PEOPLE WHO ARE TO DISCIPLINE (III)

“Discipline (by the church) is a process of purification by which the unruly, immoral, apostate, false teacher, or whatever, is brought to a state of repentance and correction.... Discipline is a means whereby the church retains its holiness and moral dignity.... Discipline is an extreme degree of merited punishment which is designed to bring (the offender) to a state of repentance and reformation” (Max Miller, First Century Christian). Today, we turn to the Book looking for God's instructions on who is to discipline. So many want to leave it to another, but God has placed the responsibility of discipline on the shoulders of each member of the congregation.

I.      THE PREACHER

        A.    The preacher’s main responsibility is to preach the whole counsel of God (1Corinthains 9:16; Titus 2:15; Acts 20:18-21,26-27).

        B.    Of course, he must also do what all members do.

II.    BRETHREN WHO ARE DIRECTED INVOKED IN THE SITUATION

        A.    The offender is instructed to go to the offended (Matthew 5:23-24).

        B.    And , the offended is instructed to go to the offender (Matthew 18:15).

III.   THE CHURCH

        A.    Galatians 6:1 "Brethren... spiritual."

        B.    “Brethren” (2Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; Matthew 18:17).

IV.   ELDERS

        A.    They have the oversight (1 Peter 5:1-2), which means they are "charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly." They are to convict (Titus 1:9).

        B.    Suppose: A man has sinned against a brother. He goes to him, nothing; takes witnesses, nothing; turns to the elders who fail to do what God has commanded?

        C.    ILL–“Drinking Teacher”; “Absent Elder” (Smithson, p.27, 28).

CONCLUSION: By all of us doing what God has instructed in the area of discipline, we will win those Who may be won.