“…Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges….”  —1 Corinthians 5:13 (emphasis added)

Church discipline is one of those aspects of church life that is all-too-often kept hidden away until it’s needed and then brought out to blast people. The New Testament (NT) encourages just the opposite. In the church, as well as in our homes, certain consistent standards pro­mote peace and harmony. Our chil­dren flourish when their boundaries are clearly communicated and consistently upheld in an atmo­sphere of love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Webster’s Dictionary defines “disci­pline” as “training that develops self-control, character, orderli­ness, and efficiency” – this is congruent with the NT perspective of discipline. The NT invites us to take careful aim at the biblical standards for church discipline, both for ourselves and our loved ones. The Greek word for the word “judge” in the above passage is KRINO and basically means to distinguish, decide, or assess (see 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 for how the situation in the above passage was resolved). An excellent working description of NT discipline might be:

“The action taken by a body of believers toward a sinning member.”

The following is the result of a series of studies of New Testament concepts of church disci­pline…

THE PURPOSES OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE

1. To MATURE a church (Eph. 4:12-16; 1 Cor. 3:1-30)
2. To PROVE that the servant-lea­ders love and care (2 Cor. 2:4)
3. To AFFIRM obedience to God’s autho­rity (2 Cor. 2:9)
4. To DENY Satan any advantage in the church (2 Cor. 2:11)
5. To CONFIRM individual responsibility for one another (Heb. 3:13)
6. To PRODUCE the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Heb. 12:11)
7. To INTENSIFY self-evaluation in the church (2 Cor. 7:11)
8. To PURIFY the spirit and message of the church (1 Cor. 5:6)
9. To JUDGE those within the church (1 Cor. 5:12)
10. To PROTECT Scripture from perversion and/or error (1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:13; Titus 1:10,11)
11. To RESTORE repentant believers (2 Cor. 2:5-8)
12. To CUT emotional ties with unrepent­ant believers (1 Cor. 5:11; 1 Sam. 16:1)

SINS THAT REQUIRE DISCIPLINE BY THE CHURCH

1. Irresolvable disputes between members (Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:11; 2 Cor. 13:1)
2. Persistent teaching of false doctrines (Titus 1:9-11; 3:10,11; Jude 1; Rom. 16:17; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 2 Tim. 4:2-4)
3. Continuing immorality and/or disorderli­ness (Eph. 5:11; 1 Tim. 5:20; Titus 3:10; 2 Thess. 3:6; 1 Cor. 5:11; 3 Jn. 1:9,10).

SPIRIT OF NEW TESTAMENT DISCIPLINE

“Brethren, even if a man is caught in any tres­pass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourselves, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Galatians 6:1-3)

1. Restorative – Greek word KATARTIZO meaning to complete thoroughly; prepare, adjust, or mend. KATARTIZO is translated in Eph. 4:12 as equipping God’s people for the work of the ministry.
2. Meekness/Gentleness – recognizing our own vulnerability.
3. Bearing one another’s burdens – meaning “to lift” with a great variety of applica­tions: accept, arise, bear up, bring forth, carry, desire, exalt, extol, forgive, go on, help, hold up, magnify, stir up, swear, and yield.
4. Let no one think s/he is anything –“There­fore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12)

CONVICTION vs. CONDEMNATION

1. Conviction will focus our attention on the adequacy of Jesus. “The Holy Spirit will convict the world con­cerning sin.” (John 16:8)
2. Condemnation will focus our attention on our own hopelessness. “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

Consequences of Not Exercising Proper Church Discipline

1. Evil spreads throughout the body of Christ (1 Cor. 5:6-8)
2. Relationships are disrupted (Titus 1:10-11)
3. The Church exercises poor stewardship (2 Thess. 3:10-15)
4. Ministry in the church is hindered (Mt. 5:13-16; John 15:19)

THE Matthew 18 PROCESS

1. The Context of Church Discipline (18:6-14;21-35)
   • Seriousness of sin. (6-9)
   • Sacrificial love. (10-14)
   • Endless forgiveness (21-35)
2. The Steps of Church Discipline (18:15-18)
   • Loving confrontation One-on-One (15)
   • Loving confrontation by 2 or 3 Witnesses – “that every word (RHEMA) may be confirmed” (16)
   • Loving communication to the Church Body (17a)
   • Disassociation (17b)
3. The Authority of Church Discipline (19)

NT Passages on Disassociation

“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” – Romans 16:10-11

“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” – Titus 3:10-11

“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.” – 2 John 10-11

“We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:11-14

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. An you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of the fellowship the man that did this? Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast – as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

I have written 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 idolater. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

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 man from among you.” – 1 Corinthians 5

Yet do this in:

Humility            “. . . lest you also be tempted.” (Gal. 6:1)

Love                 “. . .Lord disciplines those He loves.” (Heb. 12:6)

                           “. . .reaffirm your love for him” (2 Cor. 2:8)

Gentleness        “. . .should restore him gently” (Gal. 6:1)

Forgiveness      “. . .forgive and comfort him” (2 Cor. 2:7)

Remembering the GOAL: TO: RESTORE, WIN OVER, BRING BACK!!!

