Poll: How many
perfect people do we have here tonight? Just checking - - we are all flawed, and
are we not prone to making errors and bad judgment calls every so often? We can
all stumble and need a helping hand back up. We can sometimes stray off from
the way GOD has for us and need a course correction.
So, we all need help from time to time in getting something corrected.
So, we all need help from time to time in getting something corrected.
When it comes
to the spiritually mature, the elders of the church, bringing correction to a
member of the church, it’s done acceptably only in meekness
as proper conduct and with the goal of restoration:
GALATIANS 6:1-5
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual*, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
* This would include those known as overseers (ACTS 20:28)
HEBREWS 13:17
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Meekness is not weakness; the LORD Jesus Christ, GOD the Son made flesh lived His entire life in meekness. Meekness is power, authority and strength under control. That’s Jesus!
In verse 3, what is described here is pride = P.R.I D.E. or Personal Rebellion, I Desire Evil. Any time we are tempted to sin, and we fall into it, it is because we want that pleasure, that gratification, even if it's displeasing to GOD - it doesn't matter to our flesh, we want it regardless. That is pride.
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual*, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
* This would include those known as overseers (ACTS 20:28)
HEBREWS 13:17
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Meekness is not weakness; the LORD Jesus Christ, GOD the Son made flesh lived His entire life in meekness. Meekness is power, authority and strength under control. That’s Jesus!
In verse 3, what is described here is pride = P.R.I D.E. or Personal Rebellion, I Desire Evil. Any time we are tempted to sin, and we fall into it, it is because we want that pleasure, that gratification, even if it's displeasing to GOD - it doesn't matter to our flesh, we want it regardless. That is pride.
Remember when
the LORD drove out the money changers from the Temple because they offended Him
by making His “Father’s House a den of thieves”? Remember what He did? He made
a whip out of cords of rope (JOHN 2:15; this was a Shepherds scourge,
that took several cords of rope, twined and interwoven together to make a short
whip to intimidate a wild beast). It took time to make this whip, so while He
was justifiably angry, He was well tempered, meek, under control while he made
this device.
Think about the Passion Week and all that He suffered: the humiliation, the beatings, the thirst, the agony of the cat o' nine tails that literally stripped flesh from exposed bone - He could have ended it all, ended this universe, with but a single thought! But in meekness, He constrained His power, and allowed these heinous things to be done to Him.
Think about the Passion Week and all that He suffered: the humiliation, the beatings, the thirst, the agony of the cat o' nine tails that literally stripped flesh from exposed bone - He could have ended it all, ended this universe, with but a single thought! But in meekness, He constrained His power, and allowed these heinous things to be done to Him.
~ We who
administer correction (overseers, shepherds, pastors, bishops/elders), must also be patient, and meek, and well-tempered when
we bring correction to a member of the church who may be in stubborn rebellion,
hard-hearted, obstinate, unrepentant, unwilling to confess their sin, maybe even
self-righteous. To these, if they don’t receive correction, then they will bear
their own burden, the responsibility of their own actions and deeds.
Remember what was said about overseers (those who rule over the flock)? That they must give an account for how they ruled; and if they fail to bring correction to those who need it, they will bear that responsibility. Therefore in obedience, pastors and spiritual leaders must obey GOD in administrating correction and discipline!
Remember what was said about overseers (those who rule over the flock)? That they must give an account for how they ruled; and if they fail to bring correction to those who need it, they will bear that responsibility. Therefore in obedience, pastors and spiritual leaders must obey GOD in administrating correction and discipline!
~ At the same
time, we must also be merciful and compassionate to those broken-hearted over
their fall into sin, who are overwhelmed in guilt and anguish. To these, we
will bear the burden of those who are overwhelmed and in need of restoration.
We’ll get into
some of the details of church government and discipline – and in all of this,
what we desire for the body of Christ as well as for ourselves, is the
“perfecting of holiness”
(2 CORINTHIANS 7:1). The work of restoration is
necessary for those who have fallen, and once restored, these can proceed in
perfecting holiness.
