Church Discipline

Acts 2:42

By Pastor Stewart McCarter, February 02, 2025

Acts 2:42

Discipline is not punishment.

  1. CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS POSITIVE

    1. Discipline is A.1. “control gained by enforcing obedience or order” 2” orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior.” 3.” Self-control” B. Punishment,C. Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. D. A field of study, E. A rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity.
    2. Discipline is formative
      1. 10,000 hours
      2. All skills take discipline
    3. Discipline is preventative
      1. In the physical world, discipline prevents unnecessary injury (sports, military, first responders)
      2. In the spiritual world, discipline helps us to grow and be strengthened in Christ
      3. Church family with fellowship, loving each other enough to have the right to ask hard questions.
      4. The means of grace for self-discipline 2 Timothy 4:1-5
        1. the ordinary means of grace.1. Prayer, 2.the preaching of the Word, 3 sacraments 4. Witnessing, 5. Giving
        2. Extraordinary means of grace. Whenever God breaks into the normal to do a miracle. Salvation, Healing, etc.
    4. Biblical examples
      1. God and Positive judgement (Hebrews 12:1-14)
      2. How to respond when personally wronged (Matthew 18:15-17)
      3. Longest and most complete instruction (1 Corinthians 5:1-11)
      4. Shortest verse, but most cautionary (Galatians 6:1)
      5. Spiritually Lazy people (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)
      6. Danger of no discipline (1 Timothy 1:20)
      7. When Church leaders sin (1 Timothy 5:19-20)
      8. Foolish divisions (Titus 3:9-11)

  2. CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS NECESSARY

    1. To restore Christ likeness in the individual and church
    2. Discipline is necessary because of the fall
    3. Christians should judge rightly
      1. Error in thinking about Matthew 7:1 (Don’t judge)
      2. We are commanded to judge. Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 17:3
    4. God is the true Judge
      1. God gives some judgement to the state (Romans 13:1-7)
      2. God tells us to judge ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Hebrews 4:2; 2 Peter 1:5-10
      3. God gives some judgement to the Church (Matthew 18, 1 Corinthians 5:1-6)
    5. Discipline should begin as soon as people come to Christ and the Church

  3. CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS COMPASSIONATE

  1. Discipline is concerned for the believer
    1. Character
    2. Attitude
    3. Actions
  2. Discipline protects others
    1. Motivates behavior in others
    2. Protects them from wrong
      1. Ideas
      2. actions
    3. Purity in the Church
  3. Why practice discipline?
    1. So Christ is formed in us (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 3:10-11)
    2. Good for the believer (1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Galatians 6:1-5; 1 Timothy 1:20)
    3. Shows others the danger of sin (1 Timothy 5:20)
    4. Health of the Church (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)
    5. Witness of the Church ((Matthew 5:6; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Peter 2:12)
    6. For the Glory of God, We Reflect His Holiness (Ephesians 5:25-27) Imago Dei (Genesis 1:27) Look like God in character (Leviticus 11:44) New Testament (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) Light of the World (Matthew 5:16)
  1. CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS RESTORATIVE
    1. It rescues and restores the fallen
    2. It gives a pathway to regaining what is lost
    3. It shows the work of God in our lives

Conclusion:

  1. Where are you in becoming a disciplined disciple?
  2. Who are you helping to grow in discipline?
  3. Who is helping you grow in becoming disciplined in the faith?
  4. If failure is final, discipline is foolish.