From the desk of Pastor Ben

Church Discipline – Third Step

“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church.”     (Matthew 18:17a)

If the second stage of church discipline fails to produce repentance from the sinning member, then the two or three witnesses must bring the matter before the entire church. The first two steps are to be private or semi-private, but this step is to be public, with all church members eligible to be present. The straying member should be brought before the entire congregation to receive further reproof and encouragement to repent. All members who know the person must accept the task to call that man or woman back to holiness and lovingly plead with him or her to repent and avoid having to face the final step of discipline which we’ll talk about tomorrow.

Jesus indicates here, that the place for discipline is within the church. The familiar Greek word for church, ekklesia, occurs here with its basic meaning of congregation or assembly. From the context, it’s clear that our Lord has in mind any local group of redeemed people who assemble in His name.

Such an understanding of “church” removes any justification for believers to take church discipline or any grievances between Christians to a secular court. Paul asked the Corinthians, “Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteousness and not before the saints?” (1 Corinthians 6:1-3). Only believers, no matter in a large church or small, can biblically administer proper discipline at this or any stage.

Ask Yourself:
Jesus calls us to go to great lengths to avoid embarrassing those who are failing to live up to their calling as a Christian or are outright rebelling against all they know to be right. How is even this third phase of discipline driven by a desire to protect the offender from experiencing any more shame?

From the desk of Pastor Ben

Church Discipline – Second Step

“But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses, every fact may be confirmed.”
(Matthew 18:16)

If the church member who is sinning does not respond to Reproof from a single believer, the second step of discipline is to “take one or two more” believers and confront the errant member again. Moses originally established the fundamental procedure (Deuteronomy 19:15) for verifying and corroborating the facts in a dispute or concerning an allegation of wrongdoing. So, this was not a novel concept for those listening to Jesus. To guard against someone being falsely charged with a crime or sin is an important safeguard against a wrongful accusation of an innocent person.

If the testimony of several witnesses becomes necessary, it will not only confirm that a sin was committed, but that the believer who sinned was properly rebuked and whether or not he has repented. When we take one or two witnesses with us, we hope that this added behind-the-scenes confrontation will preclude the next step of presentation before the whole church. This second-stage rebuke should induce a change of heart in the offender that the initial reproof did not.

These built-in, biblical protections against abuse or unjust indictment are to protect church leaders as well as others in the church. Paul warned Timothy, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning” (1 Timothy 5:19-20). Any and all believers deserve a God-honoring fairness and balance in the process of discipline.

Ask Yourself:
Those who dismiss the notion of church discipline would perhaps be surprised that Jesus’ instructions are actually as patient and multi-layered as they are. What does it tell you about our Lord to know He calls us to continue seeking the welfare of a straying brother or sister?

From the desk of Pastor Ben

Prevention of Stumbling

“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled to lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into eternal fire. If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.”         (Matthew 18:8-9)

Jesus is obviously giving us a figurative statement here because no bodily part per se causes us to sin — and He would never advocate mutilation because that will not cleanse our hearts or prevent us from sinning. But Jesus is pointing the way, with graphic hyperbole, to deliverance from heart sin (Matthew 5:29-30). Plucking out an eye or severing a foot or hand would be useless. The remaining bodily member could simply carry on with the sinful action the discarded one had engaged in.

Our Lord’s point is that we should be willing, no matter how painful or extreme, to keep from sinning and to keep others from sinning. He implies that there is plenty of divinely provided grace available to overcome any temptation or sin. If any habit, situation, or relationship leads you to stumble, you should forsake it permanently. Even if the sacrifice causes “maiming” or “blinding” — socially, financially, professionally — that is infinitely preferable to entering the fires of hell forever.

Christ here gives believers a vivid encouragement to drastic action against sin. Only unbelievers are in danger of hell, but believers can’t miss the seriousness of this statement. To keep others from sin, we must protect ourselves from it as well. Paul affirmed, “I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). If a believer is truly concerned that he not sin, he will also be prepared and eager to help others not stumble.

Ask Yourself:
The call to discipleship is indeed a radical one, and the path to victory cannot be considered a part-time job. What in your life needs a drastic shock to the system, a complete refusal to comply any longer?

