Confrontation
Notes
Transcript
Is it not listening ?
Is it not listening ?
Being a congregant of a church; being a member of society, often means that we will be involved in conflict.
In verse 17 we see that if you follow the order for conflict resolution and they refuse to listen you can treat them like tax collectors. Background. Tax collectors were hated in biblical times and were regarded as sinners. They were Jews who worked for the Romans, so this made them traitors. People resented paying taxes to the foreigners who ruled over them.
What is Jesus teaching us today about conflict? Verse 15-go to your brother alone first. If your conflict with him is resolved this is the best situation because there is no reason to cause him any grief if he listens to you.
Verse 16-a negative outcome is always possible. In the scenario of a negative outcome Jesus instructs us to take two or three with us. Can you see where this is less personal?
Verse 17-speak to the church. This has now escalated to a large group. We are the church. I hope you are all thinking at this moment, No I don’t want this conflict to go this far. Most if pushed in this way will walk away rather than bother with the conflict. Have you noticed this in your church over the years? Has conflict resolution been handled biblically?