Matthew 18:15-20

Church Discipline
I have been to three churches trying to find one that fits my place in my walk and one that allows me to minister to others using my God-given spiritual gifts. I have been at my present church for over 2 years now and I honestly feel like I have found my spiritual home. I am involved in a ministry that is close to my heart, I have met and become friends with some great brothers and sisters, I have been ministered to and supported, edified, and taught all manner of spiritual disciplines. It gives me great pleasure to worship God in my new spiritual home and I don’t see myself or my family ever having to leave Shiloh Community Church. It’s not that the other churches I went to didn’t provide me with any one or two of those things but this one has met my needs on every level of spiritual and emotional growth.

Along my path to find a church I have experienced the discipline that Jesus talks about in these verses. I have seen it approached and interpreted in different ways but this is not the forum to talk about that. Instead lets look at what Jesus is saying and why.

Jesus starts the conversation off by saying that if a believer wrongs you than you should go and talk with that person, just the two of you. Jesus wants us to do this first and foremost so that any slander and gossip can be prevented in the church. If you cannot sway that person that they in fact have sinned against you then and only then are you to take another couple of believers with you to confront the person. If they still refuse to listen then you are to take your grievance to the church.

It is interesting that the NIV Study Bible says that here and in Matthew 16:18 are the only places in the Gospels that use the word “church” which means “local congregation”.

In verse 17 Jesus establishes the basis for excommunication for those that refuse to accept church discipline. This goes to show the importance that Jesus puts on the church in the life and growth of one of His children. We have just seen in the previous story of the lost sheep that Jesus doesn’t want to lose any of His children but if a person is not going to be obedient to His will or the will of His church then one has to wonder if that person is truly saved or not. This is a hard message to write about and it is even harder to understand......especially the next few verses about “binding” and “loosing”.

I turned to the NLT translation which explains “binding” as locking or forbidding and to “loose” is to open or permit. This shows us the great authority that Jesus places on the church and its ability to soundly discipline its congregation. Jesus is saying that if the church forbids or allows something on earth and it is within the will of God than the same will be forbid or allowed in heaven. He continues by pointing out that if two or more come together in the context of church discipline outlined above than He will provide what is being asked.

Verse 20 is read at churches and Bible studies the world over because of its great impact. Jesus says that wherever two or three of His children get together to seek Him that He will be found there. So get together with a brother or sister in Christ. Gather a group and start seeking the Lord. Pray and open the Word and He will show up. It will be unmistakable when the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ is among you. Come and experience it!

Have a great day and may God be with you.