Church Discipline (Part 01) - The Necessity and Reason for Church Discipline

Watch the video of this sermon on YouTube: Church Discipline (Part 1). For a master copy of the outline and the other sermons in the series, click here: Church Discipline. To listen to or watch the next sermon in the series, click here: Part 2. I. Church discipline is necessary. 1. Judgment must begin in the house of God (1Pe 4:17). 2. If we judge ourselves we will not be judged by the Lord (1Co 11:31-32). 3. The reason our society is in such a mess is because sin is not condemned, but instead is tolerated in the churches. 4. America is no longer great because America is no longer good. 5. If we are going to make America great again, it will only be by making America's churches great again. II. Church discipline is necessary for a church of Jesus Christ to continue to be a church. 1. Jesus sent letters to the seven churches in Asia in Rev 2-3 addressing their problems and praising their good points. A. Five of those churches were condemned for their errors, and one was told that if they didn't repent Jesus would take away their candlestick which would cause them to cease to be a church (Rev 2:5 c/w Rev 1:20). B. Another was told that Jesus would spew them out of His mouth (Rev 3:16). 2. The Roman Catholic Church was once a true church in Rome. A. Little by little heresy and false practices crept into the church at Rome until finally it was no longer considered a church of Jesus Christ. B. This has happened to countless other churches throughout history. 3. If our church is to last, it will be by maintaining truth and holiness among our members. III. A church should be holy both in faith and conduct. 1. Upholding the truth is the duty of a church (pillar of the truth) (1Ti 3:15). A. Brethren should proclaim the truth at every opportunity. i. Christians are the light of the world and should let their light shine (Mat 5:14-16). a. This verse shows that children of God should be in a church. b. Children of God are the light of the world (Mat 5:14; Eph 5:8; Phi 2:15). c. Candles (children of God) should be put on a candlestick (Mat 5:15) which is a church (Rev 1:20). d. When a candle is put on a candlestick (a child of God in a church), it gives light unto all that are in the house (the church, the house of God - 1Ti 3:15) (Mat 5:15). ii. We should always be ready to give an answer to any man who asks us for a reason of the hope that is in us (1Pe 3:15). iii. We should earnestly contend for the faith (Jud 1:3). B. We must buy the truth and sell it not (Pro 23:23). C. A church must worship God in truth (Joh 4:24). 2. But a church must also be holy in conduct, not simply in creed. A. Christians must be holy (1Pe 1:15-16; 1Th 4:7). B. A church is supposed to be composed of holy brethren (Heb 3:1). C. Holiness becomes God's house (Psa 93:5). D. Become v. - III. To agree or accord with; suit, befit, grace. 7. trans. To accord with, agree with, be suitable to; to befit E. The apostles behaved themselves holily and justly among the brethren as an example of how they ought to live (1Th 2:10). F. We must be doers of the word and not hearers only (Jam 1:22-27). G. If we say we have fellowship with God and walk in darkness we do not the truth (1Jo 1:5-6). H. We can have all the knowledge in the world, and yet be nothing if we don't have charity (1Co 13:2). I. It's great to understand the doctrine of the unconverted elect, but it's equally important for us who name the name of Christ to depart from iniquity (2Ti 2:19).