After Peter heard Jesus’ somber, yet encouraging, teaching about the effectiveness of the church in administering church discipline what does he ask? Does he ask about how to pursue the shunned man who has been put out of the church? Nope. Does he ask any clarifying questions about how to be certain they are rightly […]
Matthew 18:15-20- Where Two or Three Synagogue In Jesus’ Name
Most every Christian knows Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Unfortunately, this verse is often wrongly used to justify people’s lack of involvement in the organized church. But did Jesus intend the verse to be taken that way? Listen as Pastor Matt […]
Matthew 18:15-17- From Seeking to Shunning: What is Required in Church Discipline? Part 2 of 2
Jesus absolutely taught that we are our brother’s keeper. Last week we examined what goes into Seeking your Brother when he is in sin. This week Pastor Matt picks up in verse 16 where we learn to Seek our Brother with Our Brother, and ultimately to Shun Our So-Called Brother if he utterly refuses to […]
Matthew 18:15-17- From Seeking to Shunning: What is Required in Church Discipline? Part 1 of 2
This section on church discipline is completely ignored by many so-called churches, and wrongly used as a hammer by many others that actually see its importance. One neglected aspect of these words is that Jesus gave them with a little toddler still in His lap. Jesus had just used that little child to illustrate our […]
Matthew 18:12-14 Our Treatment of Fellow Little Ones Part 2: Pursuit & Pleasure
Matthew 18:12-14 Is one of the more familiar passages in the Bible. Mt. 18:12–14 What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, & one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains & go & search for the one that is straying? 13 If it turns […]
Matthew 18:1-4 The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
Jesus told the disciples again and again of His coming suffering and death in Jerusalem. How did they respond? At first they grieved, but soon after they are arguing. Over what? Over which one of them is the greatest. Finally, they ask Jesus who the greatest in the Kingdom was. In response, Jesus gives one […]
Matthew 16:17-19 Jesus’ Response the Peter’s Great Confession- Part 3b Delineation
America was founded as an explicitly Christian nation with explicitly Christian laws. Have you noticed how quickly we are moving away from those sacred foundations? How did the people view the establishment of the united states of America during the Revolutionary War? What role did the church play in the establishment of our form of […]
Matthew 16:17-19 Jesus’ Response the Peter’s Great Confession- Part 3 Delineation
Jesus told Peter that He was giving him the ‘keys to the Kingdom of Heaven,’ and the ministry of ‘binding and loosing.’ Both endowments pertain to authoritative delineation. Keys are delineating between who is in & out, & binding & loosing is delineating between what is right & wrong. Listen as Pastor Matt shows how […]
Titus 3:10-11 & Rom. 16:17-18 When the Scandal Mongerer is Exposed, Rebuked, & Unrepentant
Last week Pastor Matt explained what the Scriptures instruct the Church to do when someone is caught up in slander and gossip. Unfortunately, not everyone plays nice when this process is carried out as the Bible requires. Sometimes they get mad. They refuse to follow the biblically prescribed steps, and they rebel against the authority […]