Secrets of the Vine

Session 4: “No Fruit” to “Fruit” – B – Deut 8:5-6, Jn 15:2a

The Process of Discipline

Process # 1 – God’s discipline can affect us in all areas including physical - 1Cor 11:27-30

• God may discipline you with weakness - 1Thess 5:14, Acts 5:16 (sick)
• God may discipline you with sickness - Mt 14:14, Num 12:9-10
• God may discipline you with premature death - Acts 5:4b-5, Prov 9:10 (discipline is different from punishment. Punishment makes you pay for what you did; discipline is to correct so you will not make this a habit). Additional thought, are all sins equal in God’s sight. Yes, on one side, Jesus died for “sin” but on a practical side, stealing a pen from work is not the same as murdering someone. Both sins put Jesus on the cross, but there are levels of sin, as Ezekiel talks about “greater abominations” in Ezek 8:6-10, 13, 15

Process # 2 – God disciplines appropriately but some sins are dealt with severely

• God disciplines severely the sin of unforgiveness - Mt 18:32-35, Lk 16:23, 27-28
• God disciplines severely the sin of sexual immorality - Heb 13:4, 1 Thess 4:3-6

Process # 3 – God’s discipline is not necessary if we judge ourselves

•  Judge yourself by repentance - 2 Chron 34:27-28a
• Judge yourself by restoration - Lk 19:8
• Judge yourself by reconciliation - Mt 5:23-24

Precept: 

God disciplines believers who are not bearing fruit in order to restore them to fellowship and fruitful productivity.

Conclusion:

1. Do not forget the exhortation about God’s discipline – Heb 12:5
2. Dedicate yourself to be trained by God’s discipline – Heb 12:11

Hebrews 12:5-13 is a key passage.