Church Discipline according to the Bible | Let's Talk Biblical

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If you love talking about the Bible as
much as I do, then I think you'll really
enjoy this show. Welcome to Let's Talk
Biblical, the podcast where we dig deep
into the heart of scripture, explore
timeless truths, and have real
conversations about what the Bible says
and how it applies to us. My name is Lex
and I want to thank you for joining me
on today's episode. So, grab your Bible,
get comfortable, and let's talk
biblical.
Hey, welcome back. All right, so today
we are going to be diving into a topic
that many churches want to avoid, but
the Bible talks about it. And so, um,
because scripture talks about it, I
think it's important for us to talk
about it. And it can be an uncomfortable
topic at times, especially if you're
involved in the process. And what I'm
talking about today is church
discipline. And so if you are someone
who is involved on either end of church
discipline, it's not always comfortable.
It's it's actually it's never
comfortable. Um it's it's not a fun uh
fun thing to be a part of on either end.
Whether you're the one giving the
discipline or you're the one receiving
the discipline, it's not a fun topic.
Um, but it is important and is something
we all need to be aware of.
So, what does the Bible say about
correcting sin in the congregation, in
the community? And is it legalistic for
us to hold each other accountable
or is it an act of love? And that's
that's kind of the the thrust of what
we're going to be talking about today.
Um, we're going to explore what Yeshua
and the apostles taught about the topic
of church discipline and confronting
sin. Um, and about restoring those who
have been involved in the process, uh,
restoring them back into the community.
But first thing I want to point out is
that church discipline is about
maintaining
the the purity of the entire
congregation. And so as we're looking at
this, that's something to keep in mind
is is that um church discipline is about
maintaining the community and and
keeping the entire community um holy
and um walking in the right path.
Um so first off, let's talk about what
is church discipline. Um and I want to
define it biblically.
And church discipline is the process by
which the body of believers holds its
members accountable to the standard of
God's word. Okay. Um
let me go ahead and say that one more
time just so we're clear on what this
definition is. Church discipline is the
process by which the body of believers
holds its members accountable to the
standard of God's word. Okay. And church
discipline includes rebuking someone,
correcting someone. Um, and if if
necessary, removal of someone from the
congregation. Um, but the goal of church
discipline is always repentance and
restoration. And so, no matter what the
situation, the goal is repentance and
restoration.
Um, so I want to start with Revelation
chapter 3.
And we're going to look at verse 19.
Says, "As many as I love, I rebuke
and chasen. Therefore, be zealous and
repent."
Okay, so uh this is Yeshua speaking and
he says, "Those who I love, I rebuke and
chasen." And so it is an act of love to
rebuke and chasen someone. It's a an act
of love to um to confront someone about
their sin and to correct their behavior.
That is an act of love. Um but how you
approach it can make a huge difference.
And so if you um if you are kind in your
approach uh and let them know that it is
from love and that it is for their good,
for their benefit, that makes a huge
difference.
uh versus being cruel and um harsh with
that person. And so um I think that
discipline should always come from a
place of love. Whether you're
disciplining your children or whether
you're disciplining someone in the
community of faith.
Discipline should always come from a
place of love. Um I remember when I was
a kid, I I got I got a lot of spankings
growing up. And when my dad
would come to spank me, um, he made sure
that he had time to cool off first
before he came in to give me my spanking
because he didn't want to spank me while
he was angry because he was afraid he
would hurt me in his anger. And so he
would send me to my room and tell me to
cool off and think about it and take
some time to consider what I'd done. And
what he told me later, what he was
actually doing was giving himself time
to cool down before he gave me my
spanking. And so he'd send me in my room
and and tell me to think about it. And
then he would take some time and cool
off and calm himself and gather his
thoughts. Then he would come in and he
would lecture me first. And I think
sometimes the lecture was worse than the
spanking. Um, but he would tell me what
I did wrong and why it was wrong and uh
how I disappointed him and how I um let
him down and things like that. And then
he would say, "Okay, now I'm going to
spank you and I'm doing this because I
love you and I don't want you uh you
know, I don't want you to to grow up to
be a a criminal or something." So, um so
then he would he would he would spank
me. Um, but it gave him time to cool
down before he spanked me so that he
didn't lash out in anger and just, you
know, hurt me in the process. Um, and I
think that's important for, you know,
one thing for parents to consider is
when you're when you're disciplining
your kids, don't discipline them in
anger. Um, discipline them in love. And
the same thing for uh, community
discipline. When you're disciplining
someone in a congregation, obviously
you're not giving them a spanking um but
you're disciplining them verbally uh by
chastising them, by rebuking them, by
telling them that what they've done
wrong, correcting their mistakes, uh
giving them counsel,
um things like that. And so do that out
of a place of love. And even if you're
removing them from the fellowship, even
if it's the type of sin where you have
to say, you know what, you can't be part
of our congregation anymore, that can
still be done in love. It doesn't have
to be um angry and cold. It can be done
in love.
All right. Uh, the next verse I want to
look at
is 2 Timothy chapter 4
and verse two
says, "Preach the word. Be ready in
season and out of season. Convince,
rebuke, exhort with all long
longsuffering and teaching." Okay. So,
here it talks about teaching, but it
also talks about rebuking someone. And
so, to rebuke is to um tell them what
they've done wrong. And so, uh to tell
them, hey, you you know, you have you've
errored in this way and uh you have
sinned and you have you have done
something contrary to what the word of
God says. And so, um we've had examples
of things like this in our congregation.
So, um, let me go ahead and pull up
this, uh, the verse one more time on the
screen so we can read along. Preach the
word, be ready in season, out of season.
So, preaching, uh, sometimes can be a
time of correction. And so, sometimes
you're giving instruction, sometimes
you're giving, uh, exhortation,
sometimes you're giving, um, correction,
sometimes you're giving uh, a rebuke,
sometimes you're giving
um, theology. You know, there's all
kinds of things that you can be giving
while you're preaching, but sometimes
preaching is a time of correction,
correcting bad behavior. So, you're
telling them what sin is and then um you
know, pointing them away from it,
pointing them to to do better. Um and so
there have been times in in our ministry
and in in our church where this is how
correction has come is through
preaching. And so there's something
going on. Let's say gossip for example.
there's there's gossip going on in the
church and it's multiple people involved
in it rather than going one by one
individually. We may just take a a uh
teaching and just talk about what is
gossip and get everybody on the same
page and say, "Okay, this is what you're
supposed to avoid. Don't do this. This
is what gossip is. Don't do it." So that
we can correct them through teaching.
