Confronting Sin: The Call to Church Discipline

Summary

Today, we confronted the sobering reality of sin within the church, using the recent revelations about Michael Tate as a lens to examine the urgent need for church discipline and personal holiness. The tragedy of a Christian leader living a double life for decades is not just a story of individual failure, but a warning to the entire body of Christ about the dangers of neglecting correction and accountability. We looked at Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 5, where he commands the church to remove unrepentant sinners from fellowship—not out of cruelty, but out of love for both the individual and the church. Discipline, though painful, is a mark of God’s love and a necessary tool for growth, both for children and for disciples of Christ.

We explored how the lack of discipline in the church leads to spiritual decay, likened to yeast spreading through dough, corrupting the whole. When sin is tolerated or ignored, it not only damages individuals but also compromises the testimony of God’s holiness to the world. The church is called to be a holy nation, set apart, and when we treat sin casually, we become stumbling blocks to others and undermine the very message of the gospel. Jesus and Paul both make it clear: sin must be confronted, not coddled. This is not about perfection, but about striving for holiness and refusing to cover up what God wants to heal.

Yet, the goal of discipline is always restoration. We are not called to be harsh or self-righteous, but to seek the healing and redemption of those who have fallen. Just as the Japanese art of kintsugi repairs broken pottery with gold, God can take the shattered pieces of our lives and make something more beautiful than before—if we will confess, repent, and submit to His correction. Holiness is not an impossible standard reserved for a few; it is God’s will for every believer, and He gives us the Holy Spirit to empower us to live it out. The call today is to uncover sin, pursue righteousness, and trust in the hope of the gospel—for ourselves, for the church, and even for those who have fallen far.

Key Takeaways

- Discipline is an Expression of Love, Not Cruelty
God disciplines those He loves, just as a parent disciplines a child. Avoiding correction is not compassion—it is neglect. True love is willing to confront sin for the sake of the individual’s soul and the health of the church, even when it is uncomfortable or painful. [13:58]

- Unchecked Sin Corrupts the Whole Body
Sin, when left unaddressed, spreads like yeast through dough, affecting not just the individual but the entire community. Tolerating or ignoring sin leads to spiritual decay, hypocrisy, and ultimately damages the church’s witness to the world. The call is to deal with sin decisively, not to preserve appearances but to protect the integrity of the body. [18:07]

- Holiness is Essential for Knowing God and Bearing Witness
God’s command to “be holy as I am holy” is not optional. When we treat sin casually, we compromise the testimony of God’s holiness and make a mockery of the cross. Pursuing holiness is the only way to truly know God and to show the world the reality of His transforming power. [28:45]

- Restoration, Not Destruction, is the Goal of Correction
The purpose of church discipline is not to shame or destroy, but to bring about repentance and restoration. Like the art of kintsugi, God can mend what is broken and make it more beautiful than before. When correction leads to genuine repentance, forgiveness and healing follow, and the scars become testimonies of God’s grace. [44:21]

- Holiness is Possible Through the Holy Spirit
God never commands what He does not also empower. Holiness is not reserved for the spiritual elite; it is the calling and possibility for every believer. Through surrender to the Holy Spirit, we can overcome sin, live with a clean conscience, and experience the peace and joy of a life set apart for God. [54:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:18] - The Influence and Fall of Michael Tate
[02:48] - Allegations and Confession
[04:12] - The Double Life Exposed
[06:53] - Responses and the Need for Correction
[09:09] - The Biblical Case for Church Discipline
[11:34] - The Necessity of Discipline for Children and Disciples
[13:58] - God’s Discipline as a Mark of Sonship
[17:06] - The Consequences of Lacking Discipline
[18:07] - Sin as Leaven in the Church
[19:43] - The Modern Church’s Failure to Discipline
[22:39] - The Danger of Covering Sin
[25:40] - God’s Faithfulness to Expose Sin
[28:45] - The Call to Holiness
[31:56] - The Atmosphere Needed for Spiritual Growth
[34:01] - The Impact of Scandal on the Faithful
[35:13] - How to Deal with Sin: Cut it Off
[37:05] - Higher Standards for Leaders
[39:27] - Restoration and Hope After Correction
[44:21] - God’s Power to Mend Broken Lives
[54:04] - The Possibility and Promise of Holiness
[55:04] - Closing and Invitation to Pursue Holiness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Necessity of Church Discipline and Pursuing Holiness

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### Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 5:1-8 (ESV)
> It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Hebrews 12:5-11 (ESV)
> And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV)
> But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

