Church Discipline: What, Why, and How Come? (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Luke 17:3-4)

CHURCH DISCIPLINE (see Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5; Luke 17:3-4)

"Though the word discipline carries negative connotations, the practice of church discipline ought to be motivated by a positive, loving desire both to preserve the purity of the church (2 Cor. 7:1; cf, Acts 5:11; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Thess. 3:6-15; 1 Tim. 1:19-20; Titus 1:10-16) and to restore sinning brothers and sisters to the fellowship (cf. Luke 15:3-8; Jude 23), Church discipline should never be motivated out of self-righteous pride, political agendas, a desire to exercise power in an unbiblical way, or an intent to embarrass people.  Rather, it should be overseen by the elders who, as shepherds of the flock, sincerely long to see wandering sheep repent, return, and be restored (cf. Gal. 6:1)

The process of church discipline is outlined by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17; If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.  If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.  But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.  And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

This passage delineates a four-step process for how churches are to deal with sin among their members.  First, believers are to address sin on an individual level, approaching the offending party with a spirit of gentleness and humility.  If the sinning brother responds to that private confrontation in repentance, the church discipline process comes to an end.  He is forgiven and restored (Matt. 18-15). But if he refuses to repent, the process moves to a second step, in which one or two more believers join in confronting the sinning brother.  These witnesses (cf. Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19-15; John 8:17; 2 Cor. 13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19; Heb. 10:28) primarily confirm that the sin was committed, and they also observe how the offending party responds after being confronted a second time (Matt. 18:16).  It is hoped that the added weight of their rebuke will be enough to prompt a change of heart in the sinning brother.

 Should he still refuse to repent after being given adequate time, the process moves to a third step.  In light of the sinning brother’s persistent hardheartedness, the witnesses are to bring the matter to the church (Matt 18; 17) by notifying the elders, who in turn communicate it to the congregation.  Because of the public nature of this step, the elders must perform due diligence to confirm the facts of the situation—that the church member has sinned, has been confronted, and has refused to repent—before announcing it to the entire congregation.  The purpose of alerting the church is twofold; to remind other members of the seriousness of sin (cf. 1Tim. 5:20) and to encourage them to confront the sinning brother in the hopes that he will repent and be restored.

John Stott on Hyper-grace Sanctification and Legalism

Photo Credit: http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/

For some time evangelical church leaders have expressed various biblical concerns with the theological trajectory of the free-grace/ hyper-grace sanctification movement.  In recent years certain Christian authors and preachers have attempted to outdo one another in effort to be even more "gospel-centered" and "grace-orientated" than the next guy (or gal).  As such, a large number of books have been published on gospel-centered preaching, gospel-centered parenting, gospel-centered counseling, gospel-centered athletics, gospel-centered dog rearing, etc.  No Christian is against genuine, grace-driven ministry and gospel-centered living.  But just like the super market, not every product that claims to be "organic" is truly pesticide free.  Such is the case with some gospel-centered literature.  Upon careful consideration some gospel-centered material is actually off-centered.  

Biblical discernment is essential.  We must be aware of the true so we can beware of the counterfeit.  We must ask God to help us discern the very subtle differences between right and almost right.  Christians must know their Bibles, love theology, and be actively part of a Word-saturated local church led by qualified shepherd-leaders.  

In the judgment of this Christian blogger, Bryan Chappell (slightly) over-corrected his theology many years ago in effort to avoid the potential ruts of "legalism."  Elyse Fitzpatrick and Tullian Tchividjian went much further and as a result have gotten themselves into trouble (see sanctification, grace, and the obedience of faith;  The continued folly of hyper-grace sanctification).  Tullian was removed from the Gospel Coalition and Elyse was uninvited to the annual Woman Discipling Woman conference.  

Tullian, a leader of the hyper-grace movement, was later found to have been living a double life of gross sexual sin/adultery, etc and was removed from pastoral ministry.  In hindsight, it appears Tullian passionately promoted a hyper-grace sanctification paradigm to appease his guilty conscience.  From Tullian's point of view, how can I uphold what the Scriptures teach concerning progressive sanctification and personal holiness if I am secretly sleeping with congregants?  Sometimes people change their theology in order to accommodate their own beliefs and private practices. Hence passages like 1 Timothy 4:16, Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

Pleasing God through Progressive Sanctification

When there are just two choices on the shelf, pleasing God or pleasing self, choose wisely!  

True believers "make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or absent from it" (2 Cor. 5:9).  Pleasing Christ and glorifying God (1 Cor. 10:31) is one of the major themes emphasized in the biblical counseling movement and rightly so!  It's also the central theme in Dr. R.C. Sproul's book on sanctification, "Pleasing God: Discovering the Meaning and Importance of Sanctification."  

