1. Hebrews 12:5-8 God Spanks His Kids Open with me: Hebrews 12:5-8
Pg 1070
In Church Bibles

2. Judge to Parents: Spank or Pay
Perhaps you saw the story the this last week….
Highlighting the “Spanking judge”
He was “strongly encouraged”, to stop his practice in court
parents of truant kids have two choices – spank or pay $500
Not endorsing, necessarily
- This story has, as stories like it, produced quite a varied response
Judge to Parents: Spank or Pay
In Gustavo Garza's court if your kid has been charged with truancy, you get two options: either pay a fine of $500 or spank your kid with large plank emblazoned with "Board of Education" in front of everyone in the courtroom.

3. Spanking is illegal in 24 countries
Our world very split on idea of corporal punishment for kids
In 24 countries is illegal
In great Brittan, fine w/o marks
In US – split across states
In this room…varied opinions
- recognize horrors of child abuse
Consider title of today’s sermon
God Spanks His Kids
True…as we will see….
Spanking is illegal in 24 countries
1979  Sweden
1983  Finland
1987  Norway
1989  Austria
1994  Cyprus
1997  Denmark
1998  Latvia
1999  Croatia
2000  Bulgaria
2000  Israel
2000  Germany
2003  Iceland
2004  Romania
2004  Ukraine
2005  Hungary
2006  Greece
2007  Chile
2007  Netherlands
2007  New Zealand
2007  Portugal
2007  Spain
2007  Uruguay
2007  Venezuela
2008  Costa Rica

4. Let’s begin by reading
Hebrews 12:5-11
Today – continue in Hebrews
Working verse by verse thru
Today, begin at least 3 weeks of talking about God’s discipline
Goal to understand, even cooperate with God’s discipline
(next slide)

5. Understanding God’s Discipline
Our main Goal is to see, embrace His work
Secondary goal – for parents,
(next slide)…

6. Parenting from God’s Example
Secondary goal – for parents,
learn from God’s role model. Will give keys of His discipline.
Not mine – I am not perfect
But His parenting as an example

7. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
Not Penal or Punitive
Christian, God NEVER punishes you
First key for us to see, is that God does not, ever, punish His kids
How can I say that…. (next slide)

8. And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
We are and were guilty – every one of us. Convictable
Yet, God laid our sins guilt and punishment on Christ
Isaiah 53:6

9. So Jesus…said, “It is finished!” John 19:30
Jesus’ last words on the Cross affirmed that the price for you sin and mine – done – finished.
In law, to try someone for the same crime is called double jeopardy
- in a greater way – God cannot, could not charge you and I, cannot punish you and I for sin that Jesus paid for.
John 19:30

10. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus
No more condemnation, never punishes us for our sin
Romans 8:1

11. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
Not Penal or Punitive
Christian, God NEVER punishes you
Punishment looks back, guilt
Getting what you “deserve”
Discipline looks forward
Instruction in what you need
Correction – fix course
Prevention – keep from sin
God disciplines, not punishes
Difference?
Punishment looks back – guilt, giving us what we deserve. Punishment that fits the crime
Discipline looks forward, it is focused on our good, instruction
Discipline includes correction
Not punishment, but getting us back on track where we are off
Discipline includes prevention
is not only about us being off.
Sometimes preventative, to keep us from failing….

12. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me…lest I be exalted above measure.
Paul did not do something to get this, not punishment
God in His grace, disciplining, helping Paul not to fail
2Corinthians 12:7

13. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
Not Penal or Punitive
Christian, God NEVER punishes you
Punishment looks back, guilt
Getting what you “deserve”
Discipline looks forward
Instruction in what you need
Correction – fix course
Prevention – keep from sin
Education – strengthening
Discipline includes Education
For good, education, edification
Much more we could say in those categories.
But key- is looking forward, discipline is about our course, getting and keeping us on.

