November 6, 2019
Better Together
Matthew 18:15–35
Avery Cole
Central Truth
God calls us to find community and accountability through others to bring light into our lives and grow our relationship with Him.
Key Verse | Matthew 18:15-16
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses."
Matthew 18:15–35
If Your Brother Sins Against You
15 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed 1 18:18 Or shall have been bound shall have been loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 2 18:23 Or bondservants; also verses 28, 31 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 3 18:24 A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a laborer 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant 4 18:26 Or bondservant; also verses 27, 28, 29, 32, 33 fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, 5 18:28 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, 6 18:34 Greek torturers until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Footnotes
[1] 18:18 Or shall have been bound . . . shall have been loosed[2] 18:23 Or bondservants; also verses 28, 31
[3] 18:24 A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a laborer
[4] 18:26 Or bondservant; also verses 27, 28, 29, 32, 33
[5] 18:28 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
[6] 18:34 Greek torturers
Dive Deeper | Matthew 18:15–35
Have you ever watched friends fall into sin over time? Maybe they are struggling with anger, anxiety, people-pleasing, turning to earthly pleasures instead of God, or another sin. When this happens, gossiping is an easy trap to fall into without even knowing it. But Matthew 18 tells us not to spread gossip and instead to go to our brother or sister in Christ and have a private and loving conversation. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17) I have learned it is best to lovingly express how they are falling short and biblically counsel how to get back on track toward Christ. Through community, we can pursue other believers relationally and grow our relationship with Christ.
Confronting someone or sharing your own struggles is not always easy, but I have learned the best way we can do either is through love. You can show God's love by investing, comforting, and encouraging others in their war against sin. Reminding others that we all suffer from sin and are broken encourages others that they are not alone and that you can relate.
Community is a big blessing from God. I've been attending my small group since the sixth grade, and both the girls and our leaders have been such a blessing in and impact on my story. Through fellowship and community, we can continually pursue Him while walking in the light with others. Community with fellow believers is a great way to have accountability and to counsel each other biblically. Authenticity and openness with your community group provide a link of helping each other through struggles instead of seeking isolation. So whether you're in a community group or not, I urge you to find fellowship and counsel as you walk through life alongside other believers in Christ.
Discussion Questions
1. What excuses are you telling yourself to avoid sharing your hurt with others, and how can you find truth through God's Word?
2. In what ways can you work to strengthen your community group through accountability and authenticity?
3. How are you holding back from being authentic with others? What sin and brokenness are you holding on to that you need to bring into the light?
4. If you are not in a community group, do you feel God leading you toward joining one? If so, visit http://www.watermark.org/dallas/ministries/community
5. Scripture says a lot about community and accountability. Spend some time this week studying these verses: Galatians 6:1-2; James 1:19 and 5:16; and 1 John 1:7.