If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.
There is “i before e except after c”. There Is “30 days past September…”. In the church there is the “Matthew 18 Principle”. Jesus gave these words to his disciples right after teaching them about humility because they asked who was the greatest. Like us, they had a lot to learn! It is interesting that Jesus gave these instructions for the church when the church had not begun yet. It teaches the church how to do church discipline and it has been useful since Pentecost when the church was born. The church would have growing pains and needed guidance.
Of course, it is best that the conflict never happens but we are human, after all. It is good to know we have this rule to follow when there is sin in the church. Pray for Cape Community Church and its new elders as we navigate these new waters of discipline with an eye squarely on restoration of the one in sin. This will require the same humility, gentleness, and respect Jesus called for from the disciples. May we be faithful to his call.
Dear Lord, thank you for the teaching of Jesus in addition to the cross. We pray that we would be faithful to your plan for your church so the unity is to your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church