The Loving Discipline of God
Hebrews 12:4-11
Punishment is done to inflict judgement or retribution.
Discipline is done to train someone for a positive outcome.
In punishment God is the Judge.
In discipline God is the Father.
In punishment God is judging His enemies.
In discipline God is training His children.
Hebrews 12:3 (NIV)
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:5 (NIV)
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,”
1. Discipline is Difficulty
Job 5:7 (NIV)
Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.
John 16:33 (NIV)
In this world you will have trouble.
Hebrews 12:5 (NIV)
And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,"
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
- CS Lewis, The Problem of Pain
1st - Oppositon from People
Hebrews 10:32-33 (NIV)
Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution.
2nd - Loss of Possessions
Hebrews 10:34 (NIV)
You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
3rd - Hardships
Hebrews 12:7 (NIV)
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.
4th - Sickness or death
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 (NIV)
So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way. Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
5th - Painful trial
Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens every son he accepts as his son
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
2. Discipline is A Sign of God's Love
Hebrews 12:6-8 (NIV)
Because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Revelation 3:19 (NLT)
I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
3. Discipline is Designed to do Good Things in our Life
Hebrews 12:9-11 (NIV)
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
1st - Life
Hebrews 12:9 (NIV)
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
2nd - Holiness
Hebrews 12:10 (NIV)
But God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
3rd - Righteousness
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness.
4th - Peace
Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
