Sermon on Discipline in the Church | Exactly What is Church Discipline?
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION
A. Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a society where citizens could flaunt the rules and absolutely no consequences would follow/no fines, no imprisonment, etc.?
1. Can you conceive of a home environment where children are allowed to do whatever they please with utterly no discipline imposed?
2. Total chaos would reign in either of these instances.
3. Yet, there are countless congregations of Christ across our land where little, if any discipline is ever enacted.
4. Is it any wonder that our brotherhood is weaker today than it has been in several decades?
B. In this sermon on discipline we ask, “Exactly what is church discipline?”
1. In its broadest sense, it involves everything from the most basic instruction that a new-born child of God receives – to the radical “surgery” sometimes required in the withholding of fellowship from impenitent apostates.
2. For the purpose of this study, we are speaking of the terminal act – the church’s obligation to withdraw fellowship from those who cannot otherwise be reached with more moderate approaches.
C. In this study we will consider:
1. The New Testament authority for discipline
2. The purpose for church discipline
3. Conduct deserving church discipline
4. How the final act of church discipline should be administered
DISCUSSION: (Discussion of this sermon on discipline in the church.)
A. NEW TESTAMENT AUTHORITY FOR CHURCH DISCIPLINE
1. Every serious Bible student knows that there is ample authority for the practice of church discipline. Let us consider a few samples of New Testament evidence.
2. Matthew 18:15-17
a. Jesus speaks of one who has wronged a brother and will not repent even though compelled to do so by the wronged individual, by witnesses, and by the church.
b. To be counted as a “Gentile [heathen—KJV] and the publican” means to have no social contact with him.
3. Romans 16:17
a. Those who cause division are to be marked and avoided.
b. Division coming through false doctrine or division coming as a result of un-Christlike behavior
4. The entire 5th chapter of 1 Corinthians deals with the matter of discipline.
a. A fornicating church member had pursued in his immoral lifestyle relentlessly, and Paul rebukes the Corinthian congregation for not practicing discipline
b. Paul says he should be “taken away from among you” (v. 2), “delivered unto Satan” (v.5), and “put away” (v. 13).
c. Furthermore, Paul said … 1 Corinthians 5:9-11
5. 2 Thessalonians 3:6
a. This is a command!!!
b. Those who walk disorderly are to be disciplined
6. Titus 3:10
a. A “factious man,” or “heretick” is one that is divisive, or a follower of false doctrine (Thayer)
b. We are to have no association with a divisive person
B. THE PURPOSE OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE
1. What is the purpose in withdrawing fellowship from the disorderly?
a. It certainly is not an act of revenge toward those who have fallen from the faith.
b. Never be exercised in a haughty or spiteful manner.
c. The scriptures do teach, though, that discipline is both corrective and protective in function
2. Obviously, church discipline is designed to save the erring child of God.
a. 1 Corinthians 5:5 … “that the spirit might be saved”
b. Matthew 18:15 … to “gain” the wayward
c. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 … to make him “ashamed”
d. Galatians 6:1 … that they might be “restored”
3. Church discipline is also for the protection of the church
a. Paul warned _ 1 Corinthians 5:6
b. Romans 16:17-18
c. Paul disfellowshipped Hymenaeus and Alexander for the welfare of the brethren
1) 1 Timothy 1:19-20
2) 2 Timothy 2:16-18
4. Church discipline is also important in preserving the integrity of the church before the eyes of the world.
a. Society has bias enough against us without having the legitimate complaint that we harbor evil within our fellowship
b. We should never give occasion to the adversary for reviling (1 Tim. 5:14).
c. It is imperative that the conduct of the church be such that “the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed” (1 Tim. 6:1), and that they way of truth be not “evil spoken of” (2 Pet. 2:2).
C. CONDUCT DESERVING OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE
1. A brother who has sinned against another, but refuses to repent of his transgression, could, ultimately, be disfellowshipped (Mat. 18:15-17).
2. Those who cause occasions of stumbling, and who initiate division, are proper subjects for church discipline (Rom. 16:17; Tit. 3:10).
3. Those who are practitioners of such sins as fornication, covetousness, extortion, idolatry, drunkenness, etc. could certainly be candidates for withdrawal (1 Cor. 5:9ff).
4. Advocates of soul-threatening doctrines must not be allowed to continue in open fellowship with the church (1 Tim. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:16-18).
5. Those who walk disorderly are to be refused association by the faithful (2 The. 3:6). Those who are walking disorderly are those who are not faithful.
6. It should be remembered that a person’s disposition is frequently the determining factor in when, or whether, withdrawal of fellowship should be administered
7. In being a member of the Lord’s church you are expected to live right, or expect discipline
8. Finally in this sermon on discipline in the church…
D. HOW SHOULD THE FINAL ACT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE BE ADMINISTERED?
1. In every congregation where qualified men are serving as elders, it naturally would be the case that the eldership would lead the church in the withdrawal of fellowship from the unfaithful.
a. Let it be stressed, however, that the withdrawal of fellowship is not an “elder act” behind closed doors.
b. It is an activity on the part of the entire church, and the formalization of the procedure must be enacted in the public assembly (1 Cor. 5:4).
2. After the Lord gave His instructions regarding the procedures for restoring the brother who had wrong his fellow, Jesus declared _ Matthew 18:20.
a. Few people seem to recognize that this comforting promise of our Lord was given in a context exhorting church discipline!
b. Since Christ is thus in the assembly of the church or present when two or three are convicting a brother of sin, it is the Lord who acts with His church and its members when they carry out His word in church discipline.
CONCLUSION” (End of this sermon on discipline in the church.)
A. Loving discipline was as much a trait of the New Testament church as correct worship, organization, etc.
B. The question must then haunt us: “Can a church that utterly refuses to practice church discipline be a New Testament church?”