Brethren in Darkness
2000050
Topic # 0639 – Discipline
Introduction:
A. 1 Jhn. 1:5-7.
1. Note what we learn from this passage:
a) Those who walk in light have fellowship.
b) i.e., partnership, sharing in; a joining together.
2. 1:7 – if we walk in the light. What is the light?
a) Obedience to God’s word.
b) Heb. 5:8-9 – we to walk in obedience just as Jesus did.
c) Must remember as we walk w/Christ that we are servants & have the responsibility to obey the Lord.
B. That continued obedience to the Lord is necessary – is stressed throughout the Scriptures.
1. Not talking about some kind of cowering fear – but humble, willing submission to God’s will
2. 2 Tim. 1:3; 1 Tim. 1:5 – serving God w/a good conscience and a sincere faith.
C. Let us understand the importance of waling w/the Lord in daily life.
I. Putting God’s word first brings us to cleansing and fellowship.
A. Eph. 4:1-3 – we will begin to realize our oneness w/God & brethren.
1. Note: we must be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit.
2. This done through everyone’s diligent efforts to grow stronger in the Lord.
a) If we earnestly work on this, we will grow closer to one another – w/o a great deal of effort.
b) Not magic: but the godly person will seek to fulfill his responsibility in this area.
3. This will also help us to realize the oneness of God.
B. Phil. 2:1-2 – Putting God’s word first will help us be like Christ.
1. Effects of this: same mind; same love;
2. We will be united in spirit and have one purpose.
3. Will not work if we try to juggle worldly life w/a spiritual life. Some seek to juggle these things – then wonder why their Christian life:
a) flatlines (I just don’t get anything out of it.)
b) They don’t grow closer to brethren (those people don’t care about me)
D. 1 Cor. 1:10 – putting God first will lead to agreement, no division.
E. Rom. 14 – we’ll be understanding in matters of opinion.
1. There some matters which clearly opinion. Some issues clearly matter of doctrine.
2. Issue: comes down to the other things that aren’t as clear. But in all things must be willing to work toward good. Willing to give somewhat w/o compromising other spiritual matters.
F. We must endeavor to put God’s word first! These can’t be a higher priority in life!
II. What of Brethren who refuse to walk in the light?
A. Not speaking of the world – speaking of 2 different standards here.
1. Talking about brethren – read 1 Cor. 5:9-11
2. Talking about brethren who refuse to shed worldly lives but still claim to be Christians.
3. 5:12-13 – remove wicked man from among yourselves.
B. There is a pattern of ceasing association.
1. 1 Cor. 5:11 - not to associate with.
a) In this case – this is the person who engages in immoral/sinful behavior.
b) Covetousness; idolatry; reviler; drunkardness; swindler; etc.
2. Rom. 16:17 – mark; turn away from.
a) Those who hinder the Lord’s work.
b) Those who came dissension – by seeking to pit brethren a/g each other. Lead some away from Christ.
c) 16:18 – slave of their own appetites.
3. Mt.18:15-17 – treat as an outsider.
a) Those who refuse to repent of sinful behavior.
b) Puffed up w/their sinful behavior.
4. Titus 3:10 – to reject a factious man.
5. 2 Thess. 3:6 – keep away from those who refuse the apostle’s tradition.
6. 2 Thess. 3:14 – mark, do not associate, admonish those who are disobedient.
7. These passages all clearly lay out our responsibility in this area. Must not neglect these admonitions.
III. This action is NOT:
A. Excommunication.
1. Can’t kick people out of Christ’s spiritual body!
2. Remember – Lord adds you to His church (Acts 2:7). He’s the one who keeps track.
3. Our responsibility lies w/our association. As stated already – not to associate w/brethren who willfully/continually engage in sinful behavior.
B. Shunning.
1. 2 Thess. 3:15 – not to be treated as enemy. Why? Still a bro/sis.
2. Not to be ignored, avoided, disdained.
C. Vengeance
1. We not to punish/get back at.
2. Heb. 10:30 – this is God’s job!
3. Should not rejoice when action taken by congregation.
D. Partial.
1. This is not an action that we use to “weed out” ones we consider “undesirable.”
2. 1 Tim. 5:21 – everything to be done impartially in the Lord’s body.
E. Thwarted. By one’s leaving/changing churches/withdrawing their membership.
1. Question: how can we withdraw from someone who has already withdrawn themselves?
2. Certainly they are not associating w/us no longer – BUT
3. We still have responsibility to “mark” or “identify” them & their actions.
4. Why? Next part of lesson.
IV. God has a Purpose in this:
A. 2 Thess. 3:14 – to get the person’s attention – to shame them.
B. 1 Cor. 5:5 – to bring one to a realization of his condition before God. Refuse to repent? Lost eternally.
C. 1 Cor. 5:6 – to preserve the purity of the body.
1. Tolerate sin not acceptable before God.
2. Other could fall if we tolerate sin.
D. Lk. 6:46; Eph. 1:22 – to honor Christ’s authority.
1. He = the head of the church.
2. He will not accept those who refuse to heed His commandments.
E. 1 Tim. 5:20 – to maintain respect in the body.
1. So that others will think twice before willfully engaged in sin.
2. Reminds all of us our need to seek to be pure.
F. Acts 5:13 – to gain respect in the world.
1. 2 Pet. 2:2 – way=maligned when we err.
2. Don’t want to world to look at this congregation in that way.
V. Even with a Purpose – Discipline is Not Pleasant. Heb. 12:11
- This not an easy sermon to preach. Not easy thing to do.
- 2 Pet. 2:20-22 – here a picture – the reality of the situation – painted for us.
- Much preferred is the picture of unity, peace, love, fellowship, and salvation.
Conclusion:
A. On a sliding scale between these two: where are you?
- Are you even on the scale? Are you walking in the light?
B. I N V I T A T I O N
