When Doing What’s Hard Is Best

In this somber and deeply personal message, Chuck Swindoll addresses a heartbreaking season in the life of his church involving the moral failure of trusted leaders. Swindoll anchors the message in the foundational truth that "God’s work is sacred work," and therefore, it must be done God's way. He argues that those who handle the holy things of God must do so with clean hands and pure hearts, and when that standard is violated, the church must not lower its standards or compromise, even when the consequences are painful [5–7]. Turning to the pastoral instructions in 1 Timothy 5 and Titus 3, Swindoll outlines the biblical mandate for handling accusations against leadership. He explains that while the church must not listen to gossip, once an accusation is verified by witnesses, the leader who continues in sin must be rebuked publicly. This difficult act is necessary not only for truth but so that the rest of the body maintains a healthy fear of sinning [12–14]. Swindoll emphasizes that this discipline must be administered without "bias" or "partiality," meaning that close friends, family members, or popular figures are not exempt from accountability [16–17]. The message culminates in Swindoll’s candid announcement regarding the removal of two staff members involved in an adulterous relationship. Reading from his personal journal, he describes the discovery of this betrayal as a "day of infamy" and one of the darkest days of his life. Yet, he points the congregation toward hope, affirming that while the church is grieved and the individuals are disciplined, the goal is eventually restoration. He concludes with a warning to all believers: "Let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall" [2, 22, 26–28].

Message Key Facts:

• The Sacredness of Ministry: Swindoll traces the history of worship from the Tabernacle to the Temple to the believer’s body, arguing that God has always held an incredibly high standard for those who handle His sacred work. He notes that in the Old Testament, priests who failed to do God's work God's way often paid with their lives [7–8].
• Augustine’s Realization: Swindoll shares a story of Augustine, who, when tempted to return to his old carnal ways, stopped himself by asking, "Augustine, Dost thou not know that thou art carrying God around with thee?" This underscores that the believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
• The Procedure for Accusation: Citing 1 Timothy 5:19, Swindoll notes that an accusation against an elder must not be received unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. This protects leaders from hearsay and gossip.
• Public Rebuke: Swindoll explains the terrifying instruction of 1 Timothy 5:20: "Those who continue in sin rebuke in the presence of all." The purpose of this public handling is not humiliation for its own sake, but so that the rest of the leadership and church will fear sinning [13–14].
• Kent Hughes’ Warning: Swindoll quotes Kent Hughes, who observes that the modern church has "lost its nerve," allowing leaders to sin with impunity. Hughes argues that a lack of fortitude in confronting sin is actually "unloving" to Christ, the church, and the offender.
• No Partiality: The command in 1 Timothy 5:21 to do nothing with "partiality" is crucial. Swindoll insists this means no protection for favorite pastors, close friends, or relatives; betrayal must be revealed regardless of the person's status [16–17].
• "Perverted" and Self-Condemned: analyzing Titus 3:10–11, Swindoll defines the "factious man" as one who is "perverted" (ekstrepho), meaning turned inside out or twisted. The tragedy of such a person is that they are "self-condemned"—they know they are sinning while acting like they are not [18–20].
• A "Day of Infamy": Swindoll reads a journal entry dated April 26, 2006, describing the shock of discovering the moral failure of his friends. He uses this vulnerability to remind the congregation that if gifted leaders can fall, anyone can fall without the grace of God [26–28].

Message References:

• 1 Corinthians 10:12: "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall".
• 1 Timothy 5:19: "Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three Witnesses".
• 1 Timothy 5:20: "Those who continue in sin rebuke in the presence of all so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning".
• 1 Timothy 5:21: "I solemnly charge you... to maintain these principles without bias doing nothing in a spirit of partiality".
• 1 Timothy 5:22: "Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin".
• Titus 3:10: "Reject a factious man after a first and second warning".
• Titus 3:11: "Knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning being self-condemned".

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll