1. Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher - Jim Rickard www.GraceDoctrine.org Tuesday, April 22, 2014

2. 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.”

3. Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy (Ghost) Spirit. Amen.

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

5. Proverbs 13: 24 Principles of Church Discipline: 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.

6. Discipline is to deliver the offender from sinful patterns of behavior and not to drive him or her away from the fellowship of the church.

7. In disciplining, the church’s attitude is to be one of love and gentleness, Gal 6:1-3.

8. III. Reasons for Church Discipline.

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

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

11. 2. Specific Causes:

12. 2. Specific Causes: a. Difficulties between members, Mat 18:15-17.

13. 2. Specific Causes: a. Difficulties between members, Mat 18:15-17. b. Divisive or factious people causing divisions in the church, Rom 16:17-18; Titus 3:9-11.

14. c. Immoral conduct; sins of the type mentioned in 1 Cor 5:1, 11; 2 Thes 3:10-15.

15. d. False teaching; erroneous teaching and views which concern the fundamentals of the faith, 1 Tim 1:20; 2 Tim 2:17-18; also implied in Rev 2:14-16; Phil 3:2-3, 15-19; Rom 16:17-18.

16. The key concerns that guide us are: a) the holy character of God, b) the testimony of the flock, c) the effect upon the unity and purity of the flock, and d) the edification and restoration of the individual.

17. IV. Procedures for Church Discipline.

18. Caution must be made regarding any discipline. If you see the offense or you have accurate knowledge of the sin(s), please note these cautions:

19. a. Be sure it is an offense which calls for discipline and not merely one of our pet peeves. Again, the Word must be our criterion.

20. b. Remember how we too have sinned in the past and heed the warnings of Mat 7:1- 5 and Gal 6:1 against sinful judging and triple compound Divine discipline.

21. c. Bring the matter before the Lord in prayer before confronting them, 1 Sam 8:6.

22. d. Do not procrastinate. The longer the delay, the more difficult the condition can become.

23. e. Do not gossip or talk to others about it in the sense of Mat 18:16 until you have talked to the sinning believer privately.

24. We must guard and protect the person and the flock from rumors and a slanderous tongue, Prov 6:19b; 10:19; 11:13; 18:8, 21; 20:19.

25. The Procedures for Discipline.

26. 1. First Step. Seek private correction and/or reconciliation with the offender whether the sin is against you or not, Mat 18:15; Gal 6:1.

27. Mat 18:15, “And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private.” Cf. Mat 5:23-24.

28. 2. Second Step. If the first step fails, take witnesses to strengthen the effect of the discipline, preferably spiritual leaders, Mat 18:16-17; 1 Tim 5:19.

29. 3. Third Step If the 2 nd step fails, seek reconciliation and restoration through the whole body, 2 Thes 3:14-15; Mat 18:17; 1 Tim 5:20.

30. Two stages per, 2 Thes 3:14; 1 Cor 5:9-13; Mat 18:17.

31. a. The body is to exercise group disapproval by way of social ostracism (refusal to have intimate fellowship).

32. b. If this does not work, the local body of believers is to exercise excommunication: This must be approved of and done by the entire congregation, 2 Cor 2:6.

33. Grace Fellowship Church Tuesday April 22, 2014 Lesson # 14-040 Proverbs Chapter 13 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2014 Grace Fellowship Church Tuesday April 22, 2014 Lesson # 14-040 Proverbs Chapter 13 The Importance of Discipline, Pt 4 Church Discipline, Pt 3 Prov 13:24; Mat 18:15-17; 2 Thes 3:6-15; 1 Cor 5:1, 11 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2014