Matthew 18:15-35
Q.1. What is the first step to take if someone sins against you? What is the role of witnesses? When should an issue involve the church leadership? What authority has God given to the church? – (Mt.18:15-18)
Jesus gave us a process by which conflicts between believers can be resolved. The first step is to go to the one who has sinned against you and speak with him or her in private. A positive outcome means your relationship is restored. Much trouble can be avoided by this one step. We tend to share our grievances with others or fail to go directly to the offender. Then, if we finally do engage the person, the process has been derailed by our action in telling others. If this first step fails, we are to take at least one independent witness, so – every fact may be confirmed (Mt.18:16). An independent witness is more likely to be able to sort out facts from feelings. Depending on the severity, we may elect to involve more than one witness. If the other party refuses to be reconciled after these steps, it then becomes a church leadership matter. It is the church leaders’ role to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the wider body of believers and bring about eventual restoration. We are to treat people in conflict like – a Gentile and a tax collector (Mt.18:17). Jesus treated them with love. Though Church leaders are sinners and make mistakes, they have been given authority to resolve conflicts – Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven (Mt.18:18).
Q.2. Why is agreement essential? How far reaching is the authority of the Church? How can we ensure that the Lord is present in our prayers and petitions? – (Mt.18:19-20)
Agreement in the service of the Lord will ensure that God ratifies our prayers and petitions – … if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven (Mt.18:19). We have the assurance that the Lord is with even a small gathering of two or three – For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst (Mt.18:20). This is a wonderful promise for married couples, and those who share with prayer partners.
Q.3. About what was Peter’s question? How did the parable of Jesus answer the question? What point was He making about extending forgiveness? – (Mt.18:21-35)
A dispute between Peter and his brother became a teachable moment for Jesus. He taught that forgiveness should be unlimited, as He forgives us without limit. To drive home this obligation to have a heart of forgiveness, Jesus told a parable of two debtors – one owed much and was forgiven … another owed a relatively small debt, but the greater debtor refused to extend to him the same grace that had been shown him by his master. The result was that the grace of the master was withdrawn, thus illustrating – My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart (Mt.18:35).