Church Discipline

James 5:19-20

I.                     If any of you—or one who is a brother in Christ—err. Church discipline should and will be applied for the following reasons

a.      Unrepentant immorality (all moral judgment will be based on the Word of God and not on public opinion) I Corinthians 5

b.      Persistent Doctrinal heresy I Timothy 1:19-20, Titus 3:10

c.      Refusal to be reconciled to another brother or sister in Christ Matthew 18:17

d.      Maintaining a spirit of division which results in rebellion to the Word of God and or the authority that God has ordained and which promotes problems in the church I Corinthians 1:10, Romans 16:17, II Thessalonians 3:6, 7, 11

II.                   By restoring your brother in Christ you save from death and hide a multitude of sins. Steps to Biblical Church Discipline

a.      Understand that the goal is always restoration or to gain your brother Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15

b.      Go to your brother or sister in private, explain the truth to them, if they will not hear get a witness or two to go with you. Again explain the truth and have your witnesses try to help you. If they will not hear take it to the church leadership to have it explained and help them. If they will not hear then they are expelled from the membership Matthew 18:15-17

c.      Cover the sin with love Proverbs 10:12, 17:9, I Peter 4:8

III.                  The goal of church discipline is

a.      The commitment to maintain the purity of the church, removing the filthiness of sin I Corinthians 5:6-8, Galatians 5:9, Ephesians 5:27

b.      The concern to restore the sinful offender Matthew 18:15

c.      The desire to avoid that other members would fall into sin I Timothy 5:20