You can not punish by taking away what they never had in the first place.

1. Discipline Followup

2. Discipline Followup

Recent Wednesday night class – covered the
topic in a thorough study

This lesson is a follow-up to that study

In this sermon:
− Summarize – WHO can be disciplined?
− Misapplication – HOW used wrongly?
− Expand – HOW are they disciplined?

3. Who can be disciplined?

There are many specific sins and acts that are
mentioned in the NT

In summary – there are three categories
1.Moral – 1 Corinthians 5:9-11
2.Doctrinal – 2 John 9-11
3.Trouble-maker – Romans 16:17
− Cause division
− Stir up dissent, gossip, busybody, talebearer
− Rebellion, disrupt the fellowship

4. Misapplication

Many churches don't practice discipline
because:
− We did once. It did not work.
− We are afraid that many will leave.
− It was done out of anger.
− It was done in haste, too quickly.

The most common use of church discipline is
Lack of Church Attendance.

5. Misapplication

Church membership is voluntary
− You choose to be a member at Cades
− You can choose to stop being a member

If one stops attending - - - They have already
“withdrawn fellowship” from the church.

Court case in Collinsville, Colorado, 1981
− Woman in fornication – stopped attending
− Sent letter to be removed from church

6. Misapplication

Lessons to learn
1.Membership is voluntary
2.Member can stop anytime they choose
3.Once they withdraw themselves – church has
no further action they can take
4.You can not punish them by “withdrawal” when
they have already withdrawn themselves

7. What is the punishment?

The area that is most confusing to many – How
do I treat the offender?
− Can we eat at the same restaurant?
− Can we play golf? Travel, vacation together?
− Can we be at the same PTA meeting?
− When can we NOT associate with them?
− What if they keep coming to worship services?

8. What is the punishment?

Focus on “Fellowship”
Define:

Partner, share in common, joint participation

More than eat together in “fellowship room”

Our fellowship is spiritual – in the church, in our
relation to Christ

ISSUE: Do we have it?

9. What is the punishment?
Issue / Problem:

Do we have it?

You can not take away what they don't have.

Take away driving privilege from 3 yr. Old

Parents – When you take away a privilege –
make sure it is something they will miss.

If they don't have it – they will not miss it!

10. What is the punishment?
Remove Fellowship means:

Not recognized as a member

Remove from church directory

Not used in any way in church activity

Things are not the same in our relationship

We still love them, care about their soul

We want them to repent and come back

11. What is the punishment?
What must we do?

Tell them that you care about them

Tell them you wish they would repent and
return to faithful service

Encourage them to talk about their situation
and help them understand what they are doing
is wrong

12. What is the punishment?
What must we do?

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 14 And if anyone
does not obey our word in this epistle, note that
person and do not keep company with him, that
he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him
as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Admonish = correct, urge to change

Brother = in error, but still a brother

13. Other difficult questions

If a family member – they are still part of your
blood family
− They were removed from the church not the
home

What if you see them on the street?
− Speak, encourage, admonish

Can they still attend here?
− Church building is a public building.
− Yes, they can attend – not disrupt

14. Other difficult questions

What if you work for them?
− They are still your boss
− Obey them on the job as if you worked for any
other lost person

How do we communicate our action to other
congregations in the area?
− How much detail?
− How far reaching should the letter go?

15. Command

2 Thessalonians 3:6 But we command
you, brethren, in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every
brother who walks disorderly and not
according to the tradition which he
received from us.

Just like faith, repent, baptism, pray, worship

This is a COMMAND from God.

16. Final Consideration

BEFORE WE CAN DISFELLOWSHIP –
WE MUST HAVE A FELLOWSHIP
WHICH THEY TREASURE.

BEFORE THEY CAN FEEL ANY
PUNISHMENT OR SENSE OF LOSS –
THERE MUST BE SOMETHING OF
VALUE THAT THEY LOSE.

17. Final Consideration

DO YOU HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH
THE MEMBERS OF THIS
CONGREGATION?

DO YOU HAVE THAT FELLOWSHIP
WITH THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY
SPRIT?

ARE YOU IN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD?