05/03/18 DON'T READ THIS IF YOU ARE OFFENDED WITH GOD'S VIEW OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE
Reflecting on Matthew. 18. (Please read this chapter).
Jesus introduced principles of Church Discipline before the Church existed. (I guess that makes it really important, huh?)
I saw this whole chapter as one continuous thought for the first time, as I re-read the passage on church discipline. I started reading in verse one and realized that the whole chapter is Jesus' foundation for order in the church.
Jesus was asked, Who is greatest in kingdom of heaven?
Jesus said...
We must be converted and become like little child in order to be greatest.
Whoever offends a child (causes such a person to stumble, to sin), would be better of with millstone tied around neck and cast into sea.
Offenses will come, but woe to the offender who causes the stumbling block
The offender is like a part of the body that causes the whole body to sin.
We are better off if we cut off an offensive hand or foot, and better off if we pluck out an offensive eye, than to allow that offensive part to take the rest of the body to hell.
If a brother sins against you, go to the person individually and try to reconcile.
If the offending party will not repent, take other believers to confront the him/her.
If the offending party will not repent, take it to the whole CHURCH.
If the offending party will not repent, treat that person as a heathen, as an enemy.
The church has been given the keys of the kingdom, the authority to bind and to loose, to open and to shut, to receive and to send.
The believers, the church is given the management of the church,
The church, believers should forgive those who repent and return.
The church not only has the responsibility to address offensive members, it has the responsibility to receive and restore repentant offenders.
WOW, Jesus gave the foundation of church discipline before there was a church.
