Confronting Sin… vs. 15-20

• 1^st – One on one… vs. 15
  • Inevitable sin…
    • Moreover if your brother sins against you!
    • Jesus had warned the disciples – OFFENCES [σκάνδαλον] would come – Matthew 18:7
    • Therefore – IF [subjunctive] people SIN [ἁμαρτάνω] – they were to do THREE things!
    • People often have the WRONG impression about CHURCH…
    • They come assuming it is a place full of PERFECT people…
    • And while it is true that Jesus is PERFECT – the people are NOT!
    • We are SAVED – our SINS have been FORGIVEN through the Cross…
    • But we still live in a FALLEN world – wake up every day in a SINFUL body – Galatians 5:17
    • The CHURCH is a HOSPITAL – full of SICK patients who still struggle with SIN…
    • And we need to be PREPARED how to deal with one another when SIN happens!
  • Confrontation…
    • Go and tell him his fault between you and him alone!
    • FIRST – they were to GO [imperative] – ALONE [μόνος] – to the one who SINNED…
    • Tell him his FAULT [ἐλέγχω] – to bring into the LIGHT!
    • A woman came to me one day and said she wanted to leave her husband…
    • She assured me her CHOICE was not unforgiveable – but I corrected her…
    • I did NOT question if God could forgive – GRACE is greater than ANY sin – Romans 5:20
    • My FEAR was she would NOT ask God for forgiveness…
    • Every time she went to church – read the Bible – prayed she would reminded of her CHOICE…
    • She could either listen to God and REPENT – or HARDEN and walk away!
    • There is a tendency in our culture – to avoid confrontation…
    • If someone does something wrong – the accepted response it to IGNORE it [them]
    • As if somehow TIME will miraculously make everything OK…
    • But it is NOT loving to IGNORE sin – we MUST [imperative] bring it into the LIGHT!
    • Hebrews 3:13 – “Exhort one another daily… lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
  • Restoration…
    • If he hears you – you have gained your brother!
    • Because IF [subjunctive] the person LISTENS – they would WIN back their BROTHER!
    • How many times have we heard about FAMILY that will NOT talk…
    • Or a CHURCH that SPLITS because two people NO longer get along!
    • If we do not seek RESTORATION – it causes SEPARATION in the church…
    • Satan would love to cause division within the church – in families – bitterness and hate…
    • Do not let satan rob the church of the FORGIVENESS and joy Jesus has provided!
    • II Corinthians 2:11 – “Lest Satan take advantage of us. We are not ignorant of his devices.”
• 2^nd – Two or more… vs. 16
  • But if he will not hear – take with you one or two more.
  • That by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established!
  • SECOND – IF [subjunctive] the PERSON who SINNED will NOT [μή] listen when CONFRONTED…
  • Then they were to go BACK – with TWO or THREE witnesses…
  • WITNESSES [μάρτυς] – someone else who also saw [עֵד] the SIN…
  • Because according to the LAW – that is how ALL [כֹּל] sin must be verified – Deuteronomy 19:15
  • This does NOT mean we find TWO or THREE friends who AGREE with us…
  • It is an opportunity is to bring in a MEDIATOR – someone who is IMPARTIAL!
  • The THIRD party perhaps can shed some light on the problem…
  • If it is a MISUNDERSTANDING – then they can help CLARIFY to both parties…
  • If it is a matter of unrepentant SIN – it can be confirmed by more than ONE person!
• 3^rd – The Church… vs. 17
  • Escalation…
    • And if he refuses to hear them – tell it to the church!
    • THIRD – IF [subjunctive] the PERSON who SINNED will still NOT listen…
    • NOT listen [παρακούω] – to be dismissive – not take it seriously…
    • Then they must [imperative] be brought before the CHURCH…
    • CHURCH [ἐκκλησία] – only the SECOND time mentioned in the NT – Matthew 16:18
    • The church that Jesus is speaking of is the LOCAL church effected by the SIN…
    • Because the problem is not a MISUNDERSTANDING – they went to them alone FIRST…
    • And SECOND – with the help of a MEDIATOR – it became clear there was UNREPENTANT sin…
    • Therefore they were to impress on the person the severity of the SIN – NOT ignore it!
