In My Name...

Matthew 18:15-35

When people hear/speak your name what is the first thing that comes to mind?

Joining service clubs like Kiwanis, Rotary, the Lions Club, all usually come with some sort of agreement that as a member of the group one will behave according to certain standards.

When I was sworn in as a Volunteer Chaplain for the Winston Police Department I took an oath to protect and defend the community in which I live. If my behavior violates that commitment I’d be asked to turn in my badge and uniform and lose the privilege of serving alongside our law enforcement officers.

Matthew 18:18–20 HCSB

I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven. Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.”

Last week Jesus answered a question: Matthew 18:1

Matthew 18:1 (HCSB)

“Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Jesus illustrates His answer by referring to how we who call ourselves citizens of the kingdom treat those that appear to be the least in the kingdom.

His answer continues in vs 15-35.

Bearing the name of Jesus has significant responsibilities.

One would hope that among people bearing the name of Jesus sin against one another would never happen.

The sad fact is that you and I do say and do things that are sinful to one another. Most often it is not deliberate, not said or done maliciously. It does happen.

Those who gather in the name of Jesus, though, have a clear way of responding.

A few years ago a popular TV series titled, ‘Revenge’ focused on one young woman’s quest to deal with people she thought had wronged her father.

Sadly, the picture of ‘church’ many in our community have is of a group of good people trying to do good things for God. Occasionally (more often than not) these good people get cross with one another and a new church is born!

Jesus challenges those of us regularly coming together ‘in His name’ to practice a radically different way of responding to hurt inflicted on us by others.

Matthew 18:15 HCSB

“If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.

Let me offer you a more contemporary paraphrase:

‘When your fellow believer hurts you call your family, your friends and neighbors and sigh and spell out exactly why you are in the right and the one who hurt you deserves to be banished.’

I offer that on 40 years of pastoral practice. The ‘paraphrase’ is the response. A variation includes making sure the pastor and deacons are aware as well - after all, the leaders need to know what kind of people are attending.

No.

I often wonder how many Baptist churches would exist today if believers had truly followed Jesus’ instruction! You’ve heard about a mythical town called ‘Hope.’ This town has Hope Baptist Church. Then after a few years a few grew disgruntled and started ‘First Baptist Church’ of Hope. Then not long after another group decided it was time to start ‘New’ Hope Baptist Church. And of course, driving through town one can’t miss ‘ New, New Hope Baptist Church.’

There are those who will ignore the efforts at reconciliation. Jesus outlines a simple and effective strategy:

Matthew 18:16–17 HCSB

But if he won’t listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. But if he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever and a tax collector to you.

It’s not complicated.

Before moving on, though, remember this extremely crucial point: Jesus was accused more than once of spending most of His time with - unbelievers and tax collectors!

An unspoken yet very important consideration: Jesus fully expects His followers to be kingdom citizens here and now - not just in the eternal realms of heaven.

If we are citizens of the kingdom here and now the choices we make, the way we relate to one another, the way we get along (or fail to get along) will reflect the nature of the kingdom.

An article on Forbes website listed a number of things that foreigners find strange when they come to America -

I won’t share the entire list, but here a a few of the more notable items:

We are loud

We rely on our cars much too much

We wear patriotic clothing

We wear shoes indoors

We write our dates wrong: Instead of 1/16/22 we should write 16/1/22

We are nosy!

Jesus is reminding us: WE ARE NOT LIKE THE OTHERS!

And we act like others, don’t be surprised at how others respond.

The Limits of Forgiveness

So, Peter asks: How many times do I have to put up with (insert name here)? After all, if I’ve gone to them once, I’ve said it a thousand times.....

Jesus’ response: vs 22-34

The key phrase: ‘the kingdom of heaven can be compared to....’

Here we read of a king who had a servant who owed a significant amount of money. Threatened with being sold into slavery to settle accounts the man begs for relief. The king, for reasons unknown to us relents and completely forgives the debt!

This same servant, finds a fellow servant who owes him.

Instead of extending the grace he has just received, he insisted on imprisonment till the debt was settled.

Others watching these events reported to the king. Listen again to the response:

Matthew 18:32–34 HCSB

“Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed.

Shocking Conclusion

We might have expected Jesus to call His followers to be as graceful as the king in the parable.

Instead, Jesus threatens a similar punishment!

It is shocking!

How Important is Kingdom Community?

Matthew 18:20 HCSB

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.”

What evidence do we have that Jesus is indeed with us as we gather?

Claim the Promise of HIs Word

Matthew 28:20 (HCSB)

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Regularly Exercise His Grace

Will people sin against you? Yes. How will you respond? Others are watching and will observe your reactions.

Galatians 6:1–2 HCSB

Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Be His Presence

Listen to one writer’s explanation of vs 35:

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke b. The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (18:23–35)

Jesus sees no incongruity in the actions of a heavenly Father who forgives so bountifully and punishes so ruthlessly, and neither should we. Indeed, it is precisely because he is a God of such compassion and mercy that he cannot possibly accept as his those devoid of compassion and mercy.

Those living around us are learning about God’s nature as they watch us.

If we live in ways that dismiss God’s Words, if we treat others as less than human, if we choose to deal with the sin of another publicly by airing our hurt, by spreading the incident all over social media, people assume that God must approve of such behavior.

If Christians behave that way, it must be OK with God.

NEXT STEPS

The question which prompted all this: Who is the greatest in the kingdom?

Clearly the disciples were hoping that they would be mentioned by name!

Jesus’ answer clearly confounds His disciples. A child? Really? One who doesn’t trumpet their hurt when someone sins against them? C’mon Jesus, get real!]

In His name…

Those who bear His name will exhibit grace just as they have received it...

Those who gather in His name will protect one another by enforcing boundaries of behavior

Those who bear His name will live so that others will marvel at the way we protect and restore even those who sin against us

From the heart...

Don’t miss the final words in this chapter:

Forgiveness as God gives always results in changed hearts.

Changed lives always show clear and unmistakable evidence of God’s transforming presence.