Fellowship Faultlines, Part 2

No audio recording is available of this sermon

by Dan Houze, July 17, 2005

I. Are there Biblical guidelines that help when we are frustrated or offended by a brother/sister in Christ?

Three types of strategies:
1. Repression (not good): Ephesians 4:25-26
2. Indiscriminate venting (not good): Ephesians 4:30-31
3. Purposeful expression (good): Ephesians 4:29

Four steps in the process of purposeful venting:
a. Spend time with the Lord making sure your goals line up with God's goals.
b. Seek counsel of a mature person for guidance, not to create an ally.
c. Share your feelings with the stated purpose of achieving reconciliation.

II. Are there Biblical guidelines that help with a brother/sister in Christ who is sinning?

First, why does sin need to be addressed?
a. Sin offends God
b. Sin in the body of Christ is visible to the community and thereby weakens the church
c. Sin affects the individual

What sins require our attention?
a. Those that violate Christian love, such as when we speak to each other harshly.
b. Things that violate the unity of the body of Christ (conflict with essential doctrine).
c. Commands and standards the Scripture specifically addresses.
d. Disputing the Truth (of Scripture).

Doesn't the Bible say not to judge?
Yes, it does in Matthew 7:1.
But, you must read the context, through v5, because judgement is actually required but only in the proper context (start with yourself!).
Also see what Paul adds in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 - we are to judge only those inside the body of Christ, not outside (aka the world).

Process of church restoration and discipline:
1. If a brother or sister confesses a sin and turns from it, there is a process to restore them.
Galations 6:1-2
a. We are a family, not defendent, judge and jury.
b. Restore
c. Gently
d. Carry - help with their burdens

2. Go to the offender one on one and make a plea for them to turn from the sin.
Matthew 18:15

3. If the response is not positive, take another with you to make the plea. (If it is positive, follow step 1 above.)
Matthew 18:16

4. If the person is still refusing to turn away from the sin, take it to the church. (If they do turn, follow step 1 above.)
Matthew 18:17a

5. If still refusing, treat them as separate from the chosen people, forfeiting the rights and privileges of church membership. This means to treat them not as an enemy, but as a brother, however without endorsing their sin.
- Romans 16:17
- 1 Corinthians 5:11
- 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

Isn't it unloving for the church to punish someone?
This isn't punishment or avenging a wrong or serving justice. This is discipline, a corrective action intending to restore them to fellowship.


So, to evalute ourselves, here are two questions:
1. Do you speak the truth in love?
2. Is there a relationship you need to make right?

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