Sin in the Church (18:15-35)

The Gospel According to Matthew
Jesus for President (Part 52: Sin in the Church)

“If your brother sins against you”

STEP 1 Go and show him his fault, just between the two of you

Possibility #1 If he listens to you (repents)

Result You’ve won your brother over

Possibility #2 But if he will not listen

Result Move on to Step 2


STEP 2 Take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

Possibility #1 He listens to the group (repents)

Result You’ve won your brother over

Possibility #2 If he refuses to listen to them

Result Move on to Step 3


STEP 3 Tell it to the church

Possibility #1 He listens to the church (repents)

Result You’ve won your brother over

Possibility #2 And if he refuses to listen
even to the church

Result Move on to Step 4



STEP 4 Treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector

Possibility #1 He responds to discipline (repents)

Result You’ve won your brother over

Possibility #2 He refuses to repent

Result He’s no longer part of the church