1403

SERMON TOPIC: Discipline

Speaker: Ken Paynter

Language: ENGLISH

Date: 23 February 2014

Topic Groups: DISCIPLINE, SUFFERING, HEBREWS

Sermon synopsis: Hebrews 12:4-12
In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined and everyone undergoes discipline then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.
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Discipline and Love.

Discipline is an integral part of love.

God Disciplines His Children.

Hebrews 12:4-12.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined and everyone undergoes discipline then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.

God Disciplines His Children.

Hebrews 12:4-12. (continued)

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Discipline & Love.

In my last ministry we looked at love and saw how vital it is for us to love and to be loved. We were reminded that God is love and that the evidence of been born again is that we love others even our enemies. We saw how vital love is in the life of a child especially in the early stages of development and that physical touch is an integral part of this love. However discipline which includes physical spanking or hidings are part and parcel of this love.

Love by David R. Hamilton PhD.

The brain grows rapidly in the first few years after birth but, contrary to most people’s assumptions, this is not entirely according to a genetic program. The program runs in the context of the child’s environment. If the environment is rich in love, affection, attention and positive emotion, then the brain receives the emotional nourishment it needs and grows according to plan. But where the child doesn’t receive this emotional nourishment, the program runs differently and brain growth in some key areas (as well as whole-body growth) slows down. There is a wealth of research now accumulating in this area. Some even suggests that a parent’s love can have health effects later in life. This makes sense, especially if part of the brain’s growth is laid down in early infanthood. Thus, the way the child (and eventually, adult) responds to life situations, particularly stressful ones, will be linked with this. It seems like emotional deprivation as an infant can leave the adult less able to deal with stress, like love is the vital nutrient required to build parts of the nervous system.

Love by David R. Hamilton PhD.

Love in early childhood seemed to confer some sort of resistance to these typically lifestyle associated conditions. Love aids the building of healthy biology. And, of course, we should bear this in mind not only in how we care for our children but in how we treat each other all of the time. Love and kindness do more for our own selves and for others than we can possibly imagine. As I have written in other blogs (and in my book, ‘Why Kindness is Good for You), kindness is actually good for the heart, an effect facilitated, in part, by the effects of oxytocin (the love hormone). So with that in mind, I’d like to leave you with one of my favourite quotes. It’s by Mother Theresa. She said, “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

Why should we discipline our children?

Proverbs 13:24.

Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their

children is careful to discipline them.

Proverbs 29:15.

A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,

but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.

Proverbs 22:15.

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

Proverbs 23:13-14.

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death.

Why should we discipline our children?

Proverbs 29:17.

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.

Proverbs 19:18.

Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

Hebrews 12:11.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Proverbs 22:6.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Our attitude when disciplined.

Hebrews 12:5-6.

My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

Proverbs 15:32.

Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding.

Proverbs 15:5.

A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

Proverbs 13:18.

Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honoured.

Our attitude when disciplined.

Proverbs 12:1.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 6:23.

For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life

Colossians 3:20.

Children, obey [your] parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Our attitude when disciplining our children.

Colossians 3:21.

Fathers, provoke not your children [to anger],

lest they be discouraged.

Ephesians 6:4.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children;

instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 30:17.

The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.

Domestic corporal punishment.

Also referred to as corporal punishment in the home or parental corporal punishment.

This is the use of physical force for the purpose of correction or control of behaviour from parent/ guardian to child.

It typically involves the corporal punishment of a child by a parent or guardian in the home normally the spanking or slapping of a child with the parent's open hand, but occasionally with an implement such as a belt, slipper, cane or paddle.

Domestic corporal punishment.

In many cultures, parents have historically been regarded as having the duty of disciplining their children, and the right to spank them when appropriate. However, attitudes in many countries changed in the 1950s and 60s following the publication by paediatrician Benjamin McLane Spock of Baby and Child Care in 1946, which advised parents to treat children as individuals, whereas the previous conventional wisdom had been that child rearing should focus on building discipline, and that, e.g., babies should not be "spoiled" by picking them up when they cried. The change in attitude was followed by legislation. Since July 1979, 34 countries around the world (at 2013) have outlawed domestic corporal punishment of children. In Europe, 22 countries have banned the practice. Enforcement of such laws is rare, however, and the practice remains common in many countries.

Discipline.

Agencies that oppose corporal punishment

UNESCO

Recommends that corporal punishment be prohibited in schools, homes and institutions as a form of discipline, and alleges that it is a violation of human rights as well as counterproductive, ineffective, dangerous and harmful to children.

Save the Children

Opposes all forms of corporal punishment on children.

Australia

The Australian Psychological Society

Holds that corporal punishment of children is an ineffective method of deterring unwanted behaviour, promotes undesirable behaviours and fails to demonstrate an alternative desirable behaviour.

