Church Discipline 2 Thessalonians 3:6 A. The church is all the people of God located in a congregation. B. This is not just a leadership issue this is a family issue. C. Observe the word, "command" in the text. 1. Remember, "Commands" are not optional! 2. Is this difficult? Yes! D. Issue of "Church Discipline" is within the congregation. 1. It is a hurtful thing to go through. Pain & Tears. 2. This is God’s idea! Therefore it is right and good! I. Are We our Brother’s Keeper? (Gen. 4:9) A. Cain had just killed his brother Abel and God was asking about it. God cared and He wants us to care! B. Too many … 1. "Don’t want to get involved" 2. "Don’t want to make any judgments" 3. "Don’t/won’t care about one another" C. Many won’t make a commitment to a congregation. 1. Claim members of "the brotherhood" 2. Teaching for commitment (put down foundation) a. Blessings of security – know you belong b. Church knows who to count on. D. The sense of Sheep Shepherding Sheep (Matt. 18:15-17) 1. Sheep can sin against one another. a. How are the offended to deal with this? b. Shall the offended murmur and get people on his side bringing about division?         c. The offended is to be mature/responsible 2. Fairness and truthfulness are essential. a. Involve others to make sure you are fair. b. Involve others to make sure of the facts. c. If not resolved there is a way to handle. 3. Tell it (not gossip) openly to the congregation. 4. If the unrepentant persist in sin – let him be to you like a heathen… II. The Shepherds and the Sheep. A. Shepherds: (leadership) RESPONSIBILITY 1. MUST give account for shepherding (Heb. 13:17 2. Teachers – stricter judgment (Jas. 3:1) B. Consider 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 9-13 1. I have already JUDGED. 2. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ 3. What does it mean: Deliver to Satan? 4. Not to keep company with a brother… 5. Do you not judge those who are inside? C. Delivering to Satan 1. Not "Shunning" personal choice discrimination. 2. A congregational action! 3. Brethren urged… AVOID them (Rom. 16:17) a. Mark (note) dividers b. Mark (note) offenders c. Mark (note) contrary to sound doctrine D. The Sheepfold: 1. Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, (Heb. 13:7). 2. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch (Heb. 13:17) III. The ACTION called for… A. Leadership (the mature) / the offended B. The congregation C. The rebellious – stiff necked offender 1. Repent – be restored – come home IV. This "Church Discipline" is an Action of LOVE! A. Love for God in keeping His "Command" B. A love for the congregation that she might not be contaminated or compromised with sin. 1. Discipline reminds all in the congregation we are not kidding or joking regarding sin. 2. Discipline reminds all to discipline themselves. C. Love is expressed to the sinning brother. CONCLUSION: A. Commands must be obeyed. B. Command includes admonishing him AND not counting him as (treating him as) an enemy (2 Thess. 3:15)