Sinning Against a Sinning Against a BrotherBrother

What if a brother offends me?

What if I know of a moral sin?

What if I know of an error of teaching?

IntroductionIntroduction

• 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: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 MadeMistakes Often Made

• Out of context • Jesus is clear• Brother offends brother• Personal – individual• The context is a

personal hurt

Mistakes Often MadeMistakes Often Made

• Out of context

• Apply to public sin

• If false doctrine is taught – deal with it THEN!

• Galatians 2:4-5 - 4And 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), 5to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Mistakes Often MadeMistakes 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 MadeMistakes 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 MadeMistakes Often Made

• Out of context• Apply to public sin• Wrong view of

forgiveness

• Going to others 1st

• 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?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:My Options:

1.1. Let it goLet it go1. Decide not to make a fuss

2. It is not a big deal

3. Just drop the matter

2.2. Go to the brotherGo to the brother1. If you can’t let it go – it bothers you

2. Hurt too deeply; troubles you to much

What if it gets worse?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