1. Jesus’ Teaching on our relationships as brethren Matt. 18:15-17

2. 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

3. A brother/sister who has sinned against you. In dealing with a sinning brother, what steps should be taken? (15-18) – 1. Go and tell the brother his fault between you and him alone – Don’t tell someone else…the Elders, The Preachers, The Deacons, Your family, …It is a matter between the 2 of you… Keep it that way and seek to get it Corrected.

4. …if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. And that is the purpose we should have In mind….getting the matter corrected Between the 2 of us...Not everyone follows Jesus’ instructions…sometimes brethren will Tell everybody else about the matter except the very one that has sinned against them…

5. Notice what Jesus says in the 2 nd place: If that doesn’t work, take one or two more with you to serve as witnesses – Now you need witnesses…someone who can verify what has been done and said. They can Talk to the man/woman. Jesus’ teaching: Take one or 2 with you!. If he/she does not hear them, then

6. In the 3 rd place Jesus states

7. - If that doesn’t work, tell it to the church.

8. If that doesn’t work, then no longer associate with him Let him be to you as a heathen man Or publican!

9. What if you have sinned against a brother… Matt. 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

10. Before your worship is acceptable…you must Matt. 5:23-24 1. Go to your brother 2. Correct the matter. 3. Then you will be in a position to Worship God acceptably!.

11. OFFENDED Matt. 18:15-17 OFFENDER Matt. 5:23-24

12. WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT! 1. We are brethren!. We must treat each Other a)Kindly. Eph. 4:32 b)With love and consideration. John 13:34,35 c)To maintain harmony and unity among brethen. Eph. 4:1-6

13. #2 It is God’s will. …Matt. 7:21-23; Col. 3:17 Sad that Moses did not follow God’s way.. (Ill.Numbers 20:8-12) Moses… Smiting the rock TWICE..instead of Speaking to It…)

14. 3. It will work.. Brethren can work out their differences… if…they are willing to do the work of the Lord and follow His Way...John 14:6..Prov. 14:12..Jerm. 10:23..Isa. 55:8,9

15. What will happen to those who fail to follow God’s Way? Disobedience to God’s instructions always brings punishment...Nadad and Abihu. Lev. 10:1-2..Ananias and Sapphira..Acts 5:1-11

16. Psalms 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” It is good. It is pleasant! It is unity.

17. Let us be willing to obey God in everything To alien sinners: Hear the gospel. Rom. 10:17 Believe in Jesus. John 8:24 Repent. Acts 2:38 Confess Jesus. Acts 8:37 Be Baptized. Acts 22:16 Live faithfully…Rev. 2:10

18. For Erring Brethren: James 5:19,20 Brethren,if a man be overtaken in a fault…. I John 1:9 James 5:16 Confess and pray.