You may be
thinking, I already have the holiness of Christ covering me, what can be
done to make that any more perfect than it already is?!
The holiness we Christians, we who are born again, have in Christ is positional; I’m talking practical holiness (what we practice daily).
So, what’s the difference?
It’s the same idea as positional righteousness and practical righteousness.
Both holiness and righteousness in Christ are granted automatically to us the very moment we place our faith in Christ’s salvation, believe the Gospel and the Holy Spirit then takes up residence in us.
There is nothing that will make this positional holiness and righteousness any more perfect in the here and now than it will be for all eternity in the glory of heaven! When GOD the Father sees us, He sees us, positionally speaking, as holy and as righteous as His own Son, Jesus Christ: ASTOUNDING!
But here’s the thing: the LORD isn’t content with leaving us there – He desires that we grow in holiness and righteousness our daily experience, as we become mature spiritually. Will our practical holiness and righteousness ever match the positional holiness and righteousness we have already in Christ?
Not this side of eternity, no – but the more we yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in us, who transforms us into the likeness of Christ, the more sanctified we become, the greater our reward will be in heaven and the greater honor and rank we will receive in the Kingdom of God!
We think rewards in heaven will be granted based on works we accomplished through the grace of GOD – and not to take away from that, but that’s not all, and in fact not the most important: rewards and rank will be based, I believe, more upon how the nature of Christ in us is manifest: and that can only happen as we die to self, and allow the LORD Jesus Christ to live out His life through us – and truly only then can we accomplish works in His name that will merit reward.
2
CORINTHIANS 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
“These
promises”. What promises?
2 COR 6:2 In “the day of salvation”, this day, for the church from the time of the cross of Christ until now, GOD has helped us by providing the Comforter, the Helper Who is the Holy Spirit Who will enable us to grow spiritually.
2 COR 6:2 In “the day of salvation”, this day, for the church from the time of the cross of Christ until now, GOD has helped us by providing the Comforter, the Helper Who is the Holy Spirit Who will enable us to grow spiritually.
Also in 2 COR 6:17-18 The LORD promises He will be a Father to all and proclaim us as His children if we are separate from the world, and come out from them – and only those born of the Spirit of GOD would ever desire to be separate, sanctified from this world of sin and come out of the kingdom that is ruled by Satan.
What does
“perfecting holiness in the fear of GOD” mean?
This is
something that GOD calls for our cooperation with: “cleanse ourselves” – how do
we do this? With the bar of Holy Spirit soap! We apply Him to our lives,
seeking His power and grace to allow Jesus to live out His life through us! We are to be clean vessels, suitable for the LORD's work (2 TIM 2:21; "vessels unto honor...if a man purge himself...").
This will most
often lead us to:
~ Self-correction.
~ Self-correction.
Are we not disciples of Christ? Then we should live disciplined lives!
MATTHEW 16:24-26
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (See also LUKE 14:27)
Think about this: if more self-correction or self-disciplined happened in the body of Christ, there would be far less need for church discipline!
It states in 1 CORINTHIANS 11 (this speaks of examining ourselves before we partake of the LORD’s Table, but I think there is a principle here that applies all of the time, not just during this special time of Communion:
MATTHEW 16:24-26
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (See also LUKE 14:27)
Think about this: if more self-correction or self-disciplined happened in the body of Christ, there would be far less need for church discipline!
It states in 1 CORINTHIANS 11 (this speaks of examining ourselves before we partake of the LORD’s Table, but I think there is a principle here that applies all of the time, not just during this special time of Communion:
1
CORINTHIANS 11:31-32
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
PSALM
139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try [test] me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try [test] me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
We allow the
Word of GOD to shine in our lives, our hearts, our minds, our motives, our
words and expose any impurity that may be discovered there (HEB 4:12; 2 COR 4:6). We have cause to rejoice and be comforted when the
LORD brings chastening/correction into our lives because it shows He loves us (HEB
12:5-6), His children and this work produces the fruit of righteousness (HEB
12:11).
