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Fester or Fix?

Matthew 18:15-20 "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. 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.' 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. 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. 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. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

How often do you let situations fester that Christ instructs us to address?

1. Jesus outlines a four-part process here to handle difficult situations, matters of offence, or matters of sin. What are the first three steps?
   
   
2. Verse 16: What is the function of those who go along with you in this second step? Do they need to know all the details or be privy to all that happened, or is their role different than that? What are they called at the end of the verse? What would they be confirming?
   
   
3. Verse 17: Then, if the person doesn't respond to the gentle, loving, humble, and concerned pleas from you, what is the next step to take? Does this mean to take it to the whole church and to spread it around through gossip? Or is this a matter of bringing it to the ministry?
   
   
4. What steps do many, including you, prefer to avoid? Does this mean that situations are often not adequately addressed or solved? Why do Christians hesitate to follow this simple process for talking with their brothers and sisters? Is it a matter of selfishness sometimes? Perhaps, is it a matter of fear sometimes? What do you think Christ thinks of those as excuses not to obey Him? Do you think the ministry often hears about something too soon - before the other steps have been taken? Is this correct? Is this Christ-like? Consider times when Christ confronted His disciples as examples of not letting situations fester.
   
   
5. Verses 18-20: What is the promise here about the function of government within the Christian church and its impact on the life of the congregation? What is Christ's promise about His presence?
   
   
6. Some writers have suggested that following this passage alone would lead to greater peace in the church than often exists. Why might this be true? What are the destructive possibilities of talking with many about such situations and of, really, gossiping? Will you put an end to such in your sphere of influence and practice this simple process and contribute to greater peace in the church?

© Dennis Lawrence, 2011