2. 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?
3. 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 5:9-11
2.Doctrinal – 2 John 9-11
3.Trouble-maker – Romans 16:17
− Cause division
− Stir up dissent, gossip, busybody, talebearer
− Rebellion, disrupt the fellowship
4. 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.
5. 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“withdrawn fellowship” from the church.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
6. 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they have already withdrawn themselves
7. 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?
8. 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?
9. 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!
10. 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
11. 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
12. What is the punishment?
What must we do?
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 14 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
13. 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
14. 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?
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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?