This is a republished post by Matt Smethurst, the managing editor of The Gospel Coalition.  You can view his article here.

The good hand of God is upon us! (Nehemiah 2:8)

1. We have a reconstituted Elder Board
   • Gregg now has an approved Role Description approved by the elders and will undergo a formal review in three months
   • 2016 Budget was approved by the elders
   • The diagnostic report findings were approved by the elders
   • They are in the process of prioritizing the 12 report recommendations
   • They are also gearing up to re-engage the former pastor in the reconciliation process. He was ready to go last Aug but KHC was not
2. All updated staff role descriptions are set to be completed by March 31^st with initial staff performance reviews are to be scheduled for three months after their new role description as been approved.
3. Transition Team Update:
   • Some members have transitioned off and we are in the process of adding new people.
   • The role of the TT is to help with admin tasks related to the ongoing Summits as well form sub-teams with others in the church to engage the recommendations from the diagnostic report
4. We continue to update and improve our church-wide communication, including the webpage, the weekly e-news, Pastor’s Blog, regular financial updates in the bulletin, video announcements, two Summits, consistent Leadership Community Gatherings (LCG’s), and regular Family Gatherings.
5. We are in the process of staffing a part-time paid person and volunteers in an attempt to have a live person available when people call the office from 9-2pm Mon-Fri.
6. Kim Hopper is our Director of Ministry Development. She has had her 3-month review and will be commissioned soon. (Difference between “praying for” and commissioning – commissioning takes place when both ministry and personal objectives in the role description are in place.)
7. Bryan has a Financial Advisory Board (FAB) in place.
8. We have a new up-and-running Benevolence Team.
9. Two all-church Summits have been completed: Summit 1 Journey Wall and Summit 2 Values.
10. We now have an Human Relations (HR) Department
11. Middle School Director is staffed with Andrew Labree
12. Nehemiah Prayer Initiative (NPI)
13. We are scheduling a, Foundations of the Faith class with Pastor John Svendsen, a former PAC member and pastor of the First Baptist Church in El Segundo. It will encompass three 4-week sections.
14. Two issues that came up in Summit 2:
    • Gregg has theological concern about employing the use of the “sinner’s prayer” and/or the traditional “altar call” during weekend services. These methods are seen by some as “techniques” and are a product of 19^th century revivalism and 20^th century pragmatism. (Gregg does not fault pastors, evangelists, or churches who uses these as ways to evangelize, but does not see evidence in Scripture of a person being led through a sinner’s prayer where they are asked to “bow their heads, close their eyes, and repeat after me.” Nor does he see any type of altar call where sinners are called to the front of a sanctuary or stage to “make a decision for Christ.”) (Checkout Youtube: David Platt – Why “Accepting Jesus In Your Heart” Is Superstitious & Unbiblical)
    • Teaching on eschatology — Gregg believes three things:
      • The Bible is clear that Christ is coming at a time when we do not think that he will (Mat 24:36, 44; Lk 12:40)
      • Pastors need to teach and equip people to endure suffering and tribulation as a means of refining us rather than destroying us because it is during these times that God Himself walks with us in the fire – also, Jesus learned obedience through His sufferings and we will too (Heb 5:8)
      • We should, first and foremost, read Revelation devotionally not seeking to figure when Jesus is coming back.
    • In both of these issues the elders will have the final say regarding theological stance and practice.
15. Phase 1 Signage is complete
    • Vinyl Door Signage on Main South Entrance Doors
      • Facility Hours
      • Service Times
      • Directions to Church Office Entrance
    • Vinyl Door Signage on Garnier Street Entrance
      • Church Office Hours
      • Church Phone Number
      • Directions to Worship Center Entrance
    • Vinyl Door Signage on Sonrise Chapel
    • Vinyl Door Signage on Future Church Receptionist Office
    • New Boys & Girls Signs on CM Restrooms
    • Restrooms Signage
16. Phase 2 Signage – Completion by Easter
    • 5 Directional Signs throughout the building
    • Outdoor Signage on South Wall near CM Entrance
      • Worship Center & Harbor Room with Arrow Pointing West
    • About, Connect, Serve Acrylics for Ministry Boards
17. Ministry Information Boards – Completion by Easter
    • 2 Boards, one in each foyer
    • Information cards/brochures for KHC ministries
18. Updated Missionary Rolling Kiosk — We are currently updating our missions kiosk with current pictures, map and information. This should be ready by Easter.
19. New KHC Receptionist Office – Completion by Easter — The new office will be located off the CM hallway and be accessible by outer west door or the door directly off of inner hallway. This will make our receptionist accessible to congregation.
20. KHC Guest Welcome Folders — Folders containing pertinent information for KHC and contact information.
21. KHC Outdoor Freestanding Flags – Ready by Easter — Flags that would be placed on weekends on corner of Lomita Blvd. and Skypark. Greg Riley is seeking permission from corner businesses to place on their properties for weekend services. 2 more would be placed in front of our building and 1 at the Alcoa gate entrance.
22. KHC Weekend Hospitality Team — Currently recruiting new team members to build on our current team. February 28 we will be appreciating and training current and new team members. Our desire is to create the most welcoming and inviting environment for guests who come to KHC as well as have a plan to in place to love and serve our congregation well.
23. KHC Security Team — KHC Staff has been trained in Active Shooter response. Currently recruiting a team to be trained for coverage at all KHC Services. Hospitality Leadership team will be trained as well.
24. Planning Center – We recently switched from Service U to a new system called Planning Center. PC is our KHC calendar as well as reservation of rooms and resources. It allows us to organize, schedule and communicate with volunteers on all KHC teams. Sometime in near future we will be using it as our weekend service run sheet where it will give us report for everything taking place each weekend from sermon, to speaker, to worship songs and so much more. This will enable us to easily inform weekend leadership teams who will then become a resource for the congregation and guests. We are also looking to move over our entire database to PC and utilize it for giving and registrations for events.
25. Life Group Sermon Notes and P.A.S.S. Questions — Sermon notes and PASS questions for life groups are now uploaded to the KHC main website page on Monday mornings. This format is a tool to use for discussion of sermon in KHC life group.