The only perfect Man who has ever been provides a perfect life example of this life and death commitment.  Jesus Christ, God's "beloved Son" always pleased the Father (Matthew 3:17; 17:5; John 12:28).  On three occasions God spoke audibly from heaven and declared that He was well pleased with His Holy, Holy, Holy Son.  

When considering the perfect obedience of Christ the hymn writer rightly declares, "Oh to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer, this is my constant longing and prayer; Gladly I'll forfeit all of life's treasurers, Jesus Thy perfect likeness to wear."  As those justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone long to obey God and please Christ "in all respects' (Col. 1:10).  Unfortunately, the spirit is willing but the flesh is oh so weak (Matt. 26:41).  We need the Helper's help more than we often realize (John 14-16). When Christians fail to "walk in the Spirit" we need the LORD's tender mercies and forgiveness (1 Jn 1:7-9; Psalm 32).  Thankfully, we worship, love, and serve "the God of of all grace and second chances."

But back to our blessed Lord and Savior.  The Lord Jesus made it clear, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work" (John 4:34).  As the long-awaited Messiah (John 20:31), the incarnate Word of God (John 1:1-14), always yielded His human will to the Father's perfect plan (Luke 22:42).  Unlike us, the Son of God is intrinsically righteous, and unlike us, He always trusted and obeyed!

In the aforementioned book, Dr. Sproul writes, "In the Christian life, there is an upward call.  One does not move upward in a circle.  We are on a line going somewhere.  It is moving forward.  In a word, there is progress in the Christian life." It's not an easy road or a straight line to glory mind you.  It's often, two steps forward, one back.  One step forward, one back.  Three forward, two back.   In John Bunyan's classic, "The Pilgrims Progress" Bunyan understand the many dangers, toils, and snares that stand in the path of every Christian, not to mention, the sin "which so easily entangles us" (Heb. 12:1-3).  "But Mr. Bunyan also understood two vitally important truths about the Christian life:  we are pilgrims, and we make progress."  In the words of Ephesians 2:10, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  Commenting on Ephesians 2:10, Sproul adds, "Jesus does not fashion His art on an assembly line.  His work of molding and shaping is done with infinite care and patience.  We have seen the bumper sticker, 'Be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet.'  There is truth in that statement."

Progressive sanctification is a process.  It is a gradual process.  Run from those who promote unbiblical paradigms of sanctification.  Be it from the hyper-grace movement or from those who promise a "second work of grace" followed by sinless perfection/instant sanctification.  On this point, Sproul notes, "Rebirth/regeneration is instantaneous.  Justification is instantaneous.  But sanctification is a lifelong process.  It involves a diligent struggle against a multitude of obstacles...It is a journey that takes us through the dark night of the soul, through the valley of the shadow of death, and through the wilderness of temptation."  The Puritans really understood this life-long struggle and holy war.  Hence, books like John Owen's, "The Mortification of Sin" and Thomas Watson's "the Doctrine of Repentance" and "Heaven Taken by Storm: Showing Forth the Holy Violence a Christian is to Put Forth in the Pursuit of Glory."

Sanctified sweat is to be expected.  Along the way we will sometimes succumb to the flesh, the world, and the Tempter's tailor made temptations.  The journey and final victory however are certain!  "Christ promises to go with us and to bring us out the other side.  Our Lord finishes what He starts... The Lord is intensely interested in our welfare and our maturing (Hebrews 12:5-10).  He wants us to learn more and more about God and how to please Him.  He wants us to find joy in pleasing Him (1 John 5:3; Psalm 119:97; Psalm 19:11)...He wants us to change.  He helps us to change.  This growth in pleasing God is called sanctification."

The Master's Plan for the Church sermon series at Lake Country Bible Church

The Master's Plan for the Church

Sermon 1 (5/26/19)- By Whose Authority? How Jesus Governs the Universe.
Romans 13; Eph. 6; Heb. 13:17

Sermon 2 (6/2/19)- By Whose Authority?  How Jesus Runs the Church.
Selected Scriptures.

Sermon 3 (6/9/19)- The Biblical, Historical, and Apostolic Precedent of Elder-led Churches
Acts 1-28 and Selected Scriptures.

