Should we be minding our own business?
Paul says it’s our business to confront
1 Corinthians 5:1-2 “1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?”
Reason: The continual and unrepentant immoral behavior of aPaul says it’s NOT our business to confront
1 Corinthians 5:12 “12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
Reason: Outsiders of the Christian faith have not signed up toJesus says it’s our business to confront insiders …and even tells us
Matthew 18:15-17 “15 If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
Important Observations
• The posture of confrontation is
• The point of confrontation is
• The persistence of confrontation is
4. Jesus says it’s our business to confront insiders …and even tells us
Matthew 18:21-22 “21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
• The Master settles accounts with his servant.
• The Servant begs for mercy for his enormous debt.
• The Master cancels the Servant’s debt.
• The Servant demands payment from a Debtor.
• The Master hears of the Unforgiving Servant.
• The Master judges that Servant for his lack of mercy.
Matthew 18:32-35 “32 Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ 34 In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Main Point:
Our mercy to others is to be without
Closing Thoughts
- Quit
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2. In order to be persuasive, don’t be