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Fellowship With Disobedient Christians - pastorpauley.com Flipbook PDF
1 Fellowship with Disobedient Christians Jesus clearly teaches that sin is to be confronted and sets out the steps that
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Fellowship with Disobedient Christians Jesus clearly teaches that sin is to be confronted and sets out the steps that are to be followed. First, the person should be dealt with privately. Matthew 18:15 HCSB "If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. If that person will not listen and repent, then one or two other spiritually mature Christians should get involved in order to attempt a resolution. Matthew 18:16 HCSB But if he won't listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. If these witnesses agree that the person’s behavior is sinful and must be dealt with, then the sinner’s case must be taken before the congregation. If the sinner still won’t repent and change his ways, then fellowship with him must be broken. Matthew 18:17 HCSB If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. But if he doesn't pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever and a tax collector to you. The church is absolutely authorized to conduct itself in such a manner. Matthew 18:18-20 HCSB I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven. 19 Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them." The spiritual leaders of the church who confront a sinning member are to do so with a spirit of humility and gentleness, and with the goal of restoration. Galatians 6:1 HCSB Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won't be tempted also. We must not hesitate to do each other this favor. God considers dealing with each other’s sin “sharing each other’s troubles and problems.” We must do what is right by each other, even if it is not always appreciated. However, we are not ultimately responsible for “fixing” our brother or sister “for we are each responsible for our own conduct.” Galatians 6:2-5 HCSB Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself. 4 But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else. 5 For each person will have to carry his own load. Paul was faithful in passing on the Master’s message concerning church discipline. He put it into practice in the Corinthian church. 1 Corinthians 5:1-4 HCSB It is widely reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and the kind of sexual immorality that is not even condoned among the Gentiles-a man is living with his father's wife. 2 And you are inflated with pride, instead of filled with grief so that he who has committed this act might be removed from among you. 3 For though absent in body but present in spirit, I have already decided about him who 1
has done this thing as though I were present. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, along with my spirit and with the power of our Lord Jesus, Abandoning the sinner to Satan is part of this procedure. It is not done by some magical incantation but by expelling him from the church (see v.13; also vv.2, 7, 11). To expel him was to put him out in the devil’s territory, severed from any connection with God’s people. Outside of the protecting influence of the church, Satan is to be allowed to bring affliction on the man, which will hopefully bring him to repentance. 1 Corinthians 5:5-6 HCSB turn that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast permeates the whole batch of dough? A person under discipline does not lose their salvation. Their spiritual kinship is assumed. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 HCSB each one's work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work. 14 If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire. 1 Corinthians 5:5 HCSB turn that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord. Those who, under the guise of extending “grace”, would refrain from exercising appropriate discipline are themselves sinning. Discipline must occur in order to maintain the good health of the body. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 HCSB Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast permeates the whole batch of dough? 7 Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, since you are unleavened. For Christ our Passover has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore, let us observe the feast, not with old yeast, or with the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. There are those who are eager to separate themselves from the perceived sin of the world, but will not judge other Christians. “Judge not…” they quote. However, upon becoming a Christian, the standard is not lowered but raised! We should be held even more accountable because of what we know! 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 HCSB I wrote to you in a letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- 10 by no means referring to this world's immoral people, or to the greedy and swindlers, or to idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world. 11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother who is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a reviler, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. 12 For what is it to me to judge outsiders? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But God judges outsiders. Put away the evil person from among yourselves. 1 Peter 4:17 HCSB For the time has come for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? Luke 12:45-48 HCSB But if that slave says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and starts to beat the male and female slaves, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 that slave's master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the 2
unbelievers. 47 And that slave who knew his master's will and didn't prepare himself or do it will be severely beaten. 48 But the one who did not know and did things deserving of blows will be beaten lightly. Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more. Romans 16:17-18 HCSB Now I implore you, brothers, watch out for those who cause dissensions and pitfalls contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them; 18 for such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. Note: The fact that these people have the ability to create divisions and are teaching or modeling wrong doctrine leads me to believe these people are teachers or at the very least have the ear of some people. The more influence a person has, the greater the need for good character; therefore, the more influence, the higher the standard. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 HCSB Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who walks irresponsibly and not according to the tradition received from us. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 HCSB And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don't associate with him, so that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet don't treat him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. The instructions are clear. Casting out of church fellowship entails the family of God shunning the disciplined one in the hopes that he or she will be ashamed of their behavior and repent. 1 Corinthians 5:11 HCSB But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother who is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a reviler, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. What are some sins for which an unrepentant Christian should be disciplined by shunning? Sexual sin, greed, idol worship, abusive behavior, drunkenness, swindling. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 HCSB I wrote to you in a letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- 10 by no means referring to this world's immoral people, or to the greedy and swindlers, or to idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world. 11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother who is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a reviler, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. 12 For what is it to me to judge outsiders? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But God judges outsiders. Put away the evil person from among yourselves. Causing division, teaching or modeling false doctrine. Romans 16:17-18 HCSB Now I implore you, brothers, watch out for those who cause dissensions and pitfalls contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them; 18 for such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. Titus 3:10-11 HCSB Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. 2 John 1:10-11 HCSB If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and don't say, "Welcome," to him; 11 for the one who says, "Welcome," to him shares in his evil works.
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What about a church leader who sins? Paul instructed Timothy that a church leader-an elder--is "to be considered worthy of double honor," when he rules well. 1 Timothy 5:17 HCSB The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. However when an elder sins, this is a matter of great consequence. First, no accusation is to be received on the basis of just one uncorroborated witness. 1 Timothy 5:19 HCSB Don't accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. However, if a charge is substantiated by two or three witnesses or corroborating evidence, the congregation is to "rebuke [him] in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning." 1 Timothy 5:20 HCSB Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid. Clearly, leadership carries a higher burden, and the sins of an elder cause an even greater injury to the church. The public rebuke is necessary, for the elder sins against the entire congregation. As James warned, "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment." James 3:1 HCSB Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment; This procedure must be followed without any consideration of the person’s rank, social status, or place. 1 Timothy 5:21 HCSB I solemnly charge you, before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. To disregard this procedure, making allowances for sin, is to become equally guilty of sin. Ephesians 5:11-14 HCSB Don't participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead, expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made clear, 14 for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you. 1 Timothy 5:22 HCSB Don't be too quick to lay hands on anyone, and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 2 John 1:10-11 HCSB If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home, and don't say, "Welcome," to him; 11 for the one who says, "Welcome," to him shares in his evil works.
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