Um
and then uh rebuke exhort with all
longsuffering and teaching. So rebuke
with longsuffering and teaching. So you
know this is a type of rebuke that would
come through teaching. Um you know and
so for example if somebody's breaking
the Sabbath, we may um do a teaching on
what does it mean to break the Sabbath
and talk about that. So, you know, those
are some some examples of of how you
might be able to um bring correction,
bring discipline just through teaching.
And so, sometimes that's all it needs is
just teach on it. And that helps correct
the situation so that they get back in
line. They realize they've stepped
outside the bounds of scripture. They're
doing something scripture says you're
not supposed to do. And you teach on it
so they're educated. And sometimes just
educating somebody on what they've done.
um educating them on what sin is.
Sometimes that is enough to uh to stop
the problem and to correct the behavior.
And so uh something else I want to point
out is church discipline is not about
judgment. Um it's about the kind of
godly love that cannot ignore sin. Okay?
And so judging somebody is oftentimes
seen as um harsh, as seen as um
holding something against them,
um putting them down,
um things like that. And so that's not
the point of
uh church discipline is not not to be
judgmental, not to be um harsh. It's to
bring love, but it's it's it's the kind
of love that doesn't tolerate sin. And
so that's where church discipline comes
from is the heart of love that does not
tolerate sin.
And so I want to now turn to Matthew 18.
Now Matthew 18 is not explicitly about
church discipline, but I think that we
can get some uh principles from it.
And it's it's actually Matthew 18 is u
it's about when you're uh someone sins
against you personally and how you
process it. But it can also it it
moves us towards church discipline. And
so it starts this is where um if someone
offends you personally, this is your
process before you have to take it to a
church discipline matter is really kind
of what it is. And so it says,
"Moreover, brother, uh, moreover, if
your brother sins against you, go and
tell him his fault between you and him
alone. If he hears you, you have gained
your brother." All right? So, um, first
thing you do is you go talk to that
person, just you and him or you and her.
And so, you let's say, you know, someone
at church uh said or did something that
offended you. They hurt your feelings
somehow. they um they slandered you or
they gossiped about you or they said
something mean to you or um they you
know even things like you know they they
didn't invite you to something so you
were hurt because you didn't get invited
to their their event. Um there's all
kinds of ways this could manifest all
kinds of situation but the the point is
it's between you and this person. It's
not a public matter. It's not uh it's
not that they have um been involved in
some uh heinous sin per se. It's that
they have sinned against you. They have
hurt you somehow. And whether they said
something to you that hurt you or
something about you that hurt you,
anything like that. Um there's been some
sort of offense between you and him, you
and her. You go to that person oneon one
and you try to reconcile. And the goal
of this is reconciliation. And so you go
to them and say, 'Hey, you know, you
really hurt me when you did this. You
really hurt me when you said this. Um,
you hurt me because you didn't invite me
to this and I felt left out. You know,
whatever whatever the situation might
be, go to that person oneonone and mend
the relationship and say, you know, you
you hurt me and give them opportunity to
repent and to apologize. In many cases,
that's exactly where it'll stop because
they'll just say, "Oh man, I'm sorry. I
didn't mean to hurt you. I I'm really
sorry. Um, you know, that wasn't my
intention. I didn't want to hurt you.
Um, please forgive me. And that may be
the end of it. And and you don't even
have to go to the next step. But let's
say you go to them and and you say,
"Hey, you you you did this. You hurt me.
You offended me." And they say, you
know, "So what? I don't care. That's not
my problem. That's your problem." Well,
then we go to step two. Okay. And so we
go to step two and it says, "And if he
refuses to hear you, tell it to the
church." Oops. I'm sorry. Uh, sorry, I
skipped a step.
Uh, okay. But if he will not hear you,
take with you two or or more, that by
the mouth of two or three witnesses,
every word may be established. Okay? So
you go to your brother and tell him his
fault between you and him alone. And if
he hears you, you have gained your
brother. But if he will not hear you,
take with you two or more, that by the
mouth of two or three witnesses, every
word may be established. Okay? So what
this is talking about is you're taking
witnesses to the conversation.
They don't have to be witnesses to the
offense. Um, so you're not ganging up on
him and saying, "Okay, hey, Bob and
Susie both saw you do this and so now
you you're cornered because we got three
against one." That's that's not that's
not what it's talking about. It's
bringing a couple of people with you to
the conversation to witness the
conversation to make sure things go
well. And so then you start over again
and you say, "Hey brother, hey sister,
you have sinned against me and I've
brought some witnesses now for the
conversation." They're here to see that
the conversation goes well, to see that
repentance is made, to see that
forgiveness is made, um to see that
restoration can take place between you
and me. And so that's what those
witnesses are there for is to help
ensure that the conversation goes well,
to to help ensure that things are not
getting out of hand. um that that uh
that the person understands the
seriousness of the matter, things like
that. Okay. And then
uh the next one
uh here it is. And if he refuses to hear
them, tell it to the church. Okay? So
you've taken your your two or three
witnesses with you. And if he still
refuses, even with all these witnesses,
uh then you tell it to the church. Okay?
Okay. So then you would go uh so then
you tell to the church. But if he
refuses to hear even the church, let him
be to you like a heathen and a tax
collector. Okay. So uh you you go to
him, he's he refuses. You bring a couple
witnesses. He still refuses to try to
reconcile. Then you go before the
church.
And so what that means is you go to uh
most likely would mean you go to church
leadership and you get the leadership of
the church involved.
Now, obviously, this would only apply if
it's someone who is part of the
congregation. So, if if this person is
uh not a member of the congregation,
then going to the church doesn't even
make sense because what's the church
going to do? Uh the church is going to
kick out somebody who's never been part
of the church. No, that that doesn't
make sense. Um so, this is talking about
someone who is part of the church. You
bring them, you bring the matter before
the elders, the leadership of the church
and let them get involved in the
process. And so they would then go to
the person and bring the word of
correction to that person, try to
reconcile the situation, try to work
through the details of, you know, what
happened and uh, you know, why they need
to correct their behavior, why they need
to repent and apologize, whatnot.
But if he still refuses even after
church leadership is involved, then it
says, "Let him be to you like a heathen
and a tax collector." Okay? So now he is
at the point where you're kicking him
out of the church. He's no longer part
of the church. He is now an outsider.
Treat him as an outsider. He is no
longer a brother. He's no longer a
member of the church. And that is that
is kind of that process of of what's
going on there. So,
um, once again, you go first, you go
privately to the person and show him his
fault just between you and him. If he
doesn't listen, bring two or three
witnesses to help mediate the
conversation so that maybe it'll go
well. Hopefully, it'll go well. If it
still doesn't go well, then you go to
the elders of the church, the leadership
of the church, and you get them
involved.
