Text: 1 Timothy 5:1-2
The Bible writers used many colorful metaphors to describe Christ’s Church: “a vine” (John 15:5), “the body” (1 Corinthians 12:12), “a holy temple” (Ephesians 2:20-22), “the assembly” (Hebrews 12:23), “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9), “the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3), “a kingdom” (Revelation 5:10). But, there is one metaphor which is especially relevant for applying this passage to the Christian life—the Church is “a family” (cf. Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19, 3:15). In order to prosper, every family must maintain proper discipline and must correct sinful behavior. Similarly, let us not naively think that the Church is exempt from sin—after all we are a group of “sinner-saints” to quote Martin Luther. And so, how should sin be confronted? This passage and several others give us very specific directions. Let us follow them!
[podcast]http://www.download.covenantfamilychurch.net/2009/mp3/2009_8_2_Confronting_Sin_in_the_Life_of_Fellow_Belivers.mp3[/podcast]