This past Sunday we continued our series in 1st Corinthians 5. Pastor Doug tackled the difficult issue of church discipline. For many people, especially in the modern American church, the phrase “church discipline” has a very negative connotation or just feels somewhat awkward to talk about. What we saw from the text is that church discipline is truly necessary to maintain unity in the body of Christ. Unity makes it a good thing. Not many people enjoy giving discipline and no one enjoys receiving it, but we all need it. Hebrews 12:6 tells us, “the Lord disciplines those he loves”. God doesnt not discipline us as if he’s some cosmic “big brother” waiting to zap us with a lightning bolt when we do bad things. Our Father takes pleasure in us looking more like his son, Jesus and that takes his loving discipline. One main thing we can’t forget is that discipline is done in community following the example of Christ’s love and grace. We all have people in our lives that need to be confronted at times in this truly loving manner. Sometimes, we need people to confront us in this way. This may be hard and uncomfortable but the Holy Spirit can help you. Lastly, the goal here is NOT to prove that someone is wrong and we see it. The goal is repentance and restoration. Not many people repent when they are feeling shamed by another. If you find yourself needing to confront someone soon remember these words from Romans 2:4, “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 18:06:21 +0000