Once they get involved, if it still
doesn't go well, if there still isn't
reconciliation, then they will make the
decision that this person needs to be
cut off from the congregation and kicked
out of the church. Um, that is not the
goal though. The goal is not to kick
people out of the church. The goal is
reconciliation.
Okay? And I've actually had people come
to me and they say, 'Well, I need you to
do Matthew 18 with so- and so because
you need to kick them out of the church
because they're doing this and that. No,
it's it's not that I need to kick them
out of the church. Matthew 18 is about
reconciliation. It's about trying to
bring reconciliation and restoration to
the relationship.
And both parties need to be involved in
that reconciliation. and both parties
need to be willing to reconcile uh for
reconciliation to take place. If one of
those parties is not willing to
reconcile, then the party that does not
want to reconcile is the party that is
removed from the congregation.
Um and that's because they refuse to
reconcile. And so that's that's kind of
the uh the process.
Um this is the biblical way to confront
sin. And again, the goal is repentance
and restoration, reconciliation.
Um,
and and I want to point out if someone
is removed from the congregation,
um, even if you're told, hey, you need
to distance yourself from them, uh, cut
off cut them off from fellowship,
um, treat them like an outsider, treat
them like a a heathen, treat them like a
pagan, that doesn't mean you stop loving
them, okay? you still love them. You
still pray for them and you're still
hoping for their restoration and their
return. Uh praying for them to have a
change of heart, praying for them to
have repentance in their life. Ch
praying for them that they would seek
out reconciliation
and come back into the faith. Um and
that is still the goal. Even if they're
removed, that's still the goal. Okay?
And we see this in 1 Corinthians 5.
Okay? So, um Paul is talking about um a
certain type of sin that takes place in
1 Corinthians 5. And he says, "You need
to kick him out of the church."
And I want to go and pull that up real
quick.
And we we're going to start we'll start
in verse one. It is actually reported
that there is sexual immorality among
you and such sexual immorality that is
not even named among the Gentiles that a
man has his father's wife.
Okay. And he says and you are puffed up
and have not rather mourned that he has
done this deed might be taken away from
among you. Okay. So he is bringing
correction to the church. Paul is as an
apostle, he is overseeing multiple
churches and we talked about apostles um
last week or the week before uh last
week. And um the role one of the roles
of an apostle is he's an overseer over
multiple congregations. And so as an
apostle, he is overseeing those
congregations. And he's going to this
church and he's saying, "You messed up.
You need to have disciplined this
person. you should have already done
this. Now I'm stepping in and telling
you this is what you need to do. And so
he says this this guy is committing
sexual sin and it's a really bad sexual
sin and because of the the level of such
sexual sin that is going on, he needs to
be removed from the church. He cannot
remain in the church because of the type
of sin that he's involved in. And it
doesn't have to be specific to this
exact instance. There are lots of
different types of sexual immorality
that would fall under this category. And
so if someone is in an an unrepentant
sexual immorality,
um that person
at some point will need to be removed
from the the congregation. Um and
hopefully having, you know, confronting
them about the sin, rebuking the sin
will be enough that they will change and
and repent. Um but if if if they don't
repent, if they don't change their ways,
um then it may come to the point where
you have to say, "Okay, this person
can't be in the church anymore." And
depending on the sin, you may have to do
it sooner than later.
And so with a grievous grievous sexual
sin like this, he says, "You need to
immediately remove this person from your
congregation." So he says um
for indeed
as absent in body but present in spirit
I have already judged as though I were
present him who has done this deed.
Okay. So, he he didn't have to be there
to tell us what to do. What to do. In
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when
you are gathered together along with my
spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus
Christ,
deliver such a one to Satan for the
destruction of the flesh, that his
spirit may be saved.
Excuse me. deliver such one to Satan for
the destruction of the flesh that his
spirit may be saved in the day of the
Lord Jesus Christ. In the day of the
Lord Jesus. Okay, you deliver such one
to Satan.
Um
what does that mean? He's saying hand
them over to Satan. Kick them out of the
congregation. He is no longer part of
the He's no longer considered a saint.
He is no longer considered a child of
God. He's no longer considered part of
the church. You kick him out of the
church. Hand him over to Satan. That's
what that's what that means. Okay. And
it says for the uh that his flesh may be
saved. For the destruction of the flesh
that his spirit may be saved. Okay. The
destruction of the flesh is is to
destroy his flesh nature so that he can
come to his senses. You think about the
prodigal son. All right? The prodigal
son has to go wallow in the pigs in the
pigsty. He has to he has to live with
the pigs for a while and see the depths
of his sin and see how far he has
fallen. Um if he is if he is to if he if
he's allowed to remain in church, he's
never going to see the bottom. He's
never going to hit rock bottom. He's
never going to see the depths of his
sin. He's going to continue walking in
sin and thinking everything's okay
because he's allowed to remain in the
community. So you kick him out of the
community and you tell him you are no
longer part of the church. You are an
outsider. You are you are in exile. You
are no longer saved. That is that is
basically what you're telling this
person is you are no longer saved. You
are no longer uh a man of God. You are
walking in sin and we're handing you
over to Satan. U so that your flesh will
be destroyed. So that you will come to
your senses. So that you will repent. Um
so that you will truly see the depravity
of your sin. so that you can come to the
Lord. Come to your senses and come back
to the Lord with uh with full faith with
um you know set free from this sin.
Okay? So the spirit may be saved. So the
whole point again is restoration. It's
so that he can find salvation. Uh many
people think that you need to allow them
allow them to continue being in church
because you think well if he keeps
coming to church maybe he'll he'll
change his ways. maybe he'll learn.
Maybe he'll um you know, he'll he'll
hear a sermon and get convicted or
whatever. That's that's not what it
says. It says you kick him out of the
church so that he will repent, so that
he will turn from his sin. He He knows
what he did is wrong. And if he doesn't,
by you telling him this was wrong and
that's why you're you're being kicked
out, now he knows it was wrong. Um, and
so that rebuke, that correction, and
that kicking him out of the congregation
is what is to solidify the depths of his
sin so that he will come to his senses,
so that he will change his ways and
repent. Um,
and so there there are a number of
things that this would apply to, but
anytime you kick somebody out of the
church, that's the goal. That is the
goal is for their salvation, for they're
coming to their sentence uh coming to
their senses and repenting and that's
the goal. Okay.
Um
but the the goal of this isn't
punishment. The goal is salvation. And
um
sometimes removing someone from the
congregation is the thing that will
cause them to come back to their senses
and to repent. Okay. So that sometimes
that is the necessary step in order to
for them to have the salvation that they
truly need to be set free from whatever
this sin is that is uh ins snared them
and ent trapped them. Okay. Um and so
why is church discipline necessary?
It's for the restoration of the sinner.
Um so that's first thing is it's for the
restoration of the center. That's the
first uh primary
um goal of church discipline is the
restoration of the sinner for the
healing and and salvation of the sinner
to get them uh to repent of their sin
and to walk in righteousness to walk
according to God's word. Um it's not
about shame. It's about healing. Okay?
It's not about tearing somebody down.
It's about helping them get to the point
where they will actually change. It's
it's it's a catalyst for change. That's
that's the goal. Uh second secondary the
primary is for their salvation.
Secondary is for the uh the holiness of
the congregation
because allowing sin to remain in the
congregation defiles the congregation.
And so by allowing that sin to continue,
you are defiling the congregation.
You need to expel the sinner. We see
this even in the Old Testament. There's
certain types of sins that God says,
"Kick them outside the camp. They can't
be here."
And an example of this is uncleanness.
Certain types of uncleanness, they're
supposed to stay out of the camp because
that uncleanness spreads
um and it contaminates others. And so
you think of leprosy. That's something
they're an outcast. They're they're
they're an outsider. They no longer
belong to the camp. And that's that's
kind of what sin is like. Sin is kind of
like leprosy. And if you allow it to
remain, if people are aware of it and
it's it's going on and they know it's
going on and it's remaining, they it it
spreads. And so often times other people
will say, "Well, he's doing it, so I
guess it's okay for me." And it'll cause
other people to do it, too. Um, and so
one easy example of this may be
alcoholism. Okay? So, it's it's not a
sin to drink, to have some alcohol. Um,
you know, have a glass of wine with your
dinner, you know, have have a beer
occasionally, whatever. But the Bible is
against it's the Bible is opposed to
drunkenness and to being a drunkard.
Okay? Drunkenness is a state of being
drunk. And so, the Bible is opposed to
you being drunk. So, you can have a
glass of wine, but don't get drunk. You
can have a beer, but don't get drunk.
Um, you can have a glass of whiskey if
you want, but don't get drunk. And so
drunkenness is to be avoided. And then a
drunkard is someone who is regularly
drunk, someone who is drunk on a regular
basis. And so we would refer to those
persons as maybe an alcoholic.
Um,
but the point is, uh, if you have
someone like that in the congregation,
um, it is contagious. And so you have um
uh
let's say you have a person in your
congregation who is regularly drunk and
he's drunk around other people. He
invites other people from church over to
his house and he gets drunk and every
time they come over he gets drunk and
then they start thinking, "Well, I guess
this is okay. He's doing it. He's part
of the congregation.
Um you know, maybe it's okay. maybe it's
okay for me to be a drunk. And we've got
to be careful that we're not condoning
sin and and encouraging other people to
participate in sin. Um, and so that's
something you got to be careful of. Um,
and so if if you are allowing a drunkard
to remain in the congregation, then you
may be encouraging that type of sin in
other people. Um, also I wonder if there
is some sort of a spiritual
contagiousness to certain sins. And so,
for example, if you have someone in your
congregation who is um, you know,
practicing homosexuality or uh, someone
who is um, looking at pornography or
someone who is uh, committing adultery
or someone who is uh, doing some form of
sexual sin. It may be done in secret
where nobody knows about it. But could
it be that when they come into the
congregation, there's some sort of a
spiritual demonic
uh element that is brought in with them
that could then be transferred to other
people in the process and make them
unclean in the process. Make them have
sinful desires, sinful thoughts, things
like that. I think that is a possibility
not beyond uh reason.
And so, um, when you're aware of sin,
you need to deal with it,
um, and and deal quickly with it and not
allow it to continue, uh, because it may
be contagious. It may be something that
rubs off on other people and gets, you
know, causes them to, uh, to fall into
the same kind of sin. Uh, you know,
gossip is another example. If you allow
gossip to continue without uh addressing
it, more and more people start to gossip
and it becomes a regular event and and
pretty soon everybody's gossiping. Um
and so when you're aware of it, you need
to deal with it, correct that behavior
uh so that it doesn't continue and so it
doesn't spread. So it's for the the
protection of the wholeness and the
holiness of the congregation
because the Bible says a little leaven
leavenvens the whole b the whole lump.
And so uh and this is actually the next
verse in 1 Corinthians 5 verse 6 says
your glorying is not good. Do you not
know that a little leaven leavenvens the
whole lump?
Okay. So, um allowing sin to remain
can lev the rest of the congregation
and we don't want the rest of the
congregation to become contaminated with
sin. Um and then so the next thing he
says is therefore purge out the old
leaven that you may be a new lump since
you truly are unleavened for indeed
Christ our Passover was sacrificed for
us. Okay. So this is um he's using
Passover as an example. At Passover, you
remove the leaven from your house.
You're not supposed to let any leaven
remain. Um, and so you go through your
house and you clean out all your
cabinets, all your pantries, your
fridge, your freezer, um, everything.
You just you dust for crumbs. You you
sweep, you vacuum, you get all the
crumbs out of your house. You're not to
have any leaven in your house at all
when you go into Passover.
And that is the way we're supposed to
approach sin too is and sin in the
congregation especially is that um we're
supposed to purge out all the all the
leaven purge out all the sin out of our
lives individually and out of the
congregation
and the community as a whole. Um and so
we are supposed to be purging sin from
our lives. And so when we find sin we're
supposed to remove it, deal with it. And
so either the sin needs to be removed by
repentance
and you know them stopping that sin.
So they repent and they stop that
behavior or it needs to be removed by
removing the person. And so that's those
are the only options when it comes to to
sin is they need to stop the behavior or
they need to stop being part of the
congregation because the congregation
does not need to be leavened with sin.
Okay. So that is that is how church
discipline helps to protect the holiness
of the congregation.
Now um not not all um congregations are
good at church discipline and they
that's something all congregations need
to be better at. Um unfortunately many
congregations especially nowadays
they're more concerned about how many
people are there than they are the
health of the people who are there.
Um, and so they focus on numbers, not on
uh transformed lives.
And so they're not concerned about
rebuking someone for sin. They're
concerned they might lose a tither.
They're concerned they might lose a
financial
uh support for the church. And often
times the bigger tithers are the ones
who are the the most sinful and the ones
who need the correction the most. But
they think because they write a big
check that they can get away with it.
That's manipulation. And I would warn
pastors and and and uh leaders in
churches, don't fall for it. Um if
someone is involved in sin, I don't care
how big a check they write, they need to
be removed from the congregation. And
you you just tell them, you know what,
um, as Peter told the uh
um Simon the sorcerer,
uh, you know, he said, he said, you
know, Simon the sorcerer was trying to
buy
um the gift of the Holy Spirit and Peter
said, uh, may your may your money perish
with you. And so that's the attitude we
need to have towards sinners is, I don't
want your money. Uh, I don't want your
dirty bribe money. Um, you you can't buy
your way into heaven. You can't buy your
way into this congregation. You can't
buy your way into salvation. Um, I don't
care how rich you are. Your sin is not
welcome here.
