Correcting God’s Children Part 3 | Matthew 18:15-20

Scripture

• Matthew 18:15–20

About this sermon

Introduction: If anyone expects that they could join a church that would have no sin issues — if they imagine that they could belong to a church where there would never be a need for correction — a need for repentance — it could only be because they have not read their Bible. If anyone expects that THEY will not be PERSONALLY involved with sin issues — if they expect that they themselves will never commit sin that requires confession, and repentance, and someone else’s forgiveness — or if they expect that others will not commit sins against them, that will require that they PRACTICE forgiveness — it could only be because they have not read their Bible. Something wonderful about our God and His Word is that we are never left with false expectations. God has prepared us — with Scripture — to live as His people. God has prepared us — with Scripture — for life in His family. And one of things that He has made clear is that the people of God will deal with sin issues. The section that we have come to in Matthew exists precisely so that the children of God will know that moments for correction will arise, and how we are to walk through those moments for correction. AND EVEN IF WE HAVE READ OUR BIBLES AND ARE PREPARED FOR THIS INTELLECTUALLY, IT IS STILL A TEST WHEN IT COMES TIME TO PRACTICE IT. It is much easier to say that we know we sin, and that we know that we will be sinned against, than it is to take obedient steps after it actually happens. It is much easier to agree that we must seek forgiveness, and that we must forgive even as we have been forgiven, than it is TO LIVE THAT OUT when the time comes that we are actually required to confess sin or to forgive sin. EASY to talk about these things. It requires GENUINE FAITH to practice these things. What our Lord teaches us in these verses prepares us to live it out. Today we see three things to remember for the correction of God’s children. • REMEMBER THE PROBLEM ENVISIONED (vs.15a) The problem that our Lord raises is sin committed by one brother against another. And specifically, a sin committed against YOU. There is a manuscript question at this point, some of manuscripts add the words “against you,” while other manuscripts exclude ⸋[εἰς σὲ]⸌ (with reference to you). It is a difficult question. Leon Morris gave this comment: “The words may have been omitted by scribes who wanted to make the passage apply to all sin, or they may have dropped out accidentally. But it is also possible that they were not originally in the text and were put in by scribes who wanted something parallel to verse 21. Metzger’s committee enclosed the words within square brackets, and most students would think that fair enough. It is impossible to be sure of the original reading.” Regardless, the process is the same, and regardless it is right of us to consider both scenarios. What are we to do as the people of God when someone sins against us? Peter’s question in verse 21 makes it clear that we must consider this because sometimes the sin is being committed AGAINST US. But we also know, from the rest of the New Testament, that it isn’t just sins committed against us PERSONALLY that should concern us and that become subject to the discipline of the church. Paul reproved the Corinthian congregation because they had not taken action regarding a man’s sexual immorality with (presumably) his stepmother. And from that incident, Paul expanded his application to include every believer and a list of all kinds of other sins, that believers should not accept in other believers. ESV 1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler-- not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you." Our glorified Lord, in the book of Revelation, reproves entire congregations for sin issues that congregations tolerated. The church at Thyatira ESV Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. The church at Pergamum

Topics

• Parenting