HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 101
page A99
Like Jerusalem in the time of Zephaniah, we can willfully refuse to listen to God or anyone
else, refusing the correction that would help us. At the heart of that kind of stubbornness
is a failure to trust and seek God. Stay open to God’s correction in your life, trusting his
direction through his Word and your brothers and sisters in Christ.
How should discipline in the church be handled?
• MAT T H E W 1 8 :1 5 | “If another believer sins against you . . .”
Go to the brother or sister and reprove him or her in private. If he or she does not listen,
go with one or two witnesses. If he or she still refuses to listen, take the matter before the
church.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 2 :6 -7 | Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. . . .
Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. (See note on page 1047.)
The church gives united disapproval, but forgiveness and comfort are in order if the person
chooses to repent. Don’t shut out one who is genuinely repentant.
• 2 T H E S S A L O NI A NS 3 :1 4 -1 5 | Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. Don’t think of
them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.
Christians who are not repentant should not be treated as though everything is all right.
They need to be warned of the consequences of their continued sin.
PROMISE FROM GOD
• PSA L M 9 4 :1 2 | Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your
instructions.
Discouragement See Depression; Encouragement
Discrimination See Racism & Prejudice
Dishonesty See Honesty & Integrity
Disobedience See Obedience; Sin
Dissatisfaction See Bitterness; Happiness
Distress See Adversity; Suffering
Diversity See also Abilities; Equality; Racism & Prejudice; Strengths &
Weaknesses; Unity & Teamwork
On a football team, diversity is essential. The team needs blockers, wide receivers,
running backs, a quarterback. Without players of different sizes and skills, the team
cannot play the game well. The same is true in business; a company needs a variety of
people with diverse skills in accounting, sales, production, typing, shipping, and managing. And the church cannot function well without preachers, teachers, custodians,
administrators, musicians, decorators, and evangelists.
HelpFinder
There are times when the scope of the sin and the flagrancy with which it is carried out
requires the church to remove the one in error from the fellowship so that person will not
continue to cause division or lead others into sin.
D
• 1 C O R I NT H I A NS 5 :2 | You should remove this man from your fellowship. (See note on page 1033.)
• T I T U S 3 :1 0 | If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning.
After that, have nothing more to do with them. (See note on page 1103.)