Introduction

The church is a holy community created by God and intended to reflect His character and glory in the midst of a fallen world. God loves the church and His ultimate purpose for His church is to make it a gift to His Son; thus He calls it the Bride of Christ. For this reason the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are constantly at work to purify the church and bring her to maturity (Eph 4:7-16; 5:25-27).

Until He returns for His bride, He has given believers and church leaders the privilege, responsibility and authority to keep it pure, essentially saying, "You represent Me in that church and act on my behalf as an undershepherd of my sheep!

But the biblical disciplining of sinning Christians in a church body family is almost unheard of in our society. The question is, “Why?”

1. We haven’t seen it modeled and don’t know how to do it! (Ignorance)
2. We don’t want to be perceived as judgmental or unloving (Pride)
3. We don’t want the hassle of the corrective process (Apathy/indifference)
4. We fear losing long-time friends and ministry associates (Cowardice)
5. We are afraid of losing church members -- and their tithe (Greed)
6. We are afraid of lawsuits (Fear of man). Prov 29:25 “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

Regardless of what excuse we use for not following God’s directive to exercise church discipline, at the end of the day, it amounts to disobedience to His clear directives and commands!

I The Purpose of Church Discipline

What is Church Discipline? “It is the corrective process instituted by Christ Jesus to bring repentance, restoration and recovery to a sinning member of His body and to protect the church from the corrupting influence of sin.”

( 7/27/2014)

You can support this ministry: Donate

Blessings, The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

Introduction

The church is a holy community created by God and intended to reflect His character and glory in the midst of a fallen world. God loves the church and His ultimate purpose for His church is to make it a gift to His Son; thus He calls it the Bride of Christ. For this reason the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are constantly at work to purify the church and bring her to maturity (Eph 4:7-16; 5:25-27).

Until He returns for His bride, He has given believers and church leaders the privilege, responsibility and authority to keep it pure, essentially saying, "You represent Me in that church and act on my behalf as an undershepherd of my sheep!

But the biblical disciplining of sinning Christians in a church body family is almost unheard of in our society. The question is, “Why?”

1. We haven’t seen it modeled and don’t know how to do it! (Ignorance)
2. We don’t want to be perceived as judgmental or unloving (Pride)
3. We don’t want the hassle of the corrective process (Apathy/indifference)
4. We fear losing long-time friends and ministry associates (Cowardice)
5. We are afraid of losing church members -- and their tithe (Greed)
6. We are afraid of lawsuits (Fear of man). Prov 29:25 “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

Regardless of what excuse we use for not following God’s directive to exercise church discipline, at the end of the day, it amounts to disobedience to His clear directives and commands!

I The Purpose of Church Discipline

What is Church Discipline? “It is the corrective process instituted by Christ Jesus to bring repentance, restoration and recovery to a sinning member of His body and to protect the church from the corrupting influence of sin.”

( 7/27/2014)

You can support this ministry: Donate

Blessings, The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

Introduction

Matthew 18 is all about the King’s kids:

1. How they enter the Kingdom of Heaven - Matt 18:3-4
2. How they're to be treated - Matt 18:5-9
3. How they're to be cared for - Matt 18:10-14
4. How they're to be disciplined - Matt 18:15-20
5. How they're to be reconciled and forgiven - Matt 18:21-35

I The Simplicity of Children

Mark 9:33-34 “Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.”

1. At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying: [Verse 1]
2. “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Greatest = Meizon = “Larger, eldest, greatest”

Kingdom of Heaven = “The sphere of God's rule”

1. The Kingdom of God emphasizes the ruler
2. The Kingdom of heaven emphasizes the character of His ruling

Jesus had just taught in Matt 16:24 that if any would come after Me:

1. Let him deny himself
2. Let him take up his cross
3. Let him follow Me
4. Let him lose his life and he will find it

Summary: “The cross before the crown and grief before glory!”

But the disciples are so skewed in their biblical understanding of the mission and agenda of the Messiah that they remained adamant in their pursuit of position, promotion, prominence and personal greatness – and they would remain so until after Christ’s resurrection!

May God bless you through this message!

You can support this ministry: Donate

The Epic Life https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com