And because your sin is not welcome
here, your money is not welcome here.
Um, that's the kind of attitude we need
to have towards um, sin in the
congregation. And if that means you're
you're tight financially for a while, so
be it. trust the Lord to provide. Um and
and don't trust in in in
dirty money, you know, sinful money. Um
and and so the next thing I want to talk
about is that um church discipline is
about upholding the authority of
scripture. Okay? If we ignore sin, we
are compromising the truth of scripture.
So by dealing with sin, by having church
discipline, whether that mean rebuking
them, correcting them, or possibly even
removing them, you are upholding the
authority of scripture and saying
scripture says this is wrong. This needs
to be changed. You need to repent of
that behavior or else you need to remove
from the congregation. You are upholding
the authority of scripture when you do
that. And so you're placing scripture on
high authority. This is very important.
Um, I want to turn to
uh let's turn to Titus 3
and
I'm going to start in verse 9.
Avoid foolish disputes, genealogies,
contentions, and strivings about the
law, for they are unprofitable and
useless. Okay, this setting up some
context. Then he says, "Reject a
divisive man after the first and second
admonition,
knowing that such a person is warped and
sinning, being self- condemned." Okay,
so avoid
foolish disputes, genealogies,
contentions, and strivings about the law
for they are unprofitable and useless.
So, this is talking about someone who is
who is being divisive and argumentative
about scripture. Okay? This isn't um
this isn't the same kind of sin. This is
a different kind of sin. Now, we're
looking at this is someone who is being
contentious and striving about
scripture. Um they're striving about
teaching. They're they're striving about
uh theology. They're striving and
arguing and debating and disputing with
someone in the in the congregation about
faith matters
and it says that they are a divisive
person. Okay? They're causing division
in the congregation and you're supposed
to reject them after the first and
second admonition. So you go to them and
you say, "Hey brother, this is wrong.
You need to stop arguing about this.
this is not something you need to be
trying to um do here. This is not
welcome here. This type of behavior is
divisive and it's not welcome here. And
he says you give them, you know, two
strikes and you're out. So first and
second admonition, you go to them, you
you rebuke them and admonish them,
correct them. And after you do that
twice, you say, "Okay, you're out.
You're not welcome here anymore. I've
I've warned you. I've warned you again.
You're out." It says reject a divisive
person after the first and second
admonition knowing that such a person is
warped and sinning being self-
condemned. So they are sinning because
of their divisive attitude because
they're
disputing about foolish things. Okay?
They're disputing about genealogies,
contentions, and strivings about the
law. Um and so an example of this might
be someone who wants to come into your
congregation and so let's say uh someone
comes to my congregation grafted church
uh we are a Sabbathkeeping congregation
we believe the Sabbath is Saturday from
Friday sunset till Saturday sunset but
then let's say somebody comes into our
congregation and they want to argue and
and they want to argue the lunar Sabbath
and they argue that the Sabbath is not
on Saturday the Sabbath is on the
seventh
7-day cycle based on the moon. Um, and
it resets every month and it's so some
months it's on Tuesday and other months
it's on Sunday and other months it's on
Wednesday. It's all over the place.
Okay. Um, that person wants to come and
argue and bring contention in the
congregation. This is a a situation that
has happened. We have had this happen.
That's why I'm bringing it up.
um go to that person and you say,
"Listen,
this is not something we're going to
argue with you about. We do not agree
with you on this. This is what we
believe about the Sabbath. If you want
to teach otherwise, you can go someplace
else.
That is not welcome here. That type of
teaching, that striving and contention
about the law is not welcome here. We're
not going to dispute with you about it.
We're not going to argue with you about
it. If you want to continue this, you
can go someplace else. This is not
welcome here." Now they have an
opportunity. They have a they have a um
they have something to consider. They
have an opportunity to either uh say,
you know what, I will line up with this
congregation and I will keep the Sabbath
as you guys do and I will walk in line
with with what this congregation teaches
or I will go someplace else. Those are
their two choices. Okay? You say, "We're
not going to strive about this. We're
not going to argue about this. this is
what we believe about the Sabbath and if
you think something else you need to go
somewhere else because this is not the
place for you and that I've actually
worded on our website on our beliefs
page I've actually worded some things in
that way that if you know if you believe
this way this is not the congregation
for you um you go someplace else um
I think in some things I I even say
you're not welcome here if this is if
this is how you believe you're not
welcome here because we're not going to
strive with you about this. We're not
going to argue with you about this. This
is we have a hard stance on this topic
and we're not we're not going to argue
with you about it. This is what we
believe and if you believe otherwise,
you either change your belief and line
up with us or you go someplace else. Um,
and that's what he's talking about here
is these disputes and genealologies and
contentions and strivings about the law.
They're arguing about the Bible within
the congregation causing division,
causing confusion, causing chaos. This
is how church splits happen is someone
comes into the congregation
and they bring in some contrary
teaching, something contrary to what's
being taught um in the pulpit and they
start teaching other people in the
congregation
subversively. And so they are subverting
people and leading them astray and
pulling them out of the faith of the
congregation and into some other
doctrine. Um these people are sinners.
The Bible says they are um they are
divisive and it says knowing that such
person is warped and sinning. Okay. They
are sinning by doing this. By trying to
uh teach other people and pull people
out of the congregation, teaching them
some strange doctrine and pull them away
from the congregation. They're sinning
in doing so. And they're and what I've
seen when this happens is people they're
leading other people astray.
And so the the duty of the leaders in
the congregation is to protect the
congregation from these wolves, from
these people who want to come in and
bring in uh false teachings and
controversies and contentions and
arguments. Protect the congregation from
these people and tell them you're not
welcome here. Go someplace else. This is
not the place for you. We're not going
to argue about this. You just hit the
you just hit the road. Okay? That is
that is how church discipline protects
the congregation.
um from division and and contention.
And we're going to look at 2
Thessalonians chapter 3 now. And um I
want to start in verse 6.
But we commend 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 tradition which he received
from us. Okay? Someone who is walking
contrary to what they were taught
um by the leaders, by the by by the
elders, by the apostles.
For you yourselves know how you ought to
follow us. For we are not disorderly
among you,
nor do we eat anyone's bread free of
charge, but worked with labor and toil
night and day, that we might not be a
burden to any of you.
Not because we do not have authority to
but to make ourselves an example of how
you should follow us.
Okay, so he's talking about leading by
example. For even when we were with you,
we commanded you this. If anyone will
not work, neither shall he eat.
For even when we were with you, we were
commanded, we commanded you this. If
anyone will not work, neither shall he.