Also:
2 CORINTHIANS 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Are we “in the faith”, that is, are we living our lives in accordance to the will of GOD which we know through the Holy Scriptures? (JAMES 1:21-25). Wherever we may find things in our lives that are NOT in accordance to the will of GOD, these are truly worthless, even spiritually dangerous, poisonous things that need to be cut off!
2 CORINTHIANS 13:5
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Are we “in the faith”, that is, are we living our lives in accordance to the will of GOD which we know through the Holy Scriptures? (JAMES 1:21-25). Wherever we may find things in our lives that are NOT in accordance to the will of GOD, these are truly worthless, even spiritually dangerous, poisonous things that need to be cut off!
We see this in
what our LORD told us in MATTHEW 18.
MATTHEW
18:8-9
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
We aren't to literally cut off hands and feet, or gouge out eyes; it's figurative language, meaning we are to cut off anything that causes us to sin, even if it's precious and valuable to us - like our eyes, hands and feet. if you were to do this literally,would this perhaps mean the rest of us could nickname you 'Cyclops'? (sorry...)
A man buys a satellite dish for his T.V. and enjoys all his favorite sports and teams; but he discovers porn on those channels, and begins to get drawn in, and finally snared. Ashamed and repentant, he withdraws only to find himself drawn back in. Eventually he goes to his pastor, broken of heart and confesses his sin. The pastor tells him flat out, "Get rid of your satellite dish!" The man balks, and says, "What about my sports?"
"Cut this service off, it's causing you to offend."
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
We aren't to literally cut off hands and feet, or gouge out eyes; it's figurative language, meaning we are to cut off anything that causes us to sin, even if it's precious and valuable to us - like our eyes, hands and feet. if you were to do this literally,would this perhaps mean the rest of us could nickname you 'Cyclops'? (sorry...)
A man buys a satellite dish for his T.V. and enjoys all his favorite sports and teams; but he discovers porn on those channels, and begins to get drawn in, and finally snared. Ashamed and repentant, he withdraws only to find himself drawn back in. Eventually he goes to his pastor, broken of heart and confesses his sin. The pastor tells him flat out, "Get rid of your satellite dish!" The man balks, and says, "What about my sports?"
"Cut this service off, it's causing you to offend."
Now that we are
here in this chapter, let’s look at the correction as it’s supposed to happen
in the body of Christ:
~ Correction
in the church
MATTHEW
18:15-22
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
On the issue of offenses, consider the following:
1 CORINTHIANS 10:32
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
PHILIPPIANS 1:9-11
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
On the issue of offenses, consider the following:
1 CORINTHIANS 10:32
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
PHILIPPIANS 1:9-11
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Trespasses will
be among us, for as long as we are an imperfect people; we can expect such
offenses – not that we shouldn’t try to avoid offending one another, of course,
but being weak vessels of clay, we often fail to esteem others more than
ourselves and offend.
Have you ever showed up at church late, and you're trying to find a seat, you're walking across the pew trying to avoid stepping on anyone's toes . . . and what happens?
Have you ever showed up at church late, and you're trying to find a seat, you're walking across the pew trying to avoid stepping on anyone's toes . . . and what happens?
PHILIPPIANS
2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or [pride] vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
A wise person understands that people are at best just fallen people. This is one reason why we shouldn’t take offense so easily.
Now, when there is a need to address offenses between us, the first course of action is to go to the offender, one on one, and with just the three of you present… “The three of you”? – yes, you and the offender, and the LORD. He must be brought into the matter through prayer.
Let nothing be done through strife or [pride] vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
A wise person understands that people are at best just fallen people. This is one reason why we shouldn’t take offense so easily.
