love them, care about their soul We want them to repent and come back

What is the punishment? What must we do? Tell them that you care about them Tell them you wish they would repent and return to faithful service Encourage them to talk about their situation and help them understand what they are doing is wrong

What is the punishment? What must we do? 2 Thessalonians 3: 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. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Admonish = correct, urge to change Brother = in error, but still a brother

Other difficult questions If a family member – they are still part of your blood family  They were removed from the church not the home What if you see them on the street?  Speak, encourage, admonish Can they still attend here?  Church building is a public building.  Yes, they can attend – not disrupt

Other difficult questions What if you work for them?  They are still your boss  Obey them on the job as if you worked for any other lost person How do we communicate our action to other congregations in the area?  How much detail?  How far reaching should the letter go?

Command 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. Just like faith, repent, baptism, pray, worship This is a COMMAND from God.

Final Consideration BEFORE WE CAN DISFELLOWSHIP – WE MUST HAVE A FELLOWSHIP WHICH THEY TREASURE. BEFORE THEY CAN FEEL ANY PUNISHMENT OR SENSE OF LOSS – THERE MUST BE SOMETHING OF VALUE THAT THEY LOSE.

Final Consideration DO YOU HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE MEMBERS OF THIS CONGREGATION? DO YOU HAVE THAT FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPRIT? ARE YOU IN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD?