Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher - Jim Rickard Thursday, April 10, 2014

1 John 1:9-10, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”

Doxology Praise Jehovah, all ye nations, All… ye people, praise proclaim; For His grace and lovingkindness, O… sing praises to His Name. Great to us hath been His mercy, E…ver faithful is His Word; Through all ages it endureth, Hal…lelujah, praise the Lord!

Prov 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”

Proverbs Chapter 13 Prov 13:24, The Importance of Discipline, Pt 3.

The loving church - congregation relationship: The church will apply the appropriate discipline to the reversionistic congregant.

Principles of Church Discipline: Church discipline is taught in: Mat 18:15-18; Rom 16:17-18; 1 Cor 5; 2 Cor 2:6-11; Gal 6:1-3; 2 Thes 3:6-16; 2 Tim 2:23-26; Titus 3:10.

The purpose of church discipline is always restoration and not revenge, 2 John 1:9-11. The church’s attitude is to be one of love and gentleness, Gal 6:1-3.

II. The Manner of Discipline.

1. Discipline must be done by those who are spiritual, truly walking by the Holy Spirit and growing in the Lord, Gal 6:1.

2. Discipline must be done in a spirit of humility, gentleness and patience, looking to ourselves lest we too be tempted, Gal 6:1-2; 2 Tim 2:24-25.

3. Discipline must be done without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality, 1 Tim 5:21.

4. Those who walk disorderly are to be admonished, warned, and appealed to in love, Eph 4:15; 1 Thes 5:14-15; 1 Tim 5:1-2; 2 Tim 4:2; Gal 6:1.

5. If no response in repentance and obedience, the sinning believer is to be rebuked publicly and members of the body are to withhold intimate fellowship through the process, 1 Tim 5:20; 2 Thes 3:6, 14-15; Titus 3:10.

This action has a two-fold objective:

a. To indicate to the offender that his/her action has dishonored the Lord and has caused a rupture in the harmony of the body. 2 Thes 3:14-15.

b. To create fear in the rest of the flock as a warning against sin, 1 Tim 5:20.

6. If still no response, the church applies the procedures of excommunication, Mat 18:17; Rom 16:17; Phil 3:17-19; 1 Cor 5:4-5; 2 Cor 2:6; 2 Thes 3:6-15.

7. Discipline includes a readiness to forgive, comfort, and reaffirm our love to the sinning person, 2 Cor 2:6-8.

III. Reasons for Church Discipline.

Scripture, not our opinions or dislikes, must guide us and we must not become hypercritical or “speck inspectors”, Mat 7:1-5.

1. General Causes: Disorderly conduct, conduct clearly out of line with the prescribed commands of Scripture which negatively impacts the testimony and unity of the church, 2 Thes 3:6-15.

Grace Fellowship Church Thursday April 10, 2014 Lesson # Proverbs Chapter 13 The Importance Of Discipline, Part 3 Church Discipline Part 2 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2014 Grace Fellowship Church Thursday April 10, 2014 Lesson # Proverbs Chapter 13 The Importance Of Discipline, Part 3 Church Discipline Part 2 Prov 13:24; 1 Cor 5; 2 Cor 2:6-11; 2 Thes 3:6-16; 1 Tim 5:1-2, 20; 2 Tim 2:23-26; 4:2 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2014