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### Observation Questions

1. In 1 Corinthians 5, what specific sin was being tolerated in the church, and what was Paul’s instruction to the church about it?
2. According to Hebrews 12, what is the purpose of God’s discipline in the life of a believer?
3. What metaphor does Paul use in 1 Corinthians 5 to describe the effect of unchecked sin in the church?
4. In the sermon, what was the main reason given for why church discipline is necessary, even though it is uncomfortable? [[13:58]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul command the church to remove the unrepentant sinner from fellowship? What does he hope will be the result for both the individual and the church? [[10:26]]
2. How does the metaphor of yeast (leaven) help us understand the impact of sin that is ignored or tolerated in a church community? [[18:07]]
3. The sermon says, “Discipline is an expression of love, not cruelty.” How does this challenge common ideas about what love looks like in the church? [[13:58]]
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between covering up sin and seeking restoration? Why is restoration the goal? [[44:21]]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon described how a lack of discipline in the church can lead to spiritual decay and hypocrisy. Have you ever seen or experienced a situation where sin was ignored in a church or Christian community? What was the result? [[19:43]]
2. The pastor said, “Avoiding correction is not compassion—it is neglect.” Is there an area in your life where you have avoided correction, either from God or from others? What would it look like to invite correction in that area? [[13:58]]
3. Paul and Jesus both teach that sin must be confronted, not coddled. How do you personally respond when someone points out sin in your life? Do you tend to get defensive, or do you see it as an opportunity for growth? [[35:13]]
4. The sermon used the image of kintsugi—broken pottery repaired with gold—to describe how God restores us after failure. Is there a “broken place” in your life that you need to bring to God for healing and restoration? What would it look like to do that this week? [[44:21]]
5. The call to holiness is for every believer, not just leaders. What is one specific area where you sense God calling you to greater holiness? What step can you take this week to pursue that? [[54:04]]
6. The pastor asked, “Do you have anyone that can correct you when you’re going off the rails before it turns into disaster?” Who in your life has permission to speak hard truths to you? If you don’t have someone, what could you do to build that kind of relationship? [[40:45]]
7. The sermon warned that when we treat sin casually, we become stumbling blocks to others and damage the church’s witness. Is there a way your actions or attitudes might be affecting others’ view of Christ? What change could you make to better reflect God’s holiness? [[29:55]]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to give you a hunger for holiness, courage to accept correction, and a heart that seeks restoration for yourself and others. Pray for the church to be a place of both truth and grace, where brokenness is healed and God’s holiness is honored.

Devotional

Day 1: The Necessity of Church Discipline for Righteousness
God calls His people to uphold a standard of righteousness within the church, not to shame or destroy, but to protect the body from the destructive spread of sin. When sin is left unaddressed, it acts like yeast in dough, spreading and corrupting the whole, and so loving discipline is necessary to maintain the health and witness of the church. The process may be painful, but it is ultimately for the salvation and restoration of the sinner and the purity of the congregation. [10:26]

1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (ESV)
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

Reflection: Is there an area in your life or in your community where you have been tempted to ignore or excuse sin rather than lovingly address it? What would it look like to pursue godly correction today?


Day 2: Discipline as an Expression of Love
True love does not ignore wrongdoing but corrects it, whether in parenting or in discipleship. God disciplines those He loves, and though it may be painful in the moment, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who are trained by it. Accepting correction is a mark of belonging to God, and resisting it leads to spiritual ruin; therefore, we should welcome God’s discipline as a sign of His fatherly care. [13:58]

Hebrews 12:5-8, 11 (ESV)
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons... For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Reflection: When was the last time you sensed God correcting you? How did you respond, and how might you embrace His loving discipline more fully today?


Day 3: The Call to Holiness—Reflecting God’s Character
God’s people are called to be holy as He is holy, not treating sin casually but striving to live set apart in every area of life. When the church compromises on holiness, it damages the testimony of God’s character to the world and loses its effectiveness as salt and light. Pursuing holiness is not about perfectionism, but about aligning our lives with God’s standards and relying on His Spirit to empower us for righteous living. [29:55]

1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV)
But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you sense God calling you to greater holiness? What practical step can you take today to pursue that?


Day 4: The Danger of Hidden Sin and the Power of Confession
Hidden sin is ultimately destructive, both to individuals and to the church, but God is faithful to uncover what is concealed so that healing and restoration can take place. Rather than covering up sin, we are called to confess and forsake it, trusting in God’s promise to forgive and cleanse us. True repentance is not just feeling sorry, but turning away from sin and embracing the new life Jesus offers. [25:40]

1 John 1:9 (ESV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Reflection: Is there a hidden area of sin or struggle in your life that you need to bring into the light? What would it look like to confess it to God—or to a trusted believer—today?


