Sermon February 25, 2007
Hebrews 4.14 What are we to do?
What are we to do when one of us indicates that he or she no longer intends to hold fast their confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
A. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE ANOTHER
1. Each of us is personally responsible to hold fast
2. We are responsible as a body of believers to hold fast
3. We are responsible to help each other hold fast
a. We are joined together [3.6, 13; 4.9, 11]
b. We are called to help one another [10.23-25; 12.14-16]
B. WE HAVE RESOURCES TO HELP US
1. Preventive measures
a. Regular Christian fellowship [10.24-25]
b. Church membership
c. Submission to the shepherding ministry of the church [13.7, 17]
2. Corrective measures: church discipline
a. Some churches do not practice church discipline
1) Ignorance
2) Unbelief
3) Attitude of indifference
4) A false understanding of love
b. The purpose of church discipline
1) The honor and glory of Christ
2) The purity and health of the Body of Christ
3) The restoration of God’s elect
c. The procedure for church discipline
1) Admonishment
2) Suspension from the sacraments
3) Excommunication
C. WE MUST RESPOND TO THOSE WHO DO NOT HOLD FAST
1. Pray for them
2. Love them
3. Share your faith with them
4. Never give up hope
John Olson