Now, when there is a need to address offenses between us, the first course of action is to go to the offender, one on one, and with just the three of you present… “The three of you”? – yes, you and the offender, and the LORD. He must be brought into the matter through prayer.
What happens
too, too often is when a person is offended, they want allies – so they go to
everyone in the church they believe will take their side, and stand against the
offender. They come against them, and those who favor the offender, claiming they are innocent rally around him - and now there is a division right through the middle of the church. And this can lead to the ruin of the fellowship. It's happened so many times, and it can happen when offenses are dealt with in this fashion.
Or they’ll go to the pastor and accuse the offender – and again, too, too often, the pastor neglects to investigate the matter and presumes what he is being told is the truth. Other times the pastor won’t properly deal with the situation, label the offender as “a wolf” and have them escorted from the church without even being heard!
Or they’ll go to the pastor and accuse the offender – and again, too, too often, the pastor neglects to investigate the matter and presumes what he is being told is the truth. Other times the pastor won’t properly deal with the situation, label the offender as “a wolf” and have them escorted from the church without even being heard!
When offended, we
shouldn’t go in a spirit of self-righteousness or spite, or finger-pointing or
wrongly motivated anger (EPH 4:26). If we are ‘hot under the collar’, we
should seek the LORD until we can approach the offender in meekness, having our
anger under temper, under control.
The goal is a restored relationship, not rubbing noses into a fault. We desire peace among the saints in the body of Christ and can never do better than allow the Prince of Peace to rule our hearts, our lives, our actions and words.
The goal is a restored relationship, not rubbing noses into a fault. We desire peace among the saints in the body of Christ and can never do better than allow the Prince of Peace to rule our hearts, our lives, our actions and words.
Or if you know
of someone who has an offense against you, before you offer the LORD your sacrifices
of prayer, or tithe, or devotion in the Word, it’s best to get this taken care
of first, and then come in offering your gifts to the LORD (MATT 5:23-25).
But think about this as well: when a child of GOD is offended by another, who is really the one who is offended above all?
Let's say your child is being bullied at school and beaten up - of course they are offended at such treatment, but you know who is even more offended? The child's father! That child belongs to him, and he loves that child - and any harm on that child, the father takes it personally!
So when Christians offend each other, our Father is truly offended that His children are doing this to each other!
David understood this when he committed adultery with Bathsheeba, and in a vain attempt to cover his sin, had her husband Uriah killed - when, after years and years, he was confronted by Nathan the prophet who declared "thou art the man!" he broke, and he confessed in PSALM 51:
PSALM 51:4
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
But think about this as well: when a child of GOD is offended by another, who is really the one who is offended above all?
Let's say your child is being bullied at school and beaten up - of course they are offended at such treatment, but you know who is even more offended? The child's father! That child belongs to him, and he loves that child - and any harm on that child, the father takes it personally!
So when Christians offend each other, our Father is truly offended that His children are doing this to each other!
David understood this when he committed adultery with Bathsheeba, and in a vain attempt to cover his sin, had her husband Uriah killed - when, after years and years, he was confronted by Nathan the prophet who declared "thou art the man!" he broke, and he confessed in PSALM 51:
PSALM 51:4
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
We desire peace
among the saints in the body of Christ and can never do better than allow the Prince
of Peace to rule!
From Ray
Stedman we have this excellent article based on EPHESIANS 2, “The PRINCE of PEACE”.
MATTHEW 18:16
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
There may be
times when we are in the wrong, not the one that we think is the offender –
this is why we should gather one or two others (spiritually minded as we read
in GALATIANS 6) and let every word be established – so that these
witnesses can determine who is really in the wrong. If it’s determined that the
one who is perceived in the wrong actually is, these witnesses can verify and
support the offended and seek for repentance from the offender.
And there is
always the possibility that both people are in the wrong, and both need
correction.
This provides the offender with the opportunity to repent – a second chance,
where they failed to do so in the first place. Yet if they are stubborn,
hard-hearted, and refuse to repent – they are then provided with a third and final
chance to repent:
MATTHEW 18:17
17 And if he shall neglect* to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect* to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
MATTHEW 18:17
17 And if he shall neglect* to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect* to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
*~ to willfully
misunderstand, to hear imperfectly, to hear but not regard. See JAMES 1:19.
I believe that
when this is told “to the church” that this is, first of all to all of
the elders (whereas the two or three may be elders or spiritually mature
believers) and that if there is no evidence of repentance, that this is
communicated to the entire church body (1 TIM 5:20-21).
MATTHEW 18:18-19
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
This is
church authority demonstrated and ratified by our Father in heaven.
MATTHEW 18:20-21
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
On the matter
of forgiveness, Peter asks the LORD about how many times he should offer
forgiveness to offenders: he suggested “seven times”. Rabbinical tradition
stated that forgiveness should be offered three times, and after that, the
offender is done, and ‘outta there’!
So, Peter
doubles that number and adds one more for good measure; I imagine he expected
to be commended by the LORD for his generosity, but instead, what does the LORD
say? Until seventy times seven – 490 times? So, we’re supposed to keep track
and hope they offend us one more than 490 times so we can be rid of them? What
could this mean, 490 times?!
Where else do
we know this number, 490? Remember the 70 weeks prophecy of Daniel? That
involved the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah. I believe this is the
LORD’s way of telling us to continue to forgive offenders and wait for the LORD
to come and render justice against those who trespass against us (read MATT
6:14; ROM 12:19).
So we have looked at self-correction/discipline, and church discipline and then there is correction directly from the LORD:
So we have looked at self-correction/discipline, and church discipline and then there is correction directly from the LORD:
~ The LORD
provided correction directly to His church, the body of Christ:
1) We see this in the example of Ananias and Sapphira, who committed sin by lying in pride, desiring that people would think they were more generous in giving to the LORD than they actually were – not to people only, but to the Holy Spirit of GOD and were struck dead because of it (read ACTS 5:1-5)!
1) We see this in the example of Ananias and Sapphira, who committed sin by lying in pride, desiring that people would think they were more generous in giving to the LORD than they actually were – not to people only, but to the Holy Spirit of GOD and were struck dead because of it (read ACTS 5:1-5)!
2) Also, in the dispersal of the church in Jerusalem via persecution at the hand of the Pharisee Saul of Tarsus. The LORD told them to go abroad from Jerusalem to Samaria, Judea and to the uttermost parts of the Earth; but they dwelled still in Jerusalem and so the LORD used Saul to scatter them to Samaria, Judea and the uttermost parts of the Earth (read ACTS 26:10-12)!
Consider:
the incest as discovered in the Corinthian church
1 COR 5:1-13
Vs. 1-2: A man was in an incestuous
relationship with his stepmother, but rather than rebuking this man, the
leadership in the Corinthian church were “puffed up” – perhaps bragging about
how gracious they were, in letting “even a sinner like this” fellowship with
us!
Vs. 4-5: The elders were instructed to deliver this man to Satan for “the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the LORD Jesus Christ” – wow, what does that mean?!
Essentially, they were to break fellowship with him, allow him to go on his sinful way and reap the consequences, being vulnerable then to the attacks of the enemy. If this man was genuinely saved, then it’s better that his flesh be ruined and he is brought Home, than to continue in this world, compromised in sin, and reap terrible consequences for both himself and those he’s involved with.
Vs. 6-8: Paul admonishes the Corinthian church to maintain sanctification and holiness, and not allow the body to be infested by this sinful man. Sin represented here by “leaven (yeast)” which spreads rapidly and causes corruption. This man was placed in a kind of ‘spiritual quarantine’ – separated, refused entrance into the body (vs. 13), so that no one else is infected with his contagion of incest.
