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Sunday Life Mirror
Theme: UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF THE CHURCH (6)
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Topic:
THE CHURCH: IT'S DISCIPLINE
TEXTS: Matt.18: 15, 1Cor.5: 6-7' 1John.4: 7-11, 1Cor.5: 1-13, 2Cor.2: 3-11
Memory Verse:
But now I have written to you, not to keep company with anyone named a brother,
who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or
an extortioner¡ªnot even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging
those who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But, those who are outside,
God judges. Therefore "put away from your selves that wicked person" 1Cor.5: 11-13 (NKJV)
INTRODUCTION
Dealing with a Sinning Brother
This is the most difficult and necessary function of the local assembly and its importance cannot be exaggerated. ¡°Do you know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven¡±(1 Cor. 5:6,7). Leaven in the Scripture is always a type of evil. The church is to purge out any evil in his membership. The motive for disciplining a brother is love (1 John 4:7-11). The goal is to restore him to fellowship with his Lord and the church.
First, let us treat the case of a brother who sins against a brother
"IF YOUR BROTHER SINS AGAINST YOU."
Matthew. 18:15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
16 "But if he will not hear you, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.¡¯
- The first step is to be taken by the one sinned against. He is to go
to his brother alone, not seeking revenge or self-justification, but to gain his brother.
- If he does not repent, the second step is, to take one or two believers and go to him again.
- If he will not hear the two or three, the third step is, take it to the church.
A good example of church discipline is reported in Paul's letters to the church at Corinth. He used strong words calling upon the church to discipline a member for fornication. He wrote,¡± Put away from yourselves that wicked person¡±(1 Cor.5: 1-13).
In his second letter to the Corinthian church we learn that man repented and was restored to the fellowship of God¡¯s people. Now Paul writes, ¡°Forgive and comfort him¡ reaffirm your love to him¡± (-2 Cor. 2:3-11). The attitude of the church toward a repenting brother should always be that of forgiveness in love.
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