The Sustaining Our Church (2 Timothy 3:13-17)
We further agree, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; and to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
THEME (broad): “In a day of innovation, we must sustain our church’s teaching and practice.”
THEME (tonight): “We sustain our discipline by provoking each other and by confronting each other.”
I. Provoke
A. Think about Each Other
B. Specking to Each Other (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
1. Warn
2. Comfort
3. Support
II. Confront
A. The Process (Matthew 18:15)
1. With One
2. With a Few (Matthew 18:16)
3. With the Church (Matthew 18:17)
4. With Chastening (Matthew 18:17-20; 1 Corinthians 5)
B. The Goal (Matthew 18:15; 1 Corinthians 5:5; James 5:19-20; Hebrews 12:11)
III. Sustain
A. The Confrontation (1 Corinthains 5; Matthew 18:17)
B. The Provocation (Hebrews 10:24-25; 3:13)