Bethlehem Baptist Church
Sunday Evening 07/05/26

      • Genesis 1:1ESV

  • Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery

      • 1 Peter 1:15–16ESV

  • Holy Holy Holy
  • How Deep The Father's Love For Us
  • The Compassion Hymn
  • Introduction:
    As we continue looking at things related to the church, we move on to one of the most helpful and most neglected doctrines in the church and that is the doctrine of church discipline.
    Now, in the age of mega churches, one can see why this doctrine might have been tossed out. We have churches that remain vague about what they believe so as not to alienate anyone from their congregation. They want to gather as many people as possible and stay in the shallow waters so they don’t risk losing anyone over taking a stand.
    All the more, they will not go and seek to confront a member who is living in sin or seek to help them, for that might be considered being judgmental.
    The result is not just that we have large mega churches that are an inch deep and a mile wide. God is not dishonored by a church being a large church. In fact, our hope is to grow the kingdom.
    The problem is that many of the people who make up these huge congregations, and even our little churches and medium-sized churches, are filled with people who think that they are saved because they are members of a church, assuming the church still does membership, and the person really doesn’t know the gospel. On the other hand, they may be caught in sin and in serious danger to their soul, but no one will dare help them because it might be to point out sin or come across as judgmental.
    God designed church discipline not as a means of embarrassment, but as a tool to shepherd and disciple His church. We need to learn about this tool and the proper way to use it.
    Paul encourages us in how to do this in Galatians 6.
    Galatians 6:1–5 ESV
    1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
    Pray

    1. This is a Tool for Believers (v.1)

    “Brothers” - Paul is speaking to fellow believers
    Anyone, including believers, can fall into habitual sin
    “if anyone is caught in any transgression”
    The idea is of an animal that is caught in a trap
    this implies an ongoing sin, but it doesn’t have to be ongoing
    discovery - in came to light
    some sins are apparent and some appear later
    1 Timothy 5:24–25 ESV
    24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.
    The Bible warns us that we cannot hide
    Luke 8:17 ESV
    17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
    We often would rather hide sins than confess them
    Ps 22 is all about how hiding sin depletes us spiritually and drains us of desire and energy
    Acts 19 - Ephesians who were hiding their magic books and secret practices
    Our sins may even be hidden to ourselves
    Psalm 19:12 ESV
    12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

    2. This Is a Tool to Be Used (v.1)

    “any transgression” - this is not just for the big sins, but it is for the small ones as well
    Illustration: weeds are easier to pull out when they are small and they cause less damage that way
    Likewise, sins are more destructive to get rid of the longer we let them grow.
    sin - crossing God’s boundary or falling short
    “you who are spiritual”
    Gal 5 - fruit of the spirit
    Galatians 5:25–26 ESV
    25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
    Instead of becoming “big-headed” we ought to be humble and help our brothers and sisters out.

    3. There Is a Goal for Church Discipline (vv.1-2)

    “restore him” - our goal is to help them recover full spiritual health
    -help him - again, like an animal caught in a trap, we are to try to help free them, but we must take caution not to get caught in the trap ourselves while we try to help someone else out
    word for restore
    2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV
    11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
    1 Peter 5:10 ESV
    10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
    Warning:
    Keep Watch on Yourself
    You might be tempted
    You might be guilty as well
    Do it Gently
    1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV
    14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
    Conclusion
    The Law of Christ teaches us to help others. James 2:14-17 tells us that we are to help a brother or sister in physical need, so how much more ought we to help their spiritual need.
    We need to return to a practice of accountability so that we might be faithful to God and faithful to each other.
    The only way we can make it through this world is to walk together. A strand of three is not easily broken.
    How are you helping other people in church discipline and how are you receiving their instruction as well.

      • Galatians 6:1–5ESV

      • 1 Timothy 5:24–25ESV

      • Luke 8:17ESV

      • Psalm 19:12ESV

      • Galatians 5:25–26ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 13:11ESV

      • 1 Peter 5:10ESV

      • 1 Thessalonians 5:14ESV

  • How Marvelous
Bethlehem Baptist Church
info@bbced.org
478-272-7827
https://www.bbced.org
9 members • 9 followers