The Church: Greater than Ourselves
Notes
Transcript
Psalm 119:33-40 / Matthew 18:15-20
Context
Context
Nearing the end of Jesus’ ministry
Teaching on discipleship
Last teaching topics before entering Jerusalem for the final time
The chapter begins speaking of humility and temptation to sin
The chapter continues after our portion on the topic of forgiveness
Key Phrases
Key Phrases
Sins against you
Sins against you
Luke 17:1 “And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!”
Actual sin, not imagined
Not disagreement
Not second-hand offenses
If one looks to find reasons to be offended or outraged, they will easily be found
Matters should be handled at the lowest level possible, not skipping to the church, nor the court of popular opinion
Gained your brother
Gained your brother
Evangelistically
Perhaps the sin is a symptom of lacking the new birth
Nicodemus & Paul
Community
Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
Concern for them
Concern for the flock
Concern for yourself
Two or three witnesses
Two or three witnesses
Deut 19:15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”
NOT from a poisoned well
Impartial yet caring witnesses
establishment of the case
witness to the response
protects both parties, is godly wisdom, benefits the church
As a Gentile and Tax Collector
As a Gentile and Tax Collector
NOT direction or excuse to hate them
NOT direction or excuse to gossip about them
It IS direction to view and treat them as an outsider
They no longer belong
They should not be extended the same familial connections
They should be treated as one who has left us by their choices and actions
They should be prayed for
They should be evangelized
Where 2 or 3 are gathered
Where 2 or 3 are gathered
Not a denouncement that The Lord’s Spirit is always with His children individually
In my name is key, more than the numbers - Mark Dever
Where God’s people are cooperating in the Lord’s cause, there is a manifest presence
It does NOT mean that numbers guarantee the Lord’s blessing and help!
Important Principles
Important Principles
We need to seek connection and reconciliation
We need to seek connection and reconciliation
Community = God’s Eternal Idea
Jesus: I will build my church / assembly / community / family
Jesus: (Matt 18:10-14) Parable of the Lost Sheep
Paul (2 Cor 5:20) God makes the appeal thru us: Be reconciled to God
We should have a high standard for proof
We should have a high standard for proof
Deut 19:15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”
This line of thinking is consistent throughout the Bible and is a foundational principle in Western, and specifically the American legal system
The Church ought to exemplify this in any formal matters
This OUGHT to be the same principle we use in our lives in less formal situations as well...
The Church is important to Jesus
The Church is important to Jesus
This will be expounded upon more
When we need help, support, defense from wrong-doing, something larger than ourselves, yet tangible, Jesus’ answer is The Church.
That doesn’t assume perfection, but intention
(the abuse of a thing does not invalidate the right use of that same thing)
Agreeing itself is not the power
Agreeing itself is not the power
NOT a ground for health and wealth
God is NOT a jeannie! (Faith moving mountains)
Connect to in my name
John 14:13 “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
Mark 11:22-23 “And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”
The Lord does NOT abandon us in difficult or unpleasant times
The Lord does NOT abandon us in difficult or unpleasant times
No one likes the concept of exclusion, dis-association of a loved one
It seems to fly in the face of common sense, especially when we KNOW we are to seek connection and reconciliation
We are instructed here to do things in a way we would not instinctually do
We are instructed here to trust God’s wisdom and sovereignty instead of how we might feel or think we ought.
If He will be with us in times that we don’t understand or feel can be right… we know we can trust Him to be present in every moment of our lives!
Church Family, in this text we see a great many practical principles to apply in our everyday lives, as well as instruction for the church. Even more than that, we see the Lord’s care and concern for His people; that injustices not be tolerated, and that all be done in faith of His wisdom, and out of love for God and one another!