Sermon 4 (6/16/19)- Sheepology 101: Embracing the Good Shepherd's Plan for My Life and His Church.   
Selected Scriptures

Sermon 5 (6/23/19)-  Sheepology 101: Embracing the Good Shepherd's Plan for My Life and His Church.  Part 2
Selected Scriptures

Sermon 6 (6/30/19)- "You Cannot Do it Alone!" Why Every Church Needs Multiple Shepherds
Exodus 18:13-27; 1 Peter 5:1-4

Sermon 7 (7/7/19)-  The Elder's Mandate: Shepherd the Flock of God Among You
1 Peter 5:1-5  (pt. 1)

Sermon 8 (7/21/19)- The In's and Out's of Biblical Soul Care
1 Peter 5:1-5, Selected Scriptures (pt. 2)

Sermon 9 (8/4/19)- Shepherds After God's Own Heart
1 Peter 5:1-5 (pt. 3)

Sermon 10 (8/11/19)- Lead (by Example), Follow, or Get Out of the Way!
1 Peter 5:1-5 (pt. 4)

Sermon 11 (8/18/19)- Christ Rewards the Faithful: Great Our Reward Shall Be!
1 Peter 5:1-5 (pt. 5)

Sermon 12 (8/25/19)- I Want to Serve But I'm Not Worthy (Not so Fast)!
Selected Scriptures

Sermon 13 (9/1/19)- You Know That So and So's Biblically Qualified IF _______________
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (pt. 1)

Sermon 14 (9/8/19)- Ministry Must Have's: Spiritual Maturity and Exemplary Character
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (pt. 2)

Sermon 15 (9/15/19)- Why Church Members (Sometimes) Need Biblical Overseers Looking Over Their Shoulder?
Selected Scriptures

Sermon 16 (9/22/19)- The Attitudes  and Actions of a Godly Congregation
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Sermon 17 (9/29/19)- The Purposeful Prioritization of Biblical Instruction in the Life of the Church

1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:13-14; Selected Scriptures

Sermon 18 (10/6/19)- The Anatomy of a Biblical Church: Theology Matters!

Selected Scriptures (pt. 1)

Sermon 19 (10/20/19)- The Anatomy of a Biblical Church Leader

Selected Scriptures (pt. 2)

Sermons are available for free at www.lakecountrybible.org

Choosing Appropriate Praise Songs and Hymns for Corporate Worship

"The church possesses two books to aid in worship: the Word of God and the hymnal. The Scriptures stand as the perfect and unwavering revelation of God throughout the ages. It is our rule, and the only infallible word on all matters of our faith and practice. The hymnal exists in submission to the authority of Scripture and assists the people of God in singing truth. Its songs are an ever-flowing stream, sung by people responding to God in worship.

Choosing hymns for the local church is a sacred task. Even when the hymnal used is electronic and lacks binding and pages, the practice of Christian singing remains vital. As Colossians 3:16 says, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

In this text, Paul teaches the Colossians the importance of singing in the local church. The hymns and praise songs we sing are not to be chosen clumsily, but with intentionality and with care. Hymns have the ability to teach us, to admonish us, and to provoke our hearts to worship our Savior with thankfulness.

CHOOSE HYMNS THAT TEACH

The hymns of the church ought to be built on, shaped by, and saturated with the Word of God. While the New Testament is silent on many of the specifics of corporate worship, Scripture is clear that the Word of Christ must be central. When the hymns we sing are aligned with the Word of God, our souls are nourished by its truth. Singing is a unique way to “let the word of Christ dwell richly” in us. One reason our songs should be closely tied to the Word of God is their didactic effects. Singing for the Christian is formative and responsive, and therefore must be informed by Scripture. We learn what we sing.

I’m looking for a new church. What should I be looking for?

QUESTION:
I’m looking for a new church. What should I be looking for?  Your checklist should include these 9 marks:

ANSWER:
1. Expositional preaching.
The pulpit is the rudder of the Church (2 Tim. 4:1-5).  As goes the pulpit so goes the ministry (Col. 1:28).  Does the pastor preach God’s Word, or his own ideas? Does he allow Scripture to set his preaching agenda, or does he pick topics by some other criteria? (2 Tim. 2:15, 4:2-2) Does he preach the full counsel of God or does he pick and choose which passages are important/relevant? Is the preaching text-driven, God-centered and reflect the intended meaning of the passage?

2. Biblical theology.
"Does the church openly confess key biblical doctrines? Do the leaders consistently teach sound doctrine? (Tit. 1:9-11)  Do they have a robust statement of faith or a small one?

3. A biblical understanding of the gospel.
Does the church clearly proclaim the good news about what Jesus Christ accomplished for sinners in his death and resurrection? Consistently? (1 Cor. 15:1-4)

4. A biblical understanding of conversion.
Does the church teach that people must be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:1-8)? Does the church teach that in order to become a Christian, a person must repent of sin and trust in Christ, both of which are ultimately gifts of God? (Acts 11:18, 20:21)

5. A biblical understanding of evangelism.
Does the church preach the gospel to non-Christians and encourage its members to do the same? Does it understand that it’s our responsibility to preach the message of salvation yet God is the only one who can do the saving? (Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 2:1-10)