Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Introduction:
1. In preparing to address the matter of church discipline this evening, it seems prudent to ponder the underlying reason God demands the practice.
2. One key reason many (probably most) congregations of the Lord’s church no longer practice discipline is the soft view most modern people have of sin.
3. To accept, demand, and execute God’s will faithfully, we must see sin as He does.
Discussion:
I. Sanitizing Sin
A. People downplay the significance of certain sins in many ways.
B. This is seen in the language used to describe it.
1. Some joke about some sins (gluttony, traffic violations, emotional outbursts, etc.).
2. We call sin mistakes, flaws, weaknesses, etc.
C. Often those of this mindset mock those who take sin more seriously, even many “Christians.”
D. This is clearly part of why we neglect discipline.
II. The Gravity of Sin
A. The Bible presents sin in a starkly different way (Genesis 2:16-17; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23).
B. Sin is so serious because it is:
1. Antithetical to God’s purely holy nature (Isaiah 6:3-5; Psalms 99:9; 1 John 1:5; Psalms 51:4).
2. Antithetical to our own nature, perverting our purpose as His image bearers (Genesis 1:26-28; 9:6; James 3:9).
3. Rebellion against God (Isaiah 1:2; Romans 1:18ff; 1 John 3:4).
4. Submission to Satan (John 8:34; Romans 6:16-18).
C. For this sin demands:
1. Death (Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23; James 1:14-15).
2. Eternal punishment to the unrepentant (Mark 9:42-48; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Revelation 14:9-11; 20:11-15).
3. The death of the sinless Son of God to atone for sin (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Luke 19:10; 24:44-47; John 3:16; Romans 3:21-26; 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Ephesians 1:7).
III. The Proper Attitude Towards Sin
A. With a renewed sense of sin’s gravity, we are ready to reshape our attitude towards it.
B. This evening’s discussion on the steps of church discipline has this as its foundation.
C. In leading towards it, we must respond to sin by:
1. Seeing it as God does and never minimizing, renaming, excusing, etc. it.
2. Measuring our lives against His will, not the behavior of others (John 12:48; Matthew 7:1-5).
3. Owning our sins (James 5:16; 1 John 1:8-10).
4. Repenting promptly, seeking forgiveness (Acts 2:38ff; 8:22; 17:30; 1 John 1:9).
5. Abhorring and avoiding it in all its forms (Amos 5:15; Romans 12:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
Conclusion:
1. Seeing sin for what it truly is changes the complexion of discipline entirely.
2. Though we may not want to exercise church discipline, we must for the purpose of:
a. Saving the sinner’s soul (1 Corinthians 5:4-5; James 5:19-20).
b. Guarding the church from corruption (1 Corinthians 5:6).
c. Glorifying God through Christ-like faithfulness (Matthew 18:15-20).
Further Food for Thought
1. What sins have you tended to gloss over or minimize in your life?
2. In view of today’s reminder, how will you approach those matters differently?
3. How does this affect your view of the various elements of church discipline?
4. How can we all move one another to face our failings head on as we must?