  • Consequences…
    • But if he refuses even to hear the church let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector!
    • IF [subjunctive] the PERSON who SINNED will still would NOT listen [παρακούω]
    • They were to be seen as an UNBELIEVER [ἐθνικός] – as a TAX collector [τελώνης]
    • Because no matter what they SAY – the FRUIT of their life does NOT show salvation!
    • I John 3:9 – “Whoever has been born of God does not [continue to] sin.”
    • There was a man in the CHURCH of Corinth who was having an AFFAIR [mother in law]
    • The CHURCH thought they were being LOVING by letting the man stay…
    • But Paul rebuked them – he was to be REMOVED from the CHURCH – I Corinthians 5:5
    • GRACE is NOT the FREEDOM to be able to SIN – it is FREEDOM from sin – Romans 6:1-2
    • The church is a HOSPITAL for sinners – not so they can stay SICK – but be HEALED…
    • We are NOT to allow SIN to run rampant in the church…
    • If someone refuses to turn away from their WICKED lifestyle – they are to be REMOVED…
    • The reason – to keep the rest of the church SAFE from BAD influences!
    • I Corinthians 5:13 – “Therefore – put away from yourselves the evil person.”
      
• 4^th – Not the end… vs. 18-20
  • The Gospel… vs. 18
    • Assuredly [Ἀμὴν] I say to you – whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.
    • And whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven!
    • In light of this HEAVY command to CONFRONT sin…
    • Jesus gives THREE statements – that are often misunderstood:
    • FIRST – He repeats what He told the DISCIPLES in Caesarea Philippi – Matthew 16:19
    • He had given them the KEYS of the kingdom – the GOSPEL…
    • Anyone who is NOT given the Gospel – is bound on EARTH [aorist] and in HEAVEN [future]
    • Anyone who is given the Gospel [keys] – is set free on EARTH [aorist] and in HEAVEN [future]
    • Because when a CHURCH makes the decision to REMOVE someone because of SIN…
    • That is NOT the end of the STORY – we are to give them the GOSPEL!
    • Paul wrote the CHURCH a SECOND time about the man who had been REMOVED…
    • He had been turned over to satan [removed] – so he would learn NOT to SIN…
    • But once he was HUMBLED – he was to be taken back into the CHURCH – II Corinthians 2:6-8
    • Satan would love to keep a sinner from being RESTORED by the GRACE of God…
    • If he can keep someone CONDEMNED [beating themselves up] he will…
    • If we know someone who has SINNED – but wants to get right with God…
    • We are to REACH out to them – LOVE them – and encourage them to come HOME!
  • The Spirit… vs. 19
    • Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask.
    • It will be done for them by My Father in heaven!
    • SECOND – Jesus gives them a PROMISE…
    • IF [subjunctive] two of them were in HARMONY [συμφωνέω]
    • ANYTHING [πᾶς] they ASKED [αἰτέω] for would be given to them by the FATHER…
    • And what they were to be ASKING for was the HOLY Spirit!
    • Luke 11:17 – “Your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask [αἰτέω] Him!”
    • In order for us to have the BOLDNESS to confront SIN – we need the Spirit…
    • In order for us to know when to REMOVE a SINNER – we definitely must have the Spirit…
    • In order for us to be able to FORGIVE sin – there is no other way than through the Spirit!
  • Jesus… vs. 20
    • For where two or three are gathered together in My name – I am there in the midst of them!
    • FOR [γάρ] where there are TWO or THREE in HARMONY [συμφωνέω]
    • Because they have RECEIVED [passive] the HOLY Spirit [perfect]
    • Jesus is THERE with them – when they CONFRONT – REMOVE – and RESTORE!
    • This is one of the most misquoted verses in the whole Bible…
    • It has nothing to do with PRAYER – we do NOT need TWO or THREE for Jesus to be present…
    • This is about dealing with SIN in the CHURCH – and Jesus standing with us!

• 2^nd – Forgiving Sin… vs. 21-35
  • 1^st – Every time… vs. 21-22
    • Seven Times… vs. 21
      • Then Peter came to Him and said:
      • Lord how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?
