DISCIPLINE AND PROPER REACTION TO IT By Gbenga Fabunmi

DISCIPLINE AND PROPER REACTION TO IT  

By Gbenga Fabunmi

Theme:- “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2Pet. 3:18).

Introduction:- It is a must for the Christian man and woman to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2Pet. 3:18) because this is the only way to remain steadfast and be well established in the faith! “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with error of the wicked” (2Pet.3:17).

2. It is also very important for the Christian man and woman to take note of the fact that, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful, nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:11).

3. “Discipline and Proper Reaction to it” is our own burden in a four-month gospel lectureship and we pray that we may have the desired result (James 1:21-25), at the end of the marathon but spiritual, exercise in Jesus Christ mighty name. Amen.

I. What is Discipline?

(a) Discipline Defined – “Field of learning”,“training and conditioning to produce obedience and self control”, “ of punishment”, a system of rules of behavior….” To punish to enforce discipline”, “to train by instruction”, to bring under control etc. (Webster’s Universal Dictionary and Thesaurus, 2003).

(b) The above definitions show that the word “Discipline” has a shade of meanings and it is only the context in which it is used that can give us the intended meaning.

(c) It is also evident from these meanings that discipline can either be instructive or corrective and we have both ways in the scriptures! (Tit. 3:10-11, & Mt. 18:15-17).

(d) Instructive and Corrective Discipline Expanded.

(i) Instructive discipline – (Prov. 22:6; Eph 6:4; 1Thess. 5:14; 2Tim. 3:14-17, cf. 2Pet. 1:5-11).

(ii) Corrective discipline – (Prov. 22:15, cf. 13:24; 19:18; cf. Tit. 3: 10-11; 2 Thess. 3:6,14; Rom. 16:17; 1Tim 6:5; 1Cor. 5:9-11).

II. The Three-fold Purpose in Withdrawing from a Sinful Brother.

1.     To save the church by maintaining its purity (1 Cor. 5:6,7;15:33)

2.     To make the wicked brother ashamed (2Thess. 3:14 cf. Eph. 5; 1Cor. 5:9-11; Mat. 18:17).

3.     To save the guilty party (1Cor. 5:5;11:31-32; Ps. 32:1-5; Rev.20:12-15).

III. Proper Reaction to Discipline

a.     By an erring member – (Prov. 12:1; 2Cor. 13:5-6; Heb. 12:4-13; 1 Cor. 5:5).

b.     By the Church – (2Thess. 3:6; 14 – 15, 1 Cor. 5:9,11).

Conclusion – “ Brethen, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).

 

18th August, 2024.

Delivered at the Church of Christ, Gbelekale, Odo-Ona kekere, Ibadan by Gbenga Fabunmi – 08120437761, 08056048210 & 07033806368.

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