Let's Talk About It
Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 23:21
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Trouble in the Text: The disciples need to know how to address sin.
Jesus gives his disciples a method of avoiding wrongs.
Jesus gives his disciples a method of avoiding wrongs.
3 So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.
Christ does here as expressly command all Christians who see a brother do evil, to take this way, not another, and to take these steps, in this order. – JW
John Wesley severely condemned public censures by the church because they did not strictly conform to the command of Christ in this passage and dishonors the reputation of those who follow Christ.
Sinners are bound to sin; sinners condemn themselves by continuing.
Sinners are bound to sin; sinners condemn themselves by continuing.
Those who admit to sin and are freed of guilt and punishment are loosed.
Those who admit to sin and are freed of guilt and punishment are loosed.
Whoever refuses to listen to fellow disciples in Christ cannot feign to be in fellowship with them while it affects the entire congregation.
In 1 Cor. 6:1–8 Paul speaks in horror of the fact that members of the church are suing one another in the civil courts. He demands to know why there has been no attempt to arbitrate such cases within the congregation.
Matthew and Paul agree that these and other conflicts must be dealt with and not be allowed to fester.
Matthew and Paul agree that these and other conflicts must be dealt with and not be allowed to fester.
Anger of wrong needs to be transformed into compassion.
Anger of wrong needs to be transformed into compassion.
Even if they were to treat the wrongdoer as an unbeliever, good-will and compassion was still required of his disciples.
This text applies either in circumstances concerning personal injury by another or a disinterested party seeing it happen.
A similar procedure, with a less drastic solution, was employed for more tolerable offenses that were nonetheless deemed injurious to the fellowship. (Phillipians)
We often avoid confrontation, or condemn others when we see or hear wrong.
We often avoid confrontation, or condemn others when we see or hear wrong.
We may think that we are disrupting the peace of the Body of Christ by confronting another.
We may think that we are disrupting the peace of the Body of Christ by confronting another.
However, many abuses were allowed to happen for far too long in the Body of Christ because someone did not want to cause more harm, resulting in systemic corruption on many levels.
Maybe we do so out of pure intent, but that fails to understand the very real damage that back-biting and gossip cause to the Body of Christ.
Misunderstanding and deception are the catalysts of evil and corruption that may lead to catastrophic downfall.
Misunderstanding and deception are the catalysts of evil and corruption that may lead to catastrophic downfall.
We are inclined to “forgive” sins in advance of repentance rather than have to confront the guilty parties.
We are inclined to “forgive” sins in advance of repentance rather than have to confront the guilty parties.
Jesus gave his disciples a way to address any perceived wrongs.
Jesus gave his disciples a way to address any perceived wrongs.
(Handout)
Any time that two or more are gathered together in common purpose, God is there with them.
When they are joined together in prayerful agreement, it will be done for them.
The Spirit quickens our prayers, guide our councils, and answer our prayers and petitions while we are in agreement.
We cannot be in agreement unless we are reconciled.
We cannot be in agreement unless we are reconciled.
God works to reconcile our relationships.
God works to reconcile our relationships.
We should pray that the church would follow this way of Christ in order that it might continue un-mocked by the world.
The church’s example of internal reconciliation is a sign to the world of the possibility of universal reconciliation under the rule of Christ.
The church’s example of internal reconciliation is a sign to the world of the possibility of universal reconciliation under the rule of Christ.
They’ll know we are Christians by our love AND our own loving correction toward holiness.