Yes, the church must take serious corporate action against gross sin, but with the goal of restoration and subsequent forgiveness.
According to Les Feldick's teaching, the church must not ignore or excuse gross sin but should grieve over it and take responsible corporate action to confront it. After discipline, the church must forgive and confirm its love so the individual is not overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
I Corinthians 5:1-2 — Paul immediately addresses the church's failure to mourn over gross immorality and to remove the offender.
The Bible, in I Corinthians chapter 5, plainly instructs the church to mourn over gross sin among its members and to take action to remove the offender (I Corinthians 5:1-2). Paul directs the church to deliver such a one to Satan, not for the destruction of the soul, but for the destruction of the flesh, so that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (I Corinthians 5:5). Moreover, II Corinthians 2:6-7 teaches that after punishment by the majority, the church should forgive and comfort the sinner, lest he be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Galatians 6:1 also instructs believers, especially those who are spiritual, to restore one who is overtaken in a fault, in a spirit of meekness. Scripture emphasizes both discipline and restoration, not condemnation or dismissal.
Les Feldick teaches that the church must not make light of or joke about a believer's gross sin. Instead, believers should be broken-hearted and burdened to pray for the sinner, taking responsible action as a body to confront and restore the person (Clips 1, 2, 4). Church leadership, especially the spiritual, must go to the individual and work to restore them into fellowship (Clips 1, 5). If a believer persists in open sin, God may even take them home to avoid reproach on His name (Clip 7). While church discipline is difficult today, the biblical mandate is clear: the church must deal with sin to keep out the leaven that can spread through the whole congregation (Clip 6). After discipline, the church must also forgive and confirm its love, so the repentant believer is not overwhelmed by sorrow—a point Les emphasizes in the summary, although not explicitly in the provided clips, it is supported by the biblical passage cited.
The church is to confront the individual as a body of believers, not turn a blind eye to the situation (Clip 2). Paul, in I Corinthians 5, instructs the congregation to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (Clip 0). The goal is not to destroy the person but to bring about restoration and keep the sin from spreading like leaven (Clip 6).
Les Feldick emphasizes that, as Galatians 6:1 instructs, those who are spiritual—church leadership—must restore a person who has been overtaken in a fault, doing so in a spirit of meekness, lest they also be tempted (Clips 1, 5). This is a godly responsibility that should break the leader's heart, not become a source of gossip or jokes (Clip 1).
Though not directly quoted in the clips, the summary indicates that after the majority has punished the offender, the church must forgive and confirm its love, lest the individual be overwhelmed with excessive sorrow (2 Corinthians 2:6-7). This balances discipline with restoration and compassion, ensuring that the goal is always the person's recovery and fellowship.
Paul's Admonition to Mourn
Les shows from I Corinthians 5 that the church must grieve over gross sin and take action to deliver the offender to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, not the destruction of his soul.
Restore the Fallen, Not Mock
Les insists that the church's attitude should be heartbroken prayer, not joking or laughter, and that church leaders must work to restore the fallen believer.
Confront as a Body
Les explains that the church cannot ignore gross sin but must confront the offending couple as a corporate body in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Sin Unto Death and Discipline
Les discusses I John 5:16 and how God's first response to open deep sin is disciplinary action by the church to restore the sinner, even distinguishing sins unto death.
Take the Bull by the Horns
Les teaches that when gross sin is known, we must not turn away but directly point out the sin and seek restoration, referencing Galatians 6.
Restore in Meekness
Les emphasizes Galatians 6:1: restore the fallen one in meekness, recognizing that any leader can also fall, and that God may take some home for unrepentant sin.
Leaven in the Church
Les warns that ignoring gross sin in the church allows it to spread like leaven, so the church must deal with it to prevent reproach on Christ's name.
God's Prerogative to Chastise
Les notes that we should never pray for God to take someone out, but the Lord may indeed take a believer who persists in known sin, and that unrepentant behavior often proves they were never truly saved.
I Corinthians 5:1: It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
Paul identifies a gross sin in the Corinthian church that even pagans would condemn.
I Corinthians 5:2: And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
The church failed to mourn over the sin and to remove the offender, which Paul rebukes.
I Corinthians 5:5: To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Paul instructs the church to deliver the man to Satan, aiming at the destruction of the flesh but salvation of his spirit.
II Corinthians 2:6-7: Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
After discipline, the church must forgive and comfort the repentant sinner to prevent overwhelming despair.
Galatians 6:1: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Paul instructs spiritual believers to restore a fallen brother with meekness, considering their own vulnerability.
No. Les Feldick teaches that the church must not ignore or excuse gross sin but must confront it as a body, as Paul instructed the Corinthians.
The goal is restoration, not destruction. The purpose is to bring the believer to repentance and restore fellowship, as seen in Galatians 6:1 and II Corinthians 2:6-7.
They should go to the person with a heart of brokenness and prayer, seeking to restore them in a spirit of meekness, not with jokes or condemnation.
Watch the Teaching: What It Means to Be Sealed by the Holy Spirit — 2 Corinthians 1:21-22