14. Parenting from God’s Example
Discipline, don’t punish
Parental application.
I don’t believe God has charged parents with the responsibility of punishing our kids
If so, would have to be a whole standard, statue of limitations
- sometimes kids want it.
Our goal, charge – is not to give them what they deserve – but to steer their lives rightly…

15. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Famous verse
- probably communicating more than imagine…
Yet, notice – point is future, way going. It is discipline, not punishment
Parents – when discipline, I call you to make this your clear aim
Proverbs 22:6

16. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
Not Penal or Punitive
Christian, God NEVER punishes you
Punishment looks back, guilt
Getting what you “deserve”
Discipline looks forward
Instruction in what you need
Correction – fix course
Prevention – keep from sin
Education – strengthening
God disciplines – forward
Not punishes – backwards

17. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
Not Penal or Punitive
Christian, God NEVER punishes you
Punishment looks back, guilt
Getting what you “deserve”
Discipline looks forward
Instruction in what you need
Correction – fix course
Prevention – keep from sin
Education – strengthening
Christian, hear me clearly
God never punishes you.
Some of you struggling right now
Looking at life, and feel that God is punishing you for past…NOT
This feeling is a lie…travesty against the Cross. God does not!
God is not punishing you for your sins!

18. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
If disciplined–know it is not just you
If disciplined–know you are His
Secondly–God spanks all His kids
If disciplined – it is not just you
- sometimes kids feel they are only one’s dealt with. Not so
- Christians can feel too. Not so. Every Christian gets disciplined
- Billy Graham, Paul, KP, etc
If disciplined, know you are His
- again, kids can often feel that discipline is disowning. NOT
- No, it is proof!

19. Parenting from God’s Example
Discipline, not punish
Discipline your kids!
Parents, hear the call
God disciplines all His kids
You are called, commanded to discipline yours

20. He who spares his rod hates his son But he who loves him disciplines
He who spares his rod hates his son But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
If you think it is love to not discipline, WRONG.
God says it is hate
Proverbs 13:24

21. Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod,
he will not die.
You shall beat him with a rod,
And deliver his soul from hell.
Key – aim, deliver from hell
Proverbs 23:13-14

22. The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings
The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
Sadly…true
God disciplines all His kids
People don’t always…should
Proverbs 29:15

23. Parenting from God’s Example
Discipline, not punish
Discipline your kids!
Parents, dicipline your kids!

24. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
If disciplined–know it is not just you
If disciplined–know you are His
If you are not disciplined
then you are NOT His
If not disciplined, not His
- happened to all of us, at restaurant, mall. Kid acting up. Wanted to deal with. Why didn’t you? Not your right. Not yours.
If in this series is you, don’t know His discipline, then I call you to salvation
Discipline is a proof!

25. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
If disciplined–know it is not just you
If disciplined–know you are His
If you are not disciplined
then you are NOT His
2nd main key for today
Discipline is wonderful reminder, each and every time– you are His
If disciplined, learn to see as a wonderful reminder – you are His

26. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
His Discipline is NOT….
a guilty conscience (self)
condemnation (satan)
criticism (world)
Think for a moment-application
If discipline separates saved and unsaved – key that we understand
Danger of being vague.
Hear what Discipline is NOT
Not a guilty conscience.
Pastors have pointed to at times.
Myself perhaps, wrongly
All have a conscience – saved and unsaved – comes from self
Not condemnation – of satan, he does night and day
Not criticism of world – universal
Don’t mistake these for God’s discipline!

27. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
His Discipline is NOT….
His Discipline is Varied
God’s discipline is varied
not one size fits all
Not all disciplined in the same way
If about punishment, that would be unfair. But it is not – it is about correction, direction…
Discipline is individually crafted!
Ok…but how? Examples?
- not a board flying from sky
Lets look at some scriptural examples to find some help
Individually
crafted

28. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
His Discipline is NOT….
His Discipline is Varied
Relational - distance
Scriptural - Cutting of Word
Confrontational - thru others
Supernatural - miraculous
Circumstantial - God ordering
Relational – one of most powerful
- distance from God, sorrow
- When happens in parenting, wonderful
- Think of David and sin – dried up inside
Scriptural. His Word spanks
- Heb 4:19 – cuts to our core
- Acts 2 – cut to the heart
- Powerful…wonderful
Confrontational – uses others
- Nathan to David, Abimelech to Abraham, Paul to Peter
- when you know more that criticism
Supernatural – God working
- Jonah and fish, Zach and losing voice
Circumstantial–working in things around
- seems to be part of context here
Individually
crafted

29. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
God Disciplines Personally
His Discipline is NOT….
His Discipline is Varied
His Discipline is Personal
God’s discipline is varied!
- how do we know it?
God’s discipline is personal
v.5 – by Him
For me…I know. More than just problem – God deals with
imagine, parent just whacking a kid as walked down hall – without explanation. Helpful?
God disciplines, personally. You know He is dealing w/you- I do
If don’t…saved?
Individually
crafted

30. Parenting from God’s Example
Discipline, not punish
Discipline your kids
Discipline individually, personally
Parents in application
Discipline individually
- not one size fits all, even for multiple kids.
- not punishment…correction
Discipline personally – your voice, explanation…call

31. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
God Disciplines Personally
God Disciplines from Love
God disciplines from love
- notice v.6
This is important…
Lets do backwards here - talk about parenting – then see in our relationship with God

32. Parenting from God’s Example
Discipline, not punish
Discipline your kids
Discipline individually, personally
Discipline from Love
Don’t discipline out of anger
Anger is punitive
Anger is selfish
Anger doesn’t work
Parents – discipline from love
- don’t discipline from anger
Anger is punitive. Often is all about punishment
Anger is selfish. Not concerned for them…but for me. Embarrassed me, frustrate me
Anger doesn’t work

33. So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Read clearly – wrath never produces righteousness – never
I am convinced that all child abuse is wrath, anger, selfish
But God is calling us never to discipline in anger…never
I confess to you…I have had to apologize to my kids several times
James 1:19-20

34. Parenting from God’s Example
Discipline, not punish
Discipline your kids
Discipline individually, personally
Discipline from Love
Don’t discipline out of anger
Love causes real discipline
“hurts me more than you”
Love leads to real discipline
Can say “Hurts me more than you”
- if anger, not true
- if love, is true

35. He who spares his rod hates his son
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
Love leads to discipline
Proverbs 13:24

36. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
God Disciplines Personally
God Disciplines from Love
Key to know is God’s love
If don’t…discouraging!
Context: Endurance vs.
Discouragement
Apply this back to relationship with God
- God never messes up like me
- all His discipline from love
Key is to know comes from God’s love
If you don’t will be discouraged
- context need endurance
- endurance vs. discouragement
- if you think God is angry, punishing you, against you – wipe you out…discouraging

37. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
God Disciplines Personally
God Disciplines from Love
Key to know is God’s love
If don’t…discouraging!
Context: Endurance vs.
Discouragement
Hear this…God is for you, all discipline is for you good
- motivated by His love

38. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
God Disciplines Personally
God Disciplines from Love
O how I pray you see His discipline…begin to understand
Has been 3 keys I want to show
Not punishment
Proves you are His
Arises from His love
If so…then you will know, wonderful

39. You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word...
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
You are good, and do good…
It is good for me that I have been afflicted
That I may learn Your statutes.
You will see – it is good
- say to God…thanks
Psalm 119:65-71

40. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
God Disciplines Personally
God Disciplines from Love
This is God’s discipline

41. Understanding God’s Discipline
God Disciplines, not Punishes
God Disciplines ALL His Kids
God Disciplines Personally
God Disciplines from Love
Again–know God spanks His kids
Do you know it? Real?
- great proof of salvation
Declaration that not saved, that He is not your Dad
To be a Christian – is to be His child

42. Blessed be the God and Father …who has …predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself
Today….if unsaved, see it
Long that you would be adopted by Him
Ephesians 1:3-6

43. Blessed be the God and Father …who has …predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself
Today….if unsaved, see it
Long that you would be adopted by Him
Ephesians 1:3-6

44. to those who believe in His name:
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God,
to those who believe in His name:
who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Today, call you to a work of God
Today, call you to believe in Him, to receive Him
John 1:12-13