Oh, I just read this one.
Now those who are such, we command and
exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ
that they w that they work in quietness
and eat their own bread.
But as for you, brethren, do not grow
weary in doing good.
And if anyone does not obey our word in
this epistle, note this person, and do
not keep company with him, that he may
be ashamed.
Yet do not count him as an enemy, but
admonish him as a brother.
Okay, so this one's interesting.
He's saying um that if if someone if
people don't work then they don't eat.
And so this is talking about someone who
is mooching off of the congregation.
They're they're being lazy.
They're not they're not working. They're
not helping. They're not benefiting the
community. They're not adding value to
the community. They are leeching from
the community. Okay.
Um this this is something we need to be
aware of. There are people who do this.
Um they don't bring value to the
community. They come to suck
everything out of everybody. And so
maybe they're coming and they're sucking
up everybody's time. Maybe they're
coming and they're sucking up
everybody's energy by constantly needing
something. um they are just a drain on
the community and uh or you know maybe
they're financially draining the
community. They are they're not
performing a job. They're they're not
working and they're they're they're
coming to the church for money and
they're saying, "Hey, you know, I need
money. Can you help me out?" And they're
constantly asking for money from the
church.
These are a drain on the community. They
are not bringing value to the community.
they are draining and sucking value out
of the community and not replenishing
it. Um he says you're supposed to
admonish them and correct them, but he
says if they don't work, they don't eat.
So put them to work. Teach them how to
work. Teach them how to labor. Teach
them how to do what's right. Teach them
how to budget. If they're bad bad with
money, teach them how to finance. Teach
them how to budget. Teach them how to
manage their money better. um so they're
not constantly pulling from the church.
If they need a job, help them find a
job.
Teach them that they need to work. Um
encourage them to get a job. Um
encourage them to get two jobs if
necessary. Um
help teach them the skills they need so
that they can work. um you know,
whatever the situation is, but they need
to be a productive member of the
congregation.
Um and so here here is an example of
people walking what he what he describes
as disorderly.
They're not um they're not
bringing order to the congregation.
They're bringing chaos.
They're not adding value. They are
removing value.
Um, and so those are things to look for
as well. And now this type of
correction, he says you don't count them
as an enemy. So this is not one of those
things you kick somebody out of the
church for, but you may have to tell
them, "Hey, we can't help you anymore.
Uh, we can't continue to finance
um your laziness."
And so we've helped you out a couple
times and we can't help you out anymore.
You may have to get to the point where
you cut them off. And so, you know, they
come to you for money and they say,
"Okay, yeah, I'll help you out." And
they come to you, you know, they come to
you this month for money. They say,
"Hey, man. I'm I'm short on money. My
rent's due. Um, can you help me out?"
And you say, "Yeah, we'll help you out."
So, you give them some money. And then
the next month comes along and they say,
"Oh, man. I'm short again. Can you help
me out again?" Okay. Now, you're seeing
this is a pattern. Well, why? So, the
question should be, why are you short on
money? We helped you out last month. You
shouldn't be short on money. Why are you
why why don't you have money? What's
this? What's the situation? Um did you
lose your job? Did you have unexpected
bills? Um you know, was there something
that happened that caused you to get
behind? You know, what's the situation?
Find out what the situation is first.
If the situation is just they're bad
with money, then you say, "Okay, before
we can help you with money anymore, we
want to help you with your finances. We
want to help you with a budget. We want
to help you manage your money so that
you're not continually
coming for for money each month."
uh that may be the type of discipline
that's necessary in that situation where
you're saying uh you need discipline in
your finances so that you are not a
burden to the congregation.
Um and and I think that is an
appropriate type of discipline that
needs to take place. And and so you say
to them, okay, we will help you, but you
have to agree to go through this finance
class or you have to agree to let us
help you with your budget. let us look
at your finances and help you budget.
And if they say, "No, we we don't want
you to mess with our budget. We don't
want you to mess with our finances. We
just want a handout." Say, "I'm sorry.
We can't do any more handouts. Um we've
helped you. And if if you're not willing
to let us help you with your discipline
and your finances, we cannot be um
frivolous with the church's finances."
Okay? We are stewards of God's money. We
can't just be throwing it away
willy-nilly on people who are not
responsible with their finances. And so,
we want to teach you how to be
responsible with your finances. And
we're willing to help you financially if
we can help you with your finances and
help you budget and help you manage your
money better. Um, help us step let us
help you by stepping in uh and being
part of your finances for a little bit
so that you can learn to manage your
money better. If they are willing to do
that, then that's great and say yes,
accept this discipline, accept this um
correction, accept this teaching and how
to manage your your finances better, and
you're going to be better for it, and
they're going to be better for it. Um,
but if they refuse and they say, you
know what, I don't I don't want your um
financial advice. I just want a handout.
Say, okay, well, we can't give you
another handout.
I I think that that is absolutely okay
to do. Um it's not being harsh or mean.
Um you are stewards of God's money and
you need to be good stewards of God's
money. And so the money that comes into
the church is to help people, but you
have to do it responsibly. And if if
that person is not being responsible
with the money, then you can't trust
them with that money. And so that's
that's something that I think we need to
all be aware of.
Um,
okay. And then let's look at first
Timothy
chapter 5
and uh
start verse 19.
Do not receive an accusation against an
elder except from the except from two or
three witnesses. Okay. So this this is
important uh because accusations come
against those in leadership, elders and
deacons and pastors and and people in
leadership. There's a lot of times
there's accusations that are made. And
what we need to be aware of is that
sometimes people make accusations
just to hurt that person. They don't
like them and they're trying to hurt
that person. And there may be nothing to
it. It may be a false accusation. And so
it says, 'Do not receive an accusation
against an elder unless there's two or
three witnesses. So you need to make
sure that two or three people have seen
this behavior and can witness to it and
verify that it's true. And so you've got
to be really careful um when accusing an
elder or someone in leadership um about
something.
Those who are sinning, rebuke in the
presence of all that the rest may also
fear. Okay. So, um this is uh this is
something that we've had to do twice in
in the life of our church. And so, we've
had two elders that we've had to remove
from being elders. And we had to public
publicly rebuke them in front of the
whole congregation because they were
sinning and uh they would not repent of
their sin. they would not do anything to
reconcile their sin. And so we had to
publicly rebuke them and uh remove them
from being elders.
And it it's not fun. And it doesn't it
doesn't go well. Um it both times I've
had to do it um it did not go well. Uh
the first time it happened when we were
early on our church, uh we appointed an
elder and um he
he said a bunch of stuff against other
people in the congregation and was u
causing problems and he was speaking ill
of me to other people and he was
speaking ill of my wife and just causing
a lot of division and contention in the
congregation.
and um I rebuked him for it and I
removed him from being an elder and then
I announced it to the congregation that
he is no longer an elder. Um as a result
he left the church. I didn't kick him
out of the church. He left the church.
