Church Discipline

1Timothy 1:20 – Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. 1. RIGHTLY DIVIDING DISCIPLINE AMONGST GODS PEOPLE a) You have to know where to find our pattern for today, other wise you will be confused. b) God is not dishing out punishment today in this age as he has in the past – Gen 6, 11, 19:24-25, 1Sam 15:1-3. Or will in the future – Mal 4:1, Rev 20. c) We are not to use the law to decide how to discipline today – Deut 17:1-13, Num 15:32-35. d) Confessing your sins to a priest or others was for Israel and specifically for forgiveness – Lev 5:1-6, 16:21, 2Chron 6-7, Neh 9:1-3, Psalms 32:5, Dan 9, Matt 3:6, 1John 1:9, Matt 18:15-17,21, Matt 6:14-15, James 5:16. e) None of the above is our pattern today. Why? – The mystery and dispensation of grace given to Paul explains – Rom 3:20-26, 5:20-21, 6:14, 2Cor 5:19, Titus 2:11, Eph 4:32. 2. REMEMBER THE PURPOSE OF MEETING TOGETHER a) To minister one to another and grow - Titus 2, Eph 4:13-16, 1 Cor 14. b) We are ministers of reconciliation, not law givers – 2Cor 5:17-21 – God is offering grace and we should too – Eph 4:1-3, 22-32, Rom 12:5,10, Rom 15:5-7, Col 3:8-15 c) We should come together knowing we aren’t perfect and should want to correct our wrongs and grow in Christ – Prov 9:8, 27:5, Ecc 7:5 d) Colossians 3:14 says to put on charity above “all these things” – 1Cor 13:4-7, Eph 4:15, 1 Cor 8:1 – Charity is not simply defined as love which many take to mean as acceptance. 3. THERE ARE TIMES FOR REBUKE, REPROOF, & CORRECTION a) Always done according to/from the scripture – 2Tim 3:16 b) Rebuke is part of the function of the church – done by the spiritual/elders, not children – 2Tim 4:2, Titus, 1:13,2:15, c) You intreat an elder – 1Tim 5:1. Entreat – Admonish, exhort, to have a dialogue. Rebuke – to speak sharply against, to shut up. • Entreat as a father – Eph 6:2 • Honour to an elder because they should already be proved/purchased a good degree – 1Tim 3:1-13 d) Open rebuke of elders - 1Tim 5:20 - Has to do with holding & preserving the doctrine – Gal 2:11-13. e) Deliver unto satan - 1Cor 5:5, 1Tim 1:20 – For those who do not repent – to kick them out of the assembly for the purpose that they may learn, repent – 2Thess 3:12-14, 1Cor 5:2,7,9,13 f) The intent behind rebuke matters, should be out of love, to see one grow/help them – Col 1:28, Gal 6:1, 2Thess 3:15. g) If they refuse to repent/change, you reject/deliver unto satan – Rom 16:17, Titus 3:10.