From the desk of Pastor Ben

Despising Other Believers

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones.”     (Matthew 18:10a)

Jesus’ negative command here is a stern warning (the grammar in the Greek intensifies the warning) strongly implying God’s displeasure with disobedience of it. Our Lord had already established the seriousness of harming any of God’s children — it would be better for such a violator “to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

To despise literally means “to think down on,” or to look down on another person as inferior or not worthy of consideration or care, and to treat him or her with contempt. So, Jesus warns us not to treat a fellow believer — one of the Father’s precious children — with disdain and contempt.

In the context of what had just happened with Jesus and the apostles, He was instructing them that their arguing over who was the greatest was a form of despising God’s little ones — in this case each other. As each one exalted himself, he was pushing his fellow apostles down. Instead of proudly elevating himself, each one should have been showing concern for the others and building them up. As Paul encouraged the Philippians:

“Do nothing from selfish or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who . . . humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”     (Philippians 2:3-6a, 8)

Ask Yourself:
The habit of making comparisons has a way of turning personal temperaments and preferences into points of extreme judgment and disapproval of others. Have you let this become a favorite sport or pastime in your life? What does it usually leave you feeling like when you’re done?

From the desk of Pastor Ben

The Evil of the Stumbling Block

“It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!”         (Matthew 18:7b-c)

The world today is under God’s curse (the word “woe” is a term of cursing and condemnation) because of its sinfulness, but also because of the stumbling blocks it constantly places across believers’ paths. The mass media, especially the ever-expanding numbers of Internet sites and blogs, are relentless at sending forth false and corrupt messages and images that seek to pull God’s children into sin. In fact, the world seems to delight in victimizing those who follow the Lord.

It is inevitable that such ungodly influences will come and continue until Christ returns. But Jesus further emphasizes that, unless they repent, it will be horrifying for those who place stumbling blocks before others. He had already declared the gravity of such offenses by saying it was better for the guilty person to drown. Better off dead if someone has caused Christ’s precious believers to sin. But now, He asserts that being a stumbling block can bring on divine judgment.

Many years ago, a young Christian man at our church remorsefully told me he had recently gotten drunk. I figured out by his story that his brothers and others had forced alcohol down his throat until he was intoxicated. The worst thing for him was not the intoxication but the guilt it brought afterwards. He felt ashamed and responsible and he was wondering if Jesus would forgive him. I assured him that our Lord had forgiven him and that the guilt really belonged to his abusers. They were the ones who needed to repent and escape God’s judgment.

Ask Yourself:
Think of the many ways the young and impressionable are being deceived on any number of fronts in our culture today. How can you be a barrier of protection for them, helping them see truth in the midst of such destructive lies, helping them avoid the trap of being drawn in deeper?

From the desk of Pastor Ben

Leading Others to Righteousness

“It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come.”     (Matthew 18:7b)

The most common way that believers contribute to other believers’ sins may be the failure to lead others into righteousness. To keep God’s truth and all its rich resources strictly to ourselves is to withhold from others insights and experiences that can help them grow spiritually.

By contrast, the New Testament repeatedly urges saints to encourage one another in righteousness. Hebrews admonishes us to “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus tells His children to petition their Heavenly Father, “Do not lead us into temptation.” We know , however, that He would never tempt us, because it is His desire to “deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). James further assures us that “God cannot be tempted by evil,” and that He sets the standard in that “He Himself does not tempt anyone” (James 1:13). Like the Father, the mature Christian never causes others to sin but shields them from it and leads them into righteousness.

The story is told of a very distraught old man on his deathbed. When asked why he was so upset, he said, “When we were boys at play, one day at a crossroads we reversed a signpost, and I’ve never ceased to wonder how many people were sent in the wrong direction by what we did.” How many times does that sort of bad communication occur in the church when believers send other believers wrong signals that lead them down the road to sin?

Ask Yourself:
Who have been some of the greatest examples of Christ-likeness you’ve been around in your life — those whose words, reactions, and expressions always draw out of you a fresh desire to follow Christ more completely? How badly do you want to become that for others?

From the desk of Pastor Ben

Do Not Cause a Brother to Sin – Part 2

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!”     (Matthew 18:6-7)

In the wake of the apostles’ heated argument over who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, this illustration must have been especially sobering to them. The disagreement, no doubt, caused each man’s resentment to rise as each one asserted, likely more than once, why he was due the label of greatest. They not only sinned with their pride and boasting, but they incited one another to envy and anger.

As children of God, each Christian needs protection, care, and understanding. For one saint to sin against another and slow his or her spiritual growth is heinous to God, because it equals sinning against Christ.

