Most would call this an unpleasant subject. As we discussed the landmarks one rarely hears sermons regarding this topic. It IS an EARMARK of the Church! We should therefore know what is required of us as God's people with regard to Christian discipline. This must be in conjunction with the sacraments. Note that there are 2 ways discipline is laid out. First and foremost is the preaching of the Gospel and secondly the discipline as it is required of the Church institute and members of that Church. It has the KINGDOM of Heaven at its heart as it relates to the Word which is the only opening into Heaven. Impenitence is the ONLY thing that excludes from Heaven!

We are speaking as a figure (key) to open and close a certain place. Upon Peters confession Christ builds His church. "Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God" and makes us partakers and gives us entrance into the Kingdom. In the building of that Church God gives the Church the keys to the Kingdom. The key to a SPIRITUAL realm! In its conception its gathering, or at its coming and fruition we deal with that Kingdom and the key that keeps in and keeps out.

Many want to know how this key power is exercised. God gives the key power to the Church. The church must exercise the key power. Although there are two ways they are essentially ONE! It is the Word of God that is the very basis that includes and excludes. First the preaching of the Word of God. It is the POWER unto SALVATION. Faith by hearing, preaching that faith takes hold of Christ and Him crucified and salvation as well as death unto death. It is the power of God that HE USES to accomplish His purpose. It never returns void! That is why the preaching of the Word has to be distinctive, and it always works in the knowledge of sin, salvation, and thankfulness or a sanctified life. It is then that the heart takes a hold of Christ or has the adverse affect and hardens it! That is why the key power essentially belongs to Christ himself (Romans 10.) The church must be faithful to preach that PURE Word! The 2nd is christian discipline. Often wrongly talked about in conjunction with the elders when it really belongs in the pew of the church! Yes...it belongs to the saints of God! Sin comes into the fellowship of God's people. We don't want to "ruffle feathers" and be "nice" to everyone, but that is NOT how it should go! Take special note of this! First you go see the brother instead of talking with everyone else. Then, if he or she won't hear take two of his or her friends to rectify. After exhausting these things they you tell it to the church where the elders have the God given obligation (note..not the luxury or option) to deal with the brother or sister's sin WITH THE WORD and nothing else. First one is banned from the table to avoid God's wrath upon the church. The church is asked to pray after much working and only after the impenitence are the keys of the Kingdom exercised. When the keys are applied in a way COHERANT with the way in the Word of God and used CORRECTLY God will bind in Heaven what He binds on earth. Yes, you read that right. When used correctly God binds it.

We live in a world and church world that no longer fulfills their Christian obligation in regards to discipline. Remember that the goal is always to GAIN the brother and sister. For their benefit. And so we live and exercise these keys for the good of the congregation, but MOST importantly for the Glory of His name!