Vs. 9-11: Paul reminds them that we would have to become hermits in order to avoid unrepentant sinners, because this world is FULL of them; rather we are to avoid those who claim to be Christian but are still fornicating (1 COR 6:18), still covetous (being worldly, with worldly desires and goals; HEB 13:5), idolatrous (giving their love to other things first before the LORD; MATT 22:37), railers (accusers and challenge authority in the church; 1 TIM 5:19); one who gets intoxicated with drugs (alcohol or other; EPH 5:18) and extortioners (greedy and seeking out those they can prey upon, leeching off of others; 1 TIM 5:13).
Vs. 4-5: The elders were instructed to deliver this man to Satan for “the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the LORD Jesus Christ” – wow, what does that mean?!
Essentially, they were to break fellowship with him, allow him to go on his sinful way and reap the consequences, being vulnerable then to the attacks of the enemy. If this man was genuinely saved, then it’s better that his flesh be ruined and he is brought Home, than to continue in this world, compromised in sin, and reap terrible consequences for both himself and those he’s involved with.
Vs. 6-8: Paul admonishes the Corinthian church to maintain sanctification and holiness, and not allow the body to be infested by this sinful man. Sin represented here by “leaven (yeast)” which spreads rapidly and causes corruption. This man was placed in a kind of ‘spiritual quarantine’ – separated, refused entrance into the body (vs. 13), so that no one else is infected with his contagion of incest.
Vs. 9-11: Paul reminds them that we would have to become hermits in order to avoid unrepentant sinners, because this world is FULL of them; rather we are to avoid those who claim to be Christian but are still fornicating (1 COR 6:18), still covetous (being worldly, with worldly desires and goals; HEB 13:5), idolatrous (giving their love to other things first before the LORD; MATT 22:37), railers (accusers and challenge authority in the church; 1 TIM 5:19); one who gets intoxicated with drugs (alcohol or other; EPH 5:18) and extortioners (greedy and seeking out those they can prey upon, leeching off of others; 1 TIM 5:13).
What happened
to this young man once he was expelled from the church?
2 CORINTHIANS 2:6-10 – the apostle Paul encourages the church to forgive this man, for he was chastened enough, with obvious indications of repentance, such a one should be restored to fellowship in the church.
2 CORINTHIANS 2:6-10 – the apostle Paul encourages the church to forgive this man, for he was chastened enough, with obvious indications of repentance, such a one should be restored to fellowship in the church.
The
transgression of some at the LORD’s table
1 COR 11:20-30
It was because
there were those who treated the LORD’s table as a free meal and gorged
themselves on the food as if it was a common thing, leaving nothing for others
who were very poor and in need of nourishment. He reproves them and tells them
to eat their own food in their own houses and reserve the LORD’s table for holy
fellowship and communion – and examine their lives and see where they need
repentance towards the LORD and towards others. Those who failed to do so, were
chastened of the LORD in weakness because of sickness and some even died!
Those who
live in sin, especially sexual sin and are unrepentant
EPH 5:1-11,14-16
As children of GOD we are to practice the same love with which Christ loves us and be a thankful people; we are not to participate in fornication, uncleanness (impurity in sensual desires and doctrine; ROM 1:24), coveting or filthiness (obscenity), foolish talking (the sort of conversations that can quickly become inappropriate and leads to sin) or jesting (same idea as foolish talking) or any form of spiritual darkness. 1 COR 6:18.
EPH 5:1-11,14-16
As children of GOD we are to practice the same love with which Christ loves us and be a thankful people; we are not to participate in fornication, uncleanness (impurity in sensual desires and doctrine; ROM 1:24), coveting or filthiness (obscenity), foolish talking (the sort of conversations that can quickly become inappropriate and leads to sin) or jesting (same idea as foolish talking) or any form of spiritual darkness. 1 COR 6:18.
