Pastor's Sermon Notes - January 28, 2007

Sermon Title: The Difficult Doctrine of the Discipline of the Disobedient, Part One:

The Requirement of Separation

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 23
Sermon Text: Romans 16:17

Now I beseech you, brethren,

mark them which cause divisions and offences

contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned;

and avoid them.

Introduction:

Contrast to preceding context - end of salutations, no holy kiss extended to those specified here

Outline:
Part One - The Requirement of Separation - vs. 17
Part Two - The Reason for Separation - vs. 18; The Result of Separation - vs. 19

1. The Objects of Separation
them which cause divisions and offences
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned

1) The two-fold effect of their evil influence -
them which cause divisions and offences

(1) Divisiveness

(2) Carnality

Matthew 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
1 Tim. 6:3-5 - [3] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

2) The standard they must be measured by -
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned

Let’s talk a stroll down Memory Lane:

Galatians 1:8-9 - But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
2 Thes. 3:6 - Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2 Thes. 3:14 - And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
1 Tim. 1:3 - As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Tim. 6:3-5 - [3] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
2 John 10 - If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

The practical measure of doctrine -

Doctrine is practical - there can be no division between doctrine and practice - There must be a direct connection between what is taught and learned, preached and believed, and the manner of the lives we live

Why do you think folks badmouth doctrine and theology?
(1) They don’t appreciate the power of its purifying effects
(2) They want to be free from its sanctifying influence

Preaching that doesn’t get to meddling is not worthy of the name!

Sound theology is the solid foundation of a secure building!

Good doctrine is healthy medicine for a needy people!

Christ's teachings are a protective hedge against dangerous foes!

2. The Nature of Separation
mark them....and avoid them

The two negative requirements for purity in the Church

1) Awareness - Warning - Identification - mark them

Only other usages of same word:

Luke 11:35 - Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
2 Cor. 4:18 - While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Philip. 2:4 - Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philip. 3:17 - Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

How do we mark or note such a person?
compare Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter
Public announcement in the Church

Letters to other churches in the area

Synonym:

2 Thes. 3:14 - And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. [Take special notice of, "hang a sign on"!]

Examples:

John the Baptist and Christ vs. the Pharisees (Mt. 23);

Paul vs. the Galatian Judaizers (Gal. 1:6-10; 5:12) , Peter (Gal. 2:1-14), and Alexander the coppersmith (2 Tim. 4:14-15); and

John vs. Diotrophes (2 Jn. 9-10)

Also: Paul concerning the Cretians (Tit. 1:12)

2) Avoidance - Shunning - Excommunication - avoid them

Let’s take a another walk down Memory Lane:

1 Cor. 5:9-13 - [9] I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: [10] Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. [11] But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. [12] For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? [13] But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Galatians 1:8-9 - But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
2 Thes. 3:6 - Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2 Thes. 3:14 - And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
1 Tim. 6:3-5 - [3] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
2 Tim. 3:5 - Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Titus 3:10-11 - [10] A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; [11] Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
2 John 10 - If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

Why do you think folks resist doing this, oppose church discipline?
(1) False teaching, especially concerning what love is and does!
(2) Lack of personal holiness, and concern for the purity of the Church! They are out of tune with the mind of Christ!

There are only four possible approaches to church membership and discipline, and only one of them is Scriptural!

(1) Easy in - Easy out -
Result: unregenerate mixed multitude, constant church discipline, a mess, and not a New Covenant church at all!

(2) Easy in - Hard out -
Result: unregenerate mixed multitude, little or no church discipline, a social club, and not a New Covenant church at all!

Never apply the parable of the wheat and the tares (Mt.
13:24-30, 36-43) to the Church!
Remember, the field is the world (Mt. 13:38)!

(3) Hard in - Hard out -
Result: regenerate membership with a toleration of heresy and carnality, a whited sepulchre, and not a New Covenant church at all!

(4) Hard in - Easy out -
Result: regenerate church membership with Scriptural discipline, a pure church!

Discipline is one of the marks of a true Church!
Failure to obey Christ in this, to exercise church discipline, puts that church, falsely so-called, in jeopardy of being judged by Christ:
- having its candlestick removed by the Head of the Church (Rev. 2:5),
- having Christ fight against them (Rev. 2:16),
- having Christ cast them into great tribulation (Rev. 2:22),
- having Christ come on them as a thief (Rev. 3:3), or -
- having Christ vomit them out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16)!
Discipline is not an option!

What many bring up as an excuse for not doing this is actually the opposite of the truth as it is in Christ! Love should motivate us to do this, not stop us from doing so. Love for Christ, love for the church, and love for those who need to exposed and excommunicated cries out for the discipline of Christ! This must be done so that His testimony, and the unity, safety, and purity of His people may be maintained!