The Butchered Bible 4 Series

The Butchered Bible 4

February 16, 2014 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: God is always with us, if we are in Jesus Christ.

Focus Passage: Matthew 18:15-20

Supplemental Passage: I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Introduction:

I. The Butchered Bible Version

a. Taken out of context 99.9% of the time

b. The implications are that God is only with us when “two or three are gathered” together

c. Well meaning, but serious theological implications

i. If we have our daily devotion, God is not with us because we are alone

ii. If we are alone, God will not accept our worship

II. The Verse in Context

a. The immediate context of this verse deals with church discipline

b. It is the continuation of an explanation of how Jesus is with us, as a church, making hard decisions about discipline.

III. Implications and Application

a. Church discipline is a very difficult, but necessary function of the church

b. There is a prescribed way of doing it

c. The promise is that no matter how hard, touchy, or awkward the situation, Jesus is right there with us

Invitation: