Matthew 18:15…….Working

Matthew 18:15…….Working

18:15 “If your brother sins against you, (Note: Some older manuscripts and bible translations, e.g. NASB, AMP. Omit “against you,” suggesting that Jesus was speaking about sin in general, not just sins committed against a specific individual.) go (Be proactive. Don’t bury it or brush it under the rug. Don’t brood.-(New) If this is a order and we refuse to do what Jesus commanded, now who else is sinning? We are, not by doing the exact same thing. But in being complicit by ignoring their sin.-(New) and show him his fault,  (Reprove in a humble way; “Do you see what I’m seeing here, am I off, do I have this wrong, cuz what your doing and what God’s Words says, I think your in sin”.-(New)  just between the two of you.  If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.  (As a valuable asset, indispensable, treasured possession.-(New)  , (For Complete Expository Se Book)

Extended Sermons

“This is not saying if your brother irritates you, offends you, or ignores you, you are to go to him about that.  Or that every sin warrants confrontation  After all we’re all prone to falling into sin. But we’re to be people of forbearance and longsuffering, who overlook wrongs.. Only until it becomes a pattern of sin. Or where it’s harming other believers and the church’s witness.” → We are to bear with one another. We all irritate each other, and offend one another, and when we do we are to forbear one another; we are to put up with it, to forgive it without saying anything about it to the person involved. Next time before you gear up for confrontation, ask yourself would I want this done to me over this. Or is this something I can cover up with love and let it go. True strength lies in patience and understanding, in choosing harmony over conflict, and in letting go of the small offenses that are scarcely worth our energy. For it is not the absence of confrontation that defines us, but the willingness to choose our battles wisely, to act not out of anger but out of care for the larger good. In every decision, aim to uplift, to restore, and to create peace—not just for others, but for the world you share.

Additional Notes & Applications

Teaches those who are wronged are not to wait for an apology, but are to initiate the process of reconciliation. (Cont. on website)

Teaches how peace and unity is to be sought not matter how uncomfortable, difficult, or inconvenient it may be.

This doesn’t just have to be about things that hurts us and affects our personal relationship with someone. It can also be things that are dangerous and harmful to the one sinning. 

Warns how you can’t preach against the bondage of sin, and then not do anything to help others who are trapped and entrenched in sin.

Notice this word in Matthew 18 is addressed to all Christians, not merely church leaders, elders, or pastors.

The word “won” is a commercial word taken out of the marketplace. Which tells us the whole purpose of this confrontation is to win the brother back. Many people have the idea that church discipline is to throw people out of the church. Because this verb “won” or ‘gain” is a word used to refer to a accumulating wealth. Used in this context it has the idea of a sinning brother being a loss to the fellowship. When won back he is like wealth restored and regained. The reason he is such a valuable gain is because Christ died for him and God dwells in him. The reason he is valuable is because he is gifted by the Holy Spirit to have ministry in the church to all the rest of us. He is valuable because he is an instrument by which God can do His work in the church and through the church into the world. You could say it this way “It’s spiritual wealth regained”! As a church this man should be more valuable to us than all the wealth in the world. If you don’t confront someone of their sin, than you don’t see them as having any value. Christ saw them as having value. He paid the ultimate price for them, did He not. Do you not see your own children as priceless and would do anything to gain them back. That’s the way we should think about the children of God and how much they mean to us as a church.

We don’t normally practice Matthew 18 when it comes to confronting others of their sin. It’s uncomfortable, awkward, difficult, and usually unworkable, and even possibly illegal and discriminatory. Some churches avoid it altogether, fearing the conflict, division, and potential fallout that can arise from confronting members about their sin. Or fearing church attendance my go down. Applying Matthew 18 in larger congregations, where members may not know each other well, presents logistical challenges. Some church’s don’t practice it out fear that it can get weaponized and lead to  abuse and harm. Or used to manipulate or control others, especially in cases of power imbalances.

GOING TO A BROTHER PRIVATLY

• Protects the offender’s reputation, saves from embarrassment.

• Enables the guilty to be more readily to acknowledge their sin.

• Allows the offender to correct the sin without bringing reproach upon Christ or the Church.

• Saves the dignity of the accuser in case their accusations were wrong.

• Preserves the peace, keeps factions from developing

HOW TO CONFRONT A BROTHER OF SIN

1) Focus on truth & Scripture:

• Confront by calling attention to what the Bible says and scripture teaches. Reference specific bible passages, God’s wisdom, and instruction, rather than personal preferences or opinion.

• Confront how they’re behavior seems to contradict what we see from the bible…”Refer to scriptural examples of how a Christian should live.

2) Speak in Love & Humility:

• Confront as a friend and fellow brother in Christ, “I feel like I need to say something to you.”

• Confront from a loving heart, that your not there to judge, shame, or condemn.

• Confront for they’re own spiritual wellbeing, restoring them back in a relationship with God.

• Confront by offering encouragement & instruction in how to live a holy life.

• Confront by offering accountability, safe-guards, filters, etc..