1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Introduction:
Tonight we will look at the sobering subject of Church discipline. In the past several weeks we have studied what we have promised God and each other when we joined this assembly. Tonight we will study the things that God has placed in His Word, and the things that are in our constitution that will help enforce compliance to both.
(The following is taken from Article V. Section D of our Constitution)
SECTION D – DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS
1 PURPOSE OF DISCIPLINE
The purpose of this Church’s discipline shall be to maintain its spiritual and doctrinal purity; to insure its self-perpetuation and existence in accordance with its original purposes; to follow the injunction of the New Testament regarding the maintaining of local church purity (I Corinthians 5:6-8); to head off, where possible, disunity and discord, both of which are not pleasing to the Lord; and to provide an atmosphere in the church which is conducive to carrying on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ to His greatest glory. While it is recognized that the individual member’s purity and correction should be sought (Galatians 6:1,2), where this is not possible, the purity and welfare of the Church as a whole must be the guiding principle in the discipline of its members. (Matthew 18:17; II Thessalonians 3:6, 7; Titus 3:9-11)
2 REASONS FOR DISCIPLINE
A member of this Church shall be subject to church discipline for anyone of a number of causes among which are:
a) Any member who discloses the confidential business of the Church to other than members;
b) Any member who circulates any report to the disparagement of this Church or any of its members;
c) Any member who is publicly guilty of common rumor charging him with gross impropriety of crime;
d) Any member who is not maintaining the standard of a member in good standing according to Section A, Paragraph 1 (see also Section C, Paragraph 2) of this Article, or pursuing any course of conduct, which in the judgment of the Church is considered unbecoming as good citizens and believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, or is considered disreputable to the Church as a body, or which tends to subvert the truth as we hold it;
e) Any member who holds and advocates doctrine and practices opposed to those set forth in the Church’s Statement of Faith, Covenant, or Constitution;
f) Any member who treats the acts or decisions of the Church contemptuously or pursues such a course which produces discord, disunity, or dissention.
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I. Purpose for Church Discipline
A. Maintain purity
1. Spiritual/ moral
1 Corinthians 5:1-2
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-7
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2. Doctrinal
Romans 16:17
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Titus 3:9-11
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
B. Insure self perpetuation
Revelation 2:5
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
C. Head off disunity and discord
James 3:13-16
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
D. Provide a Godly atmosphere of ministry in the church.
James 3:17-18
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
E. Help an erring brother or sister find restoration and forgiveness through repentance.
Galatians 6:1-2
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Matthew 18:15-17
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
II. Reasons for Church Discipline
A. All discipline comes from the sin of not repenting.
2 Timothy 2:25-26
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
B. Disclosing confidential business of the church.
Proverbs 11:13
13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
C. Circulating a report that hurts the reputation of the church or her members.
Proverbs 17:9
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
D. A member guilty of living publically in a state of sin.
1 Corinthians 5:9-11
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
E. A member not in good standing.
1. Behavior unbecoming to a Citizen
1 Timothy 3:7
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
2. Behavior unbecoming to a Believer
Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Titus 2:4-5
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
F. A member who holds doctrine not in line with our statement of faith, covenant, or constitution.
2 Timothy 4:3
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
G. A member who stirs up discord regarding the decisions of this church.
Proverbs 22:10
10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
Proverbs 6:12-19
12 A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. 13 He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. 15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. 16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.