2 Cor. 2:5-11 “Discipline, Forgiveness & Love”

Jon Beck

2 Cor. 2:5-11 – Discipline, Forgiveness, & Love

(Discipline and forgiveness in the church)

My sermon notes for Sunday, Jan 13th  as we continue our study through 2 Corinthians.  Remember, these are my personal study notes and not a manuscript of the sermon.  To see the sermon each week or subscribe to the weekly sermon podcast please visit http://www.fbcap.net

 

2 Corinthians 2:5–11 – [5] Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. [6] For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, [7] so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. [8] So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. [9] For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. [10] Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, [11] so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. (ESV)

 

Introduction

Remember…in this section Paul is dealing with his relationship with the church in Corinth.  An individual has stirred up a controversy over Paul and his ministry.  Because Paul was being faithful as an apostle the accusations were unwarranted and were dealt with (previous painful visit) As he closes this section, he wants to remind them the WHAT NEXT.  Yes, things need to be taken seriously in the church.  TRUTH MATTERS.  DEAL WITH SIN. But, we still need to be people of love and forgiveness if we truly want the church to be the CHURCH.

A flow of what is taking place in Corinth.

  1. The issue – individual living in open sin.
  2. Discipline – by the church
  3. Repentance – by the individual
  4. Forgiveness – by the church (to some degree both)
  5. Restoration – by the church
  6. Forgetfulness – by both (not hold it against our self or each other. BECAUSE JESUS DOES NOT)

 

Thoughts/Statements as we think of through the “dangers” of discipline and forgiveness. (dangers to avoid)

  • The danger of sin in the camp. (Joshua 7, 1 Cor. 5)
  • The danger of having a judgmental spirit. (check your motive)
  • The danger of forgetting we are a family. (It takes hard work.  It is messy)
  • The danger of downplaying the importance of relationships.
  • The danger of not being people of forgiveness.
  • The danger of not being, coming and continuing to be a growing/discipling church.

 

THE TEXT:

The matter itself – vv. 5-6

Church recognized the issue and dealt with it.

 

[5] Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. [6] For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough,

  • It is not just a personal matter, but also a church matter.
  • We are a body. (An ailment will affect the body)
  • Sin in the camp. WHEN WE ALLOW IT.  CONDONE IT, BY DOING NOTHING
    • it will have an impact on our influence, ministry, our worship

SO WHAT MUST WE DO

Key Words to consider:

Courage, Concern, Compassion & Comfort

  • Courage to do what is right and pleasing unto the Lord. Takes courage to make a stand.
  • Concern for the heart and spiritual life of others.
    • The big picture (sanctification big picture. What will be the ultimate outcome if I do nothing…their soul)
    • The way of the transgressor is hard. 13:15
  • Compassion for others and the ministry of the church.
    • True discipline is the evidence of love.
    • Speak the TRUTH in LOVE. 4:12
  • Comfort for those that are around us

The purpose – vv.7-11

To bring about reconciliation, forgiveness, and restoration.

 

[7] so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. [8] So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. [9] For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. [10] Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, [11] so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

 

TO RESTORE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE CHURCH – The issue is not getting rid of the problem.  The issue is helping someone see what is wrong and helping them through the process of dealing with it and moving on.  (WE DISCIPLINE OUR CHILDREN NOT SO WE CAN GET RID OF THEM, BUT RATHER TO HELP THEM)

 

For the sake of the person

  • Forgiveness – v. 7a
  • Comfort – v. 7b
  • Repentance – v. 7c
  • Love – v. 8

 

For the sake of the Lord

  • Our disobedience is ultimately disobedience unto the Lord. MY SIN MAY HAVE AN EFFECT ON OTHERS, BUT MY DISOBEDIENCE IS BEFORE THE LORD.
  • Sin grieves the Lord. As leaders (church and home) it grieves the Lord when we allow sin to reign.

 

For the sake of His Church

  • Do not give Satan a “beach head”
  • He is defeated so why allow him in?

 

 

 

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