In the end of the chapter is set forth parabolically the unlimited forgiveness that suits the kingdom; here, I cannot but think, looking onward in strict fulness to the future, but with distinct application to the moral need of the disciples then and always. He is not the slave of numbers. There never can be strength in the soul till forgiveness is known. In other words, it is certain that in the gospel of Luke, in whose preface we have expressly the words "set in order," the Holy Ghost does in no way tie Himself to what, after all, is the most elementary form of arrangement; for it needs little observation to see, that the simple sequence of facts as they occurred is that which demands a faithful enumeration, and nothing more. Note, 1. Besides the general regard God has to the prayers of the saints, he is particularly pleased with their union and communion in those prayers. But still, it was His carrying on the great process of shewing out more and more the total rejection of His rejectors. This will spare that person any humiliation or embarrassment when it comes to someone pointing out their sin. "Let the reproof be private, between thee and him alone; that it may appear you seek not his reproach, but his repentance." The motives of the natural heart are laid bare. In a case of sexual immorality, Paul ordered the Corinthian church "to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (1 Corinthians 5:1-5). The restoration of a wayward disciple 18:15-20. But if he neglect to hear the church: the advice they should give unto him, the reproof they should think proper for him, or the censure they should pass upon him. Matthew 18: Misunderstanding and Misuse in Conflict Resolution Yes, it was His to rule and command the sea, even as the land and all that in them is. It begins with one person, likely someone wronged by the sinful person, approaching him privately about the issue. When members are not in harmony with one another, either because of doctrinal differences or personal disputes, there is less motivation for the sinner to return. The problem is, we are not often willing to forgive. If they are to be confident that their actions carry Gods authority, they will not act in haste or out of personal prejudice. It Is So Painful to Care: How Do I Conquer Apathy? I am to have the spirit of forgiveness.And then Jesus went on to illustrate it. If this fails, two or three others should be called in, firstly to make sure that the offender is in fact guilty and secondly to appeal for reconciliation. We don't want to go through the pain of it. God's readiness to answer the church's prayers (Matthew 18:19; Matthew 18:19); If two of you shall agree harmoniously, touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them. PDF SERMON REFERENCE: Matthew 16:13-19 - Love Worth Finding Ministries The plucking of the corn, and the healing of the withered hand, had taken place long before. The Jews took the view that the most unforgivable of all sins is to teach another to sin; and for this reason--a man's own sins can be forgiven, for in a sense they are limited in their consequences; but if we teach another to sin, he in his turn may teach still another, and a train of sin is set in motion with no foreseeable end. Andrew was confronted in his sin, called to repent and as an act of repentance, submit to his church leaders. The glory of Christ's person strengthens us, not only to understand His cross, but to take up ours. After this our Lord sees great multitudes following Him, and gives commandment to go to the other side. Lets briefly[1] examine this passage paying attention to its culture and context, and try to distill some legitimate application. In todays context, in our own various models of ekklesia, Matthew 18 models for us Christs personal humility and call to love one another, its not about bringing the muscleits about dialing down the energy. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. This parable teaches us many things about that love. To say that these angels behold the face of God in heaven means that they always have the right of direct access to God. . Further, in the Greek it is said, not so much that the man would be better to be drowned in the depths of the sea, but that it would be better if he were drowned far out in the open sea. 16: But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. He maintains His sovereign title to do good, to do as He will with His own. Thus, whatever the peculiarity of the new blessings, the old thing could be taken up, though upon new grounds, and, of course, on the confession that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. To take this pure little child with his simplicity and trust in God, and deliberately seek to destroy that child's faith in God, in Jesus Christ.Jesus said, "look, it'd be better for a man if he just took a millstone", and these millstones weigh about three to four hundred pounds, "tie it around his neck, and toss him into the sea. (iii) It has a warning to silence all evasion. In fact, even the mothers of the disciples sometimes got in on this. If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine, and go out to the hills, and will he not seek the wandering one? Well, Jesus is our pattern in all thingsthe same Jesus of Matthew 18. The 100 denarii debt could be carried in one pocket. Jesus said, "Unless you turn." You say things I have always felt, but never had the courage to speak them out. Church discipline repairs the fellowship, keeps its members in the