Canada

The Canadian Paediatric Society reviewed research on spanking and concluded that it was associated with negative outcomes, and physicians recommended against spanking.

United Kingdom

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is against smacking and opposes the striking of children in all circumstances. The Royal College of Psychiatrists also takes the position that corporal punishment is unacceptable in all circumstances.

Legality of corporal punishment.

Green: Corporal punishment prohibited in schools and the home.

Blue: Corporal punishment prohibited in schools only.

Red: Corporal punishment not prohibited in schools or in the home.

Discipline in the workplace.

Giving employees a copy of the various codes and having them sign for receipt does not prove they understand the content or that they have ever read the documents. This will be a problem at a later stage particularly when disciplinary action is taken and the employee says he/ she did not know the rule existed or what the required behaviour was.

Employee need to comply with the disciplinary code and procedures at the workplace but in order to do so must understand them.

Employees also need to ensure they are familiar with the requirements in terms of the disciplinary standards in the workplace.

Church discipline.

Church discipline.

Article:

It has been my experience that some delinquent Christians, when they realise they are going to be disciplined “resign” and go somewhere else, either in the same town or to another town or country, and side-step the discipline. Unfortunately other leaders accept them without checking on their history, and if they do check, do not believe that the presented discipline was right or fair. This causes great problems and breaks down all the corrective measures God has instituted for correction and restoration. Before a person is accepted into fellowship, the leadership must examine why the person/ ministry left the previous fellowship, and whether or not discipline has been applied.

We have been commanded by God to discipline.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13.

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

We have been commanded by God to discipline.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13. (continued)

Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked person from among you.

Why should we discipline in the Church?

To reclaim the offender.

The goal is not to get rid of the offender, but to save him/ her.

1 Corinthians 5:5.

Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

Galatians 6:1.

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

To maintain the purity of the Church.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7.

Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch

Why should we discipline in the Church?

To avoid God’s judgement on the heathen.

1 Corinthians 11:30-34.

That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

Why should we discipline in the Church?

To deter others from sin.

Acts 5:1-6 & 10-11.

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Then Peter said, Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?

What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.

Why should we discipline in the Church?

To deter others from sin.

Acts 5:1-6 & 10-11. (continued)

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land? Yes, she said, that is the price. Peter said to her, How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also. At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Why should we discipline in the Church?

Private discipline first and then only is there is no repentance should it be made more public.

Matthew 18:15-20.

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.

1 Corinthians 5:4-5.

So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

Why should we discipline in the Church?

1 Timothy 5:19-21.

Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favouritism.

(To restore a greenstick fracture, the most painful break of all, the bone must be set and immobilised. The broken limb is bound and kept inactive until it is healed and should be kept close to the body for healing. The offender should be bound by guidelines and be inactive from ministry while being restored.)

How do we discipline?

Instruction.

2 Timothy 3:16-17.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

You cannot discipline if you have not instructed first. We need rules and regulations and guidelines in every sphere of life, but we live in a society that wants to throw out God’s Word and live by their own ideas of what is right and what is wrong.

How do we discipline?

Exhortation. (to encourage or persuade) After instruction has been given, the person must be encouraged to walk in the truth.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 & 11-14.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us… For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat. We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.

How do we discipline?

Admonition. (to warn or notify of a fault)

After encouraging the person to act on instruction, they should be warned against wrong behaviour. This is not severe and is primarily private.

Colossians 3:16.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-14.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

How do we discipline?

Reproof. (to charge with a fault)

To blame/ shame with the truth, to bring them to confession of sin.

Proverbs 15:31-32.

The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

Rebuke. (a sharp direct and severe reprimand)

Titus 1:10-11 & 13.

For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach and that for the sake of dishonest gain. One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons. This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith

How do we discipline?

Excommunication. (to cut off from any participation or privilege)

This is the most severe discipline and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It should only be used when the above measures have failed.

1 Timothy 1:19-20.

holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Excommunication is not irreversible, but is a final act to bring a person to their senses.

Our attitude when disciplining.

We need to guard our hearts when disciplining. (We are all prone to temptation)

Love. Proverbs 3:11-12. My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Gentleness. Hebrews 5:2. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.

Mourning. 1 Corinthians 5:2.

Our attitude when disciplining.

Meekness. Galatians 6:1. Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Humility. 2 Timothy 2:24-26. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Our attitude when disciplining.

Authority. Titus 2:15. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you..

Patience. 2 Timothy 4:2-3.

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Forgive, console, love the repentant offender.

Forgiveness for the Offender

2 Corinthians 2:5-10.

If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything.

Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven if there was anything to forgive I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

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