Slices
Prepare
Jesus advises about dealing with conflict between Christians. Ask the Lord to help you to learn from him and make you ready to act should you need to.
Bible passage
Dealing with sin in the church
15 ‘If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that “every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
18 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 ‘Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.’
Explore
Jesus’ teaching here focuses on relationships between fellow Christians (v 15) and how to handle tension or conflict between church members. Does anything come to mind as you ponder this?
Look at the three-stage process Jesus identifies in verses 15–17. Why do you think he says to sort the situation out privately? If that fails, the next stage involves two or three other members to help listen and advise. Jesus’ advice is based on Deuteronomy 19:15.
The final stage (v 17) involves the whole church. The consequence of a refusal to listen to the whole church is serious (v 18). Remember, though, that there is always the possibility of repentance and restoration. What Jesus said of Peter (16:19), he now applies to the church community. Binding and loosing probably applies to making decisions together about right and wrong ways to live together in holiness.
Look at verses 19 and 20. How might these have encouraged the disciples in dealing with tension in a church? It’s reassuring to know that we do not have to face such situations on our own because Jesus is there with us (v 20).
Respond
Ask yourself whether you are experiencing conflict with a fellow Christian. If appropriate, pray for the ability to work for reconciliation and restoration. Otherwise, pray for your church community that when conflict arises, it will be handled as Jesus taught us.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 59,60; Psalms 110,111
Pray for Scripture Union
Mission Partner SASW in Southport are seeing an increase in young people engaging in churches and wanting to explore more. Pray that they will be able to equip the churches to work together to point those in the community to Jesus and lead them into lasting relationships with him.
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