flock, and sanctifies the church. They used it literally of the young child; but regularly a teacher's disciples were called his sons or his children. Just like if you have a problem with a sibling and you "discuss with the family" it might not mean that you brought the issue to all your aunts, uncles, cousins, grand parents etc. Who but God could command not only the waves, but the fish of the sea? We are dependent, therefore, for determining this case, on the fact that Mark does habitually adhere to the chain of events. The Matthew 18 principle tells us the first step when someone sins against you or has offended you. Matthew 18:15-20 The New King James Version (NKJV) 15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. Toward the end of Matthew 18 we know Peter understood the implications of what I am proposing: Lord, how often do I have to forgive? (Matthew. Mt 18:21-22 correspond to Lk 17:4; the parable and the final warning are peculiar to Matthew. On this the Lord proceeds to take a step farther, and makes a deeper inroad, if possible, upon Jewish prejudice. When any trespass is done against us, it is good to remember that the trespasser is a brother, which furnishes us with qualifying consideration. They glorified God. Demai, fol. J. WESLEY. This is the opposite of the objective Matthew 18 seeks to achieve. On this occasion Peter thought that he was being very generous. That is a must. And He came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them." How difficult this must have been for Mary, her parents and Joseph. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. However suitable to the Jewish expectation that He should be found a man, undeniably there was that apparent which was infinitely above the Jew's thought; for the Jew showed his own degradation and unbelief in the low ideas he entertained of the Messiah. In Judaea it was tragically easy for sheep to go astray. Read the Scripture: Matthew 18:20 Three of the vital areas of our lives are the church, the home and the nation. And besides, this is given, not as a rule to the church, but as advice to the offended person, how to behave towards the offender: after he has come under the cognizance, reproof, and censure of the church, he is to look upon him as the Jews did one that disregarded both private reproof by a man's self, and that which was in the presence of one or two more, (twxp rbx) , "a worthless friend", or neighbour; as a Gentile, with whom the Jews had neither religious nor civil conversation; and a "publican", or as Munster's Hebrew Gospel reads it, (hrbe leb) "a notorious sinner", as a publican was accounted: hence such are often joined together, and with whom the Jews might not eat, nor keep any friendly and familiar acquaintance: and so such that have been privately admonished and publicly rebuked, without success, their company is to be shunned, and intimate friendship with them to be avoided. Of course, both do preserve chronological order when it is compatible with the objects the Holy Spirit had in inspiring them; but in both the order of time is subordinated to still greater purposes which God had in view. (SeeMatthew 9:32-33; Matthew 9:32-33.) Divine and human forgiveness go hand in hand. That is specially so if he goes out from a protected home where no evil influence was ever allowed to play upon him. Stumbling-blocks are bound to come; but alas for the man by whom the stumbling-block comes! Matthew 16:17-18. And I will receive God's help, if I am willing. "There arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch, that the ship was covered with the waves; but he was asleep." "A religious person indeed, that becomes a collector of taxes, they first said, is to be driven from the society; but they afterwards said, all the time that he is a tax gatherer, they drive him from the society; but when he goes out of his office, lo! [1.] Moreover [Jesus said] if your brother trespasses against you, go and tell him the fault between you and him alone: and if he hears you, then you've gained your brother ( Matthew 18:15 ). He had been preparing them for the new things, and the impossibility of making them coalesce with the old. The first thing to be remarked is, that the leper was an early incident in the manifestation of the healing power of our Lord. Matthew 16:18 and Acts 2:47 have nothing to do with us. If the bonds of fellowship and friendship are strong, then an erring member will more naturally want to return to the fold. Conflict resolution is never easy. I forgive you, but I won't forget. I say to them point blank, "cut it off, not tomorrow, right now, cut it off, "Oh, but I"- don't, cut it off.I said, "If I were a surgeon and you came to me, and you said, "Oh, I am having these lumps under my arm, and they are sore, and they really bother me." Their state had long been that of a man whom the unclean spirit had left, after a former dwelling in him. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Action shapes reality. The Christian is ready surgically to excise from life everything which would keep him from rendering a perfect obedience to God. A Gentile (indeed, any mind not under any kind of legal prejudice or difficulty) would be far more moved by a detailed account of what was more, conspicuous. 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matthew 18 - Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible - StudyLight.org The shepherds always made the most strenuous and the most sacrificial efforts to find a lost sheep.