Correcting Each Other

Matthew 18:15-20

Introduction:  Sin is such a big part of our lives, even though we don’t want it to be (Romans 7.15-20).  Sometimes we sin and others see us; sometimes we sin against others.  Because Jesus knew this would be a problem in our lives, he offered a solution and even said He would help us do it.

I. The problem   vs. 15

    A. Brother – fellow believer

    B. Sins - ἁμαρτάνω - To miss, miss the mark;  to fail of doing, fail of ones purpose, to miss ones point, fail, go wrong; to fail, do wrong, err, sin.

    C. Against you – The vast majority of manuscripts include it, but the best manuscripts do not.

II. The solution    vs. 15-17

    A. Talk to the person about it

            1. ἐλέγχω - to state that someone has done wrong, with the implication that there is adequate proof of such wrongdoing; to rebuke, to reproach, rebuke, reproach

         2. ἐλέγχω - 1. bring to light, expose, set forth; 2. convict or convince someone of something, point something out to someone; 3. reprove, correct; 4. heightened, punish, discipline.

         3. Privately   vs. 15

         4. If this solves the problem, great

         5. And how is the rule usually observed?  When one feels wronged by another in the church, the temptation is for him to seek out some personal friend or confidant, and to elaborate the real or fancied wrong by embellishing it with every possible coloring and emphasis, thus spreading hate against the offending party.  Telling the elders, the deacons, or the preacher, or anyone else, of the evil detected in another is wrong (until after the first admonition); and even after the first admonition, the greatest number to be acquainted with it is two others (see Matt. 18:16).  Coffman

    B. Next step; take two or three others   vs. 16

         1. Jesus is speaking to people who follow the Law, so He reminds them of Deuteronomy 19.15

         2. These people should be those the sinner respects

         3. Their purpose is to testify of his refusal to repent

    C. Next step; tell everything to the group   vs.17

         1. Church – since the church did not exist when Jesus said this, it is better to use the simpler definition, assembly, group, bunch, gathering, meeting, company

         2. Publicly present the problem, the evidence, what has been done so far.

         3. The entire group becomes involved in trying to convince the person of the sin.

    D. Next step; let him be as Gentile and tax collector   vs. 17b

         1. Put out of the group

             a. Excommunication - an ecclesiastical censure depriving a person of the rights of church membership

             b. Withdrawal of fellowship

         2. We might be tempted to treat this person badly except for

             II Thessalonians 3.14-15

III. God’s involvement   vs. 18-20

    A. What the group binds on the sinner (assuming he is unrepentant), God has already bound in heaven.   vs. 18

    B. If the group agrees to discipline this person, even if the group is small, God removes his name from the Book of Life.   vs. 19

    C. When we have to do this unpleasant thing, Jesus is with us to help.

         vs. 20

Conclusion:  Remember that the complete purpose of all this is to restore the sinner.  We are not trying to get rid of anyone.  We never want to close the door so sinners will not be welcomed back.  We are to treat everyone with respect, even those who hurt us.

Plaisance Church.  ECD, Guyana.  October 30, 2005.  AM.

Crosby, AR Church.  December 4, 2005.  PM.