Sinning Against a Brother What if a brother offends me? What if I know of a moral sin? What if I know of an error of teaching?

Introduction The church is made up of humans Sometimes we: –Sin against each other –Do things that hurt others –Teach things that are wrong What should we do?

What this text teaches: 1.IF a brother sins against you – 2.Go and tell him his fault – ALONE 3.Repents – your brother is back 4.Not repent – take 1 or 2 with you 5.Still not repent – make public 6.Still not repent – remove from fellowship

Mistakes Often Made Out of context Jesus is clear Brother offends brother Personal – individual The context is a personal hurt

Mistakes Often Made Out of context Apply to public sin If false doctrine is taught – deal with it THEN! Galatians 2: And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Mistakes Often Made Out of context Apply to public sin My sermons are – on tape, printed in the bulletin, on video projector, on website in outline and video Any error can be compounded in a hurry Don’t let the meeting end without correction

Mistakes Often Made Out of context Apply to public sin Wrong view of forgiveness Some think that we MUST forgive – if they ask or not WRONG! We may elect to forgive rather than confront. For them to be forgiven – they must repent and confess

Mistakes Often Made Out of context Apply to public sin Wrong view of forgiveness Going to others 1 st Do not go to the preacher or an elder FIRST go to the offender An elder or preacher may come in at phase 2

What does “trespass” mean? Thayer’s Greek Lexicon gives three parts to this word: Doctrinal errorDoctrinal error – “to be in error” Moral sinMoral sin – “to violate the law of God” Slight, offenseSlight, offense – “to err, be mistaken”

My Options: 1.Let it go 1.Decide not to make a fuss 2.It is not a big deal 3.Just drop the matter 2.Go to the brother 1.If you can’t let it go – it bothers you 2.Hurt too deeply; troubles you to much

What if it gets worse? It mightIt might – 3 reasons: –Did you go in love or on the attack? –Did they get angry or seek to heal the broken relationship? –Did you accept their response? If it gets worse – someone is at fault