Well then um
actually fairly recently um within the
last six months we had to remove an
elder from our congregation and um it
was similar kind of situation. Um there
was a lot of contention and striving and
and um argument that was going on within
leadership and how he was acting in
leadership and things that were being
said was inappropriate.
Um, and there were accusations made
against us uh from from this person and
and his wife accusing uh me and the
other elders and and uh pastors of um
sin that was not true that we were being
accused of sin that we did not do. And
uh we tried to bring correction to them.
We tried to restore the relationship. We
tried to um
uh reconcile with them and they refused
to reconcile. They refused
reconciliation
and it got to the point where you know
at first he stepped down from being an
elder and I said okay well you know
that's that's good. Um you know you you
recognize that you're no longer fit to
be an elder and so you're you're
stepping down. I that's that's
honorable. I I recognize that. But then
as the conver conversation continued on,
it just got so bad. The things that they
were saying um about us and to us was
just just flatout lies. And it got so
bad that we thought, you know, it's not
even safe for them to be part of the
congregation anymore. We can't just let
him no longer be an elder. We need to
remove them from the congregation. So we
actually had to ask them to leave and no
longer be part of our congregation. And
that was hard. Um, and so when you are
disciplining an elder, that is a very
serious thing. Um, and you need to make
sure that it is done well, done right,
done correctly, that there are multiple
witnesses to it. And with this
situation, we had multiple witnesses and
the the witnesses to this situation were
actually elders and pastors. Um, and so
we had the the entire leadership team
was involved in this. And so the other
elder um myself
um the the associate pastor and the
youth pastor were all involved in the
process. So we had uh me, an elder,
associate pastor and youth pastor. We
had four witnesses to this conver
conversation
um to verify that what was done was
inappropriate and not fitting to be an
elder. Um and so because we had the a
multitude of witnesses to this um we
were able to go beyond this verse which
says do not receive an accusation
against an elder except from two or
three witnesses. We had four and those
who are sinning rebuke in the presence
of all that the rest may also fear. And
so we had to rebuke them publicly in
front of the congregation. That was not
fun. Um it's not something that I look
forward to. It's something I dread when
those kind of situations happen. I I
hate it.
Um, but it's something the Bible says
you're supposed to do. And so that's
what we did.
Um,
and it
we're we're hoping someday there there
can be reconciliation happen and
restoration. Um, but so far it hasn't
happened yet.
Um,
now I want to turn to Romans 16
and
verse 17.
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who
cause divisions and offenses contrary to
the doctrine which you learned, and
avoid them. Um,
for those who are such do not serve our
Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly,
and by smooth words and flattering
speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
Okay, this one goes back and kind of
ties in with uh what we're looking at
earlier in um
in Titus. And so it says rejected
divisive manath first and second
admonition. This one actually kind of
goes along with that. So someone who um
note those who cause divisions and
offenses contrary to the doctrine and
avoid them. Um
and for those who do such things are not
serving the Lord but their own belly.
And by smooth words and flattering
speech they deceive the hearts of the
simple. Okay. We had a similar situation
with a couple of guys in our
congregation years ago where um there's
this this one guy actually both guys are
very smooth with their words. They're
very flattering to your face. Um and
it's like they they have this um
unnatural smile as they're they're lying
to your face. um like the Cheshire cat
from uh Alice and Wonderland, you know,
just just ear to ear grin that kind of
gives you the creeps is is kind of how I
felt around these guys. Um and uh they
were working separate from each other at
first and then they kind of found each
other and started working together um
with each other.
But um these these guys were going
behind our backs and talking to people
and pulling them out of the congregation
and and trying to get them involved in
their own separate Bible study. Um they
were saying bad things about the church
and about the leadership. When new
people would come to church, they would
go and occupy those new people
completely. So nobody else could talk to
them. They would just occupy their whole
time. And then we'd never see those new
people again. And so it made me wonder
what are they saying to these people
that you know they they come once and we
never see them again. All they've
they've talked to this guy and this guy
ran them off is what it appears. Um and
so you know I confronted them about this
and
um you know it was just it was a lot of
um
flattering speech to deceive people.
is is the best way to describe and
that's you know that's what the Bible
says here is that's the best way to
describe what they were doing is they
were using flattery to deceive people
and to lead them astray. Um and but they
it says they these people who do such
things don't serve our Lord Jesus
because what are they doing? They're
pulling people away from the community.
They're pulling people away from the
congregation and uh causing division in
the congregation. Okay. says, "Note
those who cause divisions and offenses
contrary to the doctrine which you
learned and avoid them." So, they're
causing
offenses and divisions
and avoid them. Get get them out of your
congregation. Don't fellowship with
them. Don't don't talk to them. They are
divisive people.
Um
uh
so you know here all this stuff about
discipline, all this stuff about kicking
people out of the church, all this stuff
about um you know rebuking their sin and
and correcting their behavior. And some
might say, where's the grace? You know,
aren't we supposed to be showing grace
to people? And I would say absolutely.
Yes, we're supposed to give grace. Uh
but grace does not excuse sin.
Okay, that we give grace for repentance.
Grace is there for repentance. And so
you rebuke them for their sin and give
them the grace to repent. If they don't
repent, that's when you say, "Okay,
you're out of here." And so I want to
look at Romans 6 now.
Um, in verse 16,
do you not know? Uh, let's see. Is that
the one? No, I'm sorry. Verse one.
What shall we say then? Shall we
continue in sin that grace may abound?
Certainly not. How shall we who died to
sin live any longer in it?
Okay. Um,
so grace, you know, what should we say
then? Shall we continue in sin that
grace may be
Grace does not tolerate sin. That's not
it's not the purpose of grace. Grace is
not to tolerate sin. Um grace allows us
to die to sin so that we don't continue
in it any longer. Um think about the
woman who is caught in the act of
adultery. Okay? John chapter 8.
um this woman is caught in adultery and
they bring her to him and they say,
"Hey, this woman's caught in adultery.
What do you think we should do?" And
well, in this situation,
according to the Torah, the man and the
woman were both supposed to be brought
before the elders. And
if they're caught in the act, both of
them were caught doing it. So, both of
them were supposed to be brought before,
but they only brought the woman. And so,
they didn't do it according to the
Bible.
um they just brought the woman. Uh but
Yeshua, he he rebukes those who were um
trying to condemn her because they
didn't do it right. And so he says,
"Okay, whoever is without sin cast first
stone." And they all kind of wander off
one at a time as he's doodling in the
dirt. We don't know for sure what is
writing, but um you know, it it's
interesting to to imagine what it might
have been.
