Brethren in Darkness
2000050
Topic # 0639 – Discipline
Introduction:
A.
1 Jhn. 1:5-7.
1.
Note what we
learn from this passage:
a)
Those who walk in
light have fellowship.
b)
i.e.,
partnership, sharing in; a joining together.
2.
1:7 – if we
walk in the light. What is the
light?
a)
Obedience to
God’s word.
b)
Heb. 5:8-9
– we to walk in obedience just as Jesus did.
c)
Must remember as
we walk w/Christ that we are servants & have the responsibility to obey the
Lord.
B.
That continued
obedience to the Lord is necessary – is stressed throughout the
Scriptures.
1.
Not talking about
some kind of cowering fear – but humble, willing submission to God’s will
2.
2 Tim. 1:3; 1
Tim. 1:5 – serving God w/a good conscience and a sincere faith.
C.
Let us understand
the importance of waling w/the Lord in daily life.
I. Putting God’s word first brings us to cleansing
and fellowship.
A.
Eph. 4:1-3
– we will begin to realize our oneness w/God & brethren.
1.
Note: we must be diligent to preserve the unity
of the Spirit.
2.
This done through
everyone’s diligent efforts to grow stronger in the Lord.
a) If we earnestly work on this, we will grow closer to one another – w/o a great deal of effort.
b)
Not magic: but the godly person will seek to
fulfill his responsibility in this area.
3.
This will also
help us to realize the oneness of God.
B.
Phil. 2:1-2
– Putting God’s word first will help us be like Christ.
1.
Effects of
this: same mind; same love;
2.
We will be united
in spirit and have one purpose.
3.
Will not work if
we try to juggle worldly life w/a spiritual life. Some seek to juggle these things – then wonder why
their Christian life:
a)
flatlines (I
just don’t get anything out of it.)
b)
They don’t grow
closer to brethren (those people don’t care about me)
D.
1 Cor. 1:10
– putting God first will lead to agreement, no division.
E.
Rom. 14 –
we’ll be understanding in matters of opinion.
1.
There some
matters which clearly opinion. Some issues clearly matter of doctrine.
2.
Issue: comes down
to the other things that aren’t as clear. But in all things must be willing to work toward good. Willing to give somewhat w/o
compromising other spiritual matters.
F.
We must endeavor
to put God’s word first! These
can’t be a higher priority in life!
II. What of Brethren who refuse to walk in
the light?
A.
Not speaking of
the world – speaking of 2 different standards here.
1.
Talking about
brethren – read 1 Cor. 5:9-11
2.
Talking about
brethren who refuse to shed worldly lives but still claim to be Christians.
3.
5:12-13 – remove
wicked man from among yourselves.
B.
There is a pattern
of ceasing association.
1.
1 Cor. 5:11 - not
to associate with.
a)
In this case
– this is the person who engages in immoral/sinful behavior.
b)
Covetousness;
idolatry; reviler; drunkardness; swindler; etc.
2.
Rom. 16:17
– mark; turn away from.
a)
Those who hinder
the Lord’s work.
b)
Those who came
dissension – by seeking to pit brethren a/g each other. Lead some away from Christ.
c)
16:18 – slave
of their own appetites.
3.
Mt.18:15-17
– treat as an outsider.
a)
Those who refuse
to repent of sinful behavior.
b)
Puffed up w/their
sinful behavior.
4.
Titus 3:10
– to reject a factious man.
5.
2 Thess. 3:6
– keep away from those who refuse the apostle’s tradition.
6.
2 Thess. 3:14
– mark, do not associate, admonish those who are disobedient.
7.
These passages
all clearly lay out our responsibility in this area. Must not neglect these admonitions.
III. This action is NOT:
A.
Excommunication.
1.
Can’t kick people
out of Christ’s spiritual body!
2.
Remember –
Lord adds you to His church (Acts 2:7). He’s the one who keeps track.
3.
Our
responsibility lies w/our association. As stated already – not to associate w/brethren who
willfully/continually engage in sinful behavior.
B.
Shunning.
1.
2 Thess. 3:15
– not to be treated as enemy. Why? Still a bro/sis.
2.
Not to be
ignored, avoided, disdained.
C.
Vengeance
1.
We not to
punish/get back at.
2.
Heb. 10:30
– this is God’s job!
3.
Should not
rejoice when action taken by congregation.
D.
Partial.
1.
This is not an
action that we use to “weed out” ones we consider “undesirable.”
2.
1 Tim. 5:21
– everything to be done impartially in the Lord’s body.
E.
Thwarted. By one’s leaving/changing churches/withdrawing
their membership.
1.
Question: how can we withdraw from someone who
has already withdrawn themselves?
2.
Certainly they
are not associating w/us no longer – BUT
3.
We still have
responsibility to “mark” or “identify” them & their actions.
4.
Why? Next part of lesson.
IV. God has a Purpose in this:
A.
2 Thess. 3:14
– to get the person’s attention – to shame them.
B.
1 Cor. 5:5
– to bring one to a realization of his condition before God. Refuse to repent? Lost eternally.
C.
1 Cor. 5:6
– to preserve the purity of the body.
1.
Tolerate sin not
acceptable before God.
2.
Other could fall
if we tolerate sin.
D.
Lk. 6:46; Eph.
1:22 – to honor Christ’s authority.
1.
He = the head of
the church.
2.
He will not
accept those who refuse to heed His commandments.
E.
1 Tim. 5:20
– to maintain respect in the body.
1.
So that others
will think twice before willfully engaged in sin.
2.
Reminds all of us
our need to seek to be pure.
F.
Acts 5:13 –
to gain respect in the world.
1.
2 Pet. 2:2
– way=maligned when we err.
2.
Don’t want to
world to look at this congregation in that way.
V. Even with a Purpose – Discipline
is Not Pleasant. Heb. 12:11
- This not an easy
sermon to preach. Not easy
thing to do.
- 2 Pet. 2:20-22
– here a picture – the reality of the situation –
painted for us.
- Much preferred is the
picture of unity, peace, love, fellowship, and salvation.
Conclusion:
A.
On a sliding
scale between these two: where are
you?
- Are you even on the
scale? Are you walking in
the light?