The prophet Zechariah states that whoever harms God’s people (Israel) “touches the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8). The expression “apple of the year” is an ancient metaphor for the cornea, the most delicate external part of the human body. The illustration is that anyone who harms believers jams his finger, as it were, into God’s eye, seriously grieving our Heavenly Father.

Anyone in the church who lives an ungodly life and pulls others into sin is effectively sticking a finger into God’s eye and would be better off dead. Pretty harsh sounding, isn’t it. But, how we treat fellow believers in God’s church is a matter of immense importance.

Ask Yourself:
Your example touches more people than you probably know — whether for good or for ill. In what ways are you often forgetful of this fact? Think of the people in your own life whose diligent or frequent faithfulness has a telling influence on you.

From the desk of Pastor Ben

Ways To Cause Sin – Part 3

“Woe to the world because of it’s stumbling blocks!
For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe
to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!”
(Matthew 18:7)

When a strong believer carelessly flaunts his liberty on a matter that is not itself sinful, he could be causing the weak to sin. If the immature believer follow’s the mature one’s example, while still convinced that the particular practice is sinful, the immature Christian is sinning. Thus, stronger Christians can lead weaker ones to sin because the weaker person ends up violating his or her conscience.

Paul instructed both sides of this issue in 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14, that the important thing was not the eating of or abstaining from certain foods nor the observing or disregarding of certain holy days. The important concern was the mutual respect of believers’ consciences. Strong believers who do not share a certain inhibition should respect those who still have that inhibition. The strong must not flaunt their liberty but even refrain from the practice themselves if that will help the weak not to sin. Paul summarizes in Romans 14:20-22…

“All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.”

Jesus doesn’t want us to be insensitive about our liberties in Him, causing our brothers and sisters to stumble. To lead them into any conscience-violating action or inaction can mean we’ve caused them to sin. And “woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!”

Ask Yourself:
What are some of the more common areas where young believers can become confused by other Christians’ behaviors? How have you experienced some of these yourself, either by observing the example of another, or by your own example being held accountable?

From the desk of Pastor Ben

Do Not Cause a Brother to Sin – Part 1

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!”     (Matthew 18:6-7)

The truth that whatever affects believers also affects Christ also has a negative side. So, whenever someone mistreats a believer, he mistreats Christ. Whether the person is the most evil unbeliever who harms a Christian, or just a careless, sinning believer who harms a fellow believer, the effect is the same: Jesus is harmed and dishonored. So, it is crucial that Christians take extra care not to sin against other Christians.

The verb “to stumble” literally means “to cause to fall” and refers to moral and spiritual stumbling, namely sinning. Jesus explained to the disciples of trapping or influencing a believer so that he sins or finds it easier to sin than otherwise.

With graphic and sobering language, Jesus declares that one who causes one of God’s children to sin would be better off dying a terrible death such as drowning in the sea. The millstone was used to grind grain and often weighed hundreds of pounds. The Romans would tie the stone around a criminal’s neck and drop him overboard into deep water. Such a pagan form of execution was reprehensible to the Jews, maybe even more so than crucifixion. Yet Jesus did not back away from saying that suffering such a terrifying death would be preferable than causing even one child of God to sin.

Ask Yourself:
Sometimes we fail to remember how patient God continues to be with us as He does His work of sanctification in our hearts. What makes us think we are at liberty to demonstrate a lack of patience toward others of His children — our spiritual brothers and sisters?

From the desk of Pastor Ben

Children of God – Part 2

“Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me.”
(Matthew 18:5)

“Receives” translates a Greek word that means purposefully taking something or someone to yourself. People often used the term to denote the meeting of a guest’s needs with special attention and kindness. Our Lord’s point here is that the way anyone treats God’s children is the way he treats Christ Himself. When someone welcomes  with an open heart a Christian as an honored guest, that person does the same to Jesus. When a person treats any believer with tenderness and kindness, he does the same to Christ.

When the Lord portrayed the judgment of the nations, He re-affirmed this principle of unity. After placing the sheep (believers) on His right and the goats (unbelievers) on His left,

The King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.” Then the righteous will answer Him, “Lord, when did we do those things?” . . . The King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”
(Matthew 25:34-40)
We are to care for one another like precious children.

Ask Yourself:
How could you do a better job of expressing love and unity with your fellow believers? What are some of the sweetest blessings received from seeking their good and welfare, as well as having it returned to you in a full-circle celebration of what gos has done for us?