(Matthew 18:15-18) “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."
Reminder: "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that believers have the authority to declare what it means to accept or reject Jesus, as it is clearly the salvation message, so a true believer should understand this simple theology (18:18)
- that we tell people in private when they have fallen into a sinful pattern. If they don't listen, meet them in private with one or two more witnesses to confirm. If they still don't listen, tell the church. If they still don't listen, consider them an unbeliever. (18:15-17)
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the fellowship that we are able to have with You, and for providing the fellowship that we are able to have with our fellow believers. When we see a loved one falling into a sinful pattern or lifestyle, give us wisdom and insight as to how to approach that person the way we should, considering how we would like to be approached: in private, and with humble lovingkindness.
Help the congregation to be understanding, when situations arise where the church has to let people know that someone is to be considered as an unbeliever. Help the church to rightfully assess the situations, as to when when this has to be done. Help the church to know that this doesn't mean we should shun or ignore them, or stop loving them, but that we are to keep loving and praying for them.
You are a just and fair God, who is holy and expects Your followers to avoid sin and pursue holiness. Yet You are also a loving and gracious God. Help us to always be striving towards being holy without being self-righteous. Help us to always be loving and gracious towards all people. Help us share Your desire that all should find salvation in You. Amen.
Reminder: "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that believers have the authority to declare what it means to accept or reject Jesus, as it is clearly the salvation message, so a true believer should understand this simple theology (18:18)
- that we tell people in private when they have fallen into a sinful pattern. If they don't listen, meet them in private with one or two more witnesses to confirm. If they still don't listen, tell the church. If they still don't listen, consider them an unbeliever. (18:15-17)
Today's prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the fellowship that we are able to have with You, and for providing the fellowship that we are able to have with our fellow believers. When we see a loved one falling into a sinful pattern or lifestyle, give us wisdom and insight as to how to approach that person the way we should, considering how we would like to be approached: in private, and with humble lovingkindness.
Help the congregation to be understanding, when situations arise where the church has to let people know that someone is to be considered as an unbeliever. Help the church to rightfully assess the situations, as to when when this has to be done. Help the church to know that this doesn't mean we should shun or ignore them, or stop loving them, but that we are to keep loving and praying for them.
You are a just and fair God, who is holy and expects Your followers to avoid sin and pursue holiness. Yet You are also a loving and gracious God. Help us to always be striving towards being holy without being self-righteous. Help us to always be loving and gracious towards all people. Help us share Your desire that all should find salvation in You. Amen.
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