Disorderly Conduct

Temple Baptist Church - 4-2-2017

2 Thessalonians 3:6-7

Introduction: 

A.  Our verses for tonight are interesting and importance ones as they do with one of the aspects of church discipline.  Church discipline is one of the hardest parts of the ministry of the local church.

1.  Church discipline is never the first step to reconciliation.  Reconciliation is what is always to be desired.

2.  Church discipline is never pleasant.  I have never taken pleasure in the loss of a church member in this manner.

3.  Church discipline is the only option when reconciliation becomes impossible.

B.  If reconciliation becomes impossible and church discipline is implemented, there is a church wide responsibility that comes with it: withdraw yourselves.  This is often hard for the child of God to do for several reasons:

1.  We love them because it is our nature to do so.

2.  We forgive them because it is God’s commandment to do so.

3.  We are patient with them because we know both who and what we are.

4.  We try to be at peace with them because of the importance of unity within the church.

5.  BUT, there comes a time when we must discipline them

C.  Our text refers to the sin of being disorderly.  Disorderly-insubordinate or unruly.  Disorderly conduct is a term used in law enforcement for someone who is disruptive and will not obey commands given by the officer.

D.  Church discipline is not something that the pastor does but it is done by the local church corporately.  It is a natural part of the ministry, just as is child disciplining.  It has become an unnatural thing because no one does it!

E.  I want each member of Temple Baptist Church to know the “why” of church discipline.

1.  Rightful Church Discipline Is An Act Of Love. 

Proverbs 13:24  He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

2.  Rightful Church Discipline Is Necessary For The Health Of The Church.

1 Corinthians 5:5-8 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6  Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8  Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.  (Sin, left unrebuked, will always affect others in the church and will eventually lead to others following the same sinful example.)

3.  Rightful Church Discipline Is Beneficial To The One Disciplined.

James 5:19-20  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.  (The Lord’s chastening is not to simple inflict pain upon a believer, but to bring them to a place of repentance and restoration.)

4.  Rightful Church Discipline Causes Others To Fear.

1 Timothy 5:19-20 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. (Others need to realize that continued sinfulness within the membership of a church is not acceptable and will be dealt with through church discipline.)