Today’s scripture challenges us to work together as a single Christian entity and use our individual talents to reach out to the lost of the world. Whatever your specific talents, and shortcomings, happen to be, team up with others who can complement that talent to plant spiritual seeds in our community and grow God’s flock.

I find that it is easiest to learn and remember using stories, or modern parables. Let’s examine a potentially controversial event – the decision to renovate a building in the church. We are going deep into imagination, for this church at least. In the meetings, there are varied strong opinions and a few heated discussions. In spite of your strong opinion, your belief is that it is a Christian’s right to disagree with others as long as it is done in respect and without deviation from the scriptures. Maybe others in the church don’t believe this, though, because you receive a certified letter on Tuesday requesting that you worship elsewhere. Could there be a scriptural basis for this? Does someone have an answer for that question?

Matthew 18, starting with verse 15, says 

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Matthew 18:15-17

I must admit that this New Testament verse, in its literal meaning, is underused in today’s Christian churches. If church discipline is to be applied, it would seem to be necessary only for a serious offense that has been committed without any desire for repentance. Think back now to the Wednesday night study on the unpardonable sin, which is only truly unpardonable at death.