Day 5: Restoration and Hope Through God’s Grace
Even after discipline and correction, God’s heart is for restoration—He can take brokenness and, like a master potter, make something more beautiful than before. When repentance is genuine, forgiveness and comfort should follow, and the church is called to reaffirm love and hope for those who turn back to God. No matter how deep the failure, there is hope in the gospel: Jesus died to make us new, and in His hands, our scars can become testimonies of His grace. [44:21]

2 Corinthians 2:5-8 (ESV)
Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who needs to experience forgiveness and restoration from you or from the church? How can you take a step toward reaffirming love and hope for them today?

Quotes

If we just let all sinful behavior just continue on willy -nilly turn a blind eye hope nobody talks about it publicly hope i don't get calledout if we just let it exist under the surface what happens is we become like a rotting corpse or what jesus described as a whitewashed tomb you walk by a cemetery you see nice manicured lawn you see fresh power washed tombstones everything looks nice at a cemetery you know what's underneath the surface dead rotting corpses that's most churches unfortunately with clean parking lots and tithe buckets filled but dead rotting corpses in the pews lord let it not be here. [00:22:29] (50 seconds)  #ExposeSinDontIgnore Edit Clip

Those who don't judge sin, actually are attacking the character of God. They're saying, the holiness of God is not important to me. Leviticus 11 .44, I am the Lord your God. You must consecrate yourself and be holy because I am holy. What that means this morning is that you will never know God without pursuing holiness. You'll never experience his presence. You'll never take seriously his commandments. You'll never align with his teaching, with his commandment, because God is holy. And if we want to know him, we have to pursue holiness too. [00:28:24] (46 seconds)  #PursueHolinessToKnowGod Edit Clip

How do we treat sin then? What should we do? What should we do about it, church? Don't massage it. Don't excuse it. Don't ignore it. Don't hope it resolves itself. The remedy of Paul is this, verse two, you are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning. Say the word mourning. I'm not talking about when the sun comes up. Sin should make you mourn. Sin is a killer. Sin will destroy you. Why do people sin? Well, because it feels good for a minute, but then it kills. It destroys. It's like poison. [00:34:23] (38 seconds)  #MournSinItsDeadly Edit Clip

How do we deal with sin? We don't pet it. We don't accept it. We don't hope it goes away or resolves itself. The thing to do with sin is to cut it off, to remove the leaven from the dough. Get out of here. Jesus said it like this in the Sermon on the Mount. He said, if your eye, even your good eye, causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It's better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand, even your strong hand, causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Now, this is usually the part where pastors will say, now, Jesus wasn't actually talking about chopping off body limbs. I don't like to do that though, because it softens the blow of his words. Jesus didn't soften it. Now, I'm not going to be passing around knives in the service today. I want you to feel the weight of what Jesus said. Better to have one hand in heaven than two hands in hell. Cut it off. [00:35:39] (78 seconds)  #CutOffSinToLive Edit Clip

In the same way, when God puts you back together, when he takes the broken parts of your life and by the blood of Jesus forgives you through the Holy Spirit mends your life, what God can do with Michael Tate is far greater than any song he ever sang on a stage. God's going to take those broken pieces. If he will truly repent, if he will truly turn from his sins and trust in the Lord, then he can be put back together and so can you. Isaiah 61 promises beauty for ashes and healing for the brokenhearted. Second Corinthians 517, you can be a new creation in Christ. That's not just religion. That's a new life. In the hands of God, our scars can become testimonies, stories of glory. [00:44:00] (59 seconds)  #GodMendsBrokenLives Edit Clip

There's only one plan on earth for the kingdom of God, and that is the church. As broken as she is, as much sin as she has endured, as much as leadership has failed the body, and as much as the body has failed in leadership, listen, there's hope because I believe God. I believe God is committed to holiness, to preparing his bride for the day of consummation. That's us, and he is putting us back together. together. So for all of you, hope in God. This is not a day to be depressed. This is a day to uphold the holiness of God, even in our imperfections. Say, Lord, I'm not perfect yet, but that's the goal. And I'm striving for that. [00:45:05] (45 seconds)  #ChurchIsGodsKingdomPlan Edit Clip

Man, the way to say it is like this. When you do right, you feel right. There's nothing like having a clean conscience, man. You can put your head on your pillow and sleep like a baby. Hallelujah. When I don't have grudges, when I don't have lust problems, man, I can lay my head on the pillow and say, thank you, Jesus. I'm alive another day. I pray that you would be able to do that. [00:54:53] (29 seconds)  #CleanConsciencePeace Edit Clip