Introduction to sermon
This morning we come to another very familiar passage. It’s only five verses long but wow! What five verses they are. If your brother sins (or sins against you) what are we to do? Do we take offence or do we build a bridge (show the kids talk lego). There is so much going on here that I will have a few different points. To make it easier to know where we are heading, they are honesty in our relationships (with God and others), naming sin for what it is, and prayer. In the middle somewhere we may even have a live example for you watch. So stay awake!!!
Body
As is usually the case when we come to a passage of scripture, we need to see what's going on around it as well. If we briefly take a look at verses 10 to 14 Jesus is telling his disciples the parable of the lost sheep. The Shepherd is not willing for one to be lost. We need to take note that the lost one comes from the flock. He has been a follower and has fallen away. The emphasis is not on a new sheep to the flock but one already known one. This is important when you consider the consequences of a brother (and sister) in verse 17. Jesus gives us a direct correlation as to how serious we need to take the following verses. Correction or reconciliation are not done lightly. Jesus wants all of us to remain part of his flock.
Following our reading gives us another insight into how seriously this idea of correction or reconciliation needs to be. Peter asks Jesus how many times he must forgive his brother (or sister) who sins against him. What’s a reasonable number of times I need to allow it to happen? Up to seven times? Rabbinic custom suggests that three times was enough. Peter more than doubles that figure. Go Peter! Jesus’ response was enough to make it completely unreasonable. There are a few discussion about whether Jesus meant 7 times 7 or 7 to the power of 7. Either way, the picture Jesus is painting is one of continuous forgiveness. Makes you think of the Lords prayer. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. We give the same amount of forgiveness as we receive. Staggering to think about really, isn't it? That’s how serious this matter is to Jesus. He doesn't want anyone to be lost and we are to forgive an excessive amount of times. Obviously if you are in danger of some sort, this is vastly different. Domestic violence, whether it’s verbal abuse, physical abuse or child abuse are not acceptable and Jesus isn't asking you to cop it because of this passage. If your not sure about it, please see me or get help.
Now to our passage for today.
As a church, we have looked at this passage of scripture in depth in terms of how to deal with conflict. A kind of “how to manual” on how to confront someone who has upset us. First, we approach them one on one to try and sort the matter out. Then we approach them with 2 or 3 witnesses (usually someone in leadership), then finally if that doesn’t work, we take it to the church. The next step is that if there is no change in them, we remove them from membership. We need to recognise one thing in all of this. It takes two to tango. The offence isn’t usually just from one person to the other. Often it is far more complex than that. Both may feel offended by the other. How does this passage help us in that situation? What if this passage is being abused to gain some person’s own personal agenda? Can make it tricky, can’t it? The older I get, the more that I realise that things are far more grey than purely black and white.
If we use this passage purely for the purpose of settling a dispute, we have missed a couple of points.
The first one is honesty. When we have conflict with another person. When you are offended by another, we do need to take action. We need to be honest with that person. We do need to talk with them about it. But, we also need to be doing it out of love for them and with as much grace as we can muster (and through Jesus, that’s an awful lot). We can’t do it out of a desire for retribution or revenge. The whole sense of this approach is that it is done in private to give that person every opportunity to maintain their dignity.
If we feel that we are offended by another person not only do we need to take the initiative and be honest with that person who has upset us, but we also need to be willing to take a risk. The risk is the approaching of the person. I don’t know of too many people who like to hear about how they have upset someone. But it needs to be done. We can’t live our lives with offence and un-forgiveness in our hearts. Its hurts ourselves. As we approach them, we do need to do it tenderly and carefully. We are working hard to restore the relationship, not tear it down.
The other point is that this passage is not just talking about someone who has upset you personally. This passage is talking about sin. “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you”. Now that’s a challenge! Do we dare to talk to another person about their sin? What about the whole “you who is sinless can cast the first stone”? If we are aware of our own sin, it changes how we approach others. We don't do it with condemnation but with mercy and grace. After all we aren’t any better, are we?
An example would be seeing someone from church who we don't know particularly well being rude and offensive to a check out person at Woolworths. Do we have the right to go up to them and tell them that they are sinning? Yes we do. It’s clear in this passage that we do. But if we just bail up to them and tell them that they sinned, I don’t reckon it will go down too well. If we make the time to talk with them first, get to know them better, it will make a difference. Maybe they have just had a death in the family and are their wits end. We don’t know what’s going on for them. As we talk, we can gently let them know that the way they spoke to that person wasn't the best way. We can even find ways to get them some help if they need it. If they tell you that this is how they deal with people and to get out of the way, then you take it to the next step, and the next and the next as required.