      • Peter took this opportunity to ask the Lord [κύριος]
      • How many times did we have to forgive someone – up to SEVEN times…
      • Peter thought this was GENEROUS for the Rabbis taught it was only THREE – Amos 1-2
        
    • No more sin… vs. 22
      • Jesus said to him: I do not say to you up to seven times – but up to seventy times seven!
      • Jesus countered – NOT just seven – but SEVENTY time seven…
      • He is NOT giving us a number – He is giving us a Bible REFERENCE…
      • In the days of Jesus – the Bible had NO chapters of verses…
      • In order to reference a passage in the Bible – they quoted part of the verse…
      • 70×7 is a very special number only used ONE other place in the Bible!
      • Daniel 9:24 – “A period of seventy sets of seven has been decreed… to bring an end to sin.”
      • Jesus is saying – we FORGIVE until there is NO more SIN…
      • How often are we to FORGIVE someone who sins against us – EVERY time…
      • Even if they keep committing the SAME sin – then we keep FORGIVING – Luke 17:4
  • 2^nd – Great debt… vs. 23-27
    • Unable to pay… vs. 23-25
      • The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
      • When he had begun to settle accounts one was brought who owed him ten thousand talents.
      • But as he was not able to pay. His master commanded that he be sold…
      • With his wife and children and all that he had – and that payment be made!
      • To help EXPLAIN why we must FORGIVE every time – Jesus gave a PARABLE…
      • The Kingdom of Heaven is LIKE [ὁμοιόω] a King who wanted to settle His accounts [λόγος]
      • And He found one SLAVE [δοῦλος] who owed Him TEN thousand [μυρίος] Talents…
      • Since he could NOT [μή] pay – him and everything he had was to be SOLD!
      • TALENT [τάλαντον] – ONE talent weighs NINETY kilos of Gold…
      • Therefore ONE talent – would be worth around four hundred MILLION pesos…
      • Meaning TEN thousand TALENTS – would be worth four TRILLION pesos…
      • If we earned THOUSAND pesos a day – it would take eleven MILLION years to pay the DEBT!
    • Forgiven… vs. 26-27
      • The servant therefore fell down before him saying:
      • Master have patience with me – and I will pay you all.
      • The master was moved with compassion – released him – and forgave him the debt!
      • The SLAVE [δοῦλος] fell down WORSHIPING [imperfect] his Master [κύριος]
      • The BEGGED [imperative] Him to hold off his ANGER [μακροθυμέω]
      • He would find a way to pay ALL [πᾶς] four TRILLION pesos that he OWED [ὀφείλω]
      • But the Master had compassion – knowing the man could NEVER pay…
      • Therefore He set him FREE [ἀπολύω] – and FORGAVE [ἀφίημι] him the DEBT!
      • FORGIVEN [ἀφίημι] – to be SENT away – never to be seen again – Hebrews 10:17
      • What we do that is GOOD is required – and does NOT erase what we do WRONG…
      • Therefore we are all in DEBT – every SIN adds more to our account…
      • And we have NO hope of paying it off on our own – our ONLY hope is Jesus…
      • Who does NOT just forgive some of our SIN – He take away ALL of our DEBT – Luke 7:48
  • 3^rd – Unforgiving… vs. 28-30
    • Little debt… vs. 28
      • That servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.
      • He laid hands on him and took him by the throat saying: Pay me what you owe!
      • That same SLAVE [δοῦλος] went out and found another SLAVE [σύνδουλος]
      • He owed him one HUNDRED denarii [δηνάρια] – or a HUNDRED days wages – Matthew 20:2
      • The FIRST slave grabbed [κρατέω] the SECOND and started to CHOKE him…
      • Demanding [imperative] that he pay what he OWED [ὀφείλω]!
    • Into Prison… vs. 29-30
      • So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him saying:
      • Have patience with me and I will pay you all.
      • And he would not – but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt!
