2. The Ingenious Invention of Jesus, and How it Works

3. Matt. 18:15-35

4. Acts 17:6 “… These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,”

5. The Church

6. (Those are my last 8 messages on Matthew…)
His Followers
They are trying to approach a The Kingdom Like A Child with their expectations.
Seeking the higher ground. Expecting a Kingdom Tsunami.
Finding Faith in others around them.
Seeing the Large scale Spiritual battle around them.
Connecting with Jesus Relationally.
They are Unleashing Forgiveness.
Watching out for the Little Things.
Holding their Faith when God seems silent / absent.
(Those are my last 8 messages on Matthew…)

7. Resolving Conflict

8. Doctrine

9. Matt 16:16&18 “16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”…
18 … on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Doctrine

10. Direction

11. Matt 18:17a “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church…”
Direction

12. Discipline

13. Discipline
Matt 18:17b “…And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

14. Discipline
If he won’t listen to the direction of the Church then he’s not part of The Church. So don’t pretend that he is.

15. 1 Corinthians 5:13 “expel the wicked brother…” 
 1 Corinthians 5:5 “hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.”
 1 Timothy 1:20 “Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.”

16. Doctrine
Direction
Discipline

17. v18 “18 …whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

18. Let’s not neglect Doctrine, Direction, & Discipline for Relevance, Comfort, and Convenience

19. Church is the lens through which the world sees Jesus.
John 13:35 (NLT) “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

20. 2 Corinthians 2:5-8 “5 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. 8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.”

21. Treat Jesus’ church with respect.
We were made to choose to worship God. 
Also made to turn the world the right way up.
Don’t add church to your life. Add life to your church.
True Power is to Transform Lives of ordinary people.
Trust accountable leadership.

22. Hebrews 13:17 “17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”