We can use this passage as a method of dealing with conflict but the main thrust of it relates to how we handle other person sins.
As always, we need to keep the context in mind. The previous verses are Jesus talking about the lost sheep. He doesn't want anyone to be lost. The flock are His people, His followers. The lost sheep is the one caught up in sin. Jesus tells us clearly how we are to be shepherds of each other and bring a person back into the flock.
Whilst we often focus on this part of chapter 18, I would like us to give some time to verses 18-20.
A couple of weeks ago, We looked at the words whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Whatever you bind or whatever you loose. The better but harder way for us to say it is “shall have been bound” or “shall have been loosed”. The church is not being given authority to make changes here on earth that will become binding on God. That isn’t what the overall message of scripture is saying. What this passage is saying is that as we as God’s church seek to do what He has ordained in Heaven, so it will be on earth. We are called to seek His direction not only for our lives, but for those around us. We are to make the decision of Heaven apparent on earth. Again if we think of the Lord’s prayer “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven”.
Our reading today finishes with prayer. When I first started studying theology, I began at Tabor. I had a lecturer who took a great deal of pleasure in telling us that these final verses 19 & 20 did not actually relate to prayer. His comment was that it had more to do with this whole loosing and binding thing on people who wouldn’t repent. It was not for a long time that I found that he was most likely wrong!
This passage is surely about prayer. We have just learnt that we need to know the decision of heaven to make them known in earth. We can’t do that without prayer. We can’t know the will of God without actually asking Him and listening for the answer. This passage confirms to me the importance of gathering together in prayer. We know that as we pray, God moves in our lives but as we pray together, there seems to be an added importance.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the middle of them.”
That’s the translation from one of the commentaries I refer to. I really like the wording “I am there in the middle of them”. God is right in the middle of our prayer times. The more I pray, the more I am convinced that we need to listen to God far more than we need to talk to God.
As a demonstration, I have asked Catherine to come up and give me a hand on showing how our prayer times can be different. Catherine will be playing God and I will be me.
Skit about prayer
1st skit
[God is already sitting in chair ready to talk.]
[Richard sits down to pray with his list of prayer points]
Richard: Father God it is really good to be able to talk to you this morning. I have so much I want to tell you and ask for. Thank you for being their for me. It’s such an honour to be able to come into your presence and talk to you.
God: Sits quietly. As Richard begins talking again, God opens his mouth to talk but Richard talks again.
Richard: Firstly Lord, I just want to give you thanks. Thank you for being such an amazing God who always listens and wants to communicate with me. Thank you for your creation. Thank you for always looking after me.
God: Tries to talk but gets talked over again.
Richard: I have come prepared to talk too this morning. I have a whole list of prayer points that I have prepared [takes out list]
I want to pray for all the missionaries overseas. They do such a wonderful job spreading the good news of Jesus. I find it incredible how they go about their business. How you look after them. I prayer that you would give them all the things they need.
God: Tries to talk but gets talked over again.
Richard: Lord, there is so much on my list…. but the truth is that I have lots of questions. Why do you let people suffer in this world?
God: Tries to talk but gets talked over again.
Richard: I really would like to buy a house. when do you think you can perform a miracle and give me the money to buy it?
God: Tries to talk but gets talked over again.
Richard: I worry about unity in the churches lord. How can I help to bring unity?
God: Tries to talk but gets talked over again.
Richard: Whenever I walk down the street, I see so many people who need you. What do you want me to do to bring them light in their world?
God: Tries to talk but gets talked over again.
Richard: Oops. Sorry Lord, I nearly forgot about my list. You wouldn’t be happy with me if I didn’t pray for these things….let’s see.
I pray for the government, the nation of Australia who needs you so badly. I just want to lift up to you those who are in hospital at the moment. Please bring healing to those who are suffering the flu. Give travelling mercy to those who are travelling. We want to see them back home safe and sound. I pray for all the things we do at the church. Just help us to be people who look at how we can serve you in Shepparton.
Oh wow! Look at the time! I’ve run out of time today Father, so I need to go and get to work. Thanks for taking the time with me to talk. In Jesus name, Amen.
[Richard walks off stage]
2nd Skit
[God is already sitting in chair ready to talk.]
[Richard sits down to pray with his list of prayer points]
Richard: Father God it is really good to be able to talk to you this morning. I have so much I want to tell you and ask for. Thank you for being their for me. It’s such an honour to be able to come into your presence and talk to you.
God: Hello my son. It is always good to talk with you.
Richard: Firstly Lord, I just want to give you thanks. Thank you for being such an amazing God who always listens and wants to communicate with me. Thank you for your creation. Thank you for always looking after me.
God: You know Richard that I am always here for you. Until the end of the age. I love you and you are mine.
