Hello Advent Family,
I believe that Matthew 18 is one of the most important passages in scripture for the life of the church. Dealing with conflict is such an important skill and Matthew 18 sets out a precedent for how to do it appropriately. Let’s look at it together today.
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
I wonder how many problems in the church over the years have started with something like, “you should really pray for _________ she is really struggling with ____________.” It comes across as well intentioned and may at times even be but it is not the way that Jesus taught us to handle conflict or another person’s struggles or sins. On the other extreme I have seen churches that simply allow a person to go on with overt public struggles for years and no one does anything. Maybe they say it’s not my business. Scripture clearly tells us that it is. When we see a brother or sister struggling it is our responsibility to address it. We are called to address the person directly not talk to others about it. I have seen this done really well several times and it is always amazing how when things are done Jesus’ way good things tend to happen. Relationships are healed, churches are restored, behaviors are changed. I pray that we would all be Matthew 18 people who love each other enough to address struggles and help each other during times of need. We all know we could certainly use the help!
In His Grip,
Pastor Dave
