The Church: Greater than Ourselves

Psalm 119:33-40 / Matthew 18:15-20

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!