July 3, 2016 Dr. Jim Cecy Rescuing Straying Sheep: Restoring Sinning Brothers James 5:19-20 James 5:19-20 “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” One of the most common of biblical analogies to describe the relationships between God and man is that of the shepherd and his sheep — e.g. “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1)— “We are the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalm 100:3) — “I am the GOOD shepherd” (John 10:11) — “...the GREAT shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20) — “All we like sheep have gone astray...” (Isaiah 53:6) — “For you were continually straying like sheep...” (1 Peter 2:25) — etc.

I. The Problem of Straying Sheep

James 5:19 “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth...” “If any among you strays from the truth...AND YOU PROBABLY WILL!” Galatians 5:7 “You were running well, who hindered you from obeying the truth?” • Sheep stray looking for food • Sheep stray when they are drawn aside by other sheep • Sheep stray when they are left behind by other sheep • Sheep stray when they are scared off • Sheep stray when they leave their protective boundary

The Process of Restoration: 1. Admitting their sin 2. Confessing their sin 3. Turning from their sin “turn = Greek: epistrepho = repent, turn back, revert, convert, take back, turn around, return (i.e. return for filling • 1 Peter 2:25 “For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned (Greek: epistrepho = you have returned for filling) to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.”

II. The Procedure for Restoring Straying Sheep • James 5:19-20 “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” The Three R’s of Restoration • Rebuke (2 Tim. 4:2) = to show disapproval of the action • Reprove (Eph. 5:11) = to expose the error • Restore (Gal. 6:1) = to mend the relationship • Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.” • Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass you who are spiritual, restore such a one.” Step #1 of the Returning Wandering Sheep Process Use the Word of God to Teach Them What the Return Path Looks Like • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” • Ephesians 5:11-13 “And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them...But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.” Step #2 of the Returning Wandering Sheep Process Warn Them About the Consequences of Continuing to Stray “admonish (bring to the front of the mind) the unruly (those that are off the path)” (1 Thessalonians 5:14) Step #3 of the Returning Wandering Sheep Process Hold on to Them Until They Get Securely Back on the Right Path “...help (hold on to) the weak” 1 Thessalonians 5:14

III. The Reward for Restoring Sheep • James 5:20 “...let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” Restoration Result #1: You will save his soul from (physical) death (James 5:20) Examples: 1 Corinthians 11; Acts 5; 1 John 5:16 Restoration Result #2: You will cover a multitude of sins (James 5:20) “cover” (Greek: kalupto) = cause to be hidden and forgotten (i.e. under the veil of God’s mercy and grace) • Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” • 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (cf. Prov. 9:8b; 27:5-6; 28:23; Ps. 141:5)) Our Personal Prayer: “Lord, may I be as open to have someone turn me from the error of my ways as I am

willing to turn someone who, just like me, is prone to wander from Your truth.”

Church Discipline: Biblical Guidelines for Rebuking and Restoring a Sinning Believer As the sheep of God’s pasture we truly are prone to wander. However, Our Chief Shepherd has provided His clear instructions as to how His Church is to round up the strays (James 5:19-20). Whereas, some see local church disciple as a means of punishment and banishment, the Word of God presents it as a process of restoration as well as the means by which Christ’s Church stays committed to purity, integrity and unity. This practical seminar will present a specific method for rebuking and restoring a sinning believer. Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

I.

THE DEFINITION (What is rebuking?) 1. Rebuke (2 Tim. 4:2) = to show disapproval of the action 2. Reprove (Eph. 5:11) = to expose the error 3. Restore (Gal. 6:1) = to mend the relationship II. THE METHOD (How do we rebuke?) 1. Approach Him With Right Attitudes a. An attitude of love (Prov. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:5; Eph. 4:15) b. An attitude of respect (1 Tim. 5:1-2) c. An attitude of forgiveness (Lk. 17:3; Eph. 4:32) d. An attitude of patience (2 Tim. 4:2) e. An attitude of gentleness (Gal. 6:1; Prov. 15:1) f. An attitude of humility (Mt. 7:1; Gal. 6:1) 2. Approach Him At The Right Time – as soon as possible (Eph. 4:26; Mt. 5:23-24) 3. Approach Him In The Right Place – face to face and in private (Mt. 18:15) 4. Approach Him With The Right Actions a. Know the facts first (Mark 8:31-33; Mt. 18:16) b. Talk seriously (Job 5:17; Heb. 12:5; Eph. 4:15) c. Teach the Word (Eph. 5:11; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Tim. 4:2; Heb. 4:12) d. Warn and admonish him (1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:15) e. Give a solution (1 Thess. 5:14; Gal. 6:1) III. THE POSSIBILITIES (What could happen when he is rebuked?) A. He may choose not to listen and remain unrepentant 1. If he doesn’t listen you are to bring one or two witnesses to confirm the facts concerning his unwillingness to repent of his sinful behavior (Mt. 18:16) 2. And if he still doesn’t listen, you are to bring the matter before the local church (Mt. 18:17a) 3. And if he still doesn’t listen, you are to remove him from fellowship in the local church (Mt. 18:17b; Eph. 5:27; 1 Cor. 5:7; Eph. 5:11; 1 Cor. 5:9-11; 2 Thess. 3:14-15) 4. And when you remove him, the whole church is to pray for him 5. Then you watch God work His discipline in the unrepentant sinner’s life (Heb. 12:3-11; Prov. 29:1) 6. God may choose to allow the rebellion to continue (Prov. 13:18; 15:12; 9:8; 5:12-14) 7. God may choose to take the erring brother home to heaven (1 Jn. 5:16; Acts 5:5; 1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20; 1 Cor. 11:30-32) B. He may choose to listen and repent 1. We are to forgive him (Lk. 17:3; Mt. 18:21-22) 2. We are to comfort him (2 Cor. 2:4-8) 3. We are to help him (1 Thess. 5:14; Gal. 6:1) 4. We are to rejoice with him (Jas. 5:20; Mt. 18:15; Prov. 10:17) 5. He will be happy (Job 5:17) 6. He will be wiser (Lk. 22:31-32) 7. He will be useful (Prov. 29:15; 15:31; 19:25) 8. He will be honored (Prov. 13:18) 9. He will be thankful for those who rebuked him (Prov. 9:8; 27:5-6; 28:23; Ps. 141:5)

© 2016 Dr. James Cecy, Campus Bible Church, Fresno, CA. 93726 www.campusbiblechurch.com