imprecation {imprəˈkāSH(ə)n} noun

imprecatory {imˈprekəˌtôrē} adjective:

“to invoke evil upon, or curse”

Imprecatory prayers are found mainly in The Psalms and appear to contain curses or prayers for the punishment of the writer’s (or God’s) enemies.

Psalms 7, 35, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 109, 137 and 139 all contain prayers for God’s judgment on the psalmist’s enemies.

We also see an example of what appears to be an imprecatory prayer in Nehemiah 4:4-5:

Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity. ⁵ Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders.

Imprecatory prayers and Christian ethics

Various difficulties arise as attempts are made to harmonize the imprecatory prayers with Jesus’ teaching that we are to love our enemies.

The best, the clearest, the most succinct explanation I have heard came from John Piper (see link below). He relates it to the Gestapo (or ISIS, or Boko Haram) moving through a neighborhood murdering, raping, and pillaging. In that moment imprecatory prayers for God’s judgment are appropriate.

At the same time we are to have these words of Jesus engrafted into our souls:

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?”  –Matthew 5:44-46

Like most theological discourse we are to hold these biblical mandates in a holy and prayerful tension.

Additional scholarly thoughts (from the Jackson article link below)

Sin has not disappeared, and there are still enemies of the redemptive plan of God. God feels the same today toward rebellion as he did in David’s time. The Bible is not in conflict with itself over truths written in plain prose in both Testaments—namely, the righteous will be rewarded, [1] and the wicked shall be punished (cf. Psalm 1; Matthew 25:46).

“[T]he ferocious parts of the Psalms serve as a reminder that there is in the world such a thing as wickedness and that…is hateful to God” (C.S. Lewis. Reflections on the Psalms, 1958: 33)

Alexander McClaren challenges the modern reader, “Perhaps, it would do modern tenderheartedness no harm to have a little more iron infused into its gentleness, and to lay to heart that the King of Peace must first be King of Righteousness” (1892, 375).

If a person chooses to remain an “enemy of the cross” (see Philippians 3:18) and continues to afflict us, Paul warns that justice will be served by God: “at the revelation of our Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus”  —2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

F. Kirkpatrick admonishes: “[People] have need to beware lest in pity for the sinner they condone the sin, or relax the struggle against evil” (1906, xciii).

Resources

Do Christians have permission to pray imprecatory prayers? by John Piper

Do the Imprecatory Psalms and Christian Ethics Clash?, by Jason Jackson

Walter Kaiser, Hard Sayings of the Old Testament, Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsity Press, 1988.

[1] It should be duly noted that all humanity is sinful by nature and choice and that the Christian’s righteousness is a gift (Romans 5:17) and comes to us by grace alone through faith alone in Christ’s righteousness alone.