Bethel Sunday School | 22nd December 2024 | If your brother sin against you

BETHEL SUNDAY SCHOOL 22 DEC 2024
Text: Matthew 18:15 - 20
Title: If your brother sins against you
INTRODUCTION
1. This text that must be carefully studied to avoid misunderstanding and misapplication
2. Addressing problems in the Church requires wisdom and discernment
THE TEACHINGS OF THE LORD JESUS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH A BROTHER WHO HAS SINNED
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
Matthew 18:15 - 17
1. Addressing the problem of sin
a. If your brother sins against you
b. It is between you and a brother
2. Approach taken
a. Not combative
b. Not publicly lashing out
c. Speaking to a brother candidly one-on-one
d. Sensitive
i. Regard him as a “Brother”
ii. Not as an enemy
3. If there is a positive response
“He hears you”
a. He is receptive
b. He is repentant of sin
c. The ideal “You have gained your brother”
4. If there is a negative response
“But if he will not hear”
a. He refuses to listen
b. He denies his sin
5. Taking witnesses
a. This step is taken when the brother who has been confronted denies his sin
c. Take with you one or two more witnesses
d. This principle is drawn from the teachings of Moses (Deuteronomy 19:15 - 19)
i. Unbiased witnesses must be sought
ii. They will make inquiries to establish the truth
iii. They must be people of faith and conscious of the Lord’s presence
iv. They must act with good conscience of caring for the community of faith
v. They must be able to give godly counsel to turn the brother away from sin and back to the Lord
e. If this sinful brother rejects the godly counsel of the witnesses, then the final step may be taken to protect the Church community
6. Tell it to the Church
a. The Church is alerted
b. The Church must take firm action against sin
7. Rejection of the Church
a. He refuses to take heed to godly counsel to address his sins
b. He will be regarded as
i. A heathen (An unbeliever)
ii. A tax collector (Sinful person)
c. The Church will have to take decisive action
iii. The authority that is given to the Church (Ephesians 1:22-23)
iv. The Church will have to exercise its authority to address sin firmly
v. If this sin problem is not addressed, it can affect the entire Church adversely!
vi. In the Book of Revelation, the Lord Jesus rebuked the Churches that did not deal with their sins! (Revelation 2 - 3)
THE LORD JESUS’ TEACHING ON THE AUTHORITY GIVEN TO THE CHURCH
18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 “Again[d] I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:18 - 20
1. This authority is a “Declarative authority”
2. This was already taught earlier (Matthew 16:19)
a. The decision has already been determined by the Lord in heaven!
b. The Apostles and the Church are to declare the decision of the Lord with authority!
3. This is applied here in the context of addressing the problem of sin
a. Authority to address sin in the Church firmly
b. Authority to refuse an unrepentant person fellowship in the Church
4. The presence of the Lord
a. This must be sought
b. All matters concerning the Church must be dealt with in prayer seeking the Lord!
GREAT CHALLENGES
1. The problem of sin must be addressed graciously but firmly
2. The approach to address problems must be done in the Lord’s wisdom and way!
3. The challenge to pray for the Church