In love, Jesus calls His church to deal seriously with sin inside the family so that people can be restored, the church can be holy, and the gospel can be clear.

The Scandal and the Embrace

Sin destroys people; pride defends it.
Paul’s Prescription: Mourn and then do Something about it!

They had come to a point of repentance…a place where they recognized that Jesus is Lord and only his way is right. Jesus can take you with all kinds of problems, but you have to be willing to go with him.

Step 1 – Talk to the person privately

Step 2 – Get a small group of people involved.

Step 3 - Get Elders involved.

Step 4 – Treat them like an unbeliever

“Nothing can be more cruel than that leniency which abandons others to sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than that severe reprimand which calls another Christian in one’s community back from the path of sin”
– Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Some Clarification on Relationships

- Examine ourselves

- Confess quickly and fully to God and to trusted friends

- Receive power from the Holy Spirit