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This morning we are back in Matthew 18
The first half of Matt 18 , Jesus teaches his disciples about humilty.
Two weeks ago we looked at verse 1-14
The disciples came to Jesus asking which one of them would be the greatest in the Kingdom
Jesus’ answer wasn’t who would be the greatest, but instead showed the an example of the only person who would enter the Kingdom and that was the person who would show the humility of a child.
He said “unless your turn and become like children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matt 18:3)
THIS IS IMPORTANT!
When you prayed to receive Christ, did you turn?
Did your turn from your own way, your own thoughts, your own desires?
It’s like we talked about on Tuesday, whose Kingdom do you live in?
Your own?
Or are you subject to His kingdom?
Then Jesus moved to the importance of believers not leading other believers to sin.
He said in verse 6 (Matt 18:6) that it would be better for a big stone to be tied around his neck and be thrown into the river, rather than lead another brother to sin.
In Matt 18:7-9 Jesus warns his disciples of the temptations that would come.
He says in verse 7 that they are “necessary.”
No doubt, temptations to sin will exist until Jesus returns, but he warns of the importance of resisting temptations.
But then in Matth 18:10-14, there is this beautiful picture of the care God has for his children.
Those who follow him.
The parable explains that the shepherd who had 100 sheep, would leave 99 of them to find the one, and bring it back.
So as we turn now to verse 15, Jesus switches from the subject of humility to a teaching of forgiveness.
Now forgiveness is one of the most popular devotional topics on Sunday Night.
But the subject of forgiveness as Jesus speaks is to a specific person.
Let’s look at it together.
READ Matthew 18:15-20
Something I want you to notice here is a word that Jesus uses two times.
You can see it in verse 17.
The word is “church”
Matthew 18:17 (ESV)
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.
And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Why do I point this out?
Because the church had not been established at this time.
It wouldn’t be until the Day of Pentecost that the church would begin.
Remember the church is not a building, but a group of believers.
So after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, as the gospel is preached, people begin to believe, and become what we know as “the church”
But here, before his death, before his resurrection, before his ascension, before the day of Pentecost, Jesus speaks of “the church.”
Why?
Some think that it’s because he is looking at the beginning of the church standing before him…the disciples.
Others believe this is all part of their training and understanding for what is coming…the church.
But whichever it is, what is important here, is how the church should deal with sin from one of it’s members....someone who professes Jesus Christ as Lord.
Jesus lays out a four step plan.
But before we look into the four steps, I want your to understand
1.
The person that Jesus is talking about is a Christian, believer, member of the church.
2. The sin that Jesus is talking about is one that is happening again and again.
3. The attitude that Jesus is talking about is one of not caring about their sin.
It continues and there is no remorse.
So as I highlight the four steps that Jesus mentions, I want you to see the goal…the end…what Jesus ultimately wants to happen with this person.
Look at Matthew 18:15
Matthew 18:15 (ESV)
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.
If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
That’s the goal!
That once again, he or she would stand beside you as you serve God and make him known together.
Look at the first step:
Step 1: One-on-One Correction (Matthew 18:15)
Matt 18:15 “15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.
If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”
Notice what it says....GO AND TELL HIM...BETWEEN YOU AND HIM ALONE.
Jesus was specific here for a reason.
He knows that we, as sinners, like to talk…to other people…gossip.
Part of helping this person turn from their sin and refocus back on God and what he expects is to keep the conversation between you and the person who has strayed away.
Paul wrote of the danger of gossip:
If your goal is to truly help....build up this person and help them step away from the sin that is consuming them, Jesus says let’s keep everything close.
A close conversation without anyone else knowing.
Now while Jesus says go to that person with no one else, there is a point where you may have to include other people.
Look at the second step.
Step 2: Small Group Correction (Matthew 18:16)
This is when it is ok to take someone with you and again urge this person to step away from the sin that is pulling them away from God. Jesus points back to how two witnesses are important.
Now this wasn’t a “charge” for a criminal act, but Jesus shows the importance of more than one person, if needed, to help bring this person back.
++++++MY JOB OFFER
STEP 1: One-on-One Correction
STEP 2: Small Group Correction
STEP 3: Bring Before The Church (Matthew 18:17a)
Matthew 18:17 (ESV)
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.
This one is hard to see.
Can you imagine that if one of our church members, every night, was off getting drunk and watching blue films.
And every Sunday morning they were here singing, praising Jesus, and shouting Amen, preach it!
So a fellow member knew this was happening, and went to that person, and told him what he was doing does not represent Christ.
The person didn’t listen.
So then two or three people went back to that person and told him the same.
Still nothing.
Every night, getting drunk and watching blue films.
Still in the church and acting like nothing.
Then on Sunday morning, I stand here and tell the whole people what this person is doing.
Why would this happen?
To embarrass this person.
To humiliate them?
No.
The purpose, again to gain that brother back, and to let them know that God loves them so much that he would send an entire army of believers to fight for him on their knees.
But if that doesn’t work, there is one final step.
STEP 4: REMOVE THEM FROM THE CHURCH (Matt 18:17b)
Matthew 18:17 (ESV)
let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
As a Jewish man, these two people were the worst: an unbeliever and a tax collector.
A Gentile was someone outside of God’s chosen people.
They were a not part of God’s covenant people through God’s promise to Abraham.
But when Jesus died and rose again, we know that salvation was for everyone, the Jew first, then the Gentile.
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