      • The SECOND slave [δοῦλος] fell down and pleaded [προσκαλέω] with the FIRST…
      • BEGGING [imperfect] him to hold off his ANGER [μακροθυμέω]
      • He would find a way to pay ALL [πᾶς] of that he OWED [ὀφείλω]
      • BUT the FIRST would NOT [imperfect] listen – anf threw into PRISON till he paid his DEBT…
      • The FIRST slave had been FORGIVEN – but he refused to FORGIVE!
      • IF we owed a LARGE sum – and knew the DEBT was due…
      • We would do ANYTHING to try and get MONEY so we could PAY…
      • It is possible the FIRST servant did NOT believe he had been forgiven…
      • And was therefore FRANTIC to get ANY money he could find!
      • If we do NOT believe we have been FORGIVEN [passive] of ALL [perfect] of our sin…
      • Then we are NOT going to be FORGIVING towards others…
      • It will make us JUDGMENTAL – and HARSH towards others!
  • 4^th – Unforgiven… vs. 31-35
    • Grieved… vs. 31
      • When his fellow servants saw what had been done they were very grieved.
      • And came and told their master all that had been done!
      • When the other SLAVES [δοῦλος] saw what happened – they were very SAD…
      • SAD [λυπέω] – it can mean to be HEAVY – or even UNEASY…
      • If the FIRST slave had treated the SECOND that way – how would he treat them…
      • Therefore they went and told the Master [κύριος] everything!
    • Wicked servant… vs. 32-34
      • Then his master after he had called him said to him:
      • You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
      • Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant – just as I had pity on you?
      • The Master [κύριος] demanded the FIRST slave [δοῦλος] come back…
      • He called him EVIL [πονηρός] – because he had begged [προσκαλέω] to be FORGIVEN…
      • Yet when the SECOND servant did the same – he would NOT forgive…
      • He should have showed [imperfect] MERCY [ἐλεέω] as the Master showed MERCY to him!
      • If we focus on what others have done to us – then we want JUSTICE…
      • We want them to pay back their DEBT – every PESO they have cost us…
      • Our problem is we are looking in the wrong direction…
      • We are looking at what they have DONE to us – rather than what we have DONE…
      • When we consider all that Jesus has FORGIVEN us – EVERYTHING…
      • How could we not FORGIVE our brother what little DEBT they may owe us!
    • Not an option … vs. 34
      • His master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due!
      • Therefore – the Master [κύριος] was FURIOUS [ὀργίζω]
      • And he turned the FIRST slave [δοῦλος] over to be TORTURED [only here NT]
      • Until ALL [πᾶς] the DEBT [ὀφείλω] he owed was PAID [subjunctive]!
      • Matthew 6:15 – “If you do not forgive men their trespasses – neither will your Father forgive your trespasses!”
      • If we do NOT forgive [aorist] the SINS of others – our Father will NOT forgive [future] us…
      • Emphasizing the importance of FORGIVENESS – it is NOT an option…
      • The ONLY way to get to Heaven – is to be FORGIVEN of our SINS…
      • And if we are NOT willing to FORGIVE others – then we are NOT forgiven!
    • How to forgive… vs. 35
      • So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you.
      • From his heart – does not forgive his brother his trespasses!
      • Jesus warned this is what the FATHER in heaven will do to us…
      • IF we – from our HEART – do NOT forgive EVERYONE [ἕκαστος] their TRESPASSES…
      • TRESPASSES [παραπίπτω] – to slip and fall – make a MISTAKE…
      • To which the next question becomes HOW? HOW can we FORGIVE from the heart!
      • Luke 17:6 – “If you have faith as a mustard seed – you can say to this mulberry tree – Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea.”
      • The MULBERRY tree is famous in the Middle East for having incredibly deep roots…
      • The tree can grow very quickly – and because of its roots it is VERY difficult to kill…
      • Even cutting to the base is no guarantee – it must be pulled out by the roots!
      • The way to FORGIVE – is FAITH in Jesus – He can tear out the roots of unforgiveness…
      • He can send them away into the farthest sea – never to be seen again…
      • Because FORGIVENESS is not just for the one whom did us wrong – it is also for us…
      • It sets us free – so we do not dwell on the past – we get to move forward in Christ!