(Text and Audio)
Title: Confrontation Protocol, Part Three
Today we arrive at the conclusion of our 3 week study looking into this passage where Jesus is teaching us how to deal with conflict between two believers. As we grow near to the final instruction Jesus gives on this matter we will talk about a topic that is rarely discussed, and, historically leaves a bad taste in the mouths of Christians.
The topic, of course, is excommunication from the Church.
I want us to understand the Biblical use of excommunication, to not be afraid of the concept, but rather to understand why, in extreme circumstances, we are under every Biblical obligation to practice excommunication if warranted, if we are to truly be follower’s of God’s word.
But before we get there, let’s read through our passage, ask for God’s guidance and blessing, and then quickly review the first three steps we’ve studied before moving on to step four.
(read/pray)
Review Steps 1-3
STEP ONE:
SCRIPTURE: “brother or sister”
RULE: If both parties consider themselves Christian, these rules not only MUST be followed, but these rules supersede ALL other rules, including those set up by your employer. If the offended party is NOT a believer, YOU still must make every effort to follow this protocol to the best of your ability, but some of these steps will not be applicable.
STEP TWO:
Scripture: “between you and him alone”
RULE: YOU DON”T NEED TO PICK ANYONE ELSE’S BRAIN. (yet) YOU NEED TO TALK TO THE OTHER PARTY.
THE POTENTIAL RESULT:
“If he hears you, you have gained your brother.”
STEP THREE:
Scripture: “But if he will not hear it, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’”
RULE: For the good of all involved, testimony must be established by 2 or 3 witnesses.
STEP FOUR:
Scripture: And if he refuses to hear them, tell to the church. But if he refuses to even hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
RULE: When private, individual accountability fails, when small group accountability fails, we MUST bring this person before the entire local assembly for rebuke. If this does not cause repentance, we must revoke Church membership, and not associate with the person until they repent.
REASONS:
Primary: Christ’s Church MUST NOT knowingly tolerate sin.
2 Thes. 3:6 “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.”
Secondary: We do the brother/sister no favor in NOT holding them accountable, and a righteous rebuke reminds the Church of the expected standard for all.
Proverbs 27:5 “Better is open rebuke than hidden love”
1 Tim. 5:20 “As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.”
Practical: This forces the issue and necessity of local church membership.
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
Based on this verse, Matt Chandler rightly asks two questions:
First, if there is no biblical requirement to belong a local church, then which leaders should an individual Christian obey and submit to?
Second, and more personally, who will I as a pastor give an account for?
(What I’m about to say may offend some of you, and that’s fine:
In FACT, when I spoke the sentence I am about to speak, I had a large family, who had been attending Heritage regularly for over a year, LEAVE without ever saying a word to me (Showing they were not willing to follow this passage) because they felt I was personally “targeting” them. I am not targeting anyone, I am asking the people of this church a completely reasonable question based on Hebrews 13:17.
So, I am about to ask this same question again, and run the risk of offense, because it is not my job to grow the biggest church. It is my job to remain faithful to the Scriptures!
So here is the question (consider it heavily on your heart): If you’ve been here, or in ANY church, for more than a year, and are not yet pursuing membership, how can you possibly find yourself in obedience to Hebrews 13:17? How are you allowing another to “rule over you?”
I’m not saying you need to become a member tomorrow, but maybe we need to start that process and have that initial conversation.
Potential Questions or Objections:
“What if the brother/sister attends does not attend my local church?”
“What if the brother/sister attends my local church, but is not a member?”
“What does it mean to treat them like a heathen or a tax collector?”
Matthew Henry:
“If he neglects to hear the church, if he slight the admonition, and will neither be ashamed of his faults, nor amend them, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and publican; let him be cast out of the communion of the church, secluded from special ordinances, degraded from the dignity of a church member, let him be put under disgrace, and let the members of the society be warned to withdraw from him, that he may be ashamed of his sin, and they may not be infected by it, or made chargeable with it.’ Those who put contempt on the orders and rules of a society, and bring reproach upon it, forfeit the honours and privileges of it, and are justly laid aside till they repent and submit, and reconcile themselves to it again. Christ has appointed this method for the vindicating of the church’s honour, the preserving of its purity, and the conviction and reformation of those that are scandalous. But observe, he doth not say, “Let him be to thee as a devil or damned spirit, as one whose case is desperate,’ but “as a heathen and a publican, as one in a capacity of being restored and received in again. Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.’ The directions given to the church of Corinth concerning the incestuous person, agree with the rules here; he must be taken away from among them (1 Co. 5:2), must be delivered to Satan; for if he be cast out of Christ’s kingdom, he is looked upon as belonging to Satan’s kingdom; they must not keep company with him, v. 11, 13. But when by this he is humbled and reclaimed, he must be welcomed into communion again, and all shall be well.
John Piper:
This means he is not welcome to be a member of the church, nor to partake of the Lord’s supper. It means that Christians love him, not as a brother, but the way Jesus loved sinners. He lay down his life for them, but welcomed them into his band of disciples only if they took up their cross and followed him (Luke 9:23).
Ben Roby:
-Membership/Privileges/Duties/Authority revoked.
-Will not receive the Lord’s Supper
-I will teach the church to love this person as you would a sinner, but to be wary of spending too much social time with them, lest you endorse their behavior.
Close/Pray
Q/A