But you know, here's the thing. Um,
after they leave, he turns to the woman
and he says, "Uh, where are those who
accuse you?" She says, "Nohere." And he
says, "Go and leave your life of sin. Go
and sin no more. Stop sinning." So he
showed her grace by not condemning her
for her sin. But then he said, "Stop
sinning. Stop doing this behavior. This
is not appropriate." Okay? Jesus, leave
leave your sin behind you. Go and sin no
more. And so he showed her grace
in in her not being condemned for her
behavior. But the grace was there to
allow her to repent and to not do that
sin anymore. That was the purpose of it.
Okay? And so um discipline is a means of
grace.
Okay? By disciplining someone, you are
showing grace to them. You're giving
them an opportunity to repent. You're
giving them an opportunity to turn from
their sin and to walk in righteousness
and holiness. And so, discipline is a
means of grace. It is showing grace to
someone to rebuke them and to correct
them in their behavior so that they will
change their behavior. Okay? And this
brings us to Hebrews 12
and verse 6.
It says, "For whom the Lord loves, he
chastens and scourges every son whom he
receives."
Okay. Um
so
if if the Lord chasens you, if the Lord
re uh corrects you, if the Lord
disciplines you, it's because he loves
you. is because you're one of his
children and he wants better for you
just like we discipline our kids. Um we
want our kids to grow up to be good
people. We want them to be godly people.
We want them to walk in holiness. We
want them to do what is right. We want
them to be good citizens. We don't want
them to be lawb breakakers. We don't
want them to be criminals. We want them
to have good marriages. We don't want
them to be home wreckers. Um and so we
train up our kids in the word of God. We
discipline them. We teach them right
from wrong. We correct them when they go
wrong. Uh we encourage them when they do
right. All that is done because we love
them. And it's so that that they will
become better.
And that's God disciplines us because he
loves us and he wants us to be better.
And church discipline is the same way.
We discipline those in the church
because we love them and we want them to
be better. And so, um, that's the heart
behind this is out of love. Um,
all right. So, now, um, going to try to
wrap up pretty quick here. I know I'm
going over
Galatians chapter 6
and verse one. Brethren, if a man is
overtaken in any trespass, you who are
spiritual, restore such one in a spirit
of gentleness, considering yourself,
lest you also be tempted. Okay? So, how
we approach these people is important.
How we discipline people is important.
Um, treat them the way you you would
want to be treated if that was you.
Okay? If you were the one caught in that
sin, how would you want them to approach
you? Um, and and think about that as
you're talking to them. put yourself in
their shoes and say, "Okay, you know, if
if I was if that was me, what would I
need from the church to cause me to
change my ways to repent and to walk in
holiness?" You got to think through that
process. What would what would I how
would I want the church to deal with me
so that I would actually change and
repent? So that I would put away this
bad behavior and no longer do it. And
then that's how you should approach that
person. Um and so uh that is that is um
you know with gentleness, with kindness,
with love uh but with firmness
and um letting them know the severity of
their sin so that they will actually
take it to heart and so that actually
change. Okay. Um, church discipline
should not be self-righteous and it
should not be harsh.
And so when you come to them, um, come
to them knowing that we all sin. We all
fall short. All of us have sinned. All
of us have fallen short. Um, I'm no
better than you. That that should be our
attitude. Understand that we we all fall
short in different areas. And how would
I want someone to approach me if I was
in their shoes and approach them in like
manner?
be gentle, be firm, and be spiritledd.
Um, and remember that the goal is always
restoration.
It's reconciliation, it's repentance,
it's healing, it's salvation.
Um, okay. And so, um, we are called to
be holy people and the the church is
called to be a holy people and all of
its members individually. So the church
as a whole and its members are all
supposed to be holy. Um and so holiness
isn't just individual. It is communal.
It's about the whole congregation. And
so discipline is not just individual.
It's about the whole congregation.
Um and if we love the body of Yeshua,
we will not ignore sin inside the body.
Okay? We can't ignore sin inside the
body. If we love Yeshua, we love the
body of Yeshua. We love his people. We
can't ignore sin. We have to deal with
sin. And so just as we discipline our
children because we love them, we also
discipline those in the church because
we love them.
Um
and so some some things to consider is
are we tolerating things that God hates
by allowing sin? Are we tolerating
things that God hates? That's we don't
want to be in that place. Um, are we are
we correcting them in love? We we want
to make sure we're doing it in love. And
are we willing to confront
um
to confront sin for the sake of
restoration?
We need to have that willingness to be
willing to confront sin in order to
bring restoration, in order to bring
reconciliation, in order to bring uh
repentance.
And so we should never practice
discipline
um to control people. Okay? Discipline
is not about controlling people.
Discipline is about honoring the Lord
and redeeming those who have fallen.
Okay? That is that is what discipline is
to do. It's to honor the Lord and to
redeem those who have fallen. It is not
about control. It's not about
dominating. It's not about um being
superior or being in charge or being um
better than. It's not about being
judgmental. It's not about being harsh
or unkind or rude. It's about
restoration and healing in the body and
love and um
bringing the community to a to a more
biblical
uh holiness of what God is expecting of
his people.
All right.
And so
now let's talk about next week. All
right. So, next week on Let's Talk
Biblical, we're going to be tackling a
topic that is often misunderstood,
misapplied, and ignored altogether.
Okay? And this is the topic of biblical
headship.
And so, what does it mean uh for the
husband to be the head of the wife? What
is what is the Bible talking about?
There's so many misconceptions,
misunderstandings about that and false
teachings about that. And so we want to
dig into what is the Bible actually
saying on this topic and how do we apply
it? And so we're going to we're going to
explore things like the biblical
foundation of headship in creation and
in biblical covenants. Um we're going to
talk about how Yeshua redefineses
authority through servant leadership. Uh
we're going to talk about what headship
looks like in marriage, in family, and
in the church. and how rejecting God's
design leads to disorder and confusion.
Um we we live in a culture that is
hostile towards authority and
submission. The the the idea of
authority and submission are opposed
by so many people in the world today.
And this is a message that the church
needs to understand so that we can walk
it out correctly. Um, it's not about
lording over people. It's about walking
in holiness and order and doing things
the way God has designed them to be
done. So, join us next week as we open
the scriptures.
Excuse me. Join us next week as we open
the scriptures and rediscover the beauty
of biblical headship. Um,
it's not it's not control. It is
Christlike responsibility.
All right, thank you guys and we'll see
you next week. Thank you for joining me
on Let's Talk Biblical. If you enjoyed
this episode, then share it with your
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Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss
anything. And I look forward to chatting
with you again next week. Until next
time, keep talking biblical. Shalom.