Its funny how, when looking for instruction in the faith, we tend to favor remote sources while neglecting our local brothers and sisters in Christ. No doubt, RC Sproul, McArthur, Ligon Duncan, and other famous teacher/preachers are gifted and we can learn from them but two questions seem obvious:

1) Who holds these ‘remote’ sources accountable, and

2) Can these ‘remote’ sources know your situation better than those brothers and sisters in your own church?

Listen to Pastor Smith as he explores this subject in this 2 minute audio clip …

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Then think about this aspect of the local church:

Formative church discipline is the church edifying and disciplining itself in love. It is the sanctifying mutual ministry and influence of each member to one another, both private and public (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14; 1 Peter 4:10-11). This is done by the use of and submission to the gifts of those both old and young, office bearer and member, which Christ graciously gives to it. If formative church discipline is well understood and practiced, and every member is satisfied with his God appointed place, all shall live to the glory of God and grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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