This is a talk I gave at our briefing for summer project.
Introduction
-Conflict ran from...
-Why didn’t I bring it up? (fear – but really, valuing a lack of tension over the glory of God.)
-What I want us to see this afternoon, is that conflict resolution is a gospel activity.
-We’re going to be looking at Matthew 18:15-20. (Remind, read, pray)
-We’re just going to go verse by verse and see what Jesus said here –
v. 15
-A brother is sinning against you.
-We’re to tell him his fault
-as opposed to holding it in
-as opposed to telling him all other faults/exploding
-as opposed to yelling to make them feel bad
-as opposed to acting to making them feel bad
-as opposed to trying to smooth over the relationship without ever addressing the wrong
-does one of these sound like you?
-It’s supposed to be in private
-not ‘sanctified gossip’
-not telling someone in authority first
-not complaining about it to others (to tear down!)
-if he listens, you’ve gained your brother
-gain – idea of winning over; being brought into possession of
-thus – restored relationship
-but also – we’ll see –sign of right standing before God (v. 18)
-Difference between justification/vindication – James 2(!)
-this is then our goal – restored relationship and vindication before God and man for God’s glory (2 Cor. 7:12)
v. 16
-This is the situation for if he doesn’t listen to the first reproof
-Take 1 or 2 others with (Jesus is applying Deut. 19:15 here!)
-The purpose is so that if it needs to be brought to the church’s attention, it’s not gossip – it’s a formal charge being brought
-purpose: restorative
-person being confronted is helped – realizes it’s a gospel issue
-temptation to not take it to this level (it won’t work! It’s mean!) – but Jesus commands it! And the purpose is fellowship and vindication
-v. 17
-This is again if the person doesn’t repent, then the church is brought in.
-The church is the elders first, since they have authority
-The elders had authority in the synagogue.
-Let him be as a Gentile/tax collector means not welcomed in fellowship (1 Cor. 5:9-11)
-v. 18
-This is a repetition of 16:16-19
-Those verses are about Peter being able to let people in/out of heaven
-But this is on the basis of the confession in v. 16 – Jesus as Christ – Savior- King(!)
-So here that authority is given to the church as a unit; and thus the elders as rulers
-The authority is that of vindication or removal from God’s people
-That doesn’t mean (we know from 2 Cor.) that the person isn’t a Christian; it means there’s not a good reason to believe they are
-But this also means that if they respond – their confession of Jesus as Messiah- Christ-Savior-King is valid and vindicated(!) – and their future in heaven is demonstrated
-Example - of a man who divorced his wife as a Christian trying to remarry
-what’s he valuing over Jesus as King? (companionship, sex…)
-over Jesus as savior? (pleasure now)
-So the church is supposed to step in and judge – does his life reflect responsiveness to God’s word – valuing salvation in Jesus over life – valuing the Kingship of Jesus over his own will?
-If not…
-But if he does…
-v. 19
-This verse is really the continuation of the previous
-Thus, ‘the asking’ is the binding and casting out; it refers to it being done before God – and God is the one doing it
-v. 20
-The reason that God is the one doing it, is because Jesus is so sovereign that he operates among people if they are gathered to represent him –
-Representing Jesus means they’re gathered to operate for his glory
-Ex: ?
-Being gathered for Jesus’ glory means being gathered for the salvation of his people on the basis of the confession of Jesus as Messiah.
Conclusion
-What should our actions be on summer project?
-motivated by a desire for Jesus to be honored in our obedience/love
-motivated by love for our brothers/sisters and vindication before God(!)
-actually – lovingly talking to people as they sin – so that they’ll know Jesus more – and make him known better
-Pray
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