The Messy but Necessary Process of Church Discipline pt 1 - 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

Supplying what is Missing

The Messy but Necessary Process of Church Discipline - pt 1

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

[Intro:]

This morning in our series “Supplying what is Missing” we are going to study a passage which discusses the Messy but Necessary Process of Church Discipline. This is one of the most controversial topics in the church for two main reasons: 1) we have seen/experienced church discipline practiced in an un-biblical way; 2) we are sinners and our flesh does not desire to submit to the authority of Scripture. The most important decision that Christians need to make on a daily, even hourly basis, is that we will submit to the authority of Scripture and submit to Christ as Lord. This decision properly made will help us to accurately understand and handle this “messy, but necessary process of church discipline.”

[Message:]

1. Refusing to practice church discipline demonstrates arrogance (1-2)

   1. This sin of incest was not practiced in Roman society (1). The Roman orator Cicero states that incest was practically unheard of in Roman society. This man was involved sexually with his step-mother. We know this from the description used, “his father's wife.” This form of relationship was forbidden by O.T. Law (Lev. 18:8; Deut. 27:20).

   2. Instead of removing this man (who was a professing Christian) from the church gathering, they ignored the situation. They thought they were being caring and loving by not practicing church discipline. God says that in reality, they were not caring and loving, they are arrogant. They are arrogant because they haven't removed this man from church gatherings. If they had responded properly they would have been sad that this professing Christian was involved in unrepentant sin. They would have confronted him about his sin and if he refused to stop his sin by repenting and confessing his sin, so that he may be restored to fellowship with the Lord and the church. Paul is communicating what Christ had taught during His earthly ministry (Matt. 18:15-20). The Corinthians thought they were so loving by not disciplining this man by removing him from the church, but God says they were arrogant because they were refusing to practice what He had commanded. Let's take a look at what Christ taught about church discipline (Matt. 18:15-20).

      1. Step #1 (Matt. 18:15) – If another believer is involved in sin, as made clear by Scripture, you as a believer are to humbly go to speak with that person alone. You are to ask the person if what you have seen or heard is true. If the person is in fact involved in sin, lovingly expose the sin with the light of appropriate Scripture (2 Tim. 4:2; Eph. 5:11-13). After exposing the darkness of sin with Scripture's light, if the person is repentant – the disciplinary process is over. There may be necessary follow-up and accountability with the person (depending on the situation). The goal of church discipline is repentance and restoration to fellowship with the Lord and the church (Gal. 6:1-2).

      2. Step #2 (Matt. 18:16) – There are occasions when the person involved in sin is unrepentant. In these cases, Christ instructs the confronting individual to bring two or three other believers along to confront the sinning individual again. These other individuals also ask the person if he is indeed involved in unrepentant sin as has been reported. If in fact he is involved in sin, the individuals are to expose the darkness of sin with the light of Scripture. After this confrontation occurs, if the sinning individual repents and confesses his sin, the disciplinary process is over. Again, there may be necessary follow-up and accountability with the person (depending on the situation). The goal of church discipline is repentance, confession of sin, and restoration to fellowship with the Lord and the church (Gal. 6:1-2).

      3. Step #3 (Matt. 18:17a) – There are occasions when the person involved in sin is still unrepentant. In these cases, Christ instructs the confronting individuals (now numbering three or four people) to inform the church. This should be accomplished by communicating the issue to the lead/senior pastor, who in turn should call a church meeting. The pastor shares the issue with the church. Then the sinning individual must be invited to the church meeting. In this environment, the pastor should ask the person if what is being said is true. If the person is in fact involved in unrepentant sin, the pastor should lovingly expose the darkness of sin with the light of Scripture. If the person is repentant and confesses his sin, the disciplinary process is over. In this instance there needs to be follow-up and accountability with the person. The goal of church disciple is repentance, confession of sin, and restoration with the Lord and the church (Gal. 6:1-2).

      4. Step #4 (Matt. 18:17b-20) – There are occasions when the person involved in sin is still unrepentant. When a person is unrepentant after being confronted before the entire church, he is to be removed from the church gatherings/fellowship, until he repents and confesses his sin (17b). Christ informs the church that when they obeys God's Word in this process they has heaven's approval (18).

Christ goes on to say that as the church obeys God's Word by confronting and disciplining sinning believers in the church they have God the Father's blessing (19). Christ says that as the church obeys God's Word by confronting and disciplining sinning believers in the church, they have Christ's divine enablement and approval (20).

Many times this passage (vv. 18-20) are used as blanket promises for any prayer request. The context of the passage refers to God blessings and enabling the church to confront and discipline sinning believers. It is something that God commands the church to do – confront and discipline sinning believers until they repent and confess their sin. After this the individuals in question may be restored to the Lord and the church. Since God commands this and is so personally involved in the process of church discipline, we now understand why the Corinthians are described as arrogant. They were refusing to obey God's command to discipline believers living in unrepentant sin! They were essentially telling God that they knew better than He did. They were telling God that they were more caring and loving than Him. This is arrogance. Whenever we at FBC Marathon refuse to practice church discipline we are telling God that we are more caring and loving than Him, and that we know better than He does! Wow! This would make us arrogant if we refuse to practice biblical church discipline. Biblical church discipline is most caring and loving. It is commanded by God.

[Conclusion:]

Here is a review:

1. Refusing to practice church discipline demonstrates arrogance (1-2)

   1. The process:

      • Lovingly confront the individual one-one-one

        • ask if it is true

        • expose the sin with Scripture

        • repentance and confession/restoration/accountability

      • Lovingly confront the individual three or four on one

        • ask if it is true

        • expose the sin with Scripture

        • repentance and confession/restoration/accountability

      • Lovingly confront the individual before the gathered church with the pastor overseeing the meeting

        • ask if it is true

        • expose the sin with Scripture

• repentance and confession/restoration/accountability

• Lovingly remove the unrepentant person from church gatherings/fellowship until he repents and confesses his sin

• repentance and confession/restoration/accountability

1. The process of church discipline must be characterized by:

   1. obedience to Scripture

   2. prayer

   3. humility

   4. love

2. The goal:

   1. repentance and confession of sin

   2. follow-up and accountability

   3. restoration to the Lord and the church