GOD REQUIRES DISCIPLINE

Ephesians 6:4

All who are in fellowship with God will be in fellowship with each other. Recognize the line of fellowship that God has drawn. Bible principles found in the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

I.      PRESCRIBED BY GOD/PREACHED BY FAITHFUL

        A.    Passages of great interest (Matthew 18:15-17, 18-21; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Romans 16:17-18, Galatians 6:1, 1 Timothy 5:19-20, Titus 3:10).

        B.    Others recognize it as an importance issue.

                1.     J.W. McGarvey

                2.     Alexander Campbell

                3.     Guy N. Woods

II.    PROPER PERSPECTIVE OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE

        A.    Discipline is designed to punish the evildoer (1 Corinthians 5:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 3:14).

        B.    It is also preventive in nature.

        C.    Discipline is like pruning. AHED: “To cut off or remove dead or living parts or branches of ... to improve shape or growth.” When the church is kept pure by pruning, it will grow (Act 5:10-14).

III.   PERVERTED PERSPECTIVES OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE.

        A.    Apostle’s prerogative, not ours.

        B.    Sinner’s may prevent by withdrawing before withdrawal.

        C.    Appalling perception:“They have quit the church. We can’t kick them out now.”

        D.    Passages perverted–Parable of the tares (Mat. 13:47-50).

        E.    Procrastination–“Wait and see” or "He will come around"

        F.     Too Painful. William Barclay said, “We should be as a surgeon, eager to eliminate the disease, but careful not to inflict unnecessary pain.”

CONCLUSION: “Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal 6:1).