Discipline

2019-06-02

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Key verse: 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness

Hebrews 12:8 (NLT): If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NKJV) But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NLT) But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work

How does God discipline His children? Through His Word! He tells us clearly what we should do, what we shouldn’t do and how we can be successful at both. God’s Word is the “manual” for right living and gives us everything needed to see how God works in our lives.

1. Instruction

  • Vs 16a All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true
  • God uses discipline to teach us right from wrong
  • This is similar to what we as parents do when raising our children

2. Correction

  • Vs 16b and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives
    • “reproof” – e’-len-khos(to convict, to show us what is in error)
    • This is where God uses discipline to punish us for doing wrong
    • God does use discipline to punish our wrongdoing, but this is not ultimate punishment, Christ has paid that price already
    • Job 5:17 But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin.

3. Protection

  • Vss 16c-17 It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
  • Paul had thorn to keep him from pride
    • 2 Cor. 12:7-10 (NLT) Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
  • This is the idea that God uses discipline to keep us from harm
  • Every Christian needs this form of discipline because we will always struggle with our sinful nature

Prov. 29:19 (NLT) Words alone will not discipline a servant; the words may be understood, but they are not heeded

So, what does God use to discipline His children?

  • Pain? Yes
  • Suffering? Yes
  • Hardships? Yes
  • Sickness? Yes
  • Financial difficulty? Yes

Does He use all of these with all of us? No.

  • God knows what each individual needs to bring them into right living and fellowship with God. He knows what we need to teach us to be what we should be.

Are all instances of pain, suffering, hardship, sickness, financial difficulty a result of God’s discipline? No.

  • Some are results of the broken world in which we live. So how do we know the difference? Always go back to God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:16.
/by