FIRST, Go to your Brother When should I go to my brother? March 13 - PM

To Go or Not to Go There seems to be some confusion about when one should or must go to their brother firstThere seems to be some confusion about when one should or must go to their brother first What if I talk with the elders or minister first?What if I talk with the elders or minister first? What if I talk with someone for counsel and advice first?What if I talk with someone for counsel and advice first? Let’s start with our textLet’s start with our text

Jesus’ Statement Matthew 18: Matthew 18: “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

Private Wrongs What does this passage command?What does this passage command? Personal wrongPersonal wrong Lied to or aboutLied to or about Gossiped aboutGossiped about Cheated, swindledCheated, swindled Not a public wrong – but:Not a public wrong – but: PersonalPersonal PrivatePrivate Keep it that wayKeep it that way

Private Wrongs The text is clear:The text is clear: If a brother wrongs you –If a brother wrongs you – Go privately – If no responseGo privately – If no response Take 2 or 3 witnesses – if no responseTake 2 or 3 witnesses – if no response Make it public – if no responseMake it public – if no response Remove them from the fellowshipRemove them from the fellowship

Wrongdoers Matthew 5: Matthew 5: Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Wrongdoers If you have wronged a brother:If you have wronged a brother: You cannot worship until the matter is correctedYou cannot worship until the matter is corrected Go – confess – repent – reconcileGo – confess – repent – reconcile Now you can worship with a clear and clean conscienceNow you can worship with a clear and clean conscience

When NOT To Go Are there situations where I should not or am not obligated to go to the brother first?Are there situations where I should not or am not obligated to go to the brother first? I believe there are at least 4 situations where it is not necessary (though not wrong) to go the the brother first.I believe there are at least 4 situations where it is not necessary (though not wrong) to go the the brother first.

1 - Doctrinal Error Taught There are many teachers and preachers who are teaching errorThere are many teachers and preachers who are teaching error When they begin to teach error – There is great DANGERWhen they begin to teach error – There is great DANGER Souls could be at stake if some believe and follow this false teaching.Souls could be at stake if some believe and follow this false teaching.

1 - Doctrinal Error Taught Speaking about dangerous error, not just a mistake in speakingSpeaking about dangerous error, not just a mistake in speaking I might say “Moses” when I intended to say “Noah.” – No soul is in dangerI might say “Moses” when I intended to say “Noah.” – No soul is in danger If I teach a doctrinal error – it should be corrected - ASAPIf I teach a doctrinal error – it should be corrected - ASAP

1 - Doctrinal Error Taught Galatians 2:4-5 -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.

2 - Public Knowledge A DUI in the newspaper is public information alreadyA DUI in the newspaper is public information already Many are awareMany are aware From public sources – radio, paperFrom public sources – radio, paper From reliable sources – familyFrom reliable sources – family When they inform you that it is already publicly knownWhen they inform you that it is already publicly known

3 - Harm the Church Christians sometimes do things that harm the cause of ChristChristians sometimes do things that harm the cause of Christ Sometimes they harm the local congregationSometimes they harm the local congregation Grumble, gripe, spread false informationGrumble, gripe, spread false information Even if true – Don’t hang our laundry for the world to seeEven if true – Don’t hang our laundry for the world to see Some speak rebellion against the eldersSome speak rebellion against the elders

4 – Leadership needs to know Some matters need to be acted upon by those with some authoritySome matters need to be acted upon by those with some authority Some matters need be be handled by those who know how to counsel or help the situationSome matters need be be handled by those who know how to counsel or help the situation Don’t allow it to fester, build, boilDon’t allow it to fester, build, boil Some ask – Why don’t the elders do something about this? – Do they know?Some ask – Why don’t the elders do something about this? – Do they know?

When it is Private: When a matter is a private issue between two Christians – keep it privateWhen a matter is a private issue between two Christians – keep it private You may feel the need to discuss the matter with someone who will hold the matter confidentiallyYou may feel the need to discuss the matter with someone who will hold the matter confidentially Only make it public if it is necessaryOnly make it public if it is necessary

When it is Public: Openly taught error in doctrineOpenly taught error in doctrine Sin already publicly knownSin already publicly known When it may bring harm to the churchWhen it may bring harm to the church When the leadership needs to know and/or actWhen the leadership needs to know and/or act