Page 24 - Demo

Jesus says that if you've got something against a brother, he's wronged you, here's how you deal with it a) you go to them to see if you can't just work it out, b) if he won't listen, take two or three witnesses, and try to use group mediation, c) '\them, tell it to the church;\then treat him like a pagan.'\I found in those rare instances where I've ever seen church discipline exerted, that we've skipped step three. When it's ever done, you go to them one on one, you take two or three, then you go tell the Elders and the Elders might get up and say, \to do with them.\picture I get from that is, the church (the members, Christians) says, \in trouble. He is deliberately spitting in the face of God.How about every one of you getting in touch with him this week and next week?\you talk about those people saying, \I've never in all my years been asked to do that, but that's what I read in Matthew 18. If he won't listen to them, then treat him like a pagan. Folks, sometimes in a body, amputation is necessary, but it is always the last resort.d.Direct him or her to Jesus.\ proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.\admonition is admonishment? It's not to make somebody tow the line to my expectations. Admonishment is simply encouraging one another to be like Jesus, helping steer us when we begin to get off course, steering us back to that goal of being Christ-like.e.Encourage the one who responds.Maybe they respond from you just going one on one or, maybe it's after two or three times. I don't know, but encourage the one. In Corinth a brother was just living in open rebellion. He was in some kind of incestuous union. Paul said, \that's just dead wrong.\talked about a moment ago. He responded by repenting. But some of the brothers and sisters were holding it against him, even after he repented. As a result Paul said, \about that brother, you ought to forgive and comfort him so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.\nobody's role is to be only an admonisher.Among the spiritual gifts in Romans 12, it doesn't ever say the gift of admonishment. It's nobody's job just to go around and correct everybody they see. When somebody responds positively to loving correction, then encourage them and embrace them.The command to admonish one another is the hardest one of all. It's difficult, risky, and costly, but the dividends are eternal. If we don't care enough to admonish, then we don't