Richard: I have come prepared to talk too this morning. I have a whole list of prayer points that I have prepared [takes out list]
but you know…I know that this is my list. What do you want to talk about with me today?
God: Well how about we go through your list.
I want to pray for all the missionaries overseas. They do such a wonderful job spreading the good news of Jesus. I find it incredible how they go about their business. How you look after them. I prayer that you would give them all the things they need.
God: Thank you for being so concerned about those who serve me in different places. I am looking after them. Perhaps we can talk about how the team in the Northern Territory need some help in their op shop?
Richard: They need help in the op shop? I didn’t know that. Can you please provide for them the people they need to run it really well to provide clothing and help?
God: Done!
Richard: Why do you let people suffer in this world?
God: Son, that’s a very difficult question to answer. Please know that there are things in this world that happen that break my heart as much as yours. The time hasn’t come yet where all evil will be removed. Please be my servant in helping them to get through their really tough times.
Richard: I’ll do my best.
God: That's all I ask. Do your best. I’ll help you as you do that.
Richard: Thank you.
Richard: Jesus, this is really a bit materialistic but I really would like to buy a house. When do you think I might be able to see that happen?
God: [laughing gently] Richard, my dear son. I love to hear about what you want in this life. I never tire of hearing you ask me for things. Sometimes you can't get what you want when you want, but I promise you that it will happen. Trust me.
Richard: Lord I have a really busy schedule today and can’t spend much time with you like this. I’m really sorry.
God: That’s no problem. I don’t want talking to me to become a burden. How about you tell me the list that you have and I’ll look after it for you? Before you do that, there is something I would like to talk to you about.
Richard: [gulping] ok….
God: Let’s talk about your exercise routine. It’s been a while since you have been to the gym or ridden your bike hasn’t it?
Richard: Yes it has. It all seems to hard.
God: I know you are finding it hard but I wanted to let you know that I will give you what you need to do it. I need you to get back into it again. It helps you in so many ways Richard and I know how much better of you will be doing it. So please find some time to get back into physical activity.
Richard: Ok, Father…I’ll do it. Thank you for being gentle with me and I’m really sorry to have stopped.
God: I’m always gentle. Being harsh isn’t from me but our enemy. Now back to your list!
Richard: Thank you.
I worry about unity in the churches lord. Please help me to be part of bringing unity. Whenever I walk down the street, I see so many people who need you. Please inspire us as a church to help. I pray for the government and the nation of Australia who needs you so badly. I want to lift up to you those who are in hospital at the moment. Please bring healing to those who are suffering the flu. Give travelling mercy to those who are travelling. We want to see them back home safe and sound. I pray for all the things we do at the church. Help us to be people who look at how we can serve you in Shepparton.
God: That’s a great list of things to bring to me Richard. Thank you. Keep an eye out for how I am at work.
Richard: Thanks for taking the time with me to talk. In Jesus name, Amen.
God: Thank you for talking with me Richard. I will be with you as you go and I will be talking with you all day but it’s really nice to sit and focus on each other. Go with my blessings.
[Richard walks off stage]
Can you see the difference? Can you see how much we need to listen at least as much as we talk? With more people it’s just as important. If we are all listening, God will guide the conversation to His will. Some of the things we wanted to pray for will drop off the list. Others things will be brought to our mind.
All because Jesus is in the middle of us. He isn’t on the outside listening in, but actively involved.
Challenge
So as we go about our normal lives, we need to be honest. Knowing that God demands us to avoid sin, to be trusting and to depend on Him. These passages show us that we can’t do it on our own. We need help. We ned each other to lovingly point out our sins. We need Jesus to point out our sins. When we are shown our sin, we need to repent of it. Let’s not get it to the point where we need to have the whole church talk to us about our sinfulness. Let’s repent of it as we become aware of it. Better yet, let’s take drastic action to be rid of it straight away!
Conclusion
And how do we avoid sin? A good start is by being honest. Be honest with yourself. Call your sin for what it is. Don’t beat around the bush. Jesus didn’t tell us to do that. He told us to take drastic action. Need help overcoming your sin? Come and see me, so that we can talk together, pray together and invite the Holy Spirit to be present in that area of your life. So our challenge for all of us is to be honest. Acknowledge our sins and seek to correct them. The best way to do that is in prayer. If we are prepared to listen we will hear from the Father. He will point out things we need to work on. The good news is he won’t condemn us but encourage us.
And finally, let’s not stop praying together. Without prayer, we really don’t have any idea of where God is leading us. I am convinced that prayer makes a difference. It doesn’t change God but it does change us. For the better. Let’s choose to talk with (and not to) God more this week. What do you reckon?