As children of GOD we understand that no who lives his life in these ways has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God (1 COR 6:9-10). We are children of light, not darkness, bearing the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness, righteousness and truth and demonstrate in our lives and prove what is acceptable to the LORD. As the Light of the LORD, we expose (“to rebuke with the truth for the intent of inciting repentance on those who need it”) the works of darkness.
We are to awake
from a state of spiritual sleepiness, lethargy, apathy and live in the light of
GOD’s truth; we are to walk circumspectly – to watch our step spiritually, so
keep ourselves from danger – the way a soldier walks through a minefield. We
are to redeem, not waste our time, engaged in things that promote and reveal
the Kingdom of GOD.
The
situation with heretics and false teachers: 8 Keys To Responding to False Teachers.
TITUS
3:9-11
10 A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
10 A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Those
who are presenting themselves as Christian teachers, but are actually teaching
heresies – (Christ is not God made flesh; the Bible is full of errors, merely
written by men; etc.) we are to admonish them twice, and if they don’t repent,
we are to reject them – no questions asked. Likewise, with false teachers – we
are not to subject ourselves to those who promote false doctrine – spiritual
leaven, that if unchecked, will spread like wild fire and corrupt and pollute
the body.
GALATIANS
2:4-6
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Update (7/25/2019):
After having delivered this message at ETERNAL LIVING WORD church on 7/24/2019, pastor Sonny got up and put a fine point on a couple issues that I want to include here:
This teaching primarily involves the 'how' of church discipline; and it covers the aspect of the 'why' of church discipline in that we are to grow in "the perfecting of holiness". The pastor dealt with another aspect of the 'why' of this.
Today the church is far more carnal than at any other time in her 2000 year history; professing Christians are routinely committing fornication, adultery and even homosexual activities. There are even those who are out of the closet and are embraced and welcomed into the ministry!
Christians partake of mind-altering drugs, and given over to drunkenness, engaged in mystical practices, occult activities that are expressly forbidden in Scripture - and other things besides, and there is no correction by the church leadership - instead they are 'just loved' and lavished in grace, with no regard for holiness or the holy Name of Jesus Christ!
By such sinful life-styles, claiming all the while to be Christians, they put the name of Jesus to an open shame, and tread on the blood of Christ (HEB 10:29)! How can the church ever hope to be a godly witness to the world, when the church is just like the world!!?
The world doesn't need to see a mirror reflection of itself; it needs to see a mirror reflection of the Holy Christ, in the hearts and lives of His followers who are born of His Spirit!
ROMANS 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Update (7/25/2019):
After having delivered this message at ETERNAL LIVING WORD church on 7/24/2019, pastor Sonny got up and put a fine point on a couple issues that I want to include here:
This teaching primarily involves the 'how' of church discipline; and it covers the aspect of the 'why' of church discipline in that we are to grow in "the perfecting of holiness". The pastor dealt with another aspect of the 'why' of this.
Today the church is far more carnal than at any other time in her 2000 year history; professing Christians are routinely committing fornication, adultery and even homosexual activities. There are even those who are out of the closet and are embraced and welcomed into the ministry!
Christians partake of mind-altering drugs, and given over to drunkenness, engaged in mystical practices, occult activities that are expressly forbidden in Scripture - and other things besides, and there is no correction by the church leadership - instead they are 'just loved' and lavished in grace, with no regard for holiness or the holy Name of Jesus Christ!
By such sinful life-styles, claiming all the while to be Christians, they put the name of Jesus to an open shame, and tread on the blood of Christ (HEB 10:29)! How can the church ever hope to be a godly witness to the world, when the church is just like the world!!?
The world doesn't need to see a mirror reflection of itself; it needs to see a mirror reflection of the Holy Christ, in the hearts and lives of His followers who are born of His Spirit!
ROMANS 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
~ end of update.
For more about Church Discipline, check out this video:
CHURCH ETIQUETTE - How Church Should Be Done
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