May 15, 2019

God’s Discipline #

Pro 3:11-12 - My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Intro.

There is a whole passage in Hebrews 12 that talks about the discipline of the Lord! It is very helpful. Hear, we have Solomons wise words on the matter. These verses are a little different in the previous sets, because, before, we have a reward, here, we just have reason. There is reward, and it is great… it is just not mentioned clearly here.

I. Discipline of the LORD! #

A. Consequence - There are consequences for actions #

1. There are consequences for actions, not to be confused with discipline. #

2. If you touch a hot stove, you will get burnt, that is a consequence, not a discipline. Drinking causes health issues, smoking causes cancer, sex causes babies, drugs destroy health. These are consequences, not to be confused with discipline from the Lord. #

3. Punishment - any pain or suffering, or loss inflicted on a person because of a crime or offense. #

B. Chasten #

chasten: 1. To correct by punishment; to inflict pain upon the purpose of reclaiming; (Webster’s 1913)

1. (Heb 12:5–6) “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

2. Chasteneth & scourgeth

   a) A scourge is a strap or cord used to inflict pain.

   b) There is something about pain that it teaches us lessons.

3. Chastening is associated with that pain that is given in response to a wrong doing.

   a) (Prov 13:24) “¶ He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”

   a) Chastening is not enjoyable for the parent!

D. Correction #

correction: Set right, or made straight; hence, conformable to truth, rectitude, or propriety, or to a just standard; not faulty or imperfect; free from error; as, correct behavior; correct views.

Purpose of the chastening, is correction!

A loving parent wants to correct errors, and problems in their child’s life.

You CANNOT hide sin from God!

a) (Num 32:23) “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”

1. God wants to keep your life on the straight and narrow. #

2. When we go against what He wants, then expect discipline. #

3. Example of discipline: #

4. David numbered the people. (1 Chr 21:1-2, 7-10, 12, 14) #

II. Desire of the Lord #

A. “LORD loveth” #

1. LORD - When you think of how great God is, it is amazing that he would consider, even think of me, much less actually love me!

   a) There are currently 8 billion people on Earth! I can’t even count that high, much less keep track of that many people!

   b) Not only does God keep up with it all, but He keeps up with the animals too!

   a) Matt 10:29–31 “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

2. loveth

   a) How is it that God, so powerful, so big, loves me!

   a) (Rom 5:8) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

   b) (John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

   b) You can feel un-loved, but it isn’t true!

   c) (1 John 4:10) “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

   c) The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary, is the very evidence and proof of God’s love for us!

3. Discipline out of love

   a) Discipline may not feel like love… but rest assured, God wants what is best for you!

B. “as a father the son in whom he delighteth” #

1. Evidence of Salvation!

   a) If God doesn’t ever discipline or correct you, you better be worried about not being saved!

   a) (Heb 12:7–8) “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

   b) Bastard - illegitimate child

C. For our gain #

1. (Heb 12:10–11) “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless [afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness]{.underline} unto them which are exercised thereby.”

2. (John 15:2) “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, [he purgeth it]{.underline}, [that it may bring forth more fruit]{.underline}.”

1. God wants you to be profitable! #

III. Decision - #

A. Despise not! #

1. (Prov 1:30) “They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.”

1. He has already talked about the simple people, they despised the reproof of God! #

2. (Prov 13:13) “¶ Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”

3. (Prov 15:5) “¶ A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”

2. Don’t get angry at God for trying to help you!

B. Don’t be weary! #

1. Our prideful, wicked, rebellious flesh get’s tired of being corrected! #

2. WE want to think ourselves sufficient! #

3. The worst thing you can do, turn your back on God and walk away! #

(Gal 6:9) “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”