Discipline - A Genuine Expression of Love (Part 2)

For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, - Hebrews 12:6a

-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT-

Discipline – A Genuine Expression of Love (Part 2)

Do you go to church or are you part of the church? These can easily be confused. Being joined together as believers in Christ, being membered to one another in Christ is vastly different than simply going to something we call church. Our being joined together in Christ as the body of Christ is best revealed and expressed in our membership of a local expression of the body of Christ.

As members of one another in Christ, together as the church, we are called to exercise discipline in one another’s lives. Formative Discipline is most often what we refer to as “discipleship”; this should happen much of the time in our gatherings and small groups, and even one on one. Formative Discipline is helping to form one another as disciples through instruction, through the teaching of the Word of God and through prayer. We do this knowing that it is the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us. Philippians 2:12-13 - Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Now, when one rebels or refuses to conform to ways of our Lord Jesus expressed in His Word, Corrective Discipline needs to be exercised. This is helping in correcting the disciple through correcting sin. Most of us are familiar with the story of David and Bethsheba (if not, read the story in 2 Samuel 11:1-27) The very next chapter (2 Samuel 12) is a great example of Corrective Discipline. Take note of David’s response to Nathan’s rebuke or corrective discipline (2 Samuel 12:13).

When one refuses to repent of his/her sin through Corrective Discipline, we are instructed to move forward with Church Discipline. This is an act by the church to remove an individual from membership in the church and his/her participation in the Lord’s Supper. As members of the church, we who profess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord are to follow Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. It should be evident that we are followers of Christ, and we are to live differently than the world. When a member of the church is set in his/her way of rebellion against God and His Word, the church exercises Church Discipline by making a public statement that it can no longer affirm the person’s profession of faith in Christ and address him/her as a follower of Christ. While the church does not make someone a citizen of the kingdom God, the church does have the responsibility for declaring who does and does not belong to Christ's kingdom. Matthew 16:13-20 and Matthew 18:15-20 help us understand the authority that the church has regarding this matter. Make a special note of what is found in chapter 16 and repeated in chapter 18.

This past Sunday, we read two key passages to help us understand church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1-13 followed by 2 Corinthians 2:1-11). In preparation for this Sunday, the following passages will also be helpful to study:

Matthew 7:1-10 Galatians 6:1-10

-CONSIDER & MEDITATE-

What is your attitude toward discipline? Why do you have such an attitude toward discipline? Why do we often fail to see churches exercise discipline in one another’s lives? What do believe happens when we fail to exercise and accept discipline from one another?

-PRAYER & THANKSGIVING-

The following Sunday, we will focus on the advent of Christ. I want to encourage you to spend time reading Matthew 1-2 and Luke 2.

Rejoice, the King has come. He has done His great work, and He is coming again. Give thanks to God and praise Him!!!