Lesson 19, Q9~Q11

Fourth day: Read Matthew 18:15-20.

Q9

a. Read 1 Corinthians 12:13-26. How does one person’s sin affect the whole church?

God has arranged the different kinds of people to make one body of the church. There is no division in the church, but everyone have equal concern for each one. Therefore, one person’s suffering, honor or sin affects the whole church.

b. Give the stages to follow when one Christian sins seriously against another.

1. First go and show him his fault, just between the two of you;

2. If he will not listen, take one or two others along,

3. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church;

4. If he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as a pagan or a tax collector.

Q10, Read Matthew 18:12-14; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11; Galatians 6:1-2. When we deal with another’s faults:

a. What should be our attitude?

Learn from Father’s attitude that no any of part of the body should be lost, but be saved on the day of the Lord. So we must stop the sin continue by gentle love, patience and comfort.

b. What should be our aim?

Carry each other’s burdens, so we will fulfill the law of Christ.

Q11

a. (Challenge) What do “bind” and “loose” mean in the context of Matthew 18:15-20?

       bind     or     loose

     forbid    or    permit

     Not to forgive   or    forgive

Matthew 16:18-19

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind (forbid) on earth will be bound (forbidden) in heaven, and whatever you loose (permit) on earth will be loosed (permitted) in heaven.” [New Living Translation]

Matthew 18:15-20

“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he 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 he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be d loosed in heaven. “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

John 20:21-23

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

b. How does verse 20 clarify the source of